BRENDA LITTLE

Stories & Testimonials

BRENDA LITTLE

Toronto, Ontario
Ballet, contemporary ballet, modern dance
Career Pathway: UX Design

Brenda Little has over 13 years of experience as a graphic designer, user experience designer, and design researcher. After graduating as Valedictorian from George Brown College’s Graphic Design program, she began her career at Gravity, Inc., an award-winning design studio specializing in design for non-profits. In 2016, she joined Pivot Design Group, where she has led user experience and digital design projects for clients including Google, SickKids Hospital, Shoppers Drug Mart, U of T, and others.

BRENDA’S STORY

“The question of what I would do after ballet was in the back of my mind throughout my career. I developed a love of art and design in high school that stayed with me and spent much of my downtime immersed in my creative interests. As time passed, I began to feel restless in my dance career and craved new challenges. I was curious about graphic design and decided to take the leap and enroll in a one-year Art & Design program at George Brown College. From day one, I was hooked! It was completely empowering to learn new skills and an easy decision to stay for the complete 4-year Graphic Design Program, which I graduated from with honours as Valedictorian in 2011.

Without question, I would not be a professional designer today without the help I received from the DTRC. Transitioning from dance while starting a family meant balancing a mortgage, daycare costs, and living expenses—all without an income. The grants I received from the DTRC were a lifeline, allowing me to pursue my dream of a new career, and I will be ever grateful for their support.

I became a donor for the DTRC because I feel it is the least I can do considering the financial support I received and the impact it has had on my life. In addition, I want the organization to be there for future generations making the transition as I did, from a career that leaves one with very little in their bank account to sustain them through such a challenging time in their life.”

DTRC’S SUPPORT

Retraining (Study) Grant
FTS-I Subsistence (Post-Performance Pathway) Grant
David Pitblado Memorial Award
Karen Kain Award

National Office

The Lynda Hamilton Centre
Suite 303
1000 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M4W 2K2

Phone: 416-595-5655

nationaloffice@dtrc.ca

Office Hours:
By Appointment Only – Please contact nationaloffice@dtrc.ca

*Wheelchair accessible

BC Office

The BC office runs as a virtual office and is open on a part-time basis, according to a variable schedule.

bcoffice@dtrc.ca

Regional Reps

British Columbia
Mika Manning
bcrep@dtrc.ca

Alberta
abrep@dtrc.ca

Manitoba
Eugene “GeNie” Baffoe
mbrep@dtrc.ca

Atlantic
Sydney Ewert
atlantic@dtrc.ca

Toll-free: 1-800-667-0851

Territory Acknowledgment

We acknowledge the lands, waterways, languages, and Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island – First Nations, Inuit and Métis – who have been living on these lands since time immemorial. As we carry out our work, digitally and in person across many distinct territories, we offer our recognition and respect to all the peoples and places that are connected through our engagement together. We, at the Dancer Transition Resource Centre, commit to the ongoing work and learning required of all of us to address past and persistent harms. We continue to deepen our understanding and we welcome dialogue as we strive to move into better relations with Indigenous peoples and with the land.