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.

Myuran has had 20 years of public services in progressive financial capacities including 12 years with the Ontario Public Service. Myuran has always looked for roles in government, not-for-profits or charities where he can make a positive contribution to his community – even though he may work in finance and/or corporate services. Myuran lives with his wife and young son in Stouffville.  He’s a huge Montreal Canadiens fan and loves playing ball hockey.

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.

Paniz obtained a B.Sc. (Hons) in Psychology and a JD from Osgoode Hall Law School. She is currently a lawyer for a prominent national association in the financial services industry in Toronto. Her primary focus is providing legal advice on matters concerning non-profits, securities, privacy, and capital markets. As a first generation immigrant, she is passionate about advocating for equality and advancing access to justice within the York Region community. She has previously worked in legal clinics in the GTA serving low-income families and new immigrants. She is also fluent in Persian and French.

John David Ashworth joined the Board of Directors for CLCYR in May 2019.

He has lived in York Region (mostly) since 1994, when he moved to Canada. John David has a B.A. in Religion & Comparative Area Studies from Duke University and a Master of Laws degree (in Dispute Resolution) from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University.

Prior to becoming a mediator and conflict resolution specialist, John David had a career in legal publishing, and before that he taught adult literacy and worked with adults with developmental disabilities in Richmond Hill. John David has been a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario since 2012, and a Qualified Mediator through the ADR Institute of Canada since 2014.

John David is deeply committed to helping organizations, including businesses, non-profits, and government entities, navigate conflict in ways that leave them in a stronger, healthier position to continue work on their stated vision and mission. John David’s work in conflict management is relentlessly hopeful and rooted in a desire to build relationships that are based on respect and trust. Whether through mediation, coaching, facilitation, or training, he is focused on helping organizations make their conflicts less painful and more purposeful.

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 for a provincial board supporting injured workers. 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.