Board

of

Board of Directors:

Staff and Associates:

• Dr. Srimanta Mohanty, Chief Executive Officer

  Dr. Srimanta Mohanty, Chief Executive Officer

  Srimanta has over 25 years of experience in research and project management in Canada, Asia and Africa (e.g. Ontario Public Health, Rotary, UN Migration Agency – IOM Sudan, WHO Fellow - China, Anhui University, Canadian Universities & Non-Profits, etc.). Srimanta is the CEO at the Social Planning Council of Peel, an adjunct professor at York University, professor (Part-time) at Sheridan, a Field Supervisor for graduate students in several Canadian universities, the past president of the Rotary Club Mississauga-Airport and a member of various associations. Srimanta has published one book (a comparative analysis of the gender inequality in India and China) and implemented more than 160 community research projects over 10 years. In addition to his doctoral degree, Srimanta holds a M.A. from the University of Western Ontario (Canada), a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from the Schulich School of Business at York University (Canada), a Master of Law in Population Sciences from Beijing University (China), a Master of Population Sciences from the International Institute for Population Sciences (India), and a M.A. in Statistics from Utkal University (India)

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• Dr Christopher McLeish, Researcher Director

  Dr Christopher McLeish, Researcher Director

  Christopher McLeish is a research director with the Social Planning Council (SPC) of Peel. He holds a Ph.D. and master’s degree in educational psychology (University at Buffalo). Christopher is the author of the 2016 Peel-Halton Workforce Characteristics Report, and the subject of his dissertation was the social context of engagement with learning among seventh-grade students. Furthermore, he has taught psychology and research methods to Humber College and University at Buffalo (UB) students. Christopher proposed, developed, and led a seminar for UB freshmen titled “Stereotypes, Emotions, Quality of Life”. Christopher possesses an abundance of skill and experience in student outcomes, quantitative research methods, qualitative research methods, inclusive learning environments, and organizational development.

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• Suresh Subramaniam, Data Scientist and Program Manager

  Suresh Subramaniam, Data Scientist and Program Manager

  Suresh Subramaniam is a PMI certified Project Management Professional and an experienced senior management professional with newly acquired skills, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to mine invaluable insights from large sets of data be it structured, semi-structured, or unstructured. He is able to leverage mathematics and applied statistics with visualization for in-depth exploration. Suresh is a technical and innovative person with the ability to quickly and aggressively identify, develop, and execute opportunities for growth and improvement.

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• Dr. Diamond Rattansi, Social Entrepreneurship Advisor

  Dr. Diamond Rattansi, Social Entrepreneurship Advisor

  Dr. Rattansi was born in Tanzania, and he completed his Ph.D. in Islamic Studies at McGill University. Before Dr. Rattansi attended McGill University, he taught logic and critical thinking in Karachi, Pakistan. Dr. Rattansi is the founder and president of the Sherwood Group (digital printing services). The basis of Dr. Rattansi's business philosophy is equal opportunity and creativity. Dr. Rattansi is a past president of the Rotary Club (Mississauga-Airport) and has conducted humanitarian work in Guatemala. Through the Sherwood Group, Dr. Rattansi has provided many employment opportunities to recent immigrants and people with disabilities. It is Dr. Rattansi's view that businesses should empower individuals and improve social conditions.

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• John Hopkins, Principal Consultant

  John Hopkins, Principal Consultant

  John possesses over 30 years of experience in addiction counselling, drug abuse prevention, group facilitation, and mental health assessment. John is a co-founder of the African Canadian Youth Substance Abuse Prevention (ACYSAP) Program. The most distinctive aspect of John Hopkins’ work is that he attunes his practices to the cultural and racial identities of the youth. In other words, the focus is placed on the youth and not on a curriculum, institution, or program. One of John and the ACYSAP’s greatest achievements was improving academic and mental health outcomes among at-risk youth in Peel high schools (e.g., Bramalea Secondary School). A crucial insight derived from this achievement was the importance of finding ways to connect mental and behavioural changes with students’ identities. John Hopkins and the ACYSAP team discovered principles for supporting all youth as they worked to promote favorable life outcomes among at-risk youth. The purpose of John’s work is to support the development of racialized and Black youth in the areas of self-esteem, academic engagement and social engagement.

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• Dr. Agnihotram V. Ramanakumar, Epidemiology and Public Health Expert

  Dr. Agnihotram V. Ramanakumar, Epidemiology and Public Health Expert

  Dr. Agnihotram is an accomplished healthcare researcher with over 15 years of experience working in high-profile global organizations such as the World Health Organization, McGill University, and Analysis Group, a consulting company. Having been exposed to academic, industry, governmental, and non-governmental and community research settings, he has expertise in socio-demographic surveys, biostatistics, epidemiological methods, health economics, statistical software, data analysis, research design, and dissemination of results to peer-reviewed journals. He has 85 high quality peer-reviewed journals to his credit.

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• Obie Agusiegbe, Principal Environmental Consultant

  Obie Agusiegbe, Principal Environmental Consultant

  Obie Agusiegbe is the CEO and Founder of EnvironFocus, a sustainability consulting firm. Obie has over 18 years of background experience and education in environmental management and climate change. Her experience spans across different sectors that include oil and gas, manufacturing government, non- profit, pharmaceutical and consulting in Nigeria, Canada and overseas. She collaborates with organizations to provide African communities with access to clean technologies that are climate resilient and meets their basic human needs in an equitable manner. She designs, develops and implements projects and programs that meet organizational goals.
  
  She is an Environmental Professional certified by ECO Canada (CECAB) as an Environmental Manager. She has a M.Sc. in Clean Technology from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom, a B.Sc. (Hons) in Chemistry from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, a Post Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management from the University of Toronto and a Certificate in Adult Education/Training and Development from Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology, Canada.
  
  Obie is a Sustainability Advocate, passionate about getting individuals, organizations and nations to shift their perspectives and practices towards creating a sustainable world.

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• Wonnette Parris, Financial Consultant

  Wonnette Parris, Financial Consultant

  Coming Soon

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• Ronit Nayak, Web Technician and IT Consultant

  Ronit Nayak, Web Technician and IT Consultant

  Computer Science Student, passionate to learn and foster growth in himself and the community around him.

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• Madison Wilson, Research Consultant

  Madison Wilson, Research Consultant

  Madison holds a certification in Social Service Work (Georgian College), a degree in Social Work (Ryerson University) and is in the process of attaining a degree in Education (Lakehead University). Madison has five years of experience working within social service work roles (one year of experience in Social Work), ranging from fundraising, research, to front line work in roles such as program facilitation. Madison possesses a range of skills and experience in anti-oppressive practice, participatory research, social justice research, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, as well as, front line experience working with diverse demographics.

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• Natasha Dixon, Social Policy Consultant

  Natasha Dixon, Social Policy Consultant

  Natasha Dixon has several years of experience in policy research, government relations, and community outreach. Natasha supports the Social Planning Council of Peel’s Research Department by conducting social policy research, policy analysis, contributing to their grant proposal process, and community outreach initiatives. Her contributions to the research endeavours of the SPCP operate from an anti-oppressive approach to social policy analysis. Her objective is to promote the development of policies, community programs, and research, that centers the lived experiences and narratives of the breadth of low-income communities in the Peel Region.

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• Anne Topp, Research Associate

  Anne Topp, Research Associate

  Anne has over 25 years experience in the homeless sector working at a multi-service agency (women’s shelter and residential drug treatment, supportive housing) in Toronto. Anne possesses a range of skills from her experience in frontline, management and Executive Director roles. Along with the staff team and service users, Anne oversaw development/implementation of an anti-racism, anti-oppression framework within the organization. She also developed a Prevention to Homelessness Leadership Youth Initiative involving youth at risk and youth leaders within TCDSB. Anne has extensive experience fundraising using direct contact strategies. Anne served on the Board of Directors at the Toronto Hostels Training Centre for 6 years. She holds honors certification in Social Service Work (Humber College 1992) and is presently in her 4th year BSW advanced standing program at Ryerson University.

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• Kiran Mata, Project Coordinator

  Kiran Mata, Project Coordinator

  Kiran holds a certification in International Business (Euro Business College, Germany). In Canada, she completed Special Education Needs Course (International Open Academy). Kiran received a Social Service Worker diploma (Sheridan College). She is a German teacher at a German school in Mississauga; she teaches in a purposefully inclusive environment and assists students in overcoming their anxiety in learning a new language. Kiran is a Hospice Volunteer since 2018; She provides patient advocacy, comfort, and care. Kiran holds a range of expertise in anti-oppressive practice, marketing, fundraising, literature reviews, strategic planning, and social justice research.

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• Zachery MacKinnon, Research Associate

  Zachery MacKinnon, Research Associate

  Zachery MacKinnon, Research Associate (He/Him) - Coming from a background in business development, information technology. He is pursuing a new career as a Social Service Worker at Sheridan College. Bringing his breadth of technical know-how, business acumen and appetite for mutual success he has 10 years' experience in various sectors with varying and diverse populations. He is an active member of the Burlington community which has given him numerous opportunities to form an anti-oppressive practice and conduct research into the various shortfalls of our current government. He is passionate about fighting for the under-dog, eradicating racism, and removing all barriers - be they technological, political, or implied - from anyone's ability to be an active participant in society. He looks forward to any opportunity to further his ability to achieve the goal of a barrier free society. Continuous education and applied learning are the cornerstone to his success. Zachery looks forward to any challenge he comes across.

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• Maria Calautti, Research Associate

  Maria Calautti, Research Associate

  Student at Sheridan College, E-Mail - mcalautti@spcpeel.com.

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• Taofikat Lawal, Research Associate

  Taofikat Lawal, Research Associate

  Student at Sheridan College, E-Mail - tlawal@spcpeel.com.

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• Sugandh Atre, Research Associate

  Sugandh Atre, Research Associate

  Student at Sheridan College, E-Mail - satre@spcpeel.com.

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• Daniel Morayo, Research Associate

  Daniel Morayo, Research Associate

  Student at Sheridan College, E-Mail - dmorayo@spcpeel.com.

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• Niesha Belleus, Research Associate

  Niesha Belleus, Research Associate

  Student at Sheridan College, E-Mail - nbelleus@spcpeel.com.

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• Claire Jackson, Research Associate

  Claire Jackson, Research Associate

  Student at Sheridan College, E-Mail - cjackson@spcpeel.com.

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• Shelby Martindale, Research Associate

  Shelby Martindale, Research Associate

  Student at Sheridan College, E-Mail - smartindale@spcpeel.com.

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• Jasleen Brar, Research Associate

  Jasleen Brar, Research Associate

  Student at Sheridan College, E-Mail - jbrar@spcpeel.com.

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• Jacob Mathew, Research Associate

  Jacob Mathew, Research Associate

  Student at York University, E-Mail - jmathew@spcpeel.com.

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• Amna Mohamed Arif, Research Associate

  Amna Mohamed Arif, Research Associate

  

  Amna holds a Honours Bachelor Degree in Community Social Services from the University of Guelph. From Humber College, she holds a Social Service Worker Diploma and a Certificate in Youth and Families. She worked various positions in post-secondary institutions and elementary schools contributing to the educational development of the community.

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• Sabrina Corridore, Research Associate (She/Her)

  Sabrina Corridore, Research Associate (She/Her)

  

  I recently completed my four year undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph-Humber in Family & Community Social Services. Coming from a background of Social Work, I have taken on many different roles within my school placements which has allowed me to work with many diverse populations. My experience ranges from Foster Care Services, to Short-Term & Long-Term Disability to now furthering my experience within the area of research. I look forward to opportunities which involve addressing social issues, improving the quality of life for individuals and finding the solution to a problem. I am a determined individual with an eagerness to learn and take on any challenges that come my way.

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• Nila Siboko, Research Associate

  Nila Siboko, Research Associate

  Student at Wilfrid Laurier University, E-Mail - nsiboko@spcpeel.com.

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• Diktshya Sharma, Research Associate

  Diktshya Sharma, Research Associate

  Student at University of Toronto - Mississauga, E-Mail - dsharma@spcpeel.com.

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• Ronak Ray, Social Researcher

  Ronak Ray, Social Researcher

  Ronak is a young and bright student at Toronto Metropolitan University. He is pursuing a career in Computer Engineering. Ronak is always ready to support and contribute to The Social Planning Council of Peel. He has a passion to learn and take on new challenges.

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• Aarusha Pushparajah, Social Researcher

  Aarusha Pushparajah, Social Researcher

  

  Aarusha has her Bachelor's of Social Work from Toronto Metropolitan University with a minor in English. She has worked with multiple non-profits to bring awareness to obstacles often faced by individuals living in both the Peel and GTA regions. She is experienced in community outreach, community-based research, and project coordination. Due to her experience in research, she has developed a strong understanding of the impacts of cultural competency, best practices for mental health intervention, and best practices for culturally competent Applied Behavioral Analysis. She actively works towards social justice by implementing anti-oppressive approaches to her work. apushparajah@spcpeel.com

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• Yahya Saqib, Social Researcher

  Yahya Saqib, Social Researcher

  

  Yahya Saqib is currently pursuing an honours bachelor's degree in business administration at York University, under the Schulich School of Business. He has a burning passion for understanding the fundamentals of business as well as advocating for and making a change in the community he resides in! - ysaqib@spcpeel.com

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• Haaniya Ahmed, Social Researcher

  Haaniya Ahmed, Social Researcher

  

  Haaniya is currently in the process of completing her Bachelors of Biomedical Engineering and Mechatronics Engineering at McMaster University. She has worked on several projects contributing to developments in the biomedical field. Haaniya has a passion for research and innovation!

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