Staff

Neemarie Alam

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.

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 Analyst

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 NFP sector for over a decade and has a variety of communications skills. She spent the last 4 years developing her digital engagement strategy skills and learning how to build and grow digital audiences. Kavita is the founder of We Talk Women, a humble organization working to raise awareness about girls’ and women’s rights issues. Kavita also co-chaired the committee that organized the Women’s March in Toronto (2017-2019).

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

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

Manager of Networks and Special Projects (current: Reimagining Governance)

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.

Benjamin Miller

Policy Advisor/Lawyer

Benjamin (he/him) comes to ONN from the Government of Canada and Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) where he focused on nonprofit and charity law and policy. Over the past 4 years at CLEO, Benjamin has answered hundreds of nonprofit law questions and developed an online interactive bylaw builder for the ONCA. In 2018, Benjamin served as a Summer Research Fellow at ONN researching the topic of transfer payment agreement modernization. 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 JD and MPP from the University of Toronto and an MA in political theory from the University of Ottawa.

Yamikani Msosa

Network Engagement Manager

Yamikani (they/them) is a Black genderqueer Malawian arrivant currently living in Tkaronto who grew up as a visitor on Algonquin Territory. As a creative, strategic consultant and facilitator, they love building containers for connections to be forged, and holding space for individual, community, and systems transformation. Yamikani is committed to a practice of anti-racism, decolonization and anti-oppression, using popular culture, creative facilitation, emergent strategy and digital engagement. They completed hir Master’s degree in Women and Gender Studies at Carleton University, and a Certificate from Michigan State University in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Organizational Change. Yami currently sits on the eQuality Project Advisory Committee, Black Femme Legal Toolkit Advisory and Cossette Media Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council.

John Saunders [on leave]

Knowledge Mobilization Lead

John (he/him) is ONN’s Knowledge Mobilization Lead. He developed and facilitates ONN’s online Resource Centre for nonprofits to engage, build knowledge, and share resources. He previously coordinated an integrated communications strategy for ONN’s decent work projects. He brings with him more than 20 years of experience in journalism, teaching, research and communications work. John has worked on numerous campaigns on a range of issues, including public transportation, community health, and workers’ rights.

Cathy Taylor

Executive Director

Cathy (she/her) has been a member of the ONN team since June 2012. Throughout her 20 years working in the nonprofit sector, including as the founding Executive Director of the Volunteer Centre of Guelph/Wellington, she has been passionate about collaboration and leadership in the sector. Cathy works with sector colleagues from across Ontario and Canada, as well as private sector and government officials, to create an enabling policy environment for nonprofit organizations. Cathy’s roots are in the environmental movement and she has been active in municipal politics. She holds a degree in political studies and history from Queen’s University, and attended the Maytree-York University Executive Directors Leadership program. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her family and her garden in Erin, Ontario.

Pamela Uppal

Director of Policy

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 Mian (Pronouns: 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.