Board of Directors

Amina Philbert
Chair

Amina has worked in the nonprofit sector for almost 12 years with more than 9 years’ experience as a Manager in this capacity. She has experience working and volunteering with newcomers to Canada, and has numerous connections in the community. Her background is in Education, Political Science, Economics, International Relations and Law. As an immigrant to Canada herself, Amina is very familiar with the journeys of and challenges faced by our organization’s clientele. Consequently, her insight and experiences helps shape COOK-UP’s vision and goals to ensure the organization’s success. As Chair of the Board, she brings an attention to detail, advocacy skills, and keen eye on identifying new opportunities to benefit COOK-UP’s strategic priorities.

Philippine Ishak
Vice-Chair

A Community Leader, Director and Business Owner, Philippine brings over sixteen years’ experience serving a government-funded non-profit organization. This senior management professional possesses expertise in strategic planning and execution of policies and goals. She has spearheaded projects involving advocacy for marginalized and disadvantaged populations, and crafted successful proposals aimed at reducing poverty and improving literacy. These projects have engaged governments, political figures, and private stakeholders with vested interests in global affairs. She also serves as President of the Nigerian Canadian Organization Windsor, a community based not-for-profit organization that has been in existence for over 17 years, committed to providing a functional support system to ensure the wellbeing of its members.

Cassandra Irene Richardson
Board Member

A community developer and mobilizer, Cassandra built most of her academic and working career in the United States and Canada. She holds a bachelor’s degree, double majoring in Communications with an emphasis in Journalism and Environmental Science from the University of St. Catherine’s in St. Paul Minnesota, and two master’s degrees, one in Social Work and the other in Communication and Social Justice, both from the University of Windsor in Windsor Ontario, Canada. After moving back to her home country, St. Maarten, she was appointed Executive Director of the Safe Haven Foundation, a domestic violence shelter for women experiencing intimate partner violence. She is also the Founder of The Wildflower Institute and her own business, Civic Service Consulting. She is a proponent for access to programs and opportunities alleviating the poverty of vulnerable groups. She has assisted NGO’s and NPO’s expand and strengthen their organizational capacity, and dedicates her time working with and advocating for victims of domestic violence. She is a TEDx presenter on art and community mobilization and has been invited on neighboring islands and internationally to speak about her unique experiences and expertise in working with various art forms to incite social change in the community, bringing education and awareness of social issues.

Ryan Osborne
Sectretary

Coming soon...

Michael Fehr
Treasurer

Michael brings years of experience in financial management starting at a young age helping his parents with their accounting business and currently managing personal and investment finances. Formally, he is a nurse working in an acute care trauma hospital in an operating room. He is currently enrolled and on track to obtain a Masters of Nursing (nurse practitioner) by 2027. As Treasurer, he brings a detail-oriented and high degree of accountability to COOK-UP to ensure that the organization’s financials are sound. His goals also include a focus on promoting inclusion to all groups with special interest in the LGBTQIA++ population, and integration of ecological conservation into COOK-UP’s daily operations.

FUNDING PARTNERS

The COOK-UP is supported by the Government of Canada’s Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative and the Tropicana Community Services.