Board of Directors

DOUG PHILPOTT

Acting Chair

As President of SDP Enterprises is 99 per cent retired after completing an extensive 45+ year career as a sports journalist, freelance writer and broadcaster. Doug is also a long-time executive specializing in marketing, communications, sponsorship, television and radio production, and event execution for professional and amateur sports organizations, both nationally and internationally.

His client histories include:  McGraw Hill Publishing, Metroland Group, Hockey News,  Canadian Press, Hayhurst Sports, Toronto Argonaut Football Club, Canadian Football League, Hockey Canada, Canadian Hockey League, Ontario Hockey Association, Skate Canada, Curl Canada, World Curling Federation, Speed Skating Canada, Canadian Lacrosse Association, TSN, RDS, RSN, CBC, Radio Canada, Global Television and The Score Network.

Over the years, he has built his corporate alliance portfolio to include the majority of the top 200 business enterprises involved in the day-to-day sponsorship of sports, entertainment and arts in Canada. He is a Life Member (35 years and counting), Board of Directors of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Toronto. In addition, for the past 10 years, he has supported fundraising projects for Sheena’s Place.

DHRUV SHUKLA

Treasurer

Dhruv Shukla received his BBA from the University of Toronto and achieved his CA designation in 2007.  Dhruv has worked as auditor for a number of years and is currently focused on tax at a big four accounting firm in downtown Toronto.  Dhruv is excited to be involved in a proactive and important program such as Kids Now.

RIKHIL BAJAJ

Rikhil Bajaj is a management consultant with The Boston Consulting Group, where he works across industries including non-profit, financial services and telecommunications. His case experience includes conducting an impact assessment of an organizational restructuring for a large Canadian charitable organization. Prior to BCG, Rikhil worked with Hand in Hand, a social enterprise organization in India, developing a business plan for an agricultural co-operative. Rikhil holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University, where he graduated at the top of his class.

CAROLYN MEACHER

Carolyn is a certified leadership coach and innovation trainer and is passionate about equipping her clients with the critical ‘soft’ skills necessary for succeeding in leadership and innovation. In addition, Carolyn facilitates and coaches North American clients in the Rotman Designworks  Business Design methodology for innovation and is a sought after trainer, speaker and coach for Emotionally Intelligent Leadership and Effective Thinking.

An accomplished business leader, she has held executive leadership positions, in diverse organizations including: Rogers Wireless Communications, BBDO Advertising, Ogilvy & Mather Advertising, Key Media (Now St Joseph’s Communications), Eaton’s, TBWA Advertising and A.C. Nielsen Research. Her experience includes corporate and volunteer board appointments, keynote speaking engagements and non-profit marketing advisory roles.

ARJUN SARAF

Arjun received his Economics and Prelaw degree at Carleton University, and is successfully pursuing his C.A designation.

Arjun worked for over three years at Stanley A. Fromstein & Associates as a staff accountant and is currently practicing as the Controller for New Haven Mortgage. An active community member, Arjun is also the President and Secretary at 944902 Ontario Inc. administrator Gulf Stream Day Care. With many volunteer hours accumulated for various NFP, including a previous kids now mentor, Arjun is an advocate for youth development and is happy to be part of the kids.now leadership team.

RACHEL LAI

Rachel has been a communications specialist for the past 12 years helping a wide range of leading brands like Rogers Wireless, The Home Depot, Air Miles, York University and Canada Goose hone their brand messaging.  Throughout her career she has been fortunate to work at some of the best advertising agencies in town including BBDO Canada, Leo Burnett, Publicis Canada and doug and serge where she is currently residing as VP Insight.

The mother of two young boys, Rachel has a passionate belief in the need to give children a foundation for life success by educating both their minds and hearts.

ANIKA CHABRA

Anika Chabra brings her passion for kids reaching their true potential together with her extensive communications experience to the board of Kids Now.  She has spent the past 15 years in Toronto and US advertising agencies Ambrose Carr Linton Carroll, BBDO, The Richards Group and Publicis building brands like the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership, Hellmann’s, Skippy Peanut Butter, Honda Canada, Campbell Soup, Talbots Canada and The Home Depot.

Positive and proactive – the Kids Now program mirrors the values that Anika lives by and uses in raising her two small children.

Anika has a B.Ed from OISE/UofT and is an Instructor for the Post Graduate Certificate Advertising Program at Humber College.

JANET KING

President & Founder

Social entrepreneur Janet King is President & Founder of kids.now. Prior to creating kids.now, Janet worked in corporate management and recruitment fields, and held teaching positions in Canada and Europe. Her Canadian teaching experience includes positions with the Toronto District School Board, teaching diverse populations with special needs in low socio-economic communities. She has extensive volunteer experience including the London Board of Education, The Distress Centre, Association for Children with Learning Disabilities, and the Children’s Psychiatric Rehabilitation Institute.

If you are interested in becoming one of our Board Members to help us continue deliver programs to today’s youth, please contact us now to find out more at info@kidsnow.com, or call (416) 488-4848.