Maryam Khraishi, POGO Ambassador and proud first intern of the First Avenue and EMBLEM Internship Program
When I reflect on summer 2024, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to have interned with POGO corporate partners First Avenue and EMBLEM. As a childhood cancer survivor and POGO Ambassador, my journey has been anything but predictable, and every step—every hurdle—has led me to where I am today.
From day one, my experience was defined by the incredible people I worked alongside. Each interaction provided me with advice, support and insight that have been both emotionally fulfilling and invaluable for my career.
This internship gave me a chance to expand my professional skills in unexpected ways. My projects ranged from marketing to office operations to event organization. I learned how to refine contact lists, update business continuity plans and contribute to the introduction of AI tools in the workplace, like Copilot. I created budgets and plans for summer social activities, and I was particularly pleased to support the inaugural annual fundraiser, Pickleball for POGO—an organization that has been invaluable to me in my cancer journey.
Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of this internship was the chance to explore new areas and grow as a professional. I improved my communication skills, learned to navigate new technologies and gained a better understanding of work-life balance. As someone managing personal health commitments alongside a full-time role, this balance was a challenge—but one I learned to navigate with the support of my teams at First Avenue and EMBLEM.
Finally, I want to thank POGO, First Avenue and EMBLEM, and everyone who made this internship possible. The experience was transformative, and I left with deeper confidence in my ability to thrive in professional settings.
To future interns: take every opportunity to grow, connect and learn. You never know where it might lead!
Maryam Khraishi is a POGO Ambassador and proud first intern of the First Avenue and EMBLEM Internship Program. Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2025 intern.
In 2024, First Avenue Investment Counsel and EMBLEM Developments pledged $100,000 to POGO. Their commitment to childhood cancer care extended beyond their financial commitment to include an annual fundraising event, Pickleball for POGO, and an annual summer internship for a youth who has survived cancer and benefitted from POGO support. The First Avenue and EMBLEM Internship Program provides invaluable work experience and aims to help bridge the educational gap caused by childhood cancer. Interns receive one-on-one mentorship, gain office experience and business skills, get to work on a value-added project in an area of interest, and receive the opportunity to present their project to leaders at the end of their internship.
Our daughter Juliana, or Jules as we call her, seemed perfectly fine until one day at the park, she suddenly doubled over in pain while running. She lay with me for about 15 minutes, crying and telling me her tummy hurt. Later that night, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off, so we went to the emergency room where they ran a few tests and set an appointment for an ultrasound and x-ray the next day. I was worried it might be her appendix.
It was early in the pandemic and my husband, Tom, wasn’t allowed to come with us to the appointment. Jules seemed fine—full of energy, even jumping around in the room. But when the radiologist asked if anyone in the parking lot was waiting for me, my heart sank. They asked Jules to go colour at the nurses’ station. I got Tom on speakerphone, and then they told us—our little girl had a growth on her kidney. They said it was most likely a Wilms tumour, which was later confirmed. We were immediately referred to SickKids in Toronto. I was told to return to our home in Georgetown, pack a bag, and get to the hospital for Jules to be admitted and wait for the next steps.
We quickly arranged for my parents to take care of our other two children, James and Emma, while we headed to Toronto. We met with the surgeon two days later, and three days after that, Jules was in surgery to remove the tumour along with one of her kidneys and some lymph nodes.
After the surgery, Jules started weekly chemotherapy and a few days of radiation treatment. Once settled into her chemotherapy regimen, our oncologist suggested we continue her treatment closer to home at the POGO Satellite Clinic at Credit Valley Hospital. This meant we only needed to return to Toronto every three weeks. At first, we were nervous about the change. But the oncologist reassured us that we would love the POGO Satellite Clinic—and we did.
It wasn’t just about being closer to home, though that made a massive difference for our family. The POGO Satellite Clinic became a place where we felt supported and cared for. The staff—especially Jose, Lindsay and Alex—became like family. They were always willing to do whatever was needed, including staying late when Jules had a fever. They even rescheduled one of her treatments so she could start Senior Kindergarten on the first day with her classmates. That small gesture meant the world to her.
POGO’s support went beyond medical care. Our POGO Interlink Nurse offered to talk to Jules’s class about her cancer. Ultimately, they arranged a virtual meeting with her school administrators and teachers to discuss how to best support her, including helping with sunscreen since chemotherapy made her more sensitive to the sun.
Jules is doing well today. She loves school, playing with her friends and Taylor Swift. Her check-ups have stretched from every three months to every six; eventually, they’ll be yearly. She will be monitored for life at a POGO AfterCare Clinic. We’re grateful every day for POGO’s support. They turned a terrifying experience into something more manageable, always making sure we felt supported along the way.
Victoria Hagens brings extensive experience in healthcare to the new and pivotal role of Director of Strategy, Programs and Partnerships. As a member of POGO’s Senior Leadership Team, Victoria will have strategic oversight for POGO strategy and programs, and responsibility for deepening relationships with partners. Her leadership of Ontario’s new five-year Childhood Cancer Care Plan will include managing, measuring and monitoring the achievement of strategic priorities.
Victoria has worked in Ontario’s healthcare system since 2008, in the areas of strategy, program implementation and system performance. Most recently, she served as a Senior Advisor at Ontario Health, Interim Director at the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton, and as a consultant with POGO. Prior to her freelance work, Victoria spent 14 years at Cancer Care Ontario, collaborating closely with Regional Cancer Programs and provincial clinical programs. As Group Manager, Regional Programs and Performance Management, she led a high-performing team in supporting implementation of provincial initiatives and local quality improvement efforts. She earned a Master of Arts in Social Anthropology from Dalhousie University.
“I am honoured and excited to be part of an incredible group of smart, dedicated, and collaborative people who demonstrate every day how creativity and partnership can help drive meaningful change,” she says. “I look forward to working with childhood cancer care teams and partners to make a lasting impact for children, youth and families.”
After a comprehensive recruitment, POGO welcomes Dr. Donna Johnston as the incoming Medical Director, starting Monday, March 3rd.
Reporting to the POGO Board of Directors, the Medical Director helms the overall strategic clinical leadership across POGO’s programs and portfolios, and in partnership with POGO’s CEO, Lauren Ettin, is responsible for the achievement of POGO’s vision and mission, identifying strategic and transformational opportunities to advance childhood cancer care in Ontario.
Donna will continue her clinical role at CHEO, where she has worked as a pediatric oncologist since 2001. From 2012 – 2024 she was Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and, in that role, served as a member of the POGO Board. In 2021, she was appointed as Vice-Chair, Clinical Operations of the hospital’s Department of Pediatrics.
Donna is a full professor at the University of Ottawa; a Senior Scientist at the CHEO Research Institute; and the author of over 200 peer-reviewed publications, several book chapters and has presented her work at many national and international conferences.
Donna shares her passion for advancing the field of pediatric oncology avidly, through her leadership contributions to such organizations as the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Ronald McDonald House in Ottawa, among others.
She says that “Since joining the POGO Board in 2012, it’s been my dream to be the Medical Director – a role that is pivotal in ensuring the best care for our childhood cancer patients, survivors, and their families. I look forward to joining the exceptional POGO team, to work in partnership with Lauren, and to be part of the work as leaders in childhood cancer care, provincially, nationally and internationally.”
Congratulations to Dr. Donna Johnston! We have no doubt that in her new role she will continue to make exceptional contributions to the childhood cancer community in Ontario and beyond.
A message from James Scongack, Chair, POGO Board of Directors and Dr. Charmaine van Schaik, Vice-Chair, POGO Board of Directors
Are you a childhood cancer survivor who is looking to gain valuable work experience in the financial or real estate industry? The First Avenue & EMBLEM Internship Program is open to young adults who have survived childhood cancer and are looking to experience one-on-one mentorship from leaders who care about and support their development.
First Avenue Investment Counsel(First Avenue) is a Canadian firm specializing in investment management and multi-family office services. Our pension-style investment approach, inclusive of equities, fixed income, and exclusive alternatives, assists clients in achieving their unique financial goals. As trusted partners, invested alongside our clients, we align their financial success with their values and long-term aspirations. Committed to excellence and a personalized approach, we guide clients with clarity and confidence through their wealth planning. We cultivate a collaborative environment where employees are empowered to pursue their ambitions and positively impact the communities we serve.
EMBLEM Developmentsis one of the most active real estate development firms in the GTA, known for its investment-driven approach and high-quality residential communities. EMBLEM Developments has earned a reputation as a forward-thinking developer with meticulous attention to design. EMBLEM’s investment in suite layouts, finishes and building design has positioned the company to achieve record sales pricing at each project launch. The EMBLEM portfolio continues to grow, with over 4,588 residences representing $3.6 billion of development value.
Job Description
The intern will have the unique opportunity to work alongside and support First Avenue or EMBLEM in one or some of the following departments of their choice.
First Avenue:
Client service and support
Portfolio management and equity research
Marketing and Communications
Operations
EMBLEM Developments:
Sales and marketing
Planning and development
Development and construction management
Operations
What will you need to succeed?
Must-have:
Time management and organization skills
Familiarity with Microsoft, PowerPoint and Excel
Interest in trying new tasks
A collaborative, team-player mindset
Interest in working in a business setting
Nice-to-have:
Knowledge of the financial or real estate industry
Requirements
This position is for a 2-month summer placement (July to August 2025). To be eligible, you must be:
A survivor of childhood cancer
Able to work in Toronto for the duration of the internship
Available to work in office full-time (some exceptions may be granted)
Legally entitled to work in Canada
You must also meet one of the following criteria:
Be enrolled in college or university
Have graduated from college or university within the last two years
Inclusion Employment
We are committed to building inclusive teams and providing accessible working experiences. Accommodation for applicants with disabilities will be provided at each stage of the recruitment process and throughout the internship. If you are selected for an interview and require accommodation, please notify us so we can make arrangements in advance.
What’s in it for you?
The opportunity provides candidates with:
Industry Exposure: You will be immersed in the world of finance and real estate, gaining first-hand experience of day-to-day operations, client interactions and industry practices.
Networking Opportunities: You will be working alongside professionals who are experts in their field, allowing you to build deep connections to open doors for future opportunities and mentorship.
Skill Development: You will be building on different technical capabilities depending on the departments that you’re working in–expanding your existing skill set and giving you a chance to put your theoretical knowledge to the test.
Exploring Career Paths: You will be able to work with and learn from professionals from all walks of life. With leaders who are committed to supporting and fostering your development, you will be challenged with multi-faceted learning opportunities to give you clarity on what type of career you want to pursue.
Pursuit of Excellence: Our businesses are collaborative, innovative and supportive of your pursuit of excellence. This means you will be working with and have access to best-in-class facilities and technologies to empower you to be the best version of yourself – one that is continuously growing and learning.
How to Apply
Interested applicants are invited to complete the application and upload their resume and cover letter through the online form here.
We gratefully appreciate all interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Additional Job Details
*Please note this role is in-person and you will be required to be in person five days a week from 8am to 5pm.
Address:
1819 Yonge St, Toronto, ON, Canada, M4S 1X8
Work Hours/week
37.5
Job Type:
Internship
Pay Type:
Salaried
Length of Internship:
Two months (July 2nd, 2025, to August 29th, 2025)
Application Open:
Friday, January 3, 2025
Application Deadline:
Sunday, January 26, 2025
2025 Recruitment Process and Timelines
Activity
Details
How to Apply
Application Submission (January 3, 2025, to January 26, 2025) Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm on Sunday, January 26, 2025.
Applicants are required to complete the online application and submit a cover letter and resume.
Selection Process
Application Screening (January/February 2025) Applications are reviewed and assessed against criteria that reflect the skills and knowledge that are required for the position.
Interviews (February 2025) The interview is an opportunity for us to get to know candidates better and allows candidates to showcase their qualifications.
Interviews will be conducted between Monday, February 3, 2025, and Thursday, February 13, 2025.
Intern Selected (February 2025) Conditional job offer presented to selected candidate by Friday, February 14, 2025.
Onboarding Process
Placement Notification (May 2025) The successful candidate will be notified of their placement, manager, and additional details.
Placement Begins (July 2025) The successful candidate will commence their internship on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
