The people behind our projects

Veronica Associate Director at Branches

Veronica Amberg

Associate Director,
Partnerships and Access

Patricia

Patricia Diaz del Castillo

Student Outreach Manager

Camille Black Outreach Associate

Camille Georges

Black Community Outreach Associate

Margaret MacKenzie

Indigenous Program Advisor


Meet our program assistants

Every semester, amazing students and recent graduates work with Branches as program assistants. We have exceptional students who go above and beyond to facilitate programming and provide mentorship and tutoring to our participants. Join us in thanking them for everything that they do to support positive development and access to education.

Blain Haile headshot

Blain Haile

Blain is a second-year law student at McGill. She is involved in social impact initiatives in Montréal and is interested in pursuing higher legal education after graduation. Blain, who was a mentor for Cohort 3, is looking forward to returning to Pick Your Path for Black Youth, this time working behind the scenes of the program.

gemma

Gemma Else

Gemma is dedicated to facilitating internal and external communications that support the success of Branches' programming and events. Gemma collaborates with all members of the Branches Team to create program communications, material, and publicity to reach target audiences effectively and with clear messaging. You can find Gemma at Branches' events, camera in hand, documenting the day and engaging with participants and facilitators. In her free time, Gemma maintains an art studio in Tiohtià:ke and is active in the local arts scene. Connect with Gemma for communication-related inquiries or support.

Jaelle

Jaelle Kouatchou Kouadop

Jaelle is a second-year medical student at McGill University. Passionate about youth mentorship, she has dedicated herself to inspiring and empowering young Black students through various initiatives, including her role as a mentor in the PYP (Cohort 3) last year. A committed leader, Jaelle is deeply engaged in her community and continually strives to make a meaningful impact through her work.

This year, she is excited to take on a new role with PYP, focusing on program organization and ensuring its smooth operation.

Leah Louttit-Bunker

Leah is Mushkegowuk Cree from Moose Factory, Ontario. She is currently in her 4th year at McGill, studying History, with a double minor in Indigenous Studies and Anthropology. This past summer Leah participated in the IMPRESS program, sharing that "IMPRESS was a great experience and it contributes to my eagerness to join Branches, as I'd like to help create a welcoming environment filled with more opportunities for Indigenous students."

Sienna Armstrong

Sienna is a 4th year psychology and sociology student at McGill. During her time at McGil Sienna has participated in two of the programs offered by Branches for Indigenous students, IMPRESS and Pick Your Path. She now offers her experienced perspective as a program assistant. Sienna shared that "these programs have truly changed my university experience for the better and I can’t wait to use my perspective and knowledge to grow these programs and be able to offer them to more students. I am so excited to be joining the Branches team as an Indigenous Program Assistant, and I am looking forward to the upcoming year!"

twisha

Twisha Singh

Twisha Singh (she/her) works as the 2SLGBTQ+ Community Ambassador at the Branches Program and is committed to facilitating a supportive environment for 2SLGBTQ+ students at McGill University. Twisha aids and connects students from 2SLGBTQ+ communities with necessary and essential resources both on and off-campus, ensuring their holistic well-being. Twisha works with 2SLGBTQ+ students as well as for their needs and interests, effectively communicating their concerns to the university to help foster a culture of inclusivity and understanding, as well as develop mentorship programs and other initiatives to help support 2SLGBTQ+ students on their journey to post-secondary education. Twisha holds a PhD in South Asian History, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, her academic pursuits enhance her understanding of the complex social dynamics at play for 2SLGBTQ+ students. Twisha's commitment to the well-being and empowerment of 2SLGBTQ+ students and communities arises from a dedication to promoting social justice, equity, and diversity within the academic sphere.

Connect with us

Need more information about our programs, activities or events? Want to get involved? Have a suggestion or comment you’d like to share with us? We want to hear from you!


McGill University is on land that long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst
Indigenous peoples, including the Haudenosaunee and Anishinabeg nations. We acknowledge
and thank the diverse Indigenous people whose footsteps have marked this territory on which
peoples of the world now gather.
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