Staff Announcement: Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office

Date: October 8, 2020
To: Divisional HR Offices; Division of HR and Equity
From: Jodie Glean-Mitchell, Director, Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office
Re: Staff Announcement: Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office (ARCDO)

 

I am very pleased to share the news that the Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office has two new Program Coordinators, Natasha Prashad and Aamer Esmail.

Natasha Prashad has over six years of professional, academic and voluntary experience in the fields of equity research, programming and administration. In addition to providing administrative support to the Human Rights office at the Toronto District School Board, Natasha held the position of Research Assistant with the Department of Critical Disability Studies and served as the Coordinator of Committees and Student Outreach with the Centre for Human Rights at York University. Natasha will provide support in deepening the office’s outreach and consultations with the student community, expanding our education resources and facilitating trainings.

Aamer Esmail is a seasoned diversity and inclusion professional with 20 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector. Most recently, Aamer held the position of National Director, Equity, Diversity and Youth Engagement for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, where he provided strategic leadership and guidance on the organization’s multi-year equity, diversity and inclusion strategy and work plan. Aamer has also led anti-oppressive health promotion and community development programs and services for Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services, with a specific focus on settlement, youth and LGBTQ2S+ programs. Aamer will provide consultations on strategic initiatives including ARCDO’s Faith and Anti-Racism Framework, support complaints resolution processes and facilitate education sessions.

Natasha and Aamer will be joining Saimah Baig in leading critical anti-racism projects and programs across the University. I would like to thank Saimah for her incredible work and support and we continue to wish our colleague Nikki Samuel the very best as she is currently on maternity leave.

Please join me in welcoming Natasha and Aamer to the Human Resources & Equity team! Their contact information will be available in the HR Staff Directory shortly.