We are here to help
While we come from a wide array of backgrounds and professional experiences, what unites us is our dedication to supporting LGBTIQ2S youth.
Our Team
Carol Osler
(She/Her)
Executive Director
Carol’s background is in the banking and nonprofit sector. A strong supporter of Diversity and Inclusion, she is dedicated to developing and mentoring others with leadership aspirations. She has led a number of initiatives in support of women in security and the promotion of LGBTQI2S employees.
Lucy Gallo, MSW, RSW
(They/Them/She/Her)
Director, Youth Services and Housing
Lucy is a social worker who has worked in counselling and clinical services in the community mental health sector since 2007. Lucy loves seeing the changes that happen for the youth as they engage in programming. Lucy loves to walk their dog, Ruby, at the beach, attend community events, and talk politics.
Jill Oba
(She/Her)
Director, Development and Direct Marketing
Jill is an experienced and passionate relationship manager who has worked at non-profits in the arts and culture, science and research sectors. At Friends of Ruby, she connects donors, advocates and allies to our mission and vision – mobilizing programs that empower LGBTQI2S youth. You can find Jill blind-tasting wine for her upcoming wine-tasting certification.
Dr. Leticia Ferreira
(She/Her)
Director, Strategic Initiatives
Leticia has more than 15 years of experience in business planning and strategy, research, project management and stakeholder engagement. She has worked in her own consultancy and with organizations in Canada and around the world. As a queer immigrant woman, she is proud to support an organization dedicated to the well-being of LGBTQI2S youth.
Lucia Jakobs
(She/Her)
Manager, Human Resources
Lucia has more than ten years of experience working in the non-profit sector in Canada and in South America. Her background is in Psychology and in Management of Nonprofit Organizations. She provides support to staff in matters related to Human Resources and Operations. Lucia loves spending time with her family and friends, travelling, and trying new sports.
Rouba Anka
(She/Her)
Financial Manager
Rouba holds 8 years’ experience in not for profit as a financial specialist. She holds an MBA that helped her develop her budgeting, reporting and management skills. Outside of work, Rouba is a professional basketball player and played for the national team of Lebanon. She is friendly, eager to learn and loves all kind of sports.
Brittany Stalker
(She/Her)
Manager, Housing
Brittany has been working and supporting youth in housing for over 10 years. She has worked in Toronto and York Region on different housing initiatives. She is a strong believer in creating an environment where people feel appreciated and can engage in ways that are meaningful to them. Brittany loves all things baseball and a good cup of tea.
Andrea Horvath
(She/Her)
Program and Evaluation Lead
Andrea is a monitoring and evaluation professional who has worked with a number of different organizations supporting communities internationally. She is really excited to shift her focus and support communities locally by empowering LGBTQI2S youth. She loves to explore new places both inside and outside of the city!
Shobika Shanthakumar
(She/Her)
Mental Health Program Advisor
Shobika has 4 years of experience working in the non-profit mental health sector. She has a passion for diversity, inclusion and belonging. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology with a specialty in Human Resource Management. Shobika is looking forward to combining her personal, professional, and educational experiences at Friends of Ruby. Shobika enjoys playing sports, watching movies, and trying new foods.
Haider Almudaweb
(They/Them)
Marketing and Development Coordinator
Haider is a non-profit professional experienced in working for philanthropic causes with a degree in Communications and Public Relations. They are pleased to combine their education and lived experience at Friends of Ruby, writing email marketing campaigns and upholding donor stewardship. Haider enjoys learning history, nature, and listening to classical music.
Erica Appiah
(She/Her)
Clinical Program Manager
Erica is a trauma-informed compassionate clinician who provides psychological care to encourage healing. Erica began her clinical practice working with folks in addiction recovery within rehabilitation programming and as a counsellor in community. Erica is committed to ongoing learning and development. She also loves to indulge her sweet tooth.
Rae Barilea
(She/Her)
Clinical Counsellor
Rae is a clinical counsellor who has worked as a peer supporter and therapy coach. In addition to providing individual counselling, Rae co-facilitates group programs such as DBT, Mindfulness and the Skills for Safer Living group. She is passionate about blending evidence-based therapies with anti-oppressive and transformative justice approaches.
Kent Darling
(He/Him)
Residential Housing Worker
Kent’s experience is in supportive housing, having worked in a variety of residential settings. He graduated from George Brown College with a Social Service Worker Diploma. Kent and his dog Virgil enjoy hiking and swimming. If he wasn’t living in Toronto he’d be by the ocean or in the woods.
Harold Fajardo
(He/Him)
Residential Housing Worker
Harold is a child- and youth-care practitioner who has worked with neurodiverse youth in various practicums. Wanting to work specifically with the LGBTQI2S community, he came to Friends of Ruby and is now able to apply empirical, conceptual and personal experience into his work. Harold loves photography and playing video games.
Stef Figueiredo
(they/them)
Residential Housing Worker
Stef has a BA in Child and Youth Care and has worked as a Youth Worker with homeless 2SLGBTQ+ youth. They have a passion for harm reduction and community care work. They are overjoyed at the opportunity to bring that passion to their role at Friends of Ruby. They are also a mediocre ukulele player and videogame enjoyer.
Quinn Flom
(They/Them)
Support Worker
Quinn is a queer, trans, white settler and frontline community support worker. After completing a BA in Diversity & Equity Studies, they engaged in peer work with LGBTQI2S youth while pursuing their social service worker diploma. Quinn facilitates arts-based groups and is passionate about exploring how art and creativity can be used as transformative tools to create change.
Mel Frederick
(They/Them)
Clinical Counsellor
Mel is a transmasculine clinical counsellor whose approach honours the unique resiliencies that every person holds, while staying attuned to the impact of systemic oppression on people’s mental and emotional wellbeing. They are deeply moved by the opportunity to support other trans and queer people on their personal journeys, moving forward together.
Mina Iyer
(He/Him + They/Them)
Clinical Counsellor
Mina came to counselling through a desire to nurture authenticity and celebrate the many nuances that make us human. His education and life experience led him to roles that actively resist stigma, judgement and the full spectrum of dehumanization. Mina is consistently moved and inspired to work with 2SLGBTQ+ youth.
Kellum Jaymes
(They/Them/Theirs)
Strategic Initiative Coordinator
Kellum is a community engagement and creative professional who champions authentic conversations. After years of people and product management, Kellum is putting their Philosophy degree to good use bridging the theory behind the practical programming that empowers queer youth to be their true self. Kellum loves to read, cook and go urban exploring.
Claire Lewis
(She/Her)
Clinical Counsellor
Claire came to counselling through her combined passion for social justice and emotional well-being. Her work focuses on themes of emotion, attachment, curiosity and trauma-informed therapies. Claire is proud to be part of the Friends of Ruby and 2SLGBTQ+ communities and honoured by the stories she witnesses in her work with young adults.
Latoya McIntosh
(She/Her)
Residential Housing Worker
Latoya’s background is in child and youth care. She has had a great deal of experience working with children and youth in residential settings. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her wife and son. Latoya is thrilled about the opportunity to help and advocate for youth in the LGBTQI2S community.
Stephanie Niesner
(She/Her)
Residential Housing Worker
Stephanie has a BA in Social Development Studies and a Post Graduate Certificate in Addiction and Mental Health. She has worked in supportive roles with children, adults and seniors. She loves to see LGBTQ2S+ youth authentically express themselves while reaching their goals. In her spare time she enjoys dancing and cuddling her foster cats.
Stephen Oliver
(He/Him)
Food Access Worker
Stephen has five years of kitchen experience and an educational background in Psychology and Addictions & Mental Health. He has supported trauma survivors and homeless youth for over two years. He is excited to bring his passions together in this unique role to support the development of LGBTQI2S+ youth at the Friends of Ruby Home.
Pallavi Suresan
(They/Them)
Residential Housing Worker
Pallavi has worked with 2SLGBTQI+ youth for 10 years and has a diploma in Social Service Work: Immigrants and Refugees from Seneca College. They strive to create spaces that center marginalized voices with a focus on community, care and healing. Pallavi is a writer who enjoys comic books, baby animals and long walks on the beach.
Eli Thorn
(They/Them)
Residential Housing Worker
Eli studied Social Service Work at Centennial College. They began working at Friends of Ruby as a relief staff over a year ago, and have now moved on to become a Residential Housing Worker. They enjoy reading, creative writing, and beadwork.
Marvin Vongsa
(He/Him)
Residential Housing Worker
Marvin is a Community Worker who graduated from George Brown College. He has over 9 years’ experience working with low-income, high-risk and marginalized communities across Toronto. His experience includes working in Programming, Life Skills, Frontline, and Employment, as well as working in the Shelter service. Marvin loves athletics and travel.
Donna Wawzonek
(She/Her)
Development and Grants Officer
Donna has over 20 years of experience as a fundraiser in the arts and social sectors. Donna is excited to be working with the team at Friends of Ruby to help donors and funders support the change they want to see in their community. Outside of work, Donna hones her skills as a painter, photographer and origamian.
Tabitha Woodall
(She/Her)
Youth Services Manager
Tabitha is a youth worker with an MA focused on children and families who has previously worked within the foster care system and youth transitioning from care. She’s excited to share her knowledge of community programs and to support LGBTQIS2 youth to reach their goals. Tabitha is a self-proclaimed cat lady who rescues and foster cats (47 so far!).
Board of Directors
Ed Clark
Chair
Jen McCain
Vice-chair
Malcolm Lang
Treasurer
Catherine Meade
Secretary
Paul Boniferro
Arundel Gibson
Keith Hambly
Jacki Lewis
Martha McCain
David Reycraft
Sheerin Sheikh
Brian Smith
Marianne Smith
