Governance

Roger Beharry Lall, a Toronto native who recently moved to the east end, is eager to collaborate with local community members to develop programs that empower residents, promote inclusivity, and enhance community livability.

With over 25 years of experience in technology marketing, Roger has effectively leveraged his strategic perspective and leadership to boost Canada’s global business presence. More locally though, his community service background includes serving as a Board Director for St. John Ambulance, Advisor for Ivey’s Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship, and completing the IGP Board Leadership certificate with the Canadian Council of Innovators.

When not working, Roger enjoys traveling, participating in a local Book Club, cycling through the Beaches/Portlands, and exploring the culinary delights of Leslieville (with a few libations along the way).

His expertise in governance, experience in driving growth, and commitment to community service align well with the RTCC’s evolving role as a central community hub.

I have been a resident of Leslieville since 2004. My family is part of Toronto’s growing Latino community. We have a close connection with RTCC since 2013 via our use of the RTCC children’s programs, the drop-in centre, the library and attendance at many RTCC community events.

I am a life-long volunteer, having volunteered continuously since the age of 13. Giving back to the community is a core value for me and I feel that I could contribute in a meaningful way to the RTCC.
I have 18 years of cumulative board experience, 16 in the union movement, and 2 years at another not-for-profit organization in Riverside. I have held numerous board leadership roles including Board Chair, Special Advisor to the Board President, VP of Membership Services, and Chair of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee.

In addition, I am a lawyer with a strong foundation in human rights and labour law. I speak French and Spanish and have a long history of being involved in collective efforts to improve community and workplace conditions.

It would be my honour to contribute to the RTCC by serving on the board.

Rebecca is a proud and passionate Riverside resident who first interacted with Ralph Thornton Community Centre as a volunteer. A lawyer by day (and occasionally by night) with a strong sense of justice, Rebecca is eager to advocate for Riverside’s residents and champion causes on behalf of the RTCC community. Her dedication to giving back stems from lived experience and her fundamental belief in the power of people. Rebecca believes that Riverside represents the best of Toronto’s vibrancy, diversity, and resiliency. She is eager to advance RTCC’s important causes and enhance RTCC’s integral role within her community.

Rebecca is particularly passionate about assisting marginalized community members and at-risk youth. Rebecca can often be found visiting Riverside’s local businesses with her rescue pup Mimosa (who is also an RTCC volunteer!). She is honoured to be nominated as an RTCC Board Member and looking forward to making meaningful contributions to her beloved Riverside community.

My name is Allison Macdonald-Buchanan, and it is my privilege to be considered to join the RTCC Board. By day I am a lawyer at a global law firm, regularly working with Boards and organizations of all sizes. I am also a lifelong volunteer: at local food banks, with Big Sisters, running corporate United Way campaigns, as a camp counsellor for over a decade with Campfire Circle (formerly Camp Oochigeas), coaching law students, and more.

As a resident of Booth Avenue, with a young child at a local daycare (soon to be local kindergarten), and an active user of community resources, I have been witness to myriad issues (big and small) that our community faces. As our neighbourhood continues to rapidly grow and evolve, I believe it is critical to connection and a sustainable future that we come together as a community.

I am keen to ensure that a community space remains present, sustainable and meaningful so we can work together, stay connected and support each other. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to meaningfully engage in and build my community by lending my time and expertise to the RTCC board.

Michelle has proudly called this vibrant neighborhood home for nearly 13 years and, having grown up in the east end of Toronto, has strong ties to the area.

With more than two decades of experience in Marketing and Customer Engagement, they have honed their skills working with large consumer packaged goods companies. Their forte lies in connecting with key stakeholders—whether they’re customers, employees, or community members. They believe that understanding the varying needs of all stakeholders is the key to positive engagement.

Michelle currently serve as co-chair of their organization’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and as chair of the DEI Communications sub-committee. In these roles, they support the company’s initiatives to ensure all within our diverse North American employee base are made to feel welcomed, heard and valued. They look forward to bringing these skills to the Ralph Thornton Community Centre Board to meet the needs of our ever-evolving community.

Caroline McLean is a Partner with Griffith Group Executive Search. She has over a decade of experience supporting a breadth of clients across the non-profit, academic, and healthcare sectors, advising on appointments for administrative leaders, senior-level executives, and subject matter experts across Canada, the UK and continental Europe.

Caroline is a values-driven professional, with a demonstrated track record in championing principles of equity, diversity and inclusivity. She is passionate about mentorship, training, and continuous learning for herself and the teams she works with.

Caroline holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Sciences from the University of Oxford and a Masters in Industrial Relations and Human Resources from the University of Toronto. Caroline enjoys volunteering with The 519 Community Centre and Friends of Ruby drop-in centre and is the Secretary of the Board for the Pride and Remembrance Run in Toronto.

I am a finance professional with over 10 years of experience in commercial banking and risk management. I bring a strong foundation in financial oversight and a commitment to transparency and accountability. Outside of work, I’ve volunteered at CAMH in both the library and the acute care ward, deepening my understanding of mental health and the importance of inclusive community support. 

As a Toronto resident, living 7 years in this neighbourhood, I’m passionate about contributing to spaces that reflect and serve our community’s diversity. I believe in building social and safe communities through collaboration and care. I’m excited about the opportunity to support the RTCC’s mission by bringing my financial expertise and lived experience to the Board, and support the community in a meaningful way. 

I hold an Honours Business Administration degree from the Ivey Business School at Western University. In my free time I enjoy travelling, trying new restaurants and completing the New York Times crossword puzzles. 

Deanna Stacey is a longtime community member who has been involved with the RTCC for many years. From the time her daughter was a baby through her teenage years, Deanna and her family have benefited from a wide range of programs and services offered by the RTCC and its community partners. . Through those experiences, she has developed a deep appreciation for the important role the RTCC plays in bringing people together, supporting families, and strengthening the community.

Professionally, Deanna is a senior business leader with experience leading teams, managing complex initiatives, and helping organizations navigate change. Most recently, she served as Vice President, Customer Experience & Delivery at Porter Airlines, where she led customer-facing operations and transformation initiatives during a period of significant growth.

Deanna has long been interested in serving on a non-profit board as a way to combine her professional experience with her commitment to community involvement. Over the years, she has volunteered in areas including literacy, education, youth empowerment, women’s leadership, coaching, and mentorship. She is passionate about helping people and organizations reach their potential and giving back to the community.

Deanna is honoured to be standing for election to the RTCC Board and to contribute to an organization that has been an important part of her family’s life for many years.

Wairimu Wamugo possesses more than twenty years of professional experience working within government and non-profit organizations, including over fifteen years in leadership positions. In her current role as Regional Integration Manager at the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services, Wairimu is instrumental in championing a variety of Ministry priorities throughout the province. She is dedicated to ensuring the effective implementation of community-focused programs that address the needs of diverse populations. 

Recognized as a trusted executive advisor, Wairimu consistently applies principles of reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion to guide her professional responsibilities as well as her personal life. Her commitment to these values ensures that her work is both impactful and inclusive, fostering environments where all voices are valued. 

Residing in Leslieville with her family, Wairimu enjoys biking to work, camping, hiking, and spending long days at the beach. She is also an avid reader. Her strong personal connection to the Leslieville community inspires her passion for supporting the Ralph Thornton Community Centre’s mission and programs, where she seeks to make a meaningful contribution. 

Chris is a Toronto entrepreneur and community builder who calls Leslieville home. He brings a varied background to the board, shaped by a deep commitment to mental health, connection, and supporting newcomers across the Greater Toronto Area.

Chris serves in a leadership role with Hats On For Awareness, a Canadian nonprofit dedicated to mental health advocacy. His pastoral care background informs much of his work, grounding it in compassion and a genuine desire to help people feel seen and supported.

As the founder of a licensed wedding officiant business serving couples throughout the GTA, Chris has helped countless families mark some of the most meaningful moments of their lives. He also works as a mortgage agent, guiding people through one of the biggest decisions they will ever make, with an emphasis on financial literacy.

Chris is married and passionate about building stronger, more connected communities, with a particular focus on reducing isolation and supporting those who are new to Canada.

He looks forward to bringing his energy, warmth, and entrepreneurial spirit to the board, and to serving his neighbours in a meaningful way.

Paula Fletcher has a long record of service to Toronto-Danforth residents. She first became involved as a leader in the East End Parent Network and was then elected as the TDSB Trustee in 2000. Paula was elected as City Councillor for the former Ward 30 in 2003 and has served as Councillor since. She was re-elected in 2018 and again in 2022 to represent the over 106,000 residents of Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth, which extends from the Don Valley Parkway to Coxwell Ave and from Lake Ontario to just north of O’Connor Drive.

Paula is a strong progressive voice at City Hall. She’s focused on creating affordable housing, improving public transit, parks and other public spaces, fighting the climate crisis along with enhancing community and road safety for all users. Paula works with residents, community groups and local business owners to build vibrant, healthy neighbourhoods.

Paula was appointed to a number of key committees and boards in August 2023. This includes the Executive Committee, responsible for major City-Wide issues and key priorities, and the Economic & Community Development Committee.

Paula was reappointed as Chair of the Film, Television and Digital Media Board and as Mayor Chow’s designate on the Boards of Toronto Community Housing, CreateTO and TOLive. She also serves on the Toronto and East York Community Council.

Visit Paula’s website for a full list of her committee and board appointments.