Our dedicated social innovators are focused on facilitating introductions and wayfinding for students, faculty, teaching staff, alumni and partners focused on social innovation at UofT.
We work with academic, co-curricular and extra curricular programs across the University and external organizations involved in social innovation and entrepreneurship within our local region, Canada wide and globally.
Niharika Kerkar
Social Innovation Ambassador
Niharika is a Rotman Commerce student specializing in Finance and Economics and currently works as a Community Development Lead at Innis College. Having worked at GreenPortfolio, a sustainable finance start-up, Niharika developed a passion for sustainability and social innovation by understanding how even small financial decisions bring us a step closer to resolving the climate crisis. She is excited to further learn the importance of social innovation and help students incorporate the same into their daily routines.
Contact: niharika.kerkar@mail.utoronto.ca
Kelly Curran
Student Life Coordinator at Innis College
Kelly is the Student Life Coordinator at Innis College where she plans and implements enrichening student programming intended to facilitate community development, leadership and skill-building, and support throughout the university transition.
Having majored in Environmental Science with a pursued interested in the intersection between education and sustainability, Kelly is interested in social innovation in education and the efforts of education in fostering a sustainable and innovative mindset and behaviour.
Kelly supports the Agency in delivering programming and managing the Social Innovation Skills Certificate.
Contact: kelly.curran@utoronto.ca
COCO TUCKER-GRITT
Community Development Lead at Innis College
Coco is an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, Innis College completing an HBSc in Evolutionary Anthropology and English.
Within her program of study, she is particularly interested in primate conservation and sustainability efforts and development. She has conducted research and engaged with reforestation efforts in the Panamanian tropics.
As a Community Development Lead, Coco is partnering with The Agency to take on the Social Innovation Certificate this year. She is interested in exploring how social innovation intersects with areas of her academics, such as innovation in research dissemination and accessibility to higher education.
Contact: c.tuckergritt@mail.utoronto.ca
Madi Frost
Assistant Dean of Student Life at Innis College
[On secondment until May 2023] Madi is a full-time U of T staff member and part-time student, who is pursuing her Masters at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.
Madi oversees a number of programs at Innis College:
- Her programs focus on equity and inclusion, university transition, leadership development, mentorship, career education, and community engagement.
- She is interested in exploring how social innovation intersects with these different portfolios and supports the Agency in delivering programming and managing the Social Innovation Skills Certificate.
- Madi also volunteers with U of T’s Women’s Association.
Contact: madi.frost@utoronto.ca
Cindy Ross Pedersen
Executive Director
Cindy is a former tech entrepreneur who successfully sold her company in 2006, retired early in 2008 to refocuse on giving back.
She is a Senior Fellow Massey College, Past-President of the University of Toronto Alumni Association, supporter and community member of the Centre for Social Innovation and mentors students, alumni and entrepreneurs.
Cindy has previously volunteered at:
- Laurier University, Schlegel Centre for Entrepreneurship as the Entrepreneur in residence
- Advisory Committee Chair, Major Gifts, Amnesty International Canada
- Consultant Habitat for Humanity Toronto
Contact: cindy@theagencyuoft.ca