Alexandra De Gasperis
Founder / Executive Director
Alexandra is in her final year at the University of Western Ontario. Currently she is in the Business Administration program, majoring in Finance Administration. On campus, Alexandra holds the position of Student Affairs at Large for the Social Science Student’s Council taking part in organizing fundraising and social events as well as promoting school spirit.
Alexandra’s keen interest in helping others has branched from her experiences with different charities and organizations. She has been involved in many organizations including Habitat for Humanity, The Good Sheppard, Reach for the Rainbow and a ‘Sandwich Patrol’ to feed the homeless in Toronto. Alexandra believes involvement in ones community is one of the most character building and enjoyable learning experiences one can have.
Alana De Gasperis
Founder / Executive Director
Alana always believed that volunteering is a powerful force for change, that not only enriches those who receive, but also those who give. The Burgundy Brick Foundation has allowed Alana to help improve the future of the local community, by promoting affordable housing and living initiatives, while helping those less fortunate.
Alana graduated from The University of Western Ontario with a degree in Media, Information and Technoculture (MIT) and is currently at Ryerson University in the Urban and Regional Planning program. Through a formal education in planning, Alana hopes to further give back to the community by helping to revive and improve communities within Toronto and the GTA.
Alex Nikolajev
Managing Director
Alex is committed to the development of the Burgundy Brick Foundation. For her, the foundation is an opportunity to raise community awareness, work with a team of dedicated individuals and create successful ideas for event execution. Alex is determined to watch Burgundy Brick grow and encourages any students or youth in the community to contact her if they are interested in getting involved.
Her involvement with the Burgundy Brick Foundation allows her to combine her passion for people and learning with the need to create positive change in Toronto. Prior to joining the Burgundy Brick team, Alex was an undergraduate student at the University of Western Ontario. She continued to study, completing a post-graduate degree in public relations and a master’s of business, entrepreneurship and technology from the University of Waterloo. Alex hopes she can use her academic knowledge to bring fresh ideas to the Burgundy Brick Foundation.
Melanie Cammalleri
Communications Director
Melanie believes that we all have the opportunity to help advance equality around our local communities. Working with Burgundy Brick has allowed her to prove that no matter where a person is born they have the chance to live a healthy and productive life.
Melanie graduated from The University of Western Ontario with an Honours Specialization degree in English Language and Literature, she then continued her education and completed her post-graduate Certificate at Humber College in public relations. Melanie is excited to be a member of this honourable foundation and plans to dedicate her free time to many future charitable initiatives.
Natalie Longo
Event Coordinator
Natalie is committed to the development and growth of the Burgundy Brick Foundation. She sees the foundation as a way to bring people together and share their passion for the cause. She also sees the foundation as an opportunity to collaborate with a team of committed individuals to create events that not only raise funds, but raise awareness as well.
Natalie graduated from George Brown College with a Diploma in Special Event Planning. She has recently been afforded the opportunity to gain valuable event experience while working in Los Angeles with NAMEvents and The Dolce Group. She worked on many high profile celebrity events as well as several large-scale events including clients such as Disney Studios Motion Pictures & Fox Search Light . She is looking forward to helping co-ordinate and organize upcoming events for the Burgundy Brick Foundation and contribute to this admirable foundation.
Matthew Cole
Finance Director
Matthew graduated from the University of Western Ontario where he received a Business degree in Finance with a minor concentration in French. At Western, Matthew was very involved in student politics. He held the position of Vice President of Finance for the Social Science Student Council and the Arts & Humanities Students’ Council. He was also a four-year member of the Western Varsity Water Polo Team and volunteered with the income tax clinic for three years.
In 2005, Matthew, along with five other Canadians spent five weeks in Nicaragua with the organization Youth Challenge International. While living in a small village, Matthew taught English at a local school and helped to organize one of the largest youth conferences to date in the country. Matthew recently received his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and is very excited about the opportunity to be involved with the Burgundy Brick Foundation.
