Governance

Structure

B orderless World Volunteers is a registered Canadian charity founded in 2003 with the goal of helping undergraduate university students lead development projects across the globe while contributing to the wellness of their own local communities.

Responding to the rapid expansion in the scale of international and local projects as well as its ongoing development operations, Borderless World Volunteers has its governing body of Board of Directors where members meet periodically to discuss the raised issues and the way forward for the organization in accomplishing its mission of taking on the world’s toughest global challenges one student leader at a time.

Borderless World Volunteers is well organised, structured and strategic. The members of its Board of Directors work closely with their Global Executive Committees and a network of university chapters for advancing their organization’s mission and strategic priorities.

Board of Directors align their best practices in governance to their collaborative thinking around mission fulfillment while exercising full transparency about the charity’s funding, resource allocation and Annual Information Return filing with tax authorities adding to the organization’s highly acclaimed credibility and its well respected global brand identity.

Executive Committee

Quinn Vidalin

Co-President - Political Science and Psychology (U2)


What does Borderless mean to you?

There is a plethora of ways to make a difference in developing countries, but in my opinion, one of the most impactful is to provide communities with the tools and skills necessary for their people to prosper. Borderless does this. Through fundraising, raising awareness, and sending volunteers abroad to work with grassroots NGOs, Borderless constantly works to better the lives of those living in underprivileged communities. I am very proud to be a part of the Borderless mission and can’t wait to see what we will accomplish in the future.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been to?

Udaipur, India

Nicole Guile

Co-President - Political Science, World Cinema, and World Religions (U3)


What does Borderless mean to you?

Borderless is a way for students to apply their studies and foster a love for global development through local and international community engagement. We are so privileged to attend school in Canada and study development from the point of view of a developed country. I’m so fortunate to work alongside like-minded individuals that genuinely care about their impact and I’m excited to see where our passionate team takes Borderless this year. 

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been to?

Santorini, Greece

Anna Stafford

VP Internal - English Literature, World Religions, and History (U2)


What does Borderless mean to you?

Borderless offers a uniquely comprehensive approach to local and international development, while providing an opportunity for students to meet people who care about the same things they do. We volunteer here in Montreal, we develop sustainable projects and implement them abroad, we explore the food of diverse cultures, and we even have the Grassroots Journal: an outlet for ideas and discussion surrounding international development, through a more theoretical and creative lens. There’s truly something for everyone, and I feel so lucky to be a part of it! 

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been to?

Kraków, Poland

Luc Gruget

VP International - International Development, Hispanic Studies, and Operations Management (U1)


What does Borderless mean to you?

Borderless World Volunteers is significant in that it represents a break from the classic top-down 'giving' of aid, and instead focuses on the implementation of impactful projects working alongside locals to have a sustainable impact based not on outputs, but outcomes. It is really unique in that it provides students with a way to develop serious projects that they will directly undertake, working alongside other like-minded, passionate students and under the tutelage of experienced mentors. It is my hope that these projects will not only assist communities develop in a more direct way than the mega-charities/organizations can, but that they'll also help students develop better solutions to international development problems both old and new. I'm really thrilled to be a part of this team of driven students, and I can't wait to see what Borderless will accomplish this year. 

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been to?

Wadi Rum Desert, Jordan

Jordyn Heal

Global Development Forum Chair - International Development and Molecular Biology (U1)


What does Borderless mean to you?

I first joined Borderless because it is very similar to a class at my high school called Global Perspectives. Borderless has been an opportunity for me to share my passion and help coordinate some amazing international projects. I am really looking forward to putting together the Global Development Forum about Health that is happening in February!

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been to?

Fort Cochin, India

Pardeep Toor

Co-VP External Fundraising - Political Science and Sociology (U2)


What does Borderless mean to you?

Borderless to me is an organization that works towards the betterment of society through local and international initiatives. Being a part of the fundraising committee is a great way to promote these initiatives and create overall awareness around the community on issues pertaining to youth empowerment, local wellness and sustainability. I am grateful to be a part of such an empowering organization and look forward to supporting our local and international projects through our fundraising efforts!

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been to?

Negril, Jamaica

Ariane Gautrin

Co-VP External Fundraising - Philosophy, Political Science, and Biology (U2)


What does Borderless mean to you?

Borderless World Volunteers is really important for me because it gives students the opportunity to have a positive social impact in the world either by getting involved locally or on the international scale. While many people tend to turn to big NGOs when wanting to make changes, it’s often through grassroots organizations that we are able to implement the most long-lasting and sustainable development projects by giving communities the means to work without needing the constant help of developed countries. This year, I am exited to be working alongside a great team of students that all have the same goal of raising enough money to fund all of the International Committee’s projects for the year.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been to?

Kangirsuk, Northern Quebec

Jessica Chan

International Food Festival Co-Chair - Cognitive Science (U2)


What does Borderless mean to you?

Borderless represents the desire of McGill students to make a positive impact on the world with their own hands and abilities. Being surrounded by people that genuinely want to change the lives of those in less fortunate situations is an amazing feeling, knowing that even the smallest actions (like buying a samosa) can make a difference in someone’s life.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been to?

E Mei Mountain, China

Kamille Snell

International Food Festival Co-Chair - Political Science and International Development (U2)


What does Borderless mean to you?

Borderless allows students to get outside of their bubble by addressing developmental issues all over the world. BWV facilitates students becoming globally aware and expressing themselves through actions of giving back. It allows for personal growth as well as an aim to mend factors in our society and around the world. The International Food Festival is meant to introduce these developmental factors to students but also to introduce those to food from around the world which is locally made in Montreal, making it a fun, cultural, and informative event.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been to?

Samara, Costa Rica

Mina Patel

Co-VP Sponsorship - Economics and Political Science (U2)


What does Borderless mean to you?

Borderless is a great way for students to help make a sustainable impact in areas of global development both locally and internationally. It empowers leadership by providing students the opportunity to build and implement projects together with NGOs in developing countries as well as in Montreal, to help improve health, education, and economic development.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been to?

Buzios, Brazil

Sophie Robitaille-Meyer

Co-VP Sponsorship - Economics (U3)


What does Borderless mean to you?

It means giving our generation’s future leaders opportunities to give back. Opportunities to go abroad and witness the help our communities need. Opportunities to make a difference, to change one life at a time. Borderless makes all of these opportunities feasible for those who are passionate about development and volunteering.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been to?

Paris, France

Ben Hack

Co-VP Local - Linguistics and Sociology (U1)


What does Borderless mean to you?

Borderless to me is a perfect way to better the world both locally and abroad. I'm proud to be a part of leading the local development team because I think it's important to give back to the great community and city we live in. I'm excited to make tangible impacts on the local level that continue to make our city a better place for everyone who lives in it.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been to?

Xi'an, China

Dylan Pelletier

Co-VP Local - Pharmacology (U3)


What does Borderless mean to you?

Growing up in Montreal, I have fallen in love with this beautiful city. For me, the local project committee has been an excellent way to give back to this community. I truly find it fulfilling to help those around me. The local projects committee is also a great way to explore the city of Montreal through volunteering!

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been to?

Laval, Quebec

Maria Fustic

Editor-in-Chief, The Grassroots Journal - International Development (U3)


What does Borderless mean to you?

To me, Borderless means providing students with the opportunity to explore international development outside of the classroom setting. The official journal of Borderless, Grassroots, has the same goal in mind. While Borderless allows for students to create and implement sustainable development projects around the world, The Grassroots Journal provides them with a platform to create articles and art on topics that matter to the world. 

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been to?

Kathmandu, Nepal

Advisory Board

The advisory board presently has 6 Board of Directors and Executive Board Members from various personal and professional backgrounds contributing their skills, time, talent and experience to the organization. Here are the current team members:

Farouk MeralliExecutive Director and Chair
Lisa KoftikianDirector, Finance & Tax Filing/Reporting
Bryan LinDirector, Marketing & Chapter Development
Yumiko LocussolDirector, International Development
Danielle MarjoramDirector, Local Development
Taoxin Wang President of McGill Chapter
Amanda FariasDirector
Liam CoughlinDirector, Information Technology

History

  • 2010-2016

    BWV has continued to implement projects in Africa, South America and Asia covering the fields of health, education and economic development. Alumni have gone on to roles at leading development organizations or have started their own organizations.
  • 2010

    BWV prepares to launch new projects and expand to new university chapters. First ever national development project will be conducted in Labrador, Canada.
  • 2009

    A new chapter is established at the University of London - SOAS, the new headquarters for Europe. Two new projects are launched in South America.
  • 2008

    A new chapter of BWV is established at Harvard marking the the entry of BWV to the United States. Another project is launched in northern India.
  • 2007

    BWV launches projects in northern India and Ghana. Panel series on key issues in global development is launched by the McGill chapter.
  • 2006

    BWV launches its first international project in western India. Local projects targeting issues in the chapter's community are initiated.
  • 2005

    BWV becomes a registered Canadian charity. The organizations national headquarters is established.
  • 2004

    The first university chapter is established at McGill and the Executive is formed. Local community development projects are organized.
  • 2003

    Borderless World Volunteers if founded to help undergraduate students lead development projects across the board.