Download - 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.

Download - 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

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