Sometimes the seeds are planted when our students take part in our program, and for some, those seeds seem to be ingrained from birth. For Samantha Turack, or Sammi as she likes to be called, her passion for giving back was always a part of her life. And as she’s grown, those roots have only strengthened.
We first met Sammi back in grade four, when she was a Project Give Back student at Crestwood.
At the time, she chose the Blue Brain Bracelet in support of the Princess Margaret Hospital, and in honour of her father Fred Turack. Fred passed away from a four-month battle with brain cancer in December of 2007, when Sammi was just 7 years old. She and her sister Sydney began beading blue bracelets (her father’s favourite colour) as a way to raise funds for cancer research. Through various events, a multitude of bead-a-thons, among many other initiatives, the girls, with the support of their mother Robin, managed to raise over $100,000 for paediatric oncology!
As Sammi grew older, her passion for helping others evolved alongside her academic and professional pursuits. She completed her undergraduate studies at Western, where she was part of the MIT program, before earning a master’s degree in marketing from the Schulich School of Business. Today, Sammi is following in her father’s footsteps by carving out a career in finance, and working for RBC PH&N Investment Counsel.
Sammi’s unique blend of expertise, along with her love for planning events and connecting people, led her to her next exciting initiative.
On March 6, Sammi will co-chair an important event for the Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) called Revolving Tables. The event perfectly merges many of Sammi’s passions with a meaningful cause. Revolving Tables brings together young professionals and mentors for an evening of networking, learning, and sharing wisdom. With 34 mentors from diverse fields and over 300 emerging professionals in attendance, it’s a chance to foster new relationships and gain invaluable insights. This year, the event is also a family affair—Sammi’s mother, Robin, will join as one of the mentors, offering her expertise to the next generation.
If you’re interested in attending or learning more about Revolving Tables, click on the following link https://icrf.crowdchange.ca/91635
We are excited to see Sammi continue to grow and make a difference in the world, and we can’t wait to see where her journey takes her next.