Volunteer Toronto is thrilled to announce that long-standing staff member and current Director of Programs, Kasandra James, has been recognized by the Bhayana Family Foundation for demonstrating exemplary leadership capabilities.

The Bhayana Family Foundation Awards recognize extraordinary contributions made by United Way Greater Toronto supported agencies and their employees. Front-line staff and middle managers are awarded for their dedication, innovation/creativity, leadership, teamwork and collaboration.

“Through her visionary leadership, Kasandra inspires those around her to challenge the status quo and drive meaningful transformation—not just within our organization, but across the broader community. She is reshaping how we view volunteerism, influencing volunteer managers and leaders to rethink and dismantle problematic systems preventing people from giving back.”

For nearly a decade, Kasandra has led several high-impact programs that create waves of change throughout volunteerism in Toronto and beyond. This includes advocating for youth voices to be heard, researching systemic Meals on Wheels volunteer shortages, leading major volunteer program audits, supporting volunteer managers to rebuild post-pandemic, and being a champion for barrier reduction in volunteer engagement.

Recently, Kasandra has led the development of “Decent Volunteerism,” a holistic learning initiative for non-profit leaders and volunteer managers that highlights exclusionary practices and provides actionable solutions. Her workshops, which explore inclusive recruitment and screening processes aligned with the Decent Work lens, have sparked real change across hundreds of organizations. Kasandra has delivered these sessions at provincial and national conferences, through webinars, and through partner organizations to build the capacity of food justice and Black-led organizations.

Kasandra was presented with a Bhayana Family Foundation Award at a ceremony held during Nonprofit Sector Appreciation Week on Wednesday, February 12th, alongside other recipients.

✨ Please join us in congratulating Kasandra!  ✨