Staff

Neemarie Alam (on leave)

Data Strategy Manager

Neemarie (she/her) started in the nonprofit sector nearly 20 years ago. Her previous positions have included working in social housing, mental health, and with children and youth. She has also supported the development and growth of two nonprofit networks, and worked on several research and evaluation initiatives. A self-professed geek, Neemarie loves using data, information, and research to explore the depths of the nonprofit sector and the people it serves. She is passionate about infusing an intersectional and equity lens to her work. In her (nearly nonexistent) spare time, she can be found either reading or making delicious meals in her kitchen with her husband and son.

Herleen Arora

Stakeholder Manager, Labour Force Strategy

Herleen (she/her), is a passionate educator, community builder, researcher, and consultant. Her work focuses on improving the economic and social well-being of communities marginalized due to systems and structures in areas of education, employment and community development. She has over 10 years of experience working with nonprofit and public sector organizations, and has been trusted to lead projects focusing on research and evaluation, strategic planning, program design and delivery, and training and facilitation. She is also the Co-founder and Managing Director of the South Asian & Tamil Women’s Collective – a grassroots organization that curates spaces for intergenerational connection, growth and learning. Herleen holds a Masters of Education in Social Justice and Equity Studies, and a Bachelor of Education from OISE. At the heart of her work, she uses an anti-oppressive and equity lens, and is on a continuous path of learning from and with communities.

Laura Benglian

Administrative and Events Coordinator

Laura (she/her, they/them) is an administrative and social work professional with over five years of experience in the nonprofit sector. They have worked as a Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator, a Drop-In Worker, and an Eviction Prevention Worker. They are passionate about social justice, and have spent many years advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion.

Ebony Davitt

Policy Advisor

With a passion for historical research and social justice, Ebony (she/her) has worked and volunteered in the nonprofit and policy sector for over five years. She began her work in the nonprofit sector volunteering with nonprofit organizations like Voice of Women for Peace in an effort to create solutions for over-policing in Black communities. This experience led her to a policy career where she worked with the Anti-Black Racism Unit in the City of Toronto before joining ONN as a policy analyst in 2022. Ebony is passionate about using her background and knowledge of the roots of anti-Black racism and discrimination in Canada to develop meaningful and systemic solutions that help nonprofits better serve their communities. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto in History and Women and Gender Studies as well as an MA in History from the University of Toronto.

Kavita Dogra

Communications and Development Manager

Kavita (she/her) has been in the nonprofit sector for over a decade and has a variety of communications skills. She has spent many years developing her digital engagement strategy skills, and learning how to build and grow digital audiences. Kavita is an intersectional feminist, and the founder of We Talk Women, a humble organization working to raise awareness about girls’ and women’s rights issues. Kavita proudly co-chaired the committee that organized the Women’s March in Toronto (2017-2019). In her spare time, she is an avid tea drinker who loves being in nature with her dog, and attending/supporting community events.

Lynn Eakin

Policy Mentor

Lynn (she/her) has been providing consulting services to the nonprofit sector since 1989. Currently Lynn, one of the founding members of ONN, is involved in better positioning the sector to address the cross-cutting policy issues it faces. She continues to engage in sector research and is involved with ONN in identifying, developing and advocating for systemic reforms to improve the ability of the sector to undertake its important work. For more on Lynn’s background, see her website: www.lynneakin.com.

Nicole Farrell

Manager of Programs and Operations and Interim Director of Operations

Nicole (she/her) has spent her career working in the nonprofit sector. Most recently she worked at Grand Challenges Canada, supporting admin and operations for the Humanitarian and Indigenous Innovation programs. Prior to that, she worked as a Program Coordinator for a non-profit that provided work abroad opportunities for Canadian and international youth. In this role she focused on business and program development, leading to her becoming certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP). She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Psychology from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Certificate in Learning Design from the University of Toronto. Nicole has volunteered for a number of local organizations focused on healthcare equity. She is also passionate about supporting mental health care and is currently volunteering as a Grief Peer Support Facilitator for bereaved young adults.

Erin Kang

Director of Network Engagement

Erin (they/them, she/her) is a facilitator, storyteller, and dreamer living in Tkaronto. For over a decade, Erin has been examining the relationship between people, place, and power through her studies, profession, and creative projects. She is the founder of Stories of Ours, a grassroots project which aims to deepen community, invite solidarity, and challenge dominant narratives through intentional acts of storytelling and art. As a convener at heart, she thrives in spaces of community-building and mutuality. Erin’s work lies at the intersections of anti-oppressive pedagogy, community collaborations, and creative arts.

Danielle Griffin

Director of Strategic Communications and Initiatives and Interim Co-Executive Director

For more than a decade, Danielle (she/her) has advanced human rights and social impact through her work at the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse in Ireland, and her career in the charitable sector at organizations focused on social services and healthcare. She has been a strong advocate and leader through her program development, marketing and communications, and community engagement initiatives. Danielle holds a PhD in Sports History from De Montfort University, a MA in the History of International Relations from University College Dublin, and a BA in English and History from McMaster University. Danielle’s research and publications have focused on human rights, children’s rights, diplomatic history, and addressing systemic barriers in healthcare, employment, and education.

Taashi Gupta

Project Manager, Labour Force Strategy

Taashi (they/them) has spent 20 years facilitating organizational and individual change focused on fostering environments and communities where everyone can feel supported. Their work has primarily engaged 2SLGBTQ+ communities, with a particular focus on youth and racialized communities (outside of urban centres), most recently as the Executive Director of the LGBT YouthLine. Their work spans many sub–sectors, including: social services, (community) health and education, gender-based violence, post-secondary, and labour unions.Taashi continues to explore ways to centre joy, healing, and play in all their spaces and are insistent that we prioritize rest, care, and relationships in our work.

Benjamin Miller

Policy Advisor/Lawyer

Benjamin (he/him) has worked on the Nonprofit Law Ontario project since 2017 where he has tried to meet the legal needs of nonprofits and charities through clear, practical, and accurate education and information. In this capacity, Benjamin has developed and delivered dozens of workshops and answered thousands of nonprofit law questions. Benjamin articled with and has worked as a policy officer for the Government of Canada in the past. His first book on long-term strategic communications “The 100-Year PR Plan: A Guide for Advocates” was published in January 2021 by Civil Sector Press. His other writings on topics ranging from dark money to campus clubs have appeared in publications such as The Philanthropist, Policy Options, University Affairs, Canadian Lawyer, Slaw, and the Globe & Mail. Benjamin holds a Juris Doctor and Master of Public Policy from the University of Toronto and a Master of Arts in political theory from the University of Ottawa.

Pamela Uppal-Sandhu

Director of Policy and Interim Co-Executive Director

Pamela (she/her) cares deeply about community, allyship, and equity. Over the past 10 years, she has focused on bridging frontline work, research initiatives, and policy advocacy to help build equitable systems. She led a nonprofit organization as a student volunteer, started her career in the nonprofit sector as an intake worker at a multi-service agency, has designed diversity trainings, and collaborated on multiple gender equity research projects. Currently, she is the Director of Policy at the Ontario Nonprofit Network. She holds a Masters degree in Women Studies & Feminist Research.

Candice Zhang

Policy Advisor

Stemming from her passion for social change, public policy, and innovation, Candice (she/her) has pursued various opportunities in policy analysis, research, and project management with a number of organizations, including the Daily Bread Food Bank, Toronto Youth Cabinet, the HIV Legal Network, and the Simon Fraser University Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue. She has worked with diverse populations, including youths, LGBTQ2S communities, people living with HIV, as well as Canadians affected by income and housing inequalities.

Candice holds a Master’s Degree in Global Health Policy from the University of Edinburgh, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Queen’s University. Candice joined the ONN in March 2021.

Oveesh Mian

Communications Coordinator

Oveesh (she/her) has a bachelor’s degree in Business Communications with a focus on Digital Marketing. She is a multidisciplinary artist with an educational and professional background in marketing, design, and the arts. Her work experience has involved creating digital content for organizations as well as managing their online and social media presence while cultivating brand awareness and reach. She has a personal desire to approach workspaces with an innovative mindset & is passionate about building relationships through the mutual sharing of knowledge and resources. She aims to draw on her anti-racist and anti-colonial politics, feminist values, and lived experiences to build and foster more affirmative, diverse, and inclusive systems and spaces for BIPOC communities and under-represented – marginalized social groups.