Board of Directors

Alex is a Certified Fund Raising Executive with more than 15-year experience of working in key fund development roles at leading educational, health care and social service non-profits, including University of Toronto, United Way Toronto, Habitat for Humanity GTA and Casey House Foundation. Before moving to Canada, for 10 years he managed an international grant-making foundation in Ukraine. Alex brings to the Board his diverse expertise as a fundraiser and grant-making executive as well as his experience serving as a director of a number of charities in Canada and Ukraine. He is a former client and sits on CultureLink’s Program and Resource Development.

Leader and developer of people.  Innovator of talent mapping through intricate mentorship programs.  Guided on several cross-functional Bank-wide projects aligned to culture, clients and compensation.  Champion of Community awareness, engagement, and involvement across various organizations.  Coordinated and promoted several Community initiatives aligned to career planning, progression, and workforce integration. Enthusiastic about the opportunity to make a difference, and live by the guiding principal “if you don’t endeavor you don’t evolve”!   

Arlene is a Director of Services at the University of Toronto. She has over fifteen years’ experience in leadership in a unionized environment, with a strong track record of strategic leadership, and expertise in human resources, financial management, policy development, and consensus building in a complex multi-stakeholder environment. Alene has over 12 years of experience serving on the Board of Directors of two non-profit charitable organizations, including periods of chairing Boards. Both from her professional life and from her experience as a community leader, Arlene brings to the Board excellent communication, listening and facilitation skills, with experience working with diverse populations and individuals of all walks of life.

Brandin O’Connor is a partner at Shields O’Donnell MacKillop LLP in Toronto where he provides labour and employment law advice and representation to management, including in collective bargaining for a number of not-for-profit organizations. Brandin is the former President of the Board of Directors of Cycle Toronto where he served as a director for six (6) years, from 2013 to 2019. Prior to private practice, Brandin served as law clerk to the Chief Justice of Ontario.

Cathy has worked in the cultural industries sector in various roles for the last 20 years. Currently, Cathy is a project manager in Engagement in Inclusion at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Previously, Cathy managed a variety of initiatives at TVOntario in Current Affairs and Documentaries and CBC News where she was part of the team that received the President’s Award in 2013 for building engagement and collaboration among her colleagues. Cathy holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Communications Studies, and later received her Project Management Certification from Ryerson University. Cathy was introduced to CultureLink as a volunteer for the mentorship program and immediately loved the experience. She brings her media expertise to the board and is pleased to be able to contribute to CultureLink in a larger capacity.

Erich received his law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School and his Bachelor of Arts, Honours Political Science from Brock University. At Osgoode Hall, he volunteered with the Community Legal Aid Services Programme and the Ontario Justice Education Network.  He also received the Russell Nelles Starr Q.C. Award. He is a lawyer based in Toronto and practices labour and employment law. His work experience includes providing legal advice and representation to employers with respect to labour and employment law matters. He has been working as an Associate Lawyer at Mathews, Dinsdale and Clarke LLP since 2012.

Dr. Ferzana Chaze is an experienced educator and research professional.  She is a subject matter expert on issues related to immigration and settlement, diversity and social inclusion. Ferzana has a demonstrated expertise in leadership and governance in a variety of contexts and with diverse groups of persons. Ferzana is a full-time professor at the Faculty of Applied Health and Community Studies at Sheridan College. Prior to this, she was involved in research, education and knowledge mobilization at Ryerson University.

Golam has more than 14 years of experience in Customer Relationship Management as a Relationship Manager and extensive experience in Business Development. He is currently working at RBC as Business Account Manager and has years of experience in the Banking sector from Personal Banking to Business Banking. Golam holds an MBA in Finance & Marketing and pursuing CGA at Level 3, he also finished an Executive Program at Rotman School of Management at University of Toronto.
Golam was introduced to Culturelink as a Newcomer Program Attendee, he was a mentee and later became a mentor at Luminato, Playing for Keeps, NEAT Walk, Wintegration, attended BikeHost, Career Management program, volunteered at Pan Am Games Toronto 2015 as a Crew, Venue Management. Golam is a Speaker at Speakers Bureau at United Way and Council Member at Scarborough Rough Hospital – Philanthropic Council. He is also a workshop facilitator at YMCA called, “Networking for Jobs” and “Personal Financing Strategy for New Canadians”. Golam is a Career Planning Facilitator at La Passerelle-IDE for French Speaking New Canadians (Personal Development and Career Coaching) and a Career Mentor at TRIEC, ACCES Employment, NeighbourhoodLink and YMCA. He is very engaged in the community and volunteered for Sherbourne Health Centre, WEDay 2015, 2016, 2018, Jays Care Foundation and Geneva Centre for Autism. During his role as a mentor for different organizations, he helped 15 new Canadians to settle in different fields of their interest. Golam brings to the Board a personal understanding of newcomers’ needs and a passion for supporting individuals in their path to growth.

Founder and Principal of 925 Resources Inc., providing customized career planning and professional development for individuals and businesses.  A former executive with over 20 years of corporate experience, a career coach and author of a book on career planning.  Extensive business experience including serving as both a Director and Vice President with DIRECTV Inc. in Los Angeles. Canadian experience includes Director of Marketing with ExpressVu. Member of The Business Success Coach Network and John McKee and Associates, prestigious international coaching organizations with members in over 20 countries. Co-author of The Plan: Personal Balance, Career Success, Financial Strength.

Rob is an independent brand, communications and marketing consultant. For nearly 20 years, Rob has built brands and helped them succeed in a disrupted world. Rob has worked for leading firms Interbrand, Edelman and Cohn & Wolfe, and at Rogers Communications. In addition to serving on the Culturelink board, Rob is also on the Advisory Board of Humber College and advisor to social media commerce company Candid. Rob’s won awards, but he’s driven by partnering with great people and organizations to make an impact.

20 years working with national and international organization,  skilled in developing, managing and implementing projects in conflict areas, developer of policies, procedures and systems, HR professional, knowledge on human rights, experienced in mobilization of activists and youth, advocacy passionate, conflict resolution, training and empowering women and youth, creating training materials on human rights and politic literacy. Worked with refugees, demonstrated expertise in refugees’ settlement.

Wendy-Ann 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 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.