BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ANJANA YACHAMANANI

Chair

Anjana Yachamanani is a senior human resources professional with over 15 years of experience driving strategic initiatives to realize business results and enhance employee performance and engagement. Her success is built on her ability to develop highly collaborative relationships at all levels. She has experience in both union and non-union work environments. Anjana has a strong interest in helping businesses make the most out of their resources and talent and helping individuals reach their full potential. Anjana received her Bachelor of Commerce degree, specializing in Management & Economics, from the University of Toronto. She is Certified Professional in Human Resources (CHRL). Anjana is an active member of the Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA), where she serves as a member of the Experience Assessment Committee.

CHRIS EDEY

Treasurer

Chris Edey is a Senior Financial Analyst for Toromont Industries Ltd. and has past appearance at both MARS Canada Inc., as well as, Price Waterhouse Cooper LLP. Being on the finance committee, he provides direction /oversight in financial/operational reporting, and risk management. A graduate from the Wilfrid Laurier University (BBA specializing in Accounting), he is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant (CPA, CA).

EVONNA IADIPAOLO

Secretary

Evonna was born and raised in the Rexdale/Downsview area. She has a strong passion in Human Resources and helping others. After completing her Human Resources Diploma, Evonna started her professional employment in the Human Resources Field and is currently an HR Business Partner at the Miller Group. She has notable experience in strategic human resource planning, performance management, staffing, Employment Standards & Legal compliance, employee benefits, compensation and payroll, training and development.

SALVATORE (SAM) PALERMO

Director

Sal Palermo is Controller/CFO for a private label food manufacturer and has been for the last 20 years. Being an executive member of the leadership team, he provides direction /oversight in financial/operational reporting, risk management, IT/system development, financing, compliance, HR management. A graduate from the University Waterloo (Accounting/Economics), he is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified Management Accountant. Having an entrepreneurial passion, Sal also provides professional accounting services to the surrounding GTA community. Sal is married and lives with his family in the GTA.

MOHAMMED JEEWA

Director

Mohammed is an educator with the Toronto District School Board. He graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Science and Education. Over the years he served as Chair and Board Member of the Rexdale Community Health Centre Board, was a member of the City of Toronto's Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Working Group and the City of Toronto’s Community Environmental Assessment Team. He volunteered with the Crescent Entrepreneurial Association as VP Human Resources/ Planning. Mohammed is a resident of north Etobicoke and was raised in the community.

RYAN GUPTILL

Director

Ryan is Vice President, Strategic Communication at Loyalist Public Affairs. Ryan has spent his career managing complex public policy issues, working with a broad spectrum of clients, covering the corporate, public and not-for-profit sectors. Ryan focuses on strategic communication and issue management, ensuring organizations effectively manage how they publicly share their message, engage their audiences, and interact with government. Ryan has also served as a political advisor to federal and provincial elected officials. Ryan holds a B.A. in History and Political Science from the University of Toronto St. George.

SANGEETA KUKADE

Director

Sangeeta Kukade is a Corporate Trainer at ATS Healthcare. In her role, she supports employees by promoting and conducting technical training on in-house applications, on-boarding, and provides learning tools to internal staff. Before joining ATS, she worked as a trainer at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Sangeeta also has a background in Early Childhood Education which adds to her experience with working with children of all ages and backgrounds. Sangeeta has served as an Executive Member of the Marathi Bhashik Mandal, a non-profit cultural group where she was the Programme Director focusing on promoting the arts within the community. She also has extensive volunteer experience with organizations such as the Corsage Project and the South Asian Stem Cell Awareness Campaign. Sangeeta lives in Etobicoke. She is an avid reader, enjoys the outdoors, loves music, and likes to bake in her spare time. She loves to travel and explore new cultures.

WESAL ABU QADDUM

Director

Wesal is a PhD student at the University of Toronto in the department of leadership, higher and adult education in the community development stream. She worked as a social worker for several years at different organizations in the Greater Toronto Area serving newcomers, seniors and families. She engaged in both individual and community level practices through counselling, consulting, program and content development, facilitation of psycho-educational programming, needs assessment, community engagement and development initiatives and research. As she progresses in her academic and professional career, she hopes to engage in more systemic and policy level changes to positively address the needs of the communities she cares about.

ELZAR SIPIN

Director

Elzar Sipin is a healthcare leader and a certified psychiatric mental health registered nurse with over 10+ years across a broad range of organizations as a clinician, advocate, leader, mentor, speaker, consultant, and educator. More recently, he has worked as a Senior Program Consultant with the Ministry of Health and as a Project Manager with an Ontario Health Team. He has also been a Mental Health School Nurse and supported students and families across Toronto. He has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ryerson University and a Master’s in Health Science in Health Administration from the University of Toronto. He holds a Certified Health Executive designation with the Canadian College of Health Leaders and Certificates in Advanced Design Thinking and Business Innovation from IDEO U. His personal experiences as a Filipino-Canadian immigrant, a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and a resident of Rexdale helps drive his passion to create safer and inclusive communities.

SPENCER BURGER

Director

Spencer Burger is an associate at Stikeman Elliott LLP, specializing in corporate law. He holds a JD/MBA from the University of Toronto and a B.A. from McGill University. Spencer is passionate about public policy issues and previously worked for the Canadian government as a policy advisor to a senior Cabinet Minister. He hopes to leverage his experience in the private and public sector to support community building initiatives in the GTA.

STEVE ADAMS

Director

Steve is a recently retired Senior Financial Executive (CPA CGA) with over 35 years’ experience in the not-for-profit, government and financial sectors. During his career he has led the successful implementation of new financial management and control systems, resulting in major improvements to the management and reporting of diverse multi-stakeholder organizations.

Steve’s last position was with the Public Guardian and Trustee for Ontario (PGT) where he was Comptroller and Accountant of the Superior Court of Justice. The clients of the PGT are among Ontario’s most vulnerable citizens and while his role was in accounting, finance and investments, Steve became personally very aware of the ongoing challenges of many of the clients. He looks forward to using his experience to assist ANS in serving the community.

RUTHANN PINNOCK-BOGUES

Director

Ruthann Pinnock-Bogues is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree. She is currently pursuing an MBA at York University, specializing in Finance and Organizational Behaviour. She has been in the field of accounting for over 10 years with a focus on financial reporting and analysis. At present, she is a Senior Financial Analyst at Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd with past experience in a similar role at Royal Bank of Canada. Prior to that she was a Cost Controller at SNC-Lavalin.

LISA KOSTAKIS, BSW, RSW (EX-OFFICIO)

Executive Director

Presently, Lisa is the Executive Director of Albion Neighbourhood Services. Lisa has demonstrated leadership and commitment in carrying out the Mission and Vision of the agency and the clients that it serves. Lisa carries a degree in Psychology from York University and a degree in Social Work from Ryerson University. She has been working for over 30 years in the social service sector beginning in Regent Park working with 6 to 24 year old high risk children and youth and their families. Key to her concern is ensuring that the agency provides effective support systems, programs, services, strong role models for children, youth and families. Furthermore, Lisa is pivotal in developing and sustaining strong partnerships with other community service organizations, and becoming a strong leader in many initiatives such as community safety, accessible and integrated services, establishing new partnerships and sustaining and building capacity within the community, as well as city wide. Lisa is also a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.