meet the team
Our LEADERSHIP
WHO WE ARE
We are a passionate and collaborative team that spans 3 generations. Our experience includes education, social policy, film, business, counselling, and youth work. We make decisions together and work to create an atmosphere of sharing and connection.
Our Ledge culture fosters the values of being...
Self-Led
We actively work to develop our whole person to enhance our contribution and impact
Team-Centred
We lead by sharing power and mutually appreciating each other's abilities and contributions
Relational Communicators
We authentically communicate in open
and meaningful ways
HOW WE WORK
We approach our work as a collaborative.
No matter the project or the partner, we put your needs and concerns first. Together we work to find solutions to move you and your team forward. Our work reflects daily attention to the critical actions of...
Co-Creating Content
We collaborate to develop fresh content
to engage teams
Listening Deeply
We ask questions to appreciate different
ways of knowing, being and doing
Actively Learning
We pursue education and experiences
to grow as self-led people
Board of Directors
Lynda Rees
Board Chair
For more than 30 years, Lynda has worked with individuals, couples, and teams to create meaningful change and achieve lasting results. Her work has included developing teams, leading workshops, and designing curriculum focused on relationships, self-leadership, team development, and well-being.
As a founder of Ledge Leadership, she helped shape and deliver its leadership curriculum from the beginning. Her passion for young adults and their leadership potential has guided my work as a board chair, mentor, and program designer. Today, as part of the Program Team, I work with workplace teams to strengthen communication, navigate stress, and lead with courage and compassion —helping create environments where people and teams can thrive.
I live in Toronto with my husband, Denis Bell, and enjoy films and books that spark meaningful conversation about our world and how we can contribute to it.
Amanda Buchnea
Board Vice Chair
Amanda brings a wealth of experience in critical community-engaged scholarship as a PhD Candidate at the University of Guelph in the Social Practice and Transformational Change program. Amanda also has over a decade of experience working in strategic planning, research, policy advocacy and social innovation, usually focused on preventing youth homelessness. She has a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Toronto and has held positions with A Way Home Canada, the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness and Making the Shift Youth Homelessness Social Innovation Lab. She is currently a Mitacs Postdoctoral Research Fellow with Wilfrid Laurier University and the Region of Waterloo. She was drawn to Ledge's focus on supporting young people to share power and lead relationally, transforming problematic power dynamics into more just and equitable collaborations.
When she's not doing research and writing, you can find her knitting, playing violin, or watching the latest trashy reality TV show with her husband, Korbyn, and two cats, Frankie and Gizmo.
Adam Noble
Board Member
Adam is a senior product leader at Axonify, where he helps organizations drive performance and growth through innovative technology and people-first strategies. His background spans frontline operations, product leadership, and learning & development, giving him a practical, results-driven perspective. Adam was part of one of Ledge’s programs in 2000 and has been drawn to the organization ever since. He feels a strong affinity for helping equip the next generation of young leaders to be prepared for the workplace.
Outside of work, he’s a father of three who loves music, camping, and collecting all kinds of gear.
Lois Davies
Board Member
Lois Brings over 35 years of experience in public administration and a Master of Public Administration (MPA). Now semi-retired, she continues to contribute her expertise as an Accessibility Specialist. Lois is deeply passionate about mentoring young people through meaningful relationships, which strongly aligns with Ledge’s mission to develop confident, self-aware leaders.
Outside of her professional and volunteer work, she is a proud mother of three amazing adult children and two beloved fur babies.
Dennis Kariuki
Board Member
Dennis is an account management at a financial technology company. When he was a young adult, Dennis had the opportunity to be part of Ledge's programming through Youth Builders. During that time, he was challenged and grew in ways he never had before. The experience left a lasting mark on his life, and Dennis continues to see the impact today in how he works within teams. Ledge's has changed and evolved over the years, but at its core we are still serving the same group, and he became involved on the Board so he could continue to be part of that work.
A perfect day off for Dennis would be biking in nature with his family, followed by eating cookies together. When he gets to do that with his family, he feels like a very rich man.
Ledge staff
Melri Wright
Co-Executive Director
Melri helps lead Ledge's mission to inspire young adults to lead themselves and thrive in teams. With over 25 years of experience in youth work, she brings expertise in personal development, relational leadership, and team effectiveness. Melri holds a Psychology degree from York University, an MA in Counselling Psychology, and is a certified Highlands Affiliate, leading the Highlands Natural Ability Assessment at Ledge.
She is passionate about helping young people grow in self-awareness, confidence, and leadership.
Melri enjoys sailing, running, and hiking.
Mike Wright
Co-Executive Director
With over 30 years of experience in leadership development, Mike is passionate about helping individuals and teams grow in self-leadership, communication, and collaboration. Mike holds a degree in Psychology, is a Systemic Team Coaching Sr. Practitioner, and has extensive experience working with youth and young adults, equipping teams to lead meaningful and lasting change.
He is committed to strengthening team health and supporting leaders and organizations in developing collaborative, effective ways of working together.
Outside of his work, Mike enjoys sailing on on the beautiful waters of Georgian Bay.
Nicholas
manglal-ian
Kylee kalte
CASSANDRA
HANCHARD
LEDGE IMPACT TEAM COORDINATOR
Nicholas brings both hands-on experience and personal passion to his role. His journey with Ledge Leadership began as a volunteer on the Ledge Research Team, and over the past five years he has worked in grassroots community development across Grey, Bruce, Huron, and Perth Counties. Having grown as a leader through Ledge himself, Nicholas is passionate about helping young adults build confidence, leadership capacity, and meaningful impact in their communities.
Outside of his work, he is an automotive enthusiast who enjoys working on and driving his dream car—a 1967 Chevelle.
LEDGE IMPACT TEAM COORDINATOR
Kylee brings experience leading workplace teams and a strong passion for collaboration, leadership, and community involvement. She was drawn to Ledge with the opportunity to make a difference in her community while showing her son the importance of empathy, compassion, and giving back. She is passionate about supporting animal welfare and addressing food insecurity because it is a vital need in the community.
Outside of Ledge, Kylee enjoys kayaking the Saugeen River, spending time with my cat and two dogs, and making the most of time with my son while he’s young.
COMMUNICATION & MARKETING COORDINATOR
With a background in graphic design and brand communications, Cassandra brings experience in visual storytelling, marketing design, and social media content creation. She was drawn to Ledge because of its commitment to helping leaders grow with authenticity and purpose, and she value's being part of a team that creates meaningful impact through leadership development.
Outside of work, Cassandra loves music, enjoy playing steelpan, exploring creative projects, and spending time with my family and friends.