Anjali is a registered social worker with extensive experience in the field, mostly in the Domestic Violence and Mental Health sectors, with some experience in substance use. She has had the honour of serving in a number of different settings from shelters to community outreach to community mental health to psychotherapy in primary healthcare and more, with all ages, significant diversity of identities, as well as a myriad of social, mental, and emotional issues, and social determinants of health. She has been able to serve at different levels and positions in organizations, and engaged in policy and program development. Throughout her career, she has worked and lived though a lens of anti-oppression, anti-racism, and anti-colonialism, and been involved in AOP/ EDI initiatives in most of the organizations with which she has worked, including most recently as an EDI Co-ordinator. She is currently in the McMaster PhD social work program with research interest in the decolonization of mental health systems.

Anjali is a member of the Board ARAO Committee.

Brett Book is a graduate of Brock University (BA Hons. Political Sciences) and Thompson Rivers University Law School in Kamloops, British Columbia (Juris Doctor). Before attending law school, Brett graduated from the Alternative Dispute Resolution program at Humber College in Etobicoke where he was fortunate enough to complete his practicum hours through the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic. Brett has previously worked and volunteered at the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic and is also a long-time volunteer with the Good Shepherd of Hamilton. Brett is currently practicing law as an Agent for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada and is a Member-at-Large on the Canadian Bar Association’s National Elder Law Executive Committee and serves on the Board of the Brock University Alumni Association. In his free time, Brett enjoys playing hockey, reading, long-distance running and travelling with his partner, Maggie.

Brett is a member of the Personnel Committee.

David Quezada joined the Board of Directors in January 2021. He was born and raised in Chile and moved to Hamilton in 2017. David is the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Manager at the Burlington Public Library in Burlington.

David grew up during the time of the Chilean military dictatorship. His years in Chile and the social injustice he saw made an impact on him and he decided to study Human Rights law. Later he completed a Master’s degree in Conflict Transformation at the Centre for Justice and Peacebuilding in Virginia. He has been involved with diverse boards, committees, and non-profit organizations in Latin America, United States, and Canada.

His expertise is focused on restorative justice practices, psychosocial trauma/well-being, theories of reconciliation, and dignity.

David is a member of the Board ARAO and Fundraising & Engagement committees.

Holly is a dedicated and compassionate individual whose professional journey reflects a commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others. As an employee for the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services, they have demonstrated a profound understanding of the challenges faced by children, youth, women, families, and individuals who need support and work tirelessly to advocate and support the well-being of their clients. With experience in shelters in Hamilton, Holly has firsthand knowledge of the complexities surrounding homelessness and the importance of creating safe spaces. Their time in long-term care and retirement settings showcases their dedication to providing care and support to the elderly. Additionally, Holly has volunteered on a suicide crisis helpline, showcasing a commitment to mental health and crisis intervention. Notably, they have contributed significantly to education initiatives focused on addressing LGBTQ+ issues and combating anti-Black racism, reflecting a deep commitment to fostering inclusivity and equality in various facets of society.

Holly is Secretary of the Board of Directors and a member of the Board ARAO, Executive, Fundraising & Engagement, Governance, and Personnel committees.

A privacy manager passionate about data protection and privacy compliance, Kingsley is an IAPP-certified privacy professional with a background in operations, legal and corporate secretarial services and GRC (governance, risk management & compliance).

A graduate of Mohawk College, Hamilton, ON, with a PgD in global business management, Kingsley has a background as an internationally trained lawyer (and FLSC NCA Candidate) with extensive experience in a variety of in-house and external roles across technology/SaaS companies, insurance, regulated not-for-profits, finance, real estate, regulatory compliance, and oil & gas.

Kingsley is a bibliophile and lifelong learner interested in technology, privacy, AI, global trade, volunteering, and soccer. He is married with children.

Kingsley is a member of the Board ARAO Committee.

Simon (he/him) works in Hamilton as an information technology consultant. He grew up on the mountain and studied computer engineering at McMaster University. He has worked or volunteered with not-for-profit organizations serving equity-seeking communities since 2007. This has included work with the Hamilton Trans Health Coalition, Building the Archives, Public Health (City of Hamilton), the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council, the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University, Information Hamilton, The (Original) Well, The 519 (Toronto), the Hamilton Positive Space Collaborative, the AIDS Network, and the Gender and Health Collaborative Curriculum project. Simon joined the Board of Directors in 2017.

Simon is Chair of the Board of Directors and a member of the Executive, Fundraising & Engagement, Governance and Personnel committees.