Biography

Iris (she/her) is proud to have led NYWC’s work to empower women since 1997. It was a chance volunteer gig three decades ago that ignited her passion for the non-profit sector. Iris found a like-minded community and work she loved at NYWC, and never looked back.

Above all, Iris looks for opportunities to drive change that leads to a better, kinder and more inclusive world. While the specific communities have differed, her work has always been rooted in gender equity and the experiences of precariously housed women, women living with HIV, immigrant/refugee women and women survivors of trauma and abuse.

Advised in her youth against being a “troublemaker” or getting “too much education,” Iris has proudly embraced both. Her passion for social justice is shaped by personal life experiences and fuels a commitment to forge a different future for her daughters.

Biography

Anna has worked for the province, health care, the non-profit sector and academia in various capacities. She has graduate degrees from McGill and McMaster University in Business, Education, and Labour Relations. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in organizational behaviour and strategic management. Her passions include women empowering women, problem solving, diversity and creativity, authentic leadership, project management, finance and governance, to name a few.

Anna is a third culture woman who has a love for the outdoors, a sense of curiosity about her local community and enjoys travelling and exploring both urban and rural areas of Canada and beyond with her family and friends from all walks of life. 

Biography

Anaya (she/they) is a skilled and empathetic service provider, sharing her magic through one-on-one Peer Support and creative drop-in activities in NYWC’S Lounge.

At 16, Anaya chose social justice as their path while navigating an abusive relationship. She has supported women/gender-nonconforming-centred spaces as a facilitator and a caseworker. Academically, she focused her degree on psychology and gender studies, and holds a diploma from George Brown College in Assaulted Women and Children Advocacy/Counselling.  Anaya is honoured to accompany each person on their journey and is deeply committed to being a part of your village. 

Outside of work Anaya is reading romance novels, watching reality TV, learning to knit or create visual art, and embracing all their community has to offer. 

Biography

Emma (she/her) is passionate about creating welcoming spaces where people can build confidence, share experiences, and connect with opportunities that support their goals. She believes in the power of community, lifelong learning, and strengths-based approaches that recognize the knowledge and resilience individuals already bring with them.

Emma brings experience in workforce development, program design, research, and community-based initiatives. She has worked alongside newcomers, internationally trained professionals, job seekers, and community partners to develop programs that create meaningful opportunities for connection and growth.

Outside of work, you can usually find Emma reading historical fiction, at a pop culture trivia night with friends, or trying (with varying degrees of success) to play peacemaker between her two cats.

Biography

Mariam is a third-year social work student at Toronto Metropolitan University, and she is excited about her placement at NYWC. Her passion for social justice and community advocacy work has led to her enrollment in the social work field. She has experience working with the public, providing resource sharing and 1:1 peer support. Mariam utilizes her lived experience as a racialized disabled woman in her work to ensure she provides culturally sensitive and anti-oppressive care. Providing care in a manner that reaffirms others, ensuring people's voices are heard and respected in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment. Outside of NYWC and school, Mariam enjoys pop culture (music, TV, movies) and watching the twilight sky from park benches, whether it's over the cityscape or a beach view.

Biography

Maheen (she/her) and is a third-year Social Work student at Toronto Metropolitan University pursuing a minor in Psychology. Guided by a deep commitment to social justice, Maheen brings experience as an Early Childhood Assistant supporting children and families from diverse backgrounds. Drawn to NYWC’s values of equity, anti-oppression, and low-barrier access, Maheen is eager to grow her community-based practice and support women through compassionate, inclusive care.

Biography

Anna is a part-time group facilitator at North York Women’s Centre. She is passionate about
the power of groups to help people heal, learn, and build community. With a Master’s in Social
Work, Anna has worked in front-line and management positions in several Toronto social
service and health organizations supporting women, people experiencing homelessness, newcomers and the LGBTQIA+ community. 

In addition to facilitating and teaching about groups, Anna enjoys spending time with her five grandchildren and going on long walks with her partner and their dog.

Biography

Shama is the Founder and Principal Lawyer at The Legal Eye. Shama has numerous years of experience in banking, litigation, and corporate and commercial matters. Shama has worked with Shelters to help abuse victims and is an advocate for standing up to abuse. Shama has appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice for family and civil matters.

In her spare time, Shama keeps herself busy with outdoor activities, her two small kids and their puppy.

Biography

Jennifer Kim is a seasoned professional in the pharmaceutical industry, currently contributing to Sanofi’s mission of advancing global health as Head of Drug Substance vaccine manufacturing at the Toronto site. With a background in microbiology, she brings a variety of experience from Quality Assurance, Continuous Improvement, Project Management, Strategy, and Operations. Passionate about cultures, Jennifer is very involved in Sanofi's Employee Resource Group which promotes cultural awareness, education, and celebrating diversity.

Biography

Katie Fulford is a dynamic HR and business operations leader with nearly a decade of experience driving organizational growth and transformation in the alternative mortgage market. Currently serving as the Head of People & Business Operations at a mortgage firm, Katie excels in navigating complex challenges by creating structure, clarity, and tailored solutions grounded in root-cause analysis. Her collaborative approach ensures alignment between business goals and employee development, fostering a culture of engagement and continuous improvement.

Katie’s career has spanned roles in HR, business operations, and customer service, showcasing her versatility and commitment to excellence. She holds the Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designation from the Human Resources Professionals Association and actively contributes to the community as an HR mentor and a Board Member at the North York Women’s Centre.

Guided by the philosophy of “Progress, not Perfection,” Katie brings a thoughtful, people-first mindset to leadership, change management, and operational strategy.