Cheralyn Chok

Cheralyn Chok (she/her) is the Executive Director of Propel Impact. She is a co-founder and previously Executive Director of the Social Innovation Academy, one of two nonprofits that merged into Propel Impact. From the inception of the Social Innovation Academy in 2019, Cheralyn led the organization’s program design, experiential learning, and equity, diversity, & inclusion efforts. Social and environmental impact have always been core to her work; Cheralyn brings entrepreneurial experience from founding and operating a zero-waste necktie company (Miley Cyrus bought one in 2015!) and was an early employee at social ventures Awake Labs and ChopValue. She holds a BCom from the University of British Columbia and now resides on the unceded territory of the Anishinaabe and Algonquin Nation in what is now Ottawa.

Tyson Bilton

Tyson Bilton (he/him) is the Impact Consulting Manager with Propel Impact and supports both the Impact Consulting Fellowship and Propel Impact Residency. Tyson is a graduate of the University of Calgary with a BComm. (Hons.) in Finance & Sustainability. He served as the Co-Chair for the Sustainable Development Goals Alliance and co-founded the Calgary Social Value Fund and Reimagine 17, which both have missions to engage, inspire, and spark action in students who want to pursue careers in impact.

Keshiv Kaushal

Keshiv Kaushal (he/him) is the Impact Investing Manager with Propel Impact. Keshiv is a graduate of Queen’s University with a BComm. (Hons.) in Finance. He has held various roles in impact investing and community economic development at SVX, the County of Lennox & Addington, and QS2i. Keshiv also co-founded the Kingston Propel Impact Fund and has been engaged in multiple community capital initiatives in Eastern Ontario. Keshiv has worked across the impact investing ecosystem, evaluating social enterprise loans and venture investments, working with organizations to design funds and build strategies, consulting directly with social enterprises, building capacity with sectoral stakeholders, and raising capital for funds and impact investment products (like Manitoba’s first SIB focused on Indigenous youth in the justice system). Keshiv holds his CSC and SASB FSA credentials and currently serves on the board of the Fair Finance Fund.

Olivia Charlebois

Olivia Charlebois (she/her) is the Program Manager with Propel Impact. Olivia holds a MSc in Management, specializing in Strategy, from HEC Montréal, as well as a BA in International development & African studies from McGill University. She has held various program management, project management and consulting roles for development finance institutions, funds, foundations, social enterprises and non-profit organizations. Olivia has advised leadership teams on strategy, spearheaded transformative projects, influenced organizational direction, and successfully managed innovative development projects. Within the global impact space, she’s managed various client relationships, including TELUS Pollinator Fund, Vancity Community Investment Bank, the Houssian Foundation, the Government of Quebec, the Eastern and Southern African Trade & Development Bank (TDB) and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID). Olivia has also designed and led capacity building in impact management systems for development finance institutions in emerging economies.

Tahir Popatia

Tahir Popatia (he/him) is an Impact Investing Coordinator with Propel Impact. Tahir is a graduate of the University of Calgary with a BComm. in Supply Chain Management. A previous fund manager at the Calgary Propel Impact Fund, Tahir is focused on creating meaningful social and environmental change in his community, while also being passionate about alleviating the suffering of impoverished and vulnerable communities on a global scale.

Alexa Peterson

Alexa Peterson (she/her) is the Marketing & Communications Coordinator at Propel Impact. Alexa is heading into her third year studying Commerce at the Smith School of Business at Queen's University, where she holds multiple positions, including Brand Director at the Queen's Social Impact Association, Consultant at Smith Business Consulting, and Brand Director at Queen's Women in Leadership. Alexa is passionate about using her marketing skills to make a real impact. She is interested in workplace equity issues, women's rights, and social impact consulting.