Executive Staff

Abena Addo

Executive Director & Founder

Aspire for Higher (A4H)

Abena Addo

Executive Director & Founder

Abena is the Founder & Executive Director of Aspire for Higher (A4H), a Black-led not for profit organization based in Canada. A4H's mission and vision is centered around health and wellness, community, education and entrepreneurship. Through Abena’s leadership, A4H has received over $3 million dollars of funding from the provincial and federal levels of the Canadian government including the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Federal Economic Development Agency of Southern Ontario.

Abena has a background as a Transportation Professional and Civil Engineer with over 8 years of experience leading business cases to support infrastructure planning projects in the GTA including the Ontario Line, a $16 billion dollar, 15.6 km subway project in Toronto. Throughout her career she has gained experience in engineering consulting including technical expertise and oversight for economic and financial models, negotiating public-private partnerships, strategy, project management and business transformation.

Eldon Holder Jr.

Vice-President Social Impact & Stakeholder Relations

Aspire for Higher (A4H)

Eldon Holder Jr.

Vice-President Social Impact & Stakeholder Relations

Eldon is Vice-President of Social Impact & Stakeholder Engagement for Aspire For Higher and an award-winning HR professional with over 13 years of experience in community development, Labour Economic research, recruitment and project management. Giving back and helping others is a fundamental part of what keeps Eldon occupied. Whether it is hosting workshops to equip youth with skills to secure gainful employment; or connecting communities across the country to create positive collective impact – he is committed to building a more equitable Canada for the next generation.

Deeply connected to community, he is a recipient of the United Way Community Builders Award 2017, and the 2018 Ontario Black History Society UN International Decade. When he is not tackling socio-economic conundrums, he can be found mentoring youth, filming documentaries, or experimenting with making small batch Hibiscus Sorrel Kombucha in South America.

Alanna Garner

Director of Camps & Programs

Aspire for Higher (A4H)

Alanna Garner

Director of Camps & Programs

Alanna is the director of Summer Camps and Sport Programs for Aspire For Higher and a physical education teacher with over 10 years experience in managing camps, leagues and skill development sessions across the GTA. In her spare time she loves to give back to the community by coaching youth to ensure all children have the opportunity to participate in physical activity. Whether it is teaching in a classroom, coaching in the gym or training staff to become better coaches- she is committed to ensuring our youth build character on and off the courts. She attended the University of Toronto where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Education and was named an Academic All Canadian 5 years in a row for maintaining a 4.0GPA while representing the University of Toronto as a captain of their women's basketball team.

Shayok Shayok

Program Manager

Aspire for Higher (A4H)

Shayok Shayok

Program Manager

Hello, I’m Shayok Shayok, and I'm thrilled to join Aspire For Higher as the Program Manager in the Skilled Trades Department. As a first-generation Canadian residing in Ottawa, Ontario my family's journey from South Sudan during the Civil War deeply influences my commitment to helping others aim higher and restart their lives.

With a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Management from the University of Kansas City, Missouri, I’ve honed skills in leadership and organizational planning, traits I’ve further refined as a Division 1 athlete and team captain as well as being a former professional basketball player in South America. What draws me to Aspire for Higher is its dedication to fortifying communities and creating pathways to success through sports, education, and employment opportunities—areas I’m deeply passionate about. As a Program Manager and member of the Aspire for Higher team my mission is to eliminate poverty by improving access to skilled trade jobs, while supporting the mental health and well-being of Black youth entering the workforce.

Outside of work, you’ll often find me on the basketball court, coaching and mentoring kids in the community. I’m also a food enthusiast, always on the lookout for new restaurants to explore. I’m excited to bring my skills and dedication to the Aspire For Higher team and work towards a brighter, more equitable future for all.

Vivian Duarte

Executive Assistant & E-Learning Coordinator

Aspire for Higher (A4H)

Vivian Duarte

Executive Assistant & E-Learning Coordinator

Vivian Duarte is an experienced Executive and Administrative Assistant with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and a deep passion for personal growth and community impact. At Aspire for Higher, she serves as the Executive Assistant of the Skills Lab Program and MindWell eLearning Site Coordinator, where she designs and delivers mindfulness-based learning experiences that strengthen both mind and body. Driven by purpose, Vivian is dedicated to making a positive impact in people’s lives and helping them grow into their fullest potential. Her work blends organization, empathy, and creativity, fostering environments where students and teams can thrive. Beyond her professional role, Vivian finds balance through yoga, martial arts, and an active lifestyle. She believes that maintaining mental and physical strength allows her to lead with calm energy, authenticity, and compassion — inspiring others to thrive, grow, and lead with purpose.

Executive Staff

Abena Addo

Eldon Holder Jr.

Alanna Garner

Shayok Shayok

Vivian Duarte

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