Board of Directors

Biography

Board of Directors  2011-2012

Hema Vyas

As a volunteer Hema has been instrumental in bringing to CultureLink’s Program and Services Committee a wealth of information gained from her extensive professional experience in the field of education and training, financial decision making, research, policy creation and development. Her volunteerism extends beyond CultureLink to the City of Toronto and the June Callwood Centre for Women and Families. Presently, Hema is employed at the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities which leads policy directions for post secondary education and operates employment services for students, job seekers and employers. As an added interest her hobbies are many, one of which is boxing!

Herbert Law

Herbert Law is with the law firm of Mathews, Dinsdale, and Clark LLP in Toronto where he practices exclusively in labour and employment law. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Herbert worked for a large employers’ association that represented hundreds of social service providers in human resource management and labour relations. Herbert is the Chair of the Human Resources / Labour Relations Committee at CultureLink.

Jennifer Button

Jennifer has worked under tight deadlines and managed sponsor activities during and after the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Jennifer is a world ranked athlete with 8 years international competition experience- Bronze medalist 2002 Commonwealth Games and Silver medalist 1999 Pan American Games. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Physical Education and Health and a Master of Sports Administration University of Lausanne. Her work experience is in the field of managing marketing partnerships in the Canadian Olympic Committee. Jennifer’s experience in the world of athletics enables her to use her skills as a volunteer as well. Her volunteer experience is vast and to name a few – she performs public speaking engagements to schools, sport groups and swim teams, was Chair of Swimming Canada Athletes Council and member of Swim Ontario Board of Directors

Jessica Dargo Caplan

This year Jessica was heavily involved with CultureLink’s Mentorship Program. As Director of Education & Community Outreach with Luminato- the prestigious annual Toronto Festival of Arts & Creativity her commitment and support to this innovative Mentorship Program was instrumental. It is through this connection our many newcomers were able to gain that all important Canadian experience as they volunteered their time during the event this July. Jessica is also a freelance developer, researcher and writer of study guides for various theatre productions and live events. Other hats worn by Jessica are that of Marketing Consultant and Business Development. She gained her M.Ed at the University of Toronto and her B.A at McGill University.

Lisa Proulx

Lisa Proulx’s career has spanned the public, private and not-for-profit sectors in the areas of policy development and advocacy, government and stakeholder relations, as well as strategic planning and business development.  She has provided support and counsel to senior executives and government officials on critical business issues and public policy, including merger and competition regulation, as well as foreign affairs and international trade. Lisa is a Director with the Scotiabank Intercultural Alliance, and has volunteered with CultureLink’s Host Program and the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) mentoring program.

Mark Krakowski

 Mark received his education from the University of Western Ontario and from the New School University( formerly known as the New School of Social Research New York City, New York, USA.) Mark’s experience encompasses a wide range of work with the Commonwealth Trade Union Council, a Labour staff representative in the Labour Participation Department, United Way Toronto and as a Human Rights Officer with the Ontario Human Rights Commission, Minister of Labour. Mark has also published a selection of journals (with a co author) for the Journal of Public Health, the Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education and the Canadian Psychiatric Association Journal

With more than twelve years of cross-functional experience in diverse industries across different countries, Mehul Dholakia is a well rounded business person with a strong understanding of organizational issues as well as problem solving experience. As an immigrant Mehul learnt first hand about the challenges that a new immigrant faces in Canada. Mehul is passionate for the not-for-profit sector and contributes to various agencies including the United Way, the TD Junior Achievement, Boys and Girls Club of London and Habitat for Humanity

Michelle Kelly

Michelle Kelly is a dynamic Chartered Accountant with both external and internal audit experience. She works in the consumer products sector where she focuses on operational audit and process improvement. While living abroad as a child, Michelle had firsthand experience learning new languages and navigating through unfamiliar cultures. These early experiences led to a lifelong love of cultural learning. Michelle originally joined CultureLink as a HOST program volunteer and is now the Treasurer of the Board of CultureLink.

Orla Zhu

 A CMA with broad experience in financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting reporting and auditing, Orla Zhu makes the time to increase her volunteer experience by sitting in on a School Advisory Council, as Treasurer, Community Outreach Program, ARAMARK Canada Ltd., with Canada Revenue Agency and on our own CultureLink Mentorship Program. Her academic achievements include a Bachelor of Administrative Studies and a Professional Certificate of Management from York University and a CMA from The Society of Management Accountants, Ontario

Sarah Bukhari

 Sarah Bukhari brings to the CultureLink Board of Directors a vast experience in settlement services, community development and capacity building. Sarah is at present a Scholarly Creative and Research (SRC) Officer at the Faculty of Community Services, Ryerson University. Sarah is the founder of the Association of Sudanese Women in Research and Development (Ani-Sa’a) and continues to concentrate on social research, support for settlement needs and advocacy on policy analysis and change.

Tasha Williams

Tasha Williams is a Corporate HR consultant with BMO Financial Group. Tasha comes with extensive professional experience as a project coordinator and human resource analyst. Tasha’s volunteer and extracurricular involvement includes being a member of HRPAO and a senior mentor with Youth Assisting Youth. In addition she also has time to sit in on a variety of committees.   Educated at Ryerson University and at Seneca College and the Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Tasha not only brings a strong HR experience to the board but also an in-depth education in the field of HR.

 Wendy Horning recently retired from Wells Fargo Financial, where she was a Manager of Specialty Collections, starting in 1997. She previously worked for GE Capital as the Account Services Manager for their Auto Leasing portfolio. Wendy was a member of Wells Fargo’s first Canadian Diversity Council. Wendy first came to know CultureLink in 2000, where volunteering with the English Conversation Circle was a suitable ‘fit’. She became a board member in 2001 serving on the Board until 2005, including a short period as Chair of the Board. Wendy is the Chair of the Programs & Services Committee. Wendy was on the board of Sojourn House, a refugee shelter in downtown Toronto, where she was the President up until her term on the Board ended in June 2011.