Volunteer Recognition Team
Our volunteer presenters are the face of our program. They are truly a dedicated group of people who are invested in helping us lift up and celebrate our deserving Community Builder recipients.
Erin Benjamin
Originally from Toronto, with a few other stops along the way, Erin has called Ottawa home since 2003. She continues to enjoy a rewarding career as a leader in the Canadian Music Industry. Currently, she is the President and CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA). Erin was named a United Way Community Builder in 2019 thanks to her work helping those most in need after the devastating tornadoes that destroyed parts of Ottawa and Gatineau in September 2018. In addition to being a passionate champion for the United Way, Erin is also the Chair, Board of Directors, for Canada’s leading music industry charity, The Unison Fund.
Dylan Black
Dylan Black from Vankleek Hill, Ontario, is a leader both inside and outside of the Ottawa community. Aside from being part of Ottawa’s radio landscape since 1999, Dylan has been a major supporter of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, The Children’s Wish Foundation, and The Max Keeping Fund for Kids at CHEO. This year Dylan was the Honorary Chair for the “TELUS Walk for the Cure”, and has twice been nominated for “Humanitarian of the Year”.
Derek DeLouche
Derek has made Ottawa home since 2010. His career and volunteerism span several organizations within the charitable and nonprofit sector focused on making a difference in the lives of Canadians at a local, provincial and national level through, like United Way, Candlelighters, Ten Oaks Project and the Youville Centre. Derek was chosen as a Community Builder in 2015 because of his work to advance community support for 2SLGFTQi children, youth and families. Derek is part of a team at Carleton University focused on building community through investments in people with purpose who make a difference in our lives.
Derick Fage
In 2012, Derick was awarded with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his continuing work in the community and his contributions to a number of charitable organizations. Recently, Derick went public with his personal struggle of living with chronic fecal incontinence since birth. Since going public Derick accepted the role of ambassador and champion for the Canadian Continence Foundation in the hopes of helping others who are living with any number of challenges.
Stefan Keyes
Stefan is with CTV News and Community Builder himself. Stefan is an Ottawa native and Carleton grad who works diligently to give back to the community volunteering for several not-for-profit groups with a focus on minority issues, youth, and the arts.
Sarah Onyango
Sarah joined the Volunteer Recognition team in 2008 after receiving a Community Builder Award of her own. In addition to working as a full-time translator, Sarah is a long-time board member with Black History Ottawa and Co-Chair of OLIP’s Welcoming Ottawa Week program. Sarah has also volunteered for over two decades with Rogers TV and the University of Ottawa community radio station CHUO 89.1 FM as a host and producer for several programs.
Suzanne Pinel
Suzanne is a strong supporter of United Way and has been part of the Community Builder Awards program since its inception. Suzanne is a former citizenship judge and Canadian children’s entertainer. Using stories and songs to teach the French language to kids, she recorded music albums and starred in the television series Marie-Soleil. In 1991, Pinel was made a Member of the Order of Canada and in 2012, she was made a member of the Order of Ontario.
Davy Sabourin
Davy Sabourin, of Caribbean and French-Canadian heritage, is an award-winning federal public servant and human rights advocate.
With over 7 years of experience within the Federal Public Service, Davy has occupied key roles in the areas of law enforcement, stakeholder and public relations, programs, and policy. He has had investigative, analysis, advisory, and management roles. A seasoned project manager, he’s also had strategic advisory roles, working directly with senior management (from Director to Deputy Minister level).
Prior to joining the Government of Canada, Davy worked in Ottawa as a mental health and addictions counselor.
In his spare time, he actively volunteers in his communities, particularly as it relates to 2SLGBTQIA+ issues, diversity, equity and inclusion, and mental health. He has a passion for travel and gastronomy, and, as an intellect, enjoys conversations/debates about public policy and philosophy.
Louisa Taylor
Louisa is the co-founder and director of the non-profit Refugee 613. She has made Ottawa her home for many years and has been a long-time advocate and supporter of grassroots projects helping newcomers and refugees settle in Canada. United Way was fortunate to recognize Refugee 613 and many other refugee and resettlement organizations in 2015 for our community response to the Syrian refugee crisis. Louisa continues to support the non-profit sector in many ways including through United Way’s Community Builder program.