Our Board

Timothy (Tim) Houlahan is currently retired after having been engaged in two very successful careers , initially with IBM Canada Ltd. as a sales, marketing and product management professional and secondly as a Financial Services executive with State Street Corporation. 

Tim completed his B.Sc. in Chemistry and his M.B.A. in Finance and Management Information Systems at McMaster University and successfully completed the requirements for and was awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation during his career in the Financial Services Sector

Since retiring Tim remains active with his family, travelling extensively with his wife of over 30 years and remains focused on community through engagement in a number of not-for-profit boards.  

Alykhan Suleman graduated with a Master of Social Work Degree in Community Development and Social Planning from Wilfrid Laurier University. He brings 20+ years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, of which he has worked on projects that have bridged across 21 countries globally.

Alykhan currently manages Social Services Network for York Region as their CEO, where he oversees staff and volunteers to empower, support and encourage seniors to live an independent and enriched life through programs, services, and advocacy work.

His previous role as the Executive Director with New Circles Community Services allowed him to build a rich network within the diverse communities living in the Don Mills corridor to support newcomers, refugees and those living in poverty.

Alykhan is extremely passionate about community engagement. As a seasoned leader he understands the significance of investing in people as being the most valued asset to any organization. His measure of a successful manager is capitalizing on people’s diverse skills, expertise, and life experiences to contribute to a common vision.

Josie holds a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) designation and has over 15 years of experience in legal and professional services industries. She currently holds a senior financial position at a leading Canadian law firm in Toronto. Previously, Josie was a Manager with a global accounting firm.

Gari is a community builder, global advocate, and public speaker. Gari previously worked with the United Nations (UN), the Canadian House of Commons, Ontario’s Queen’s Park and the Canadian Cancer Society. Gari was recognized as York University’s 2023 Top 30 Alumni Under 30 for his work as one of the Top 100 leaders under the age of 25 in Canada, for which he received the community development award for supporting third-world countries and completed a fellowship with CanStudyUS that aimed to equip young leaders with the tools and knowledge for a future in change-making. During law school, he was selected as one of the five students to represent the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, amongst young leaders across the United Kingdom for a UN award-winning leadership program to advocate for matters of creating real social change for members of parliament to bring into their communities. Gari is the co-author of a forthcoming children’s book to inspire young people to discover their ancestral roots.

Batool is a corporate sustainability and ESG professional with over 10 years of experience in the field. She currently works as a Senior Manager, Social Impact and Sustainability at Norton Rose Fulbright Canada where she manages the firm’s corporate social responsibility and sustainability initiatives. Prior to her current role, she has worked in social impact and environment related roles at RBC and TD Bank. Batool completed her undergraduate degree from York University, a Masters degree from the University of Alberta and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business. She is currently a member of the Corporate Steering Committee at Imagine Canada.

Judith D’Souza Soares (MPPAL, GPLLM) has over 25 years of public sector experience working at federal, provincial and municipal levels. Both her direct administrative law and policy expertise have led to teaching opportunities with the University of Toronto and mentorship opportunities with York University. She has over 35 years of not-for-profit experience having contributed to local, national and international Boards in varying leadership capacities.

Leading with purpose and ensuring that all persons have equal access to opportunities and resources is extremely important to her and remain the cornerstone of her social activism within her community

Renu is passionate about advocating for equality and social justice. she has over 25 years of work experience in Human Resources and has worked in the Provincial and Federal public sector as well as the not for profit sector.  Her passion in HR lies in the areas of Talent Management, Leadership Development and  Diversity and Equity.  Over the years she has  served on diverse Boards as a Director in the not for profit sector. Renu currently works as Director of Human resources in the Social Services sector. Renu is an avid baker and her happy place is baking for her extended family. 

Nilufer obtained an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society from York University and a Juris Doctor degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. She is also a Certified Information Privacy Professional/ Canada (CIPP/C) with the International Association of Privacy Professionals. 

Nilufer is currently a lawyer for a national company. Her primary focus is providing legal advice on litigation and dispute resolution matters concerning consumer protection, contracts, privacy and employment law. Nilufer also has prior experience working in community legal clinics, including at Parkdale Community Legal Services and at the Community Legal Aid Services Programme. With this background in pro bono legal services and advocacy, Nilufer is passionate about increasing access to justice in our community. 

Nilufer is an avid tea drinker – you will always find her with a cup of tea reading a good book (most likely re-reading the Harry Potter series!). 

Sancharieni (Sancha) Mahalingam has been a resident of York Region since 2013. She has an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto, majoring in English and Physical Anthropology. She obtained her LLB from the University of Calgary in 2009.

Sancha currently practices family law in the Greater Toronto Area, working with many legally aided clients, including those affected by intimate partner violence. Her work involves guiding clients in resolving issues related to parenting, financial support, and equalization of net family property, through negotiation and litigation. 

Sancha’s involvement with the Community Legal Clinic of York Region Board allows her to continue to serve the community she lives in. The Board’s mandate aligns with her decades-long commitment to assisting low-income individuals access justice. 

With over 20 years of human resources experience spanning diverse industries such as Information Technology, Print and Travel, Shana Kapustin joined triOS and Eastern College as the Vice President, People & Culture in January 2024. Her overriding goal is to align People & Culture strategies to business operations and needs, and to ensure that employees are engaged, productive, and valued.

Prior to joining the Education sector, Shana was the Head of Human Resources at TD SYNNEX Canada, a global IT provider, bringing technology products, services, and solutions to the world.

Shana is a Certified Human Resources Management (CHRM) leader and holds a bachelor’s degree (BA) in Political Science, along with a secondary degree in Occupational Health & Safety (OHS).

As giving back is a large part of her life, Shana also sits on the Board of Directors of York Hills Centre for Children, Youth & Families, is a past Board Member for Girls Inc. of York Region for five years (June 2020-June 2025)

Shadé is an employment lawyer and workplace investigator at a boutique law firm in Toronto. She developed her legal expertise at a National full-service firm in Toronto, where she maintained a broad litigation practice that focused on complex employment, civil and commercial litigation matters.

Shadé has demonstrated experience advising public and private sector clients, particularly Universities, on human rights, discrimination and harassment complaints, wrongful dismissals, breaches of contract and occupational health and safety matters. She has appeared before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, the Landlord and Tenant Board and the Superior Court of Justice.

Shadé received her Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law in 2022. She served as the co-president of the Black Law Students’ Association while in Law School. She received her Honours Bachelor of Arts with high distinction from the University of Toronto, St. Michael’s College in 2019. She double majored in Criminology and Canadian Studies, and minored in Sociology.

Shadé was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2023.

Colette Nemni is a Canadian conflict resolution specialist, workplace investigator, and human resources leader known for her extensive career helping organizations manage and resolve workplace conflict and conduct investigations into employee complaints. She is also active in governance roles in the health and social services sectors.

She is the Founder & Principal of CNC Resolution Services, a firm focused on workplace conflict resolution, investigations, team restoration, and organizational assessment. Through this practice she applies legal training, human resources expertise, and business insight to help organizations address issues such as harassment, bullying, discrimination, and systemic workplace dysfunction.

Her career has included positions as:

• Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, Altus Group
• Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, Bell Canada
• Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, North America for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
• Superintendent of Employee Services, York Region District School Board (historical public sector HR leadership role)

Her volunteer work has included:

• Chair of the Board, Southlake Regional Health Centre — She holds leadership responsibilities in the governance of this major regional health organization.
• Board Member, Kinark Child & Family Services — Serving on the board of this agency that supports children and youth with mental health needs.

Her education & qualifications include:

• Juris Doctor (Osgoode Hall Law School)
• Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution (Osgoode Hall Law School)
• Board Education Program (Rotman School of Business)
• A. (Honours) in Industrial Relations, McGill

She is bilingual in English and French