our team
Our Leadership
Guided by our mission, vision, and values, the management team provides collaborative administrative, operational, and programmatic leadership to ensure the organization is responsive, accountable, and community-centered. As a community-governed organization, our Board of Directors sets strategic priorities that reflect the voices and needs of the communities we serve, which the management team brings to life through its day-to-day work.
Our Board of Directors
Women’s Health in Women’s Hands CHC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected from our membership, reflecting the communities we serve. Rooted in principles of accountability, equity, and community leadership, the Board provides strategic direction and oversight to ensure the organization remains responsive to the needs of racialized women, trans, and non-binary communities. The Board meets regularly throughout the year and hosts an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to report back to our members and the broader community.
Suzanne Charles Watson,
Chair
Suzanne M. Charles Watson is an experienced IDEA Strategist, living and working to create a world of collective liberation, authenticity and joy!
She holds a BSc (Hons) in Sociology, a graduate Diploma in International Relations and a Master’s degree specializing in Gender Equity Studies and Social Policy.Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, she has successfully lead IDEA initiatives throughout the Caribbean, including as co-author of the University of the West Indies’ Gender Policy; and leading research on the Caribbean Gender Differentials Framework, which informs the CARICOM Regional Education and Human Resource Development 2030 Strategy. Since migrating to Canada, she’s served in key leadership roles at Strides Toronto, Women’s College Hospital and SickKids Research Institute.
Her work is grounded in principles of community, respect, empathy, authenticity, transparency, and engagement and intentionally helps create equitable, affirming and accountable spaces. She enjoys gardening, community service and is the proud mom of Dante.
Natalie Madramootoo,
Vice Chair
Natalie Madramootoo is an accomplished critical care clinician and nurse administrator at the University Health Network and Unity Health in Toronto. With degrees in Nursing Science and Nursing Leadership from McMaster University and the University of Toronto, she’s shown a strong dedication to her field. Her passion for research was evident during her fellowship at the Schulich Heart Program at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Natalie has also been active in community initiatives, notably the UHN STEAM program, where she introduced Ontario’s high school students to nursing’s depth.
Her philanthropic efforts extend to contributions to the UHN Impact Collective and the Black Inclusive Philanthropic group at Scarborough Health Network. She’s also a prominent member of the Nursing Leadership Network of Ontario and Taibu Community Health Centre boards. Natalie’s MBA studies have firmly led her to believe in the interconnectedness of health with all sectors. Professionally, she’s deeply involved in clinical practice in ICUs across Toronto, emphasizing mentorship and learning. Outside work, she’s a dedicated mother of two, enjoys arts, fashion, and music, and authors a lifestyle blog.
Millicent Dixon,
Treasurer
Millicent Dixon, has been a passionate and lifelong advocate for human rights and social justice. She has applied these lens in her over three decades in public service. Millicent has been a proven advocate in advancing equity under human rights, accessibility, employment and labour legislations. Millicent’s advocacy and leadership includes anti-racism, workplace discrimination and harassment prevention and environmental protection.
Millicent has led large scale transformational initiatives that promote a culture of equity, drive accessibility considerations, and build more diverse and inclusive workplaces and services. Some of these initiatives have resulted in shifts in policy and policy development, program implementation and service delivery.
Over the years, Millicent has also been on not-for-profit boards supporting marginalized youth and advancing anti-racism.
Millicent holds a degree in Psychology from York University and certificates in Advanced Mediation from the University of Victoria and Human Rights from Osgoode Hall Law School – Professional Development.
Sadaf Farookhi,
Secretary
Sadaf Farookhi (she/her) is a first generation South Asian immigrant to Canada and a recent transplant to Tkaronto (Toronto) from Tiohtia:ke (Montreal). She graduated from McGill University with an MSc in Dentistry focused on population health and policy. She spent the next 5 years working as a project manager at the intersections of the Education, Health, and Non-profit sectors, both locally and internationally. Her first role was based in a non-profit of scale running a network of 1500+ “no-cost” schools across Pakistan. This was followed by a Global Affairs funded gender mainstreaming project in Ethiopia. Next came student wellness projects based at McGill University, and Indigenous lead projects in Canada; driving cultural change within both education and healthcare to encourage Indigenous student recruitment and retention into health professional programs across the country.
She moved to Tkaronto early last year to be closer to family post-pandemic. The higher cost of living in the city necessitated a career shift to corporate HR, now working in the manufacturing industry. As much as she enjoys her day job, she misses the purely purpose driven work of community service and hopes to re-engage with the joy and challenge of it as an active board member for WHIWH.
Emily Verghis,
Member at Large
Emily Verghis (she/her) is a passionate changemaker in the healthcare sector of Ontario. With many years of experience as an equity and inclusion advocate across roles in the GTA, Emily’s work is now focused in health policy and public health initiatives.
She brings a range of professional experience in clinical research, community health centres, long term care and most recently integrated health care delivery.
She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and is currently completing her MSPH, Health Policy at Johns Hopkins. She is excited to action meaningful change in the communities she grew up in through her role at the Center.
Danielle Leon Foun Lin,
Member at Large
Danielle Leon Foun Lin is a Member (adjudicator) with the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (“IRB”). Prior to her appointment to the IRB, Danielle worked as a labour and human rights lawyer in private practice for over a decade. Danielle has dedicated her career to advancing workers’ rights and equity issues. As an expert in pay equity law, Danielle has represented personal support workers, registered nurse practitioners, school board workers and many other workers in female dominated jobs in their fight for equal pay for work of equal value. She has also been a tireless defender of the rights of employees facing discrimination, with a focus on the duty to accommodate and workplace mental health.
Danielle has spent many hours training clients and other members of the legal profession in these areas of law, including pay equity, accessibility, workplace harassment and violence, discrimination and the duty to accommodate. She is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2009.
Sevda Mansour,
Member at Large
Sevda Mansour is a dedicated labor lawyer with the Ontario Nurses’ Association, the Union championing the rights of over 65,000 registered nurses and health-care professionals and 18,000 nursing student affiliates across Ontario. She joined ONA in 2015 and currently holds the position of Legal Coordinator within the Legal Division.
A passionate advocate, Sevda represents members’ rights by delving into diverse labour relations and human rights matters such as addiction and disability accommodation, workplace harassment and discrimination, and benefits disputes. She has obtained a multitude of significant legal victories concerning individual and collective rights but takes great pride in successful negotiation of settlements which have a profound impact on the lives of healthcare workers navigating adversity within their workplace. In addition to her advocacy, she provides mentorship and guidance to her fellow members of the Litigation Team.
Sevda’s passion for equity and social justice extends beyond her professional life. Over the years, she has contributed to various not-for-profit and charitable organizations that align with her dedication to advancing access to justice, particularly for racialized and marginalized communities. Prior to joining ONA, Sevda honed her legal skills at a bustling litigation firm committed to serving marginalized and immigrant communities. She graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2011, where she was a caseworker at Parkdale Community Legal Services (PCLS) and acted as Research Assistant to the Clinic’s Academic Director.
Monica Carreon Diez,
Member at Large
Monica Carreon Diez, was born in Mexico City and moved to Toronto in 2006 to pursue graduate studies. She holds a BA in International Relations; an MA in Immigration and Settlement Studies; an MEd in Adult Education and Community Development, and she is a licenced paralegal in Ontario. Monica has dedicated her academic and professional life to advancing justice, equity, diversity and inclusion of equity-seeking groups as well as of Indigenous people and communities. She has held research, front-line, consultant, policy advisor, and leadership positions in the nonprofit, academic, and government sectors. Her public service experience includes working in the Indigenous Justice Division at the Ministry of the Attorney General, Ontario, the Toronto Transit Community, and the Refugee Law Office at Legal Aid Ontario. Monica has worked in non-profit organizations including Law in Action Within Schools, the Law Foundation of Ontario, Catholic Crosscultural Services, the Neighbourhood Organization, and the Hispanic Development Council. She has volunteered with the First Contact Program of the Canadian Red Cross, Toronto Friends of Refugees, and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada. Monica is a proud mother of two children, Sebastian (13) and Lola (9), partner to her husband, Fernando, and a devoted daughter, aunt, sister, and friend. In her free time, she cooks, dances, crochets, and spends quality time with family and friends.
Samiha Sharif,
Member at Large
Samiha Sharif (she/her) is the Senior Manager of Reconciliation, Equity, Anti-Racism, Diversity and Inclusion at Save the Children Canada. She also works as a practicing psychotherapist with Hello Leena and as an equity consultant with DiversiPro. With a background in social work and over a decade of experience in mental health, organizational equity, and systems change, Samiha brings a trauma-informed, relational approach to all her work. A first-generation Bangladeshi immigrant settler woman of colour living in Tkaronto, she believes that meaningful change must begin with listening, proceed with kindness, and be rooted in community. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to social justice, accountability, and community.
Directors
Lori-Ann Green-Walker
Executive Director
Lori-Ann Green-Walker is the Executive Director of the Centre and brings over 20 years of experience in healthcare management and leadership. For the past 18 years, she has played a pivotal role in guiding the Centre’s vision and programming, including 12 years as Director of Primary Health Care Services prior to assuming her current role.
A dedicated advocate for health equity, Lori-Ann is committed to advancing accessible, culturally safe, and community-informed care across Ontario. Under her leadership, the Centre has been at the forefront of Ontario’s Health System Transformation, ensuring that the voices of priority populations are heard, and that their lived experiences are meaningfully reflected in health service design.
Lori-Ann continues to lead the implementation of the Centre’s 2022–2027 Strategic Plan, with a focus on streamlining operations, enhancing IT infrastructure, and exploring strategies to strengthen the staff complement. She brings a strong intersectional feminist and pay equity lens to all areas of organizational development and system-level advocacy.
Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to collaborative, accountable, and equity-focused care that responds to the complex needs of racialized women, trans, and non-binary communities in Toronto and beyond.
Ishara Jeyachandran
Director of Finance and Administration
Ishara Jeyachandran is the Director of Finance and Administration at the Centre, where she provides strategic leadership in financial planning, budgeting, and resource management to support the delivery of culturally safe, equity-driven healthcare. A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA), she brings over two decades of experience in financial management within the non-profit and healthcare sectors. She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA-UK).
In her role, Ishara ensures the Centre’s financial sustainability, oversees grant and funder compliance, and supports operational planning aligned with the organization’s mission. She is deeply committed to transparency, accountability, and building strong financial systems that empower program delivery and community impact. With a strong understanding of the social determinants of health and the systemic barriers faced by racialized communities, Ishara approaches financial stewardship through an equity lens. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from Laurentian University and has held senior finance roles in both corporate and non-profit organizations.
Wangari Tharao
Director of Research and Program
Wangari Tharao is the Director of Research and Programs at Women’s Health in Women’s Hands CHC, where she leads initiatives that integrate research, program development, and policy to advance health equity for racialized women. With a strong commitment to community-driven approaches, Wangari ensures that knowledge generation is directly connected to meaningful action and improved health outcomes.
A recognized community-based researcher, Wangari has focused much of her work on HIV issues affecting women in Canada who have migrated from countries with generalized HIV epidemics, particularly in Africa and the Caribbean. Her research bridges evidence, practice, and policy, strengthening effective responses to HIV and other pressing health concerns.
Wangari is also a passionate advocate and network-builder. She has co-founded several local, provincial, national, and international networks—including the African and Caribbean Council on HIV/AIDS in Ontario (ACCHO), the Canadian HIV/AIDS Black, African and Caribbean Network (CHABAC), and the African and Black Diaspora Global Network on HIV and AIDS (ABDGN)—to support Black communities in Canada and globally in mounting effective responses to HIV/AIDS.
Her leadership extends to serving on boards, committees, and working groups at multiple levels. From 2018–2020, she represented North America on the NGO Delegation of the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board, and from 2023–2025 she will serve on the Black Expert Working Group advising the Public Health Agency of Canada’s HIV/AIDS Surveillance System program. Through all her roles, Wangari continues to center community voices and advocate for systems change that advances equity and justice in healthcare.
Marie Claud Felicien (MC)
Director of Primary Healthcare
Marie Claud Felicien (MC) is the Director of Primary Healthcare at Women’s Health in Women’s Hands CHC, where she has been a dedicated member of the team since 2013.
A Registered Practical Nurse since 2012, MC has held key leadership roles that prioritize client-centered care, health equity, and strong interdisciplinary collaboration. She is committed to creating care environments where clients feel respected, heard, and supported in their health journeys.
MC’s leadership is deeply rooted in community connection. She works closely with clients, staff, and partners to ensure that primary healthcare at the Centre reflects the lived realities of the women and communities it serves. By building trust and fostering culturally safe spaces, she helps strengthen relationships that are central to meaningful care. Beyond her role at the Centre, MC contributes to provincial initiatives, including Ontario Health’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Working Group. Her advocacy is driven by a passion for advancing equity in healthcare and improving access and outcomes for Black communities and other marginalized populations.
Tharnya Sivanithy
Director of Population Health
Tharnya Sivanithy is the Director of Population Health at WHIWH-CHC. She is an organizational leader who is passionate about health promotion; staff wellness; community engagement; education; and equity, diversity and inclusion.
In her role, she provides strategic leadership for mental health, chronic illness and health promotion programs. She leads the General Psychotherapy Team, Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Team, Social Work and System Navigation Team, ACB-FGC Program, Diabetes Education Program, Diabetes Prevention Program and Food Security Program.
Due to her interest in community healthcare, she completed her Masters of Social Work at University of Toronto, in the Human Services Management & Leadership Stream. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Public Health at Lakehead University, with a Specialization in Social-Ecological Systems, Sustainability and Health.
She has over a decade of experience in healthcare and has worked at numerous hospitals and non-profit organizations across Toronto. With her strong commitment to health advocacy, Tharnya collaborates with the population health team to provide culturally-relevant, trauma-informed and equity-driven health services. Her work is rooted in client-centred care, interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, partnerships and innovation.