Leadership

Colene Roache

Colene Roache is an accomplished Talent Acquisition Professional with over 10 years of experience in leading full-cycle recruitment processes across various industries. With a focus on innovative recruitment strategies and relationship building, Colene has successfully attracted and retained top talent to drive organizational growth.

Currently a Talent Acquisition Specialist Lead at the Ontario Energy Board, Colene spearheads recruitment efforts, including sourcing, screening, interviewing, and onboarding. She has played a pivotal role in enhancing the organization’s recruitment pipeline and revamping co-op and university programs, helping to secure emerging talent. Her leadership in implementing a new Applicant Tracking System has streamlined workflows and significantly improved efficiency.

Previously, Colene held senior recruitment positions at Sobeys and Wind Mobile, where she led national and corporate recruitment initiatives, including technical, finance, legal, and senior-level roles. Her expertise in data analysis, performance metrics, and talent sourcing has consistently driven successful recruitment outcomes.

Colene is a strategic thinker with a passion for developing strong partnerships and fostering organizational growth through talent. Her extensive experience and results-driven approach will be a valuable addition to the board.

Uchenna Ugah

Uchenna Ugah brings over 15 years of professional experience in the financial industry. He holds a Master’s in Finance and Investment Management in addition to certifications in Project Management (PMP) and Business Analytics, Uchenna is highly skilled in driving results and fostering strategic partnerships.

Currently, as Senior Relationship Manager at RBC, Uchenna is part of a dynamic team of 13 Relationship Managers and Directors who are industry specialists in the not-for-profit sector. He excels at providing customized commercial banking services and advice to NFP organizations and guiding the team in business development, new clients acquisition, and portfolio growth; having consistently exceeded performance targets, which has earned him recognition with several awards in RBC.

Angela M. Scarlett

Angela holds a Doctorate in Christian Counseling and has more than 20 years of diverse experience in social services, including case management, community development, and stakeholder engagement. She has a comprehensive understanding of the systemic barriers faced by individuals from underserved communities.

Angela’s commitment to her community is evident through her extensive volunteer work. She has served as the Chairperson of the Progress Church Board of Directors since 2006, was the Co-chair of the United Way Committee at the Community Care Access Centre from 2005 to 2007, and acted as the Chairperson of the Cousins Cove Community Not-for-Profit Association from 2003 to 2013.

She is passionate about making a positive impact and works to empower marginalized individuals, helping them foster personal growth and development.

Jyening Rose

Jyening holds a degree in Psychology, and this foundational education coupled with her career and volunteer experiences reflect a dedication to leadership, strategic support, cultural enrichment, personal development, community involvement, and advancing mental health awareness.

Her professional journey with the City of Edmonton included roles such as a Tribunals Clerk, Business Advisor, and Tribunals Officer. As the Strategic Assistant and Board Liaison with Habitat for Humanity Edmonton, she manages multiple strategic & governance projects.

In October 2021, Jyening founded and became the host of Or So She Thought, a podcast dedicated to exploring Black mental health in Canada. She is also certified in Mental Health First Aid, and has been a Course Facilitator for The Working Mind since March 2019, providing training on mental health in the workplace.

She sits as Vice Chair of the Council of Canadians of African & Canadian Heritage (CCACH), Chair of the WECAN Food Basket Society’s Governance Committee, is a member of the Edmonton Public School Board’s Equity Advisory Committee, and is an Anti-racism Grant Assessor with the City of Edmonton.

In her ongoing professional and personal pursuits, Jyening continues to enhance her expertise through webinars, research, and strategic initiatives and is excited to grow and serve as a board member with Tropicana Community Services.

Jacquie Ferguson, B.A.

Jacquie Ferguson is a trusted leader with 28 years of progressive experience in the nonprofit and social service sectors. As the Director of Family Services and Programs, she spearheads the development, implementation, and evaluation of services for families, particularly in a post-pandemic context. Jacquie is adept at reimagining community-based and supported living services, focusing on quality improvement and performance management. Her leadership ensures that employees provide evidence-based supports and services to individuals, making a meaningful impact on the communities they serve.

Term 2024-2027

Jayson Rainone, MBA

Jayson Rainone brings extensive experience from the financial services and professional services industries, aiming to highlight the critical value of employee experience in terms of profitability, client experience, and brand recognition. He has successfully led transformation initiatives at TD, RBC & PwC Canada and is currently the Head of People & Culture at Edison Engineers. Jayson is adept at developing simple, effective solutions to complex problems, turning insights into actionable outcomes. He also serves as a Board Chair and HR Committee Chair at Lauremont School, reinforcing his commitment to organizational excellence and strategic HR management.

Term: 2024-2027

Paul Bailey

Paul is a strategist, urban planner and Executive Director at the Black Health Alliance. Paul has spent the last decade designing interventions focused on improving outcomes for Black children, youth, and families as it relates to health and well-being, community violence, mental health and addictions, and the social service sector. His work is currently focused on social planning, health equity, and addressing the causes of neighbourhood distress and inequality.

Term 2024 – 2027

Paula A. Morrison, MBA, M.A.

Paula Morrison is an award-winning communications executive with experience in public relations and digital marketing. As a VP of communications, she led the strategic planning, coordination and implementation of public relations and marketing activities for leading corporate, consumer and B2B companies in the U.S., Canadian, and U.K. markets. Skilled at storytelling, Paula works to help companies understand how people now consume and create content.  With a sharpened pencil and clean eraser Paula is a strategist editor, industry listener and creator. She was the Chair, Board of Trustees, Black Business & Professional Association (BBPA), National Scholarship Fund as well as the Vice President and Communications Lead, for the Urban Financial Services Coalition (now CAUFP). Paula holds an MBA from Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario and an M.A. in International Relations from United States International University.

Thora H. Espinet, LLB

Thora H. Espinet is a Barrister, Solicitor, Notary Public and Family Law Mediator. She obtained her undergraduate degree from York University and her Law Degree from the University of Windsor in 1982. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 1984. She is a former Chair of the Canada Pension Plan Tribunal, where she served for eight years. She taught Criminal and Civil Procedure at Centennial College and is a former student of Fanshawe College. In 2008, she was appointed as Deputy Judge of the Small Claims Court, a branch of the Superior Court of Ontario. She is a former board member of the Humber College Institute of Technology and advanced learning of People Bridge Foundation. She is recognized by the Law Society as one of the first black woman lawyers to be called to the Ontario Bar. Thora was the 2017 recipient of the Lincoln Alexander Award. In 2018, she was selected as one of the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women (100ABCWomen).

Maurice D. A. Ford, MES, M.Sc. Cert. Med., Q. Med, WFA, RP, OCT

Mediating since the mid-1990s, Maurice initially focused on family and human rights mediations. Most of his focus is now on personal injury and employment disputes. He is a Certified Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario as well as a Certified Educator with the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT).

Maurice holds a Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the Stitt Feld Hand Houston program and has completed the York University Certificate in Dispute Resolution. He holds an M.Sc., degree in counselling from Niagara University and is on the Attorney General’s Roster of mediators.

Alice Bhyat, Ed. D

Alice Bhyat is an educator and retired principal with a doctorate in Sociology and Equity Studies and with extensive expertise in the areas of education, workshops, management of high schools, staff, students, resource and education assistants, administrative and janitorial personnel. Dr. Bhyat has strong leadership, management, and staff development skills. She was successful in consistently delivering innovative, results oriented programs while working towards a high level of education for youth, and the ongoing task of preventing barriers in education. She did extensive research and writing in the areas of Anti-Racism, Diversity Work and Difference Education. Her goal is to continue work in this arena in a supportive consultative effort to support the future growth and education of our youth. She has a high interest in doing research on student achievement and the factors and barriers preventing students’ achieving their potential. She has taught as an adjunct professor at Niagara University.

Colin Heron

Colin Heron is a fourth-year Biology and PNB (Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour) student at McMaster University. He is a dedicated, hardworking, and a studious individual who is looking to make a difference as part of the board. As a proud member of the Black and Caribbean community, he is deeply passionate about youth empowerment, leadership, and social improvement.

Raymund Guiste, LL.M

Raymund Guiste serves as Executive Director at Tropicana Community Services. He holds a Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School and has a deep background in social justice, human rights and consumer protection legislation and policy. An experienced mediator and adjudicator, he left the Ontario Public Service after a 25-year career where his policy analysis work with the Human Rights Commission, helped re-shape dispute resolution and investigative approaches. Raymund has also been lead consultant on a number of non-profit engagements where he worked to build capacity, shape organizational governance, and achieve alignment of operating pillars for maximum effectiveness.

He has been at the helm of Tropicana, Canada’s largest Black led and serving human services charity, since July 2019 guiding the organization through successful negotiation of its first collective agreement, it’s pandemic crisis transition to hybrid remote digital service delivery and over the same period, year over year growth in organizational impact and revenue. Today, he and his team are leading the implementation of Tropicana’s strategic and operational plan for the next five years.

Raymund remains active in the community, volunteering with several organizations. He sits on the Board of Directors of Shepherd Village Inc. Retirement and Long-Term Care, the Mediation Program Advisory Committee at Durham College, and the Toronto District School Board’s Black Student Achievement Community Advisory Committee. He has also volunteered his time with The Canadian Multicultural L.E.A.D. Organization for Mentoring and Training, The Stand-Up Young Men’s Conference, and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund Canada.

Sudha Datta, CPA

Sudha led a diversified career in the financial services industry. He has worked as the Head of Operations with Sovereign Wealth fund Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), where he was responsible for custody, securities lending, and investment operations for over 20 years. He is an associate of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments in the U.K. Sudha recently received the “Industry Legend Award” from Global Custodian magazine. An independent consultant, he advises asset managers, family investment offices, pension funds, endowment funds and credit unions. He is also co-founder and Managing Partner of Soterium Inc., a consulting firm and currently advises pension funds, family investment operations. Sudha also volunteers as a board and committee member in various non-profit organizations.

Chris Pryce, BPE, CEBS

Chris is the founder and president at Human Capital Benefits. He leads a team of in-house and external insurance specialists. After graduation from the University of British Columbia, he has worked in the employee benefits field for more than 30 years. Chris held analyst and advisor roles at various benefits consultancies, spending several years with Canada Life as an Account Executive. Chris has attained his Certified Employee Benefits Specialist designation. Throughout his career, he has contributed to several industry groups and advisory panels for both the benefits industry and specialty pharmaceutical companies.

Term 2022-2025

Sharifa T. Wright, PMP

Sharifa Wright (she/her) is a global inclusion, diversity, equity, anti-racism & access leader with over 20 years of experience in tech, higher education, fundraising, research, organizational & public policy in Canada, the United States, and Jamaica.

Sharifa designs and implements organizational strategies to optimize the experiences of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, multi-racial, disabled and 2SLGBTQIIA community members, customers, clients, investors, and employees of all genders. She is an ESG Senior Program Manager at Indeed.com and Managing Director for Black Moms Connection. Previously, she served as the inaugural Director for Equity, Diversity and Inclusive Engagement at Ontario Tech University, the Director for Alumni Diversity & Inclusion, at Williams College, and Project Manager for the National Policy on Gender Equality in the Office of the Prime Minister in Jamaica. Sharifa is currently a board member of VHA Home Healthcare, the Williams College Black Alumni Network, the Institute for the Quantitative Study of Inclusion, Diversity & Equity (QSIDE) and the Pan-African Credit Union (PACU).

Born & raised in St. Andrew, Jamaica, Sharifa currently lives in Whitby and enjoys exploring parks and trails with her two-year-old, Siya.

Shameika Hue

Shameika is an immigration lawyer who obtained her Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School and holds a Bachelor’s in Criminology. Shameika has a combined interest in advocacy and social justice. She has experience being a part of non-profit organizations in various capacities, including assisting with making the judicial system more accessible to Canadians of low and moderate incomes. Shameika has previously practiced in the areas of family law, child protection and immigration law, where she observed first-hand how instrumental policies and supports are in building strong communities.

Term 2022-2025 Governance Chair

Nicole Fernandes, CHRL

Nicole Fernandes is an employer brand & culture leader with 10 years of experience working with businesses to help solve their people challenges and transform workplace culture. With a background in human resources and employee engagement, complemented by an education in research psychology and marketing, she has a solid understanding what drives an organization and its people, and putting in place programs that align their interests and foster growth.

She consults with some of the most well-known brands to uncover their authentic employee value propositions, build comprehensive employer brand and culture strategies, and help drive measurable results for HR and the overall business. Nicole is also the head of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practice at Blu Ivy Group, leading them and their clients in implementing holistic, data-driven, and unique strategies to creating workplace cultures where people feel that they belong.

Ayodele (Ayo) George

Ayo is a Product & Technology leader whose experience spans multiple industries. Whilst a technologist at heart, he has varied interests including community building.

Star Lewis

Star is a Juris Doctor candidate at Queen’s University and holds a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Ottawa. Star is deeply committed to serving her community. Through various outreach initiatives and volunteering efforts, she actively contributes to making a positive impact and empowering youth. Committed to her community impact, Star also volunteers as a Youth Advisory Council Member at Junior Achievement Canada, driving educational opportunities and financial literacy. Additionally, Star served as a Student Leadership Academy Member at CIBC, creating an inclusive space for co-op students and facilitating communication with management to enhance learning experiences.

Term: 2023-2026 Youth Director

Colleen Vandeyck, MBA, CHRP, PMP

With an extensive career in the not-for-profit sector, Colleen’s true passion is in human resources, where she has excelled. She takes her knowledge and experience from organization to organization, always building on it and refining her practice. She combines deep professional experience with strong strategic planning skills, bringing significant improvement and change within the systems and practices of diverse organizations. Colleen held roles with responsibilities that included human resources, labour relations, project management, administration, financial planning, audits, and business controls. Throughout her career, Colleen practiced in school boards, unions, regulatory colleges, and not-for-profit organizations. Her understanding of good board governance and the importance of board self-evaluation, benchmarking, training, and development of members have made her an invaluable asset to these organizations.

Term: 2024-2027 Secretary

Maurice (Mo) Lewis, CPA, CA

Maurice (Mo) Lewis is a retired Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) with over 33 years of senior leadership experience in the municipal sector. Mo held CFO and senior finance positions within the towns of LaSalle and Oakville as well as in Brampton, Toronto, and the Niagara region. He also served as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the Town of Lakeshore and interim CAO for the City of Brampton and for the Niagara Region. Over the years, Mo contributed to several non-profit, government, and professional associations boards and committees. Currently, in addition to joining the Board of Directors of Tropicana Community Services, Mo is a member of the Board of Directors of the Municipal Employers Pension Centre of Ontario (MEPCO), a non-profit corporation providing advice and resources to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) representatives on the OMERS Pension Fund Boards.

Throughout his personal and professional journey, Mo has strived to be a positive role model and champion of the Black community. Among his numerous volunteer activities, Mo served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Essex County Children’s Aid Society and the Amherstburg Freedom Museum (formerly the North American Black Historical Museum) located in Amherstburg, Ontario, one of the key destinations on Ontario’s African Canadian Heritage Tour.

Term: 2022-2025 Treasurer

Carol Comissiong, CPA, CGA, MBA

Carol Comissiong is a former Chief Financial Officer, with over 15 years experience in a CFO role. Prior to her retirement, Carol was CFO, IBM Canada – Caribbean North District. Her various roles and responsibilities included leading finance teams in treasury, financial planning, external reporting, regulatory, audit and business controls functions, managing complex cross functional business operations and working with corporate clients. Carol is committed to volunteering and was the former President and Treasurer of People Bridge Charitable Organization. Previously she was a Rotarian, Treasurer of the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) and a former trustee of the Harry Jerome Scholarship fund. Carol obtained her MBA from Ivey Business School at the Western University and holds a CPA, CGA designation.

Anthony Grey, BA, MBA

Anthony Grey is the CEO of DxEcosystems Group and brings over 30 years of experience in financial services, business services management, business process design, and transformation. As a business manager and operations expert, he has led significant initiatives in business architecture and general operations management. Recognized as a thought leader and team builder, Anthony has held leadership roles at Mutual of Omaha, KPMG, American Express, and the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), where he demonstrated his results-oriented approach. An innovator and technology entrepreneur, he is passionate about integrating best practices and innovation to deliver exceptional customer results. Anthony also contributes as a volunteer, board advisor, and executive leader, underscoring his commitment to excellence and community service.

Term: 2023-2026 President

2021-2022 Board of Directors

Carol Comissiong, CPA, CGA, MBA

Carol Comissiong, CPA, CGA, MBA

Anthony Grey, BA, MBA

Anthony Grey, BA, MBA

Maurice (Mo) Lewis, CPA, CA

Maurice (Mo) Lewis, CPA, CA

Alice Bhyat, Ed. D

Alice Bhyat, Ed. D

Sudha Datta, CPA

Sudha Datta, CPA

Nicole Fernandes, CHRL

Nicole Fernandes, CHRL

Maurice D. A. Ford MES, M.Sc. Cert. Med., Q. Med, WFA, RP, OCT

Maurice D. A. Ford MES, M.Sc. Cert. Med., Q. Med, WFA, RP, OCT

Ayodele (Ayo) George, B.Sc., MSc

Ayodele (Ayo) George, B.Sc., MSc

Raymund Guiste, LL.M

Raymund Guiste, LL.M

Colin Heron

Colin Heron

Chris Pryce, BPE, CEBS

Chris Pryce, BPE, CEBS

Colleen Vandeyck, MBA, CHRP, PMP

Colleen Vandeyck, MBA, CHRP, PMP

Leadership Teams by Year