BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Alanna Newman
Chair

Alanna is a seasoned Government Relations professional, who has worked for both the federal and provincial government. She currently works as Vice President, Government Relations at PearTree Financial Services, where her advocacy benefits both the charitable and exploration sectors. Prior to joining PearTree, Alanna worked for Caroline Mulroney in her capacity as Attorney General, and the late Julia Munro, former MPP for York-Simcoe. In these roles Alanna had the opportunity to work closely with local stakeholders, and gained an appreciation for the issues facing Northern York Region. She also worked at a Canadian government relations firm as a Senior Consultant. Alanna lives in Newmarket with her husband and daughter

Diane White, CHRL, ACC, M.Ed.
Past Chair

An experienced Certified Human Resources Leader and Professor, Diane has worked in the retail sector, as an educator, and as a Human Resources Consultant for over 35 years. She has experience in strategic planning, organizational design and change and in leadership development. Diane is the founder of her own Career & Life Coaching business and she is an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation. A resident of Aurora for over 30 years, Diane is committed to her community and to serving women to help them learn, grow and thrive. She brings human resources expertise and leadership to the Board.

Lena Azzou
Vice Chair

Lena Azzou is the Vice President of Strategy and Transformation at Metrolinx, and is part of a multidisciplinary team leading the largest transportation investment in Canada’s history. She is responsible for leading the organizational strategy, transformation plans, continuous improvement, project management, and corporate services in an organization leading $80 billion in construction projects, the operations of GO Transit, UP Express and PRESTO. Lena was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women Award Winner in 2021 with the Women’s Executive Network, and is the Executive Sponsor of the Metrolinx Women’s Network. Prior to joining Metrolinx, Lena worked in both the structural engineering and telecommunications industries where she took on responsibilities for both technical and customer experience specific programs.

Shelina Devji
Treasurer

Shelina is a Finance professional in both private and public sector with over 20 years experience. Shelina has a broad range of expertise, including accounting advisory, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and ERP project planning and implementation. Working in multiple industries, ranging from small firms to large organizations, she has built teams from the ground up, leads projects and committees that promote lean thinking, cross-functional relationship building, and foster engagement. Sitting on several Women’s Network forums and mentoring young growing professional women, she is passionate about empowering and supporting women's growth professionally and personally. Shelina holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, Certificate of Management and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA).

Thivya Sornalingam
Director

Thivya Sornalingam is an accomplished healthcare leader with over 15 years of experience in strategy, project management and healthcare transformation. She has worked across diverse sectors, including healthcare consulting and hospital management, both in Canada and internationally. Thivya brings extensive knowledge in developing integrated care models, improving patient outcomes, and executing large-scale healthcare initiatives.

Thivya holds a Master of Management from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Toronto. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP)

Elle Meija
Director

Elle started her real estate career in the industrial sector at Cushman & Wakefield in 2010, before attaining her real estate license. In 2015, Elle moved into retail leasing for a private company, completing high level retail leasing transactions across Canada, the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, and New Zealand. Her “deals done” portfolio is inclusive of high street, AAA shopping centre, airport retail, and open air centre locations. In 2014, Elle founded PrettyGirlsWork, an online community for women founders & entrepreneurs, where she currently serves as lead for both the Retailers & Real Estate Houses. She is a competent, professional coach, teaching both time-tested & modernized strategies. Elle finds balance through yoga and reiki.

Dr. Soheila Pashang, MSW, RSW, PhD.
Director

Dr. Soheila Pashang is a professor in the Faculty of Social and Community Services at Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, and she serves as a Board of Director at Large with the Ontario Association of Social Workers. During her academic career, she implemented the Social Service Worker- Immigrants and Refugees program at Seneca College and has published three edited books, numerous chapters and journal articles.

Her scholarly work spans three decades of frontline experience, focusing on trauma, gender-based violence, sex trafficking, cyber violence, migration, mental health, suicide prevention, pedagogy, and diversity education. As a practitioner, Dr. Pashang has led interdisciplinary advocacy projects, implemented various social service programs, and contributed significantly as a board and committee member. In her private practice, she provides psychotherapy to individuals and families, and offers training to interdisciplinary professionals

Mark Zwicker 
Director

An experienced executive and passionate leader, Mark worked for over 30 years building teams and growing organizations before retiring in 2023. Mark was Executive Vice President, with St. Joseph Communications | Content Group, where he spent 17 years. As the executive lead, Mark was responsible for overall revenue growth, as well as providing strategic guidance on the company’s expanding service offerings. In 2018, Mark left the commercial sector to become Executive Director at ComKids Foundation, a Toronto-based charity. During his five years with ComKids, Mark oversaw the expansion of the charity, to become a national organization, greatly increasing the number of clients served on an annual basis, and forging many new partnerships with community groups.  

Mark is committed to the ongoing success of the WCYR and brings a unique blend of commercial and not-for-profit management experience to the Board.

Christin Stuart 
Director 

Christin is a financial analyst, specializing in finance for not-for-profits working to improve the rights of women and girls, globally. Christin works with Grand Challenges Canada in partnership with Global Affairs Canada. In her role, she is responsible for assessing financial risk, providing suggestions for improvement to a not-for-profit’s organizational or financial processes in order to minimize these risks.

Christin is passionate about supporting not for profits, especially those focusing on women and girls.