Allie Love '06

Allie Love ‘06 wanted to experience life outside of Toronto when she graduated from high school. However, she wanted a postsecondary experience that had the same tight-knit community feeling she had from her time at Greenwood. She chose to get out of town by going to Queen’s University in Kingston. “It was a small enough university town and I really resonated with the community at Queen’s,” Allie says of her decision. She majored in English and credits her high school English classes with instilling a love for reading in her. “Teachers at Greenwood talked to you as an equal and they really believed in you, even when you didn’t believe in yourself,” Allie says.    

At Queen’s, Allie got involved in athletics and the community. She made the university’s varsity synchronized swimming team, continuing her passion for the sport since her childhood. She also volunteered at the campus sexual assault helpline, where she provided support to many who need it. “It’s extremely important to provide that kind of support network,” Allie says. 

After graduating from Queen’s, Allie first went into business-to-business marketing but found the experience dry and unfulfilling. “Sometimes you have to figure out what you don’t want to do in order to hone in on what you do want to do,” she laughs, remembering her first job out of university. Allie volunteered as a swim coach with the Special Olympics, and that connection led her to become a part of the marketing and communications team at Special Olympics Canada’s head office. 

The position was a great opportunity for Allie as it blended her passion for sports and her desire to give back to the community. She went on to spend six years at Special Olympics Canada and was the lead for Team Canada in Austria during that time. Her experience at Special Olympics Canada solidified her desire to work with marginalized youth.

Allie then moved on to Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation, which provides funding for childhood cancer programs and charities. She was promoted to director, communications, brand and programs before making a change and joining the Samuel Family Foundation. 

She would go on to join Right to Play which is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for youth and children all over the globe to find empowerment through play. This includes providing access to educational programs for children (but in many cases the focus on empowering girls) in Africa, the Middle East and Asia and to community-led programs for over 70 Indigenous communities in Canada. Now, as the marketing and communications manager at Right to Play, Allie and her team raise funds, create campaigns and meet with their global partners to further this mission. Part of Allie’s work at Right to Play’s Canadian national office is to raise more awareness and attention in Canada. She and her team led a gala in 2022 which fundraised $3.1 million dollars.

Allie’s passion for outreach and community building was nurtured by Greenwood’s Service and Community Outreach programming. “Back in Grade 9, we would do reading clinics with younger students from marginalized communities,” Allie recalls. These reading clinics not only helped to teach reading and writing skills but also gave students the opportunity to connect with each other through play. “I have volunteered my whole life and I think that’s such an important part of becoming a well-rounded and wholesome person,” Allie says. 

Allie urges students to “soak up every moment you have at Greenwood.” She remembers the value of the formative experiences she had whilst at the school, whether she was persevering through bitter winter conditions for outdoor education or discovering a passion for volunteering, Allie looks back on those memories with fondness. “It really formed who I am as a person,” she says.