IDEA Council

Paul has been in the fitness industry as a professional since 1999. As a Brock University graduate, they have paired their education in Sport Management with experience as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. Paul enjoy long runs on the beach, roads and or trails. My company www.ResolutionFitness.ca offers expert fitness advice and professional equipment, for commercial and home settings. In addition to traditional health club machines,  specializing in adaptive and wheelchair-accessible products. Improving Inclusion, Diversity Equity, and Accessibility in the health and fitness space is a driving force behind what they do as a business owner. Paul wants to see all health and fitness facilities, better cater to those with varying levels of ability.
 

Candace Allixendir is an award-winning public relations professional with over 15 years’ experience in the field. A purpose-driven and high-energy leader, she works with executives and organizations to deliver creative and compelling narratives that inspire people to act.

Candace is currently the Director, Communications at Element Fleet Management, and has held progressively senior roles in corporate communications across the private sector. She has deep experience in internal communications, employee engagement, DE&I communications strategy, and purpose and organizational change communications.

Candace has an Honours Bachelor of Arts in English, History and Women’s Studies from the University of Toronto and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Public Relations from Humber College. Dedicated to lifelong learning, Candace has recently completed the McKinsey Black Executive Leadership program and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida.

Candace resides in the Greater Toronto Area with her two sons, and is passionate about Pilates and cycling, a novice runner, and an avid reader. Connect with Candace on LinkedIn.

Vivian Ghazarian is a first-generation Canadian with both of her parents being of Armenian descent. Currently she is a Senior Policy Advisor with the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services where she contributes to the government’s strategy to support children and youth with autism. Vivian was born and raised in Whitby and has spent many years being involved in the community in a variety of capacities. Her experience includes time volunteering with several Durham-based organizations, including the Oshawa Grandview Children’s Centre, Sunrise Youth Group, Durham Region’s Children’s Wish Foundation, and Lakeridge Health Oshawa, and most recently, the Abilities Centre. She has always been passionate about advocating for diversity and equity, and actively seeks opportunities to support inclusion and accessibility.
 
Vivian has an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto as well as a Master of Public Administration degree from Queen's University

Lauren Tristani is the Research and Evaluation Specialist at Autism Ontario. Prior to obtaining this position she completed a postdoctoral fellowship under Dr. Rebecca Bassett-Gunter and the Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability. While Lauren’s research has ranged from understanding physical literacy within school settings to physical activity messaging, the main focus of her PhD research was to identify psychosocial predictors that facilitate physical activity and health behaviours for individuals with a disability. Lauren has a particular interest in health promotion and behaviour change for individuals with disabilities.
 

Mona (She, her, hers) is located in downtown Toronto and is a Master's student in the field of Urban and Regional Planning with a background in public policy. Interested in sustainable and accessible planning, she is also an active volunteer within her community. 
 

Mahboobeh has a master’s and a Ph.D. in Health Sciences. She also holds a bachelor’s and master’s in Physical Education and Sport Sciences. She has held scholarships and honours at the provincial and national levels for several years. She has worked at Ontario Tech University, Canada, as a research project manager and sessional lecturer in addition to managing sports programs and events in her home country of Iran. She is currently in charge of coordinating graduate admission and registration at Ontario Tech University.
 
Mahboobeh is a member of the IDEA council at the Abilities Centre. Being a person of a visible minority, she respects the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility) principles and has a strong interpersonal skill set that enables her to connect with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities to support them in realizing their full potential.
 

Tammy Bernasky received her PhD in Critical Disability Studies from York University. She specializes in gender-based violence and disability, processes of empowerment, and social movement organizing. Using an intersectional approach, Tammy is committed to storytelling as a way to raise awareness of the experiences of diverse people with disabilities. Tammy has worked at the local, provincial, national and international level on disability rights and inclusion issues. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of L’nu, Political, and Social Studies at Cape Breton University and considers it a privilege to serve on the IDEA Advisory Council from her hometown in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
 

Sarah completed her Bachelors degree in Therapeutic Recreation at Brock University. She currently works at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences as a Post-Secondary Peer Support Specialist. She is passionate about mental health advocacy as well as implementing wellness strategies to improve and create a meaningful life despite the presence of mental distress. Within this role, Sarah is hoping to contribute to the IDEA strategy by providing her insights based on her experience of working alongside marginalized populations.  

Three words that best describe me:
Innovative, Hardworking and Results oriented
 
What's Aurelia's role and connection to the cause?
Aurelia is a seasoned professional with over 7 years of experience in the Finance and HR industries. After working in finance for many years, Aurelia decided to pivot her career to focus on HR, where she found her true passion. She is passionate about creating a workplace where everyone feels included and respected. As an IDEA Council member, Aurelia is committed to making a positive impact in the community.
 
What academic work set Aurelia up for success?
Aurelia holds a Masters in Business Administration, specializing in Human Resources and Finance. She is currently in the process of obtaining her Human Resources designation, and is continuously investing in her knowledge and skill set through webinars, online learning, and workshops.
 
Interesting tidbit:
Aurelia and her family moved to Canada in 2019 and are proud to call it their new home. Originally from India, Aurelia enjoys spending time with her two kids and husband, travelling, and crafting.
 

Lavaughn Joshua brings 23 years of experience across multiple platforms from the banking industry.  Lavaughn has enjoyed leadership roles for a majority of her career, proving her impact as a visionary and coach in Contact Centre, Operations, Insurance Centre, Business Financial Service and Human Resources.
 
Lavaughn is currently the Senior Manager, Operations at a RBC and leads the Auto Finance Fulfillment and Mortgage Maintenance teams where she is responsible for leading, coaching and developing people leaders and agents as we embrace continued technology and process enhancements.  Her experience with Project & Change Management will aid her as the departments primary liaise with the Auto Finance Business team. 
 
Lavaughn has a Bachelor of Commerce from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and holds the following certifications LSS Green Belt, Prosci Change Management and Certified Scrum Product Owner.
 
Lavaughn’s strengths as a forward thinker who brings innovation and creativity to every opportunity make her a great compliment to the IDEA Council. You can connect with Lavaughn on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/lavaughnjoshua.