Group Study Exchange - The Team

STEPHANIE FOX-COMER Y
TEAM LEADER
dcsfc@rogers.com
December 20, 1969

Marital Status: Married (David) with two children (Adeline and Claire)

Education: Master of Arts, University of Toronto; Bachelor of Education and Arts, Queen’s University

Occupation: Department Head of English and High School English Teacher since 1992

Hobbies: travel and volunteer work with Rotary; Amnesty International member; recreational soccer player.

I have been a resident of Oshawa for more than twenty years. I am happily employed as both Department Head of English and Literature/Literacy Teacher at R.S. McLaughlin Collegiate in Oshawa.

Since 1992, I have been happily married to David Comery, an Ontario Land Surveyor and business owner. We are the proud parents of two bright and fun loving children: Adeline, aged 5, and Claire, aged 3. Dave and I have been members of Rotary International since 1999; since this time, I have completed six overseas projects
in developing countries.

I have greatly benefi tted from my volunteer work with AIDS orphans, earthquake victims and untrained teachers. As a proud member of the Rotary Club of Whitby, I have served on the Board of Directors and am currently the Youth Exchange Co-ordinator.

In my spare time, I enjoy reading post-modern literature, cooking, travelling, volunteering as a Guide Leader and playing recreational women’s soccer. I am very thankful to the Rotary Foundation and fellow German Rotarians for this wonderful GSE opportunity.

OTTAVIO CICCONI
ocicconi@gmail.com November 27, 1973

Marital Status: Unmarried

Education: Honours Bachelor of Arts University of Toronto

Occupation: Program/Policy Advisor, Ministry of Children and Youth Services

Hobbies: Photography, reading, hiking, camping

I am delighted to be part of District 7070’s GSE trip to Germany. I am currently working as a Program/Policy professional at the Ministry of Children and Youth Services with the Government of Ontario. My office is responsible for the oversight and administration of all children and youth services in the province which includes: adoption, autism, child care, child welfare, disabilities and mental health.

My work in government has been focused on children and young adults, and I have also had the opportunity to work on the student engagement strategy and the youth employment initiative.

Outside of work, I volunteer with a few local community development agencies. I also spend a lot of time doing photography which is one of my passions. Toronto is a great city to photograph because of its diversity. From Little Italy to Little India and back to Chinatown, no two neighbourhoods are quite alike.

NOÉMI VARGA
vnoemi24@hotmail.com
November 24, 1978

Marital Status: Unmarried

Education: Bachelor of Commerce, Ryerson University Post-Graduate Certificate in Human Resources, University of Toronto

Occupation: Business Analyst, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Hobbies: Renaissance and Art Nouveau style Arts, Most Music genres, Animals, Travelling Guten Tag, Ich heiße Noemi Varga, und Ich bin Ungarische aus dem Großwardein, Siebenburgen. I immigrated with my family to Toronto, Canada in 1994, and since then I had the chance to taste this city in its vibrancy, multiculturalism and expansion. I completed my Bachelor of Commerce at Ryerson University, and during my fourth year, in 2001, I participated in a student exchange to Scotland. After this, I received my post-graduate certificate in Human Resources from the University of Toronto, and I am currently working towards my professional designation as a “Certified Human Resources Professional” (CHRP).

In my professional life as a Business Analyst at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, my most interesting job is to manage all youth employment
programs, including Summer students, University interns and recent graduates.

Outside of work, I love travelling, because it brings the best out in me, and I get to meet many interesting people. I consider it the best education, where one not only learns about the country and its people, but also about oneself. My hobbies include spending time outdoors in the Summer, going to music and arts activities, and spending time with my animals, especially my dog. She is a 17-year old Cocker Spaniel, Suzy, who immigrated with us.

KEVIN QUAN
kevinquan@yahoo.com
May 21, 1975

Marital Status: Unmarried

Education: Bachelor of Applied Science & Engineering. University of Toronto

Occupation: Owner, Alumni Bicycle Design

Hobbies: Hockey, Volleyball, Paintball, and Triathlon (swim, bike, run).

I am the 2009 District Rotaract Representative for Rotary District 7070. I have been a member of the Rotaract Club of Toronto since 1993. I am currently the Secretary and a Past President of the club.

I am the owner of an independent design consultancy specializing in the design of high performance racing bicycles. My designs have appeared in the Olympics, Ironman Triathlon, and the Tour de France. I have an office in Toronto and I visit my contract manufacturing in Taiwan and China.

My favourite foods are red meat, pasta & rice, rich-creamy sauces, and street vendor food. I also like to cook, drink beer and listen to rock music - often all at the same time.

My home is on the harbourfront of Lake Ontario in downtown Toronto. I enjoy running and cycling beside the water. In the winter, I love playing hockey and watching
the hometown team, The Maple Leafs.