2016 candidate bios - wordpress.com · contexts of collective bargaining and unfair labour...

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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2016 BOARD ELECTIONS CANDIDATE BIOS 1 Paul BOZZO Paul is a long-time Toronto resident, proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, and passionate about working for Pride Toronto! He hopes to bring his nearly ten years of experience in conflict resolution and human resources to the Pride Toronto team. Paul works as a Mediator at the Ontario Labour Relations Board. He provides dispute resolution services in complex labour relations and employment matters, including those arising in contexts of collective bargaining and unfair labour practices. Paul’s main responsibility is creating a safe space where issues can be discussed and problems can be solved in a confidential, non-judgmental environment. Previously, Paul worked as a Senior Employee Relations Consultant at a Canadian financial institution. In this capacity, Paul advised HR professionals about employment law and human rights requirements as well as HR policies and programs. In his spare time, Paul volunteers as an instructor for Osgoode Hall Law School’s "Lawyer as Negotiator,” a course that promotes collaborative problem-solving as an alternative to trial. Building on this experience, Paul believes that he can contribute to Pride Toronto by advising on mediation and other strategies to help find common ground among members of our diverse community. He could also advise on best practices for Pride Toronto’s HR policies and programs, including those relating to labour, employment, and human rights issues. Paul is the proud partner to Daniel, a law teacher, doctoral student, and women’s and LGBTQ+ rights advocate. They are both fathers to Finnegan, a Jack Russell terrier mix who loves his gay dads. Sarah COOPER Sarah Cooper is a gender-non conforming, proud, queer young professional in Toronto, pursuing a graduate degree at the University of Toronto Munk School of Global Affairs. Currently elected at the University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union, Sarah has a proven track record of representing their peers and engaging in transparent decision making while recognizing and respecting diverse needs and perspectives. Professionally, Sarah began their career working closely with Queer and Trans* youth, advocating for access to support services and post-secondary education. Sarah has also worked closely with both the Catholic and public school boards in Ottawa developing programming that is inclusive of the multiplicity of identities of Queer and Trans* high school students. Consistently working to develop their skills in community advocacy, graphic design, policy development, and campaign creation, Sarah is passionately committed to serving the Pride Toronto community. Through their studies in Human Rights and Political Science, as well as years of community activism, Sarah has developed a deep understanding and respect for the history of Pride and will work tirelessly to ensure that Pride Toronto works to embody its

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Page 1: 2016 Candidate Bios - WordPress.com · contexts of collective bargaining and unfair labour practices. Paul’s main responsibility is creating a safe space where issues can be discussed

ANNUALGENERALMEETING2016BOARDELECTIONSCANDIDATEBIOS

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PaulBOZZOPaulisalong-timeTorontoresident,proudmemberoftheLGBTQ+community,andpassionateaboutworkingforPrideToronto!HehopestobringhisnearlytenyearsofexperienceinconflictresolutionandhumanresourcestothePrideTorontoteam.PaulworksasaMediatorattheOntarioLabourRelationsBoard.Heprovidesdisputeresolutionservicesincomplexlabourrelationsandemploymentmatters,includingthosearisingincontextsofcollectivebargainingandunfairlabourpractices.

Paul’smainresponsibilityiscreatingasafespacewhereissuescanbediscussedandproblemscanbesolvedinaconfidential,non-judgmentalenvironment.Previously,PaulworkedasaSeniorEmployeeRelationsConsultantataCanadianfinancialinstitution.Inthiscapacity,PauladvisedHRprofessionalsaboutemploymentlawandhumanrightsrequirementsaswellasHRpoliciesandprograms.Inhissparetime,PaulvolunteersasaninstructorforOsgoodeHallLawSchool’s"LawyerasNegotiator,”acoursethatpromotescollaborativeproblem-solvingasanalternativetotrial.Buildingonthisexperience,PaulbelievesthathecancontributetoPrideTorontobyadvisingonmediationandotherstrategiestohelpfindcommongroundamongmembersofourdiversecommunity.HecouldalsoadviseonbestpracticesforPrideToronto’sHRpoliciesandprograms,includingthoserelatingtolabour,employment,andhumanrightsissues.PaulistheproudpartnertoDaniel,alawteacher,doctoralstudent,andwomen’sandLGBTQ+rightsadvocate.TheyarebothfatherstoFinnegan,aJackRussellterriermixwholoveshisgaydads.

SarahCOOPERSarahCooperisagender-nonconforming,proud,queeryoungprofessionalinToronto,pursuingagraduatedegreeattheUniversityofTorontoMunkSchoolofGlobalAffairs.CurrentlyelectedattheUniversityofTorontoGraduateStudents’Union,Sarahhasaproventrackrecordofrepresentingtheirpeersandengagingintransparentdecisionmakingwhilerecognizingandrespectingdiverseneedsandperspectives.Professionally,SarahbegantheircareerworkingcloselywithQueerandTrans*youth,advocatingforaccesstosupportservicesandpost-secondaryeducation.SarahhasalsoworkedcloselywithboththeCatholic

andpublicschoolboardsinOttawadevelopingprogrammingthatisinclusiveofthemultiplicityofidentitiesofQueerandTrans*highschoolstudents.Consistentlyworkingtodeveloptheirskillsincommunityadvocacy,graphicdesign,policydevelopment,andcampaigncreation,SarahispassionatelycommittedtoservingthePrideTorontocommunity.ThroughtheirstudiesinHumanRightsandPoliticalScience,aswellasyearsofcommunityactivism,SarahhasdevelopedadeepunderstandingandrespectforthehistoryofPrideandwillworktirelesslytoensurethatPrideTorontoworkstoembodyits

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originalrootsofresistanceandcelebratethoseinthecommunitywhomadePridewhatitistoday.DeeplyinvestedinthecontinualgrowthandimprovementofPrideToronto,asaBoardmember,Sarahwillbefocusedonsupportingthemostmarginalizedinourcommunity.

NicoleDESNOYERSNicoleDesnoyersisaMétis,francophoneQueerwomancurrentlylivingandworkinginToronto.NicolewasontheOttawaDykeMarchcommitteein2011and2012,andwaspartofthefundraisingteambothyears.Inuniversity,shewaselectedasthefirstVPEquityoftheStudentFederationoftheUniversityofOttawa(SFUO),whereshesupervisedthecampusPrideCentre,oversaworganizingfortheannualcampusPrideWeekandOrientationWeekDragShow.Duringhermandate,NicolecreatedthefirstcampussexualassaultprotocolforOrientation,helpedbuildtheAllGenderWashroomcampaignandorganizedthefirstIndigenous

students’PowWowoncampus.Shewasalsothehostof1Girl5QTs(QueerandTransstudents)for3years,aneventfocusedonraisingawarenessaboutQueerandTransissuesoncampus.In2014,NicolewaselectedastheSFUO’sVPServicesandCommunications.Duringthismandate,shewaspartoftheteamthatbroughtLaverneCoxasthekeynotespeakerforthecampus’Anti-RacismWeek.Nicolehasalsobeenprovidinganti-oppressionworkshopstovariousstudent,youthandlabourgroupsforthepast4years.EducationonequityissuesisoneofNicole’spassionsandthroughherworkshopsshehasassistedvariousgroupsintheirworktochallengehomophobia,transphobia,racism,colonialismandotherformsofoppression.SincemovingtoToronto,NicoleattendedherfirstTorontoPridein2015andisexcitedtogivebacktothecommunitythathaswelcomedhersincearrivingtothecity.

SusanGAPKASusanGapkaisadedicatedcampaignerforsocialjusticehighlightingherrecordonaffordablehousing,homelessness,mentalhealth,harmreduction&lesbian,gay,bisexual&transissuessincecomingoutasacommunityleaderalmost20yearsago.AsfounderandchairoftheTransLobbyGroupSusanhelpedleadalengthycampaigntopersuadetheMinisterofHealthtofundSexReassignmentSurgeryfortranspeopleinOntario,helpedchangetheVitalStatisticsActsexdesignationsothattranspeople'slegaldocumentsmoreaccuratelyreflecttheirlivedidentity,andamended

theOntarioHumanRightsCodetoinclude'genderidentity'and'genderexpression'.SusanhasservedontheTorontoLocalAdvisoryCommittee&asTorontorepresentativeonthe

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NationalConsumerPaneloftheAtHome/ChezSoiResearchDemonstrationProject,theHousingComponentfortheMentalHealthCommissionofCanada.ShealsoservedontheBoardofPrideTorontowhichhostedWorldPride2014andiscurrentlyFiertéCanadaPride'sCentralRegionalDirectorforOntario.SusanhasadegreeinPoliticalSciencefromYorkUniversity&adiplomainCommunityWorkfromGeorgeBrownCollege.

HussainHAIDERALI HussainhasworkedinthefieldofHumanResourcesforover15yearsinregulatory,non-profit,andpublicserviceorganizations.AsacertifiedHumanResourcesprofessional,hehasworkedinvariousleadershippositionsdevelopingsystemsandpoliciestoensuretheeffectivemanagementoforganizations.HehascontributedtotheLGBTQcommunityinaprofessionalcontextforthelastfewyearsthroughhisemploymentwiththe519.Hisworkthereprovidedhimwiththefoundationofworkinginsupportofmarginalizedcommunities,offering

programsandservicestomembersofthecommunity.ItwashisfirstexperienceworkingatanLGBTQorganization,andheknewitwouldn’tbehislast.HecontinuestoworktosupportmarginalizedcommunitiesthroughhiscurrentroleinHRfortheShelter,Support,andHousingAdministrationdivisionoftheCityofToronto.HussainisalsoamemberoftheBoardfortheHumanResourcesProfessionalAssociation–theassociationandregulatorforHRprofessionals.Heisproudthathecancontributeinameaningfulwaytotheprofessionhehasbuilthiscareerin.Hussainintersectswiththecommunityinvariousways.Agaymalethatcameoutlaterinlife,someonewhoidentifiesasmuslim,andanimmigrantthatcametoCanadainhisearlyteens,withrootsinZambia,Tanzania,UAE,andIndia,hefeelsanaffinitytoavarietyofdifferentpeople.Hebelieveshecanutilizehisskills,knowledge,andexperiencetosupportPrideToronto,andhelptheorganizationmoveforwardintherightdirection.

RobertHAMPSEYSeeingtheamountofinequitywithinOntariohasinspiredRoberttogetinvolvedandtrytocreateamoreinclusivesociety.CurrentlyacaseworkerfortheOntarioPublicService,hehasspentthepast11yearsprovidingassistancetopeoplewithvariouslevelsandtypesofdisabilities.Since2009,RoberthasbeenelectedaschairoftheOntarioPublicServiceEmployeesUnion(OPSEU)RainbowAlliancearc-en-ceil(theunion’sLGBTQequitycaucus)aswellasOPSEU’sEquity-ChairsCommittee.Duringhis4termsintheseroles,Roberthasengagedinorganizationalreviews,developedresolutionsandpoliciestoaddressinequities,andeducatedmembersaroundthe

needsandexperiencesofdiverseequityseekinggroups.

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RobertjoinedtheOntarioNewDemocraticParty(OntarioNDP)executiveboardin2014asoneofthetwoLGBTQco-chairs.HecontinuestobringLGBTQissuesandconcernsdirectlytothepartyleadership.RobertisexcitedtobringhisexperienceadvancingequitytoPrideToronto.

KevinRAMBALLYKevinRamballyisablackqueerindividualwhogrewupinaruralareawherequeerserviceswerescarce.Kevinisclinicalsocialworkerandhasbeenworkingwithqueerandtranspopulationsforthepast10years.Mostrecently,forthepast6yearsKevinhasbeentheYouthBeyondBarriersCoordinatoratAssociatedYouthServicesofPeel.Inthisrole,Kevinprovidesindividualcounselling,assessments,andgroupsupporttoyouthaged12to18yearsoldwhoidentifyasqueer,trans,orquestioning.Priortothis,KevinworkedasaHealthPromotionandCommunityEducationCoordinatoratthePeelHIV/AIDSNetwork.Inthisrole,Kevinworkedone-to-onewithHIV-

positiveclientsandthoseaffectedbyHIV/AIDS,providedhealthconsultationandeducationtothecommunityregardingHIV/AIDSstigma,anddesignedapeersupportprogram.Kevinispassionateaboutfurtheringhisdevelopmentwithrespecttoadvocacyforqueerandtranssaferspaces.Thisinterestisreflectedthroughouthisprofessionaldevelopment,inwhichKevinhasprovidedcommunityeducationandsupporttoindividualsstrugglingwithmentalhealthchallengeswhileadheringtoanti-racismandanti-oppressionprinciples.Indoingso,Kevinhasgainedadeeperperspectiveontheseissueswhilealsoopeningdoorstobeacatalystforwide-reachingchange.Kevinbringspersonalexperience,education,enthusiasm,drive,anddeterminationtohisworkwithqueerandtranspopulations,andisalsoapassionateadvocateforestablishingsafeenvironmentsandfurtheringtheequalityofoppressedcommunities.

MauriceTOMLINSONMauriceisaseniorpolicyanalystwiththeCanadianHIV/AIDSLegalNetwork.AttheLegalNetwork,Mauriceactsascounseland/orclaimantincaseschallenginganti-gaylawsbeforethemostseniortribunalsintheCaribbean,authorsreportstoregionalandUNagenciesonthehumanrightssituationforLGBTIpeopleinthisregion,conductsjudicialandpoliceLGBTI-andHIV-sensitizationtrainings,andfacilitateshumanrightsdocumentationandadvocacycapacity-buildingexercises.Previously,MauricewasalectureroflawattheUniversity

ofTechnologyinJamaicaandattheUniversityofOntarioInstituteofTechnology.Hehasalsoworkedasacorporatelawyer.In2012,MauricereceivedtheinauguralDavidKatoVisionandVoiceAward,whichrecognizesindividualswhodefendhumanrightsandthedignityofLGBTIpeoplearoundtheworld.

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MauriceholdsanHonoursBachelorofArtsinHistoryfromtheUniversityoftheWestIndies,aMasterofBusinessAdministrationinEntrepreneurialStudiesfromtheUniversityofCalgary,anHonoursLL.B.fromtheUniversityoftheWestIndies,anLL.M.inIntellectualPropertyLawfromtheUniversityofTurin(cumlaude)andaCertificateofLegalEducationformtheNormanManleyLawSchoolinJamaica.MauricewascalledtotheJamaicanBarin2006.

KennethTONGKenisanon-profitmanagementprofessionalwith20years'experienceworkingforinfluentialorganizationswithglobalimpact,andiscurrentlyworkingwiththeMastercardFoundation(Canada'slargestprivatefoundation)tomanageitsdigitalstrategiesandcorporatebranding.Kenhasworkedincommunicationsstrategyacrosstheinternationaldevelopment,humanitarianaidandintergovernmentalsectorsmostnotablywithMédecinsSansFrontières/DoctorsWithoutBorders(MSF),theInternationalInstituteforSustainableDevelopment(IISD)withsecondmenttotheUnitedNationsEnvironmentProgram(UNEP),theWorld

ConservationUnion(IUCN),theInternationalDevelopmentResearchCentre(IDRC),andtheSouthernAfricanDevelopmentCommunity(SADC).Hebringsawealthofnon-profitmanagementexperience,withfocusonstrategicplanning,crisiscommunications,andriskmanagement.Ken'scommitmenttolocalandglobaldevelopmentisalsodemonstratedinhisvolunteerworkforvariouscommunity-basedorganizationsandserviceontheBoardsofDirectorsfortheAIDSCommitteeofToronto(ACT),DignitasInternational,andtheMillenniumScholarshipFoundation.KenisalsoactiveinthelocalLGBTcommunityasanout,gayathleteandexecutivememberoftheTorontoTriggerfishWaterPoloteam,bringingittoparticipateinPrideToronto'sparadeandcommunityfair.Furthermore,KenhasvolunteeredwithPrideTorontoasaformerCo-CoordinatorofCommunications/Mediain2002/2003,andisexcitedtojointhePrideTorontoBoardofDirectorstorepresentToronto'sdiverseinterestsandcommunities.KenisactiveonTwitter@kingmo,andtweetsaboutdigitaltechnology,brandmarketingandstrategy,localcommunities,globalhealth,andLGBTissues.

ElijahMONROEElijahMonroeidentifiesagaymaleintheLGBTQ+communityandasaCayugaFirstNationsperson,MonroewasraisedonSixNationsoftheGrandRiverReserve#40.Monroe’sbeliefsandvaluesarebasedfromhistraditionalbackgroundoftheGreatLawofPeace.Thesevaluesarebasedoninclusivity,diversity,compassion,community,respect,empathy,andalwayskeepingagoodmind.HeisarecentgraduateofSheridanCollege’sHonoursBachelorofPhotographyprogram.MonroehasheldmanypositionwithinhiscommunityofSixNationsrangingfromSixNationsCouncilto

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anationalorganizationcalledIndspirethatsupportsIndigenousEducationinCanada.Currently,MonroeisworkingasaResearchAssistantfortheCentreforIndigenousLearningandSupportatSheridanCollege.MonroealsoholdsapositionataMontrealbasedorganizationcalledApathyisBoringasaCityAmbassadorforToronto.Throughhisposition,MonroeisapartofaCanada150signatureinitiativeprojectcalled150yearsyoungthroughcreativeinstallations,wewillcreatespacetoacknowledgeandfeaturethediversewaysyoungpeopleareshapingtheircommunitiesacrossCanadaandmobilizethepotentialoftheirpeers.MonroealsoplanstopursueaMastersdegreeatRyersonUniversityinthePublicPolicyandAdministrationfield.MonroeispassionateaboutissuesaffectingIndigenousPeoplesofCanadaandstrivesforCanadianReconciliationinthecountry.