As a community-based, charitable organization, ACT is governed by a volunteer community board, which includes people living with and affected by HIV. Board members are elected by the members of the organization and volunteer their time, skills and talent to help ACT fulfill its Vision.
Rodney is a Sr. Leader in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics and has spent the majority of his career at Xerox Canada Ltd. During his tenure, he led several business intelligence teams for Xerox’s Customer Service division and was responsible for improving existing and developing new processes through data analysis as well as financial planning for Technical Services. Rodney’s time in Customer Service has made him a passionate advocate for the customer experience and believes that all organizations need to consider client experience when building strategies and programs. While at Xerox, he was President of Toronto Chapter of GalaXe (Gays and Lesbians at Xerox) as well as Xerox Canada’s Liaison to Pride @ Work Canada.
Before joining Xerox Rodney was President of the Alberta Association of CPR Instructors, as well as Chair of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Edmonton which provided a drop-in center and peer counselling services to the gay community of greater Edmonton. He also taught peer counselling during his time at the GLCCE.
Rodney is a graduate of Simon Fraser University where he holds a B.Sc. in Mathematics with a specialty in Statistics and Probability. Rodney and his partner moved from Vancouver to Toronto back in 2003 and call Toronto home.
Ingrid Wilson is the Founder and Principal at GridFern Strategic HR
She is a Global Human Resources Executive & CHRO and Equity and Inclusion Strategist, with over 30 years of experience in corporate human resources strategy, board, and business strategy. Ingrid is a recipient of the Top 25 DEI Person of the Year Award, 2021, The Canadian Multicultural Group and LINKEDIN DIRECTORY OF 1000+ WOMEN WHO INSPIRE THROUGH THEIR WORK, Jul 2022 and TOP 100 HR Professionals, National Diversity Awards 2023. She serves on non-for-profit, community and advisory boards and committees, including as a Founding Advisory Committee Member, System-3 Inc., Board Director, Governance and Audit for the Canadian Association of Black Insurance Professionals (CABIP) and Advisor, Governance and Human Resources Committee, Black Opportunity Fund (BOF) and has previously served as Board Chair and Vice Chair on other non-for-profit boards.
As part of her practice, she provides strategic Human Resources, Board and Governance advisory services to board of directors, CEOs and senior leadership teams on strategic people matters such as board and advisory board formation and strategy, organization structure and culture transformation, acquisition and integration and growth strategies, succession planning and talent development to ensure successful business results and alignment with business strategy – in various industries.
She has a deep knowledge and understanding of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through lived experiences and working with vulnerable and racialized communities. She develops and executes on people strategies through inclusive talent management strategies, inclusive leadership development and strategies, culture assessments and focus groups, facilitated listening circles, interactive awareness programs and webinars, and accessibility strategies focused on identifying and eliminating systemic racism issues, and physical, and technological barriers to foster inclusive, equitable, and respectful workspace environments.
Ingrid has pursued excellence in human resources, board, and leadership strategy through the CHRP and CHRL designation, and through programs at Queens University and the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto where she currently serves on the HR Advisory Group for Executive Development programs focused on HR Leaders. Ingrid also currently serves on the Appeals Regulatory Committee, Human Resources Professional Association and as a member on the HRPA Speaker Bureau.
Cheryl Harrison is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Muskoka Algonquin Health Care (Muskoka District, Ontario)
Throughout her progressive career, Cheryl has held a variety of leadership roles in large and small community hospitals. Areas of responsibility have included nursing, clinical and non-clinical services.
Cheryl has been a surveyor with the Accreditation Canada since 2006 and has had a variety of Canadian and international assignments.
She is passionate and committed to ensuring high quality, safe and efficient health care services are delivered across the continuum of care for patients & families.
Cheryl holds a Master in Health Science (Health Administration) from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Applied Arts (Health Studies) from York University. She is a Certified Health Executive with the Canadian College of Health Leaders.
Cheryl has a keen interest in best practices for governance and leadership. She served on the Board of Green Haven Women/Children Shelter for 9 years, including 4 years as the Board Chair.
Sarah is the Principal and Lead, Health Care Philanthropy for Mirams Becker and has over 15 years of experience in executive search. Sarah has been instrumental in recruiting senior executives across the public sector including not-for-profit organizations, hospitals and community health care organizations. In addition to her successful track record in executive search, Sarah has experience in career transition/management and governance advisory services.
Sarah has been a longstanding partner and supporter of ACT, having been involved in key senior leadership recruitments and has subsequently conducted pro bono work for the organization. She has participated in the AIDS Walk; and has proudly marched with ACT during the Pride Parade. She also sat on the corporate sponsorship committee for SNAP. Sarah has volunteered for a Mentorship Plus program providing career advice for upcoming university graduates and has participated in several youth leadership programs as a coach and mentor.
Having worked extensively with Boards of Directors in the recruitment of senior executives and Board Directors, Sarah is keen to build on this experience by serving the board at ACT. A member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Sarah would like to make a meaningful contribution to her community to help provide programs, support, education, awareness and to reduce stigma.
In her spare time, you can find Sarah exploring the city with her two children or running or cycling on many of the beautiful trails Toronto has to offer.
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Brock University.
Barry Waite is an, educator, communicator and committed volunteer with more than 30 years of experience with a range of organizations. Barry was the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Media, Arts & Design at Durham College in Oshawa, Ontario. Previously he was Academic Chair, Communications & Media and faculty at Toronto’s Centennial College. He assumed the chair role in September 2014 after five years as faculty. Prior to joining Centennial College, Barry was a public relations practitioner with a 20-year career in the industry, including several years as Senior Vice President at Strategic Objectives, one of Canada’s leading public relations firms.
Barry’s extensive volunteer experience includes nine years on the board of the Pride and Remembrance Association, including four years as president where he helped double sponsorship and funds raised for the annual Pride & Remembrance Run. He served several years on the Development Committee for Fife House, and two years on the board of Community One Foundation. From 2016-2017 he was Chair of the Communications Work Group for the 2017 Toronto Invictus Games, leading more than 30 volunteers in the communications and public relations area.
Eric Will Doerr is Drug Substance Technical Lead for global biopharmaceutical manufacturer Sanofi and has over a decade of bioprocess development, optimization, and manufacturing experience for a range of biologics helping to serve international markets. His expertise and research across a host of different biochemically synthesized products and processes have been able to provide life-saving vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, and/or other bioproducts to consumers around the world, leading to subject matter recognition and advisory participation with organizations such as Bioprocess Online publications and Bioprocess International conferences.
Eric also provides a series of technical lectures, panel sessions, networking events, and informational exchanges across several Faculties of Engineering throughout Ontario – including the University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University, McMaster University, and the University of Western Ontario, among others – in the pursuit of providing industry-relevant, future-state bioprocessing content in the hopes to secure the next generation of biochemical and bioprocessing experts within the province.
In addition to his industrial and academic pursuits, Eric also is actively involved in advocacy and philanthropic works with particular focus supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ and HIV/AIDS organizations. Eric has been able to act as a scientific and technical keynote speaker in support of the CANFAR Legacy Project and the AIDS Committee of Durham Region’s HIV+ youth event HYPE Summit and is actively looking to empower and embolden 2SLGBTQIA+ peoples through initiatives both at Sanofi and his alma mater the University of Western Ontario.
Eric holds both a Bachelor and Master degree of Engineering Science in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from the University of Western Ontario and is a licensed professional engineer in the province of Ontario.
Jennifer Ankrett is a trusted executive leader and strategic advisor, known for her integrity-driven approach, and ability to inspire and support teams toward meaningful change and transformation. With deep expertise across people and culture, organizational development, strategic planning, governance, and DEIB, she has held senior roles at organizations including the University of Toronto, Metrolinx, Legal Aid Ontario, and York University. Currently serving as Chief Administrative Officer & Bursar at Victoria University in the University of Toronto, Jennifer brings over two decades of experience in public sector leadership.
Jennifer holds an MBA in Organizational Development and Public Management from the Schulich School of Business, and certifications in leadership, Prosci change management, human resources, mental health, workplace investigations, and alternative dispute resolution. She holds a CHRL designation and will be working towards completion of her PhD in social justice education. She also actively volunteers and engages in the communities in which she lives and works, including with the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG), Canadian Cancer Society, and YWCA.
With over 15 years of leadership experience as a People and Culture professional, Michael has dedicated his career to optimizing workplace environments within the healthcare and not-for-profit sectors. A passionate advocate for positive and meaningful employee relation experiences, Michael excels in fostering inclusive talent acquisition and workforce planning practices that prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Throughout his career, Michael has implemented innovative strategies that not only improve employee engagement but also promote a culture of respect and belonging. By integrating accountability measures in diversity and equity initiatives, Michael strives to ensure that all employees have the opportunity to thrive. His commitment to nurturing a supportive workplace has made a significant impact on both organizational culture and community well-being.
As part of the Aids Committee of Toronto, Michael is excited to leverage his expertise to further advance the committee’s mission and create an inclusive environment that empowers individuals and supports the community.
Michael Shreve is a dynamic and visionary leader with a remarkable track record in strategic project management, innovation, and leadership. With an extensive career spanning over two decades. During his career, he has worked in the public, private and charitable sectors.
Michael’s last role was Director of Innovation for MedicAlert, where he was responsible for leading the organization’s integration into 911 and revamping the structure of MedicAlert’s intake programs to make them more transparent and equitable. Prior to that, he was MedicAlert’s System Director for over 18 years responsible for managing the systems required to support the secure collection, storage, and dissemination of medical data for 1.2M Canadians.
Michael often is the first to put up his hand when a need arises and has served in diverse roles including: Director of Supply Chain, Chief Privacy Officer, Corporate Risk Manager, and Chief Compliance Officer.
Michael’s personal involvement with HIV comes from his lived experience as a gay man first coming out in the early 90’s. Michael is a 13-year participant in PWA’s Friends for Life Bike Rally and he served on PWA’s board as treasurer for six years.
Nico Robicheau (she/they) has been engaged in humanitarian work for the past 12 years, responding to countless natural disasters, mass migrations, protracted crises and epidemics. She was in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan, and in B.C. during the 2017 wildfires, to name a few. Most recently, Nico was in Hungary supporting the response to the Ukraine crisis as well as undertaking evaluations of overseas emergency response operations, with a special focus on gender equity. Prior to humanitarian work, Nico worked as a journalist with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as well as supported journalists in Sierra Leone and Zambia to cover human rights abuses. Nico’s desire to engage in social reform is what led her run to become a Member of Parliament in the 2021 federal election in the riding of University-Rosedale, to work towards a more just and equitable society. She is also actively engaged with different levels of grassroots community organizing. This includes the creation and facilitation of a community group to support the integration of a new women’s shelter and acting as a federal representative on a 2SLGBTQIA+ committee that focuses on local outreach.