Doris Rajan
Managing Director
Doris Rajan (she/her) has worked as a senior consultant in the non-profit sector for over 20 years, with a focus on gender-based violence, access to justice, Indigenous, racialized migrant and disability justice issues. In her work, Doris has designed numerous international, national, and regional community-based social development and applied research projects and has authored numerous research reports and community-designed resources. Doris has a master’s degree in social work with a specialization in Social Policy and Research. She holds a PhD in Adult Education and Community Development at the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, where her research involved the development of a curriculum framework for a critical feminist/anti-oppression pedagogy of solidarity that would unify Indigenous, Black, racialized, refugee and people labeled with an intellectual and/or mental health disability, to challenge structural gender-based violence. As an educator, Doris has taught a variety of courses at post- secondary institutions including, the University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University and George Brown College. Doris is also a theatre and film artist, where she applies a critical arts-based pedagogy for enhancing knowledge sharing, building relationships and growing solidarity amongst systemically marginalized groups.
Michael Bach
Senior Advisor
For over 35 years, Michael Bach (he/him) has undertaken research and development in Canada and internationally on ways to advance the full inclusion and human rights of persons with disabilities. His research and publications cover disability theory, policy and practice in a range of areas including education, employment, and funding and delivery of community-based services. Michael’s particular area of expertise is in legal capacity of people with intellectual disabilities.
Michael holds a Ph. D. in Sociology and Equity Studies from the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, where his dissertation focused on developing a more inclusive theory of personhood on which to challenge the usual equation between intellectual disability and legal incapacity. Michael has been an Open Society Foundations Fellow, which continued his international comparative research on the right to legal capacity for people with significant intellectual and cognitive disabilities.
Bianca Okine
Manager Social Development
Bianca (she/her) graduated with distinction from the University of Toronto Mississauga with an Honours Bachelor of Arts where she completed a Specialist in Criminology, Law & Society and Minor in Political Science.
Bianca is passionate about addressing housing and criminal justice issues and how they intersect with other complex issues in society such as gender-based violence, racism, and poverty.
Through research and advocacy, she works towards identifying and dismantling social and structural barriers that prevent individuals from accessing equity in society, contributing to an overall framework that creates social and systemic change. She engages in social justice research, community program design, develops strategies, tools, and recommendations to develop holistic methods that can strengthen the most systemically marginalized communities across Canada.
Erick
Manager of Online Services
Erick Nettel has more than 25-years of production experience working for television and film. Since 2011 he has been Managing Partner & Creative Producer at Nettel Media Inc. a video marketing company based in Burlington serving corporate clients and non-profit organizations.
Erick graduated with honours from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, one of the most prestigious private universities in the country. He obtained an honours bachelor’s Degree in Communications majoring in Filmmaking. After graduation, he developed parallel careers in the Mexican television and film industries. He received a scholarship from the International Council for Canadian Studies, which allowed him to attend the Film Production program at Vancouver Film School where he obtained a certificate of excellence.
In the Canadian television industry, he worked for more than a decade at Omni Television where he became Senior Producer for the Diversity Programming Department. In this role, Erick supervised different in-house language production units, as well as producers, reporters and production assistants. This experience allowed him to be selected as part of the Core Team that oversaw the planning, implementation and integration of production systems, new software and hardware for OMNI Television and Citytv under one roof at Dundas Square, as well as the training of all CityTv and Omni staff.
He also has worked as Producer, Director of Photography and Editor for different award winning independent documentaries including The R-Word, which looks at the challenges of people with intellectual disabilities across Canada, (Re)Inventing Destiny, which looked at the process of immigration and integration in Calgary’s Hispanic Community, and the “The Healing Portraits Project”, CEMA Award winner for Best TV Documentary, which explores the experience of refugees through the creation of a portrait.
Erick is a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award from the Rotary Foundation and is a recipient of the Order of Niagara. In his free time Erick enjoys spending time with his daughter, listening to music, reading and playing the mandolin.
Shanti Chand
Administrative Coordinator
Shanti is a womanist social worker who is deeply committed to serving and advocating for Indigenous people, Black and other racialized populations, immigrants, refugees, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and people with intellectual and physical disabilities. Her work is deeply dedicated to social justice, equity, and liberation. It focuses on dismantling systemic structures and policies perpetuating inequality and strives to create a more inclusive and equitable society.
Shanti volunteers as the Manager of All-Stars Community Outreach, developing, implementing, and facilitating programs for families, seniors, youths, and children. Also, she is actively involved in finding resources and support for immigrants, refugees, homeless and gender-based violence survivors. With over 8 years of experience in community service, Shanti is equipped with the skills and insights necessary to address the unique challenges marginalized groups face. Shanti believes in the power of advocacy and the importance of amplifying the voices of those who are often unheard. By fostering strong, supportive relationships and collaborating with community organizations, she works tirelessly to ensure everyone can access the resources and opportunities needed to thrive and is valued and respected.
Shanti has a Bachelor’s in Social Work with Minors in Disability Studies, Family Support and Community Practice. She is passionate about challenging societal norms and advocating for systemic change. Her approach is rooted in a deep understanding of the intersectionality of race, gender, and disability and is committed to promoting the dignity and rights of all individuals. Shanti aims to break down barriers and promote social inclusion through education, advocacy, and direct support.
Driven by a vision of a just and equitable world, Shanti is a lifelong learner and is dedicated to continuous learning and growth. She spends her free time with her daughters playing games, watching TV shows, doing crafts and expressive arts.