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Board of Directors

	Genevieve D'Iorio Co-Chair .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)		Jim Cullen Co-Chair .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Having moved in 2000 from London, England, Genevieve D'Iorio began volunteering with Pride Toronto during the weekend of Pride Week in 2002 and shortly thereafter joined the Dis/Ability Resources Committee as a year-round volunteer. In 2003 she was elected as co-coordinator for this committee and in that capacity she strove to diversify and expand the resources that were provided in keeping with the core belief that the activities of Pride Toronto should not exclude anyone due to unnecessary barriers. Some of the initiatives that she helped to develop over the four years include the expansion of outreach promotions, transcription services and viewing areas on site. Outside of her work at Pride Toronto, she has also been a committee member for the planning and execution of Sheena's Place Art Show and Treasurer / Print Coordinator for Rainbow Hoops Women's Basketball League. Professionally, she is Publications & Archive Manager for the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television where she writes, designs and edits print materials. On her off time, she loves to play soccer, swing dance, and when there is a moment, keep in touch with her passion for arts and crafts. In 2007, she became the Secretary to the Board on the Executive Committee elected to the Board of Directors at Pride Toronto and, a year later, was elected as Co-chair to the Board of Director at Pride Toronto.		Jim Cullen, B.A. (Psych), B.S.W., M.S.W., Ph.D., is the Clinic Head/Manager for Rainbow Services at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Canada’s only inpatient/outpatient program for the queer community struggling with addiction and mental health concerns. Jim has a long history working with LGBTTIQ community in both professional and volunteer roles in health and mental health/addiction. His background includes significant clinical and management capacities and liaising with all levels of government funders and partners. He has held various academic appointments at York, Ryerson, the University of Toronto; as well as the University of Victoria and Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia. He has been an activist and advocate for programs across Canada that serve the queer community and has been successful in research and publication.
	Mark Singh .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)		Gaya Arasaratnam .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Mark Singh has served as a volunteer with Pride Toronto since 2003 when he signed on as the Coordinator of Pride's Sponsorship Marketing Committee. He has served on the Board since 2006 and as Co-Chair since 2007. He believes strongly in the role that Pride festivals play in providing queers with a platform for self-expression and is proud to be so intimately involved in the historic evolution and growth of Pride Toronto. Mark works with the Toronto Environment Office as a Program Manager. Before his tenure with the City of Toronto, he was the Executive Director of Eneract, a local environmental charity, for six years. He is happily married and is struggling to overcome his Facebook addiction.		Gaya Arasaratnam has been involved with Pride Toronto since 2005. She has served various roles in the organisation and has been privileged to watch Pride Toronto grow in strength and visibility over the years. Gaya has lived in five countries in South Asia, the South Pacific and North America, and brings with her a strong background in media and cross-cultural communications as well as an expertise in outreach and transition programming for youth.
	Helen Kennedy .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)		Margaret Ngai .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Helen Kennedy is a Canadian politician and social activist, currently the executive director of Egale Canada. Kennedy began her career as an activist and change agent with the Industrial Accident Prevention Association, where she became an advocate for workplace safety and people with disabilities, building awareness as editor of the association's magazine. In 1985, she was hired by the Ontario New Democratic Party caucus at Queen's Park. She served the party for 14 years, in opposition and government. During that time, Kennedy founded the East York Tenants Association, which lobbied for rent controls and tenant rights. She also established Citizens for Access, an awareness campaign to open up public buildings to people with disabilities. In April 2007, she was named executive director of Egale Canada. She is the first woman to head the organization.		Margaret has over 10 years of proven experience in business and people management. She has been a consultant for major corporations in North America, helping executives to establish strategic direction, re-engineer business process and implement technology solutions. During the past 2 years, Margaret was the Coordinator of the IT Committee for Pride Toronto, primarily focusing on enabling the organization with the appropriate technologies. S he also assisted with other functions such as Finance and Gala. She has volunteered for other non profit organizations such as the Inside Out Lesbian & Gay Film & Video Festival and Scouts Canada.
	Francisco Alvarez .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)		Daniel J Knox Secretary of the Board .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Francisco Alvarez is an experienced arts and communications leader with a strong history of volunteer work in Toronto's LGBT community. Currently, he is Managing Director of the Institute for Contemporary Culture at the Royal Ontario Museum and has also served as the ROM's Director of Communications for nine years. Holding an MBA degree from York University, Francisco has senior management experience in the non-profit, government and private sectors. He was one of the co-founders of Inside Out, Toronto's Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, where he remained for ten years. He has also served as co-chair of Dancers for Life, a major annual fundraiser for the AIDS Committee of Toronto and has proudly served on several other Boards.		Daniel has served the non-profit sector for more than seven years, with experience in a range of areas including business administration and analysis, special event logistics, sponsorship development, marketing/communications, research, and major gifts. His current role is in Leadership Giving at the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario (HSFO), where he is responsible for working with individuals who can make significant investments in HSFO's mission. Prior to joining the team at HSFO, Daniel had the privilege of working on exciting capital campaigns at local hospitals, and has also raised funds for a national literacy organization. A career fundraiser, Daniel has completed the Fundraising Management program at Ryerson University, and is a proud member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. When not immersed in the non-profit world, he enjoys spending time with friends, walking his new dog along the waterfront, and trying to stay fit.
	Selma D'Souza .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Selma D’Souza was elected to the Pride Toronto Board of Directors in the fall of 2008. Professionally, Selma works for the Ontario Public Service (OPS), and has held positions in the Ministries of Government Services, and Municipal Affairs and Housing, Community Safety and Correctional Services, and currently, and Children and Youth Services. In 2007, Selma was one of only two public servants chosen by the Women’s Executive Network to participate in Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100™ Wisdom II Mentoring Program. On November 25, 2008, Selma was officially recognized as a Future Leader on the Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100™ list. When not at work or school, Selma is an auxiliary officer, clocking over 400 volunteer hours this past year. Additionally, she’s an active member of the OPS Pride Network, promoting diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.