Who We Are
Our Team
Chief Executive Officer
Bonnie Brayton (she/her)
Bonnie is a recognized thought leader in both the feminist and disability movements in Canada and internationally.
Ms. Brayton is the Partner Liaison for the seven-year initiative “Engendering Disability-Inclusive Development based at the University of Guelph. She is also an active member of the Gender & Trade Advisory Group at Global Affairs Canada and has been actively involved in international feminist organizing for many years.
From 2016 to 2021, Ms. Brayton served as a member of the Federal Minister’s Advisory Council on Gender-Based Violence (WAGE). From 2020 until now, Ms. Brayton continues to serve on Minister Qualtrough’s (ESDC) Disability Advisory Group (DAG).
Ms. Brayton is also a founding member of the Ending Violence Association of Canada and served on the Steering Committee of La Maison Parent-Roback,from 2008 to 2015. Bonnie has also contributed to several anthologies including A BOLD VISION and LIVING THE EDGES, a DisAbled Women’s Reader and the newest release (2021) from Inanna publications STILL LIVING THE EDGES.
Director of Black Community Initiatives
Tamara Angeline Medford-Williams (she/we)
Tamara Angeline Medford-Williams is an artist and community enthusiast of Caribbean descent.
As Director of Black Community Initiatives, she dedicates herself to empowering marginalized groups. Her roles across various organizations include being a Clinical Educator, Family Caseworker, and radio host. Tamara’s advocacy extends to contributing to academic journals, UN reports on racial discrimination, and leading a National Feminist Disability Coalition.
With a BA in Human Relations, a Graduate degree in Youth Work, and pursuing a Master of Social Work, she is committed to providing anti-oppressive services.
Director of Indigenous Initiatives
Evelyn Huntjens (she/her)
Evelyn Huntjens joins DAWN Canada as the Director of Indigenous Initiatives to lead the organization with amplifying the voices of Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse people living with disabilities.
Evelyn brings over eight years of leadership experience within the Indigenous disability and health sectors. She resides on Vancouver Island, BC. and lives within the ancestral territory of the Quw’utsun People and is a member of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation.
Finance Manager
Christine Nirere (she/her)
As a war survivor and having lived in refugee camps, Christine is sensitive to the social needs of individuals marginalized by contemporary world system injustices. Her long-term goal and passion is to assist and contribute to the healing of those in need.
Christine joined DAWN Canada as the finance coordinator in January 2021. She has more than ten years of experience in the financial sector at non-profit organizations, and before joining DAWN she several years at La Maison du Reconfort, a shelter for women experiencing domestic violence.
Outside of work, Christine also volunteers in the local community as a listener to help combat loneliness and promote hope.
Administrative Coordinator
Salome Yatich (she/her)
Salome, a ‘People First’ advocate, believes individuals are the core of thriving organizations. Driven by enthusiasm for efficient processes, she constantly pursues simplification and improvement. She holds a B.Sc. in Counseling Psychology and CHRP-K designation, leveraging years of experience in Human Resources Administration gained in her country Kenya. In her community, she championed programs empowering the youth for impactful societal contributions, through volunteering for over a decade, with diverse groups.
Human Rights Knowledge Officer
Bára Hladík (she/they)
Human Rights Officer
Maggie Lyons-MacFarlane (they/them)
Director of Outreach and Partnerships (on leave)
Kanitha Nhek (she/her)
Kanitha joined DAWN Canada in 2020 as the Community Outreach Coordinator, and in July 2021 became the Director of Outreach and Partnerships. In her new role, she works closely with national and international organizations to grow and nurture DAWN’s network.
Kanitha has more than ten years experience in marketing, communications, major events and project management in Canada, France and her native home of Cambodia. The driving force behind her work is the desire to create an inclusive community for marginalized groups, in particular women and girls with disabilities – the most underserved population in the world.
Outside of work, Kanitha sits on the Board of Directors of VIDA SANA and plans activities and events for the Centre Khemara.
Governance
Board of Directors
President, LGBTQIA2S+ Representative
Kathy Hawkins
Newfoundland
Vice-Chair, Deaf and New Brunswick Representative
Leanne Gallant
New Brunswick
Treasurer, Nova Scotia Representative
Jane Warren
Nova Scotia
Secretary, Newfoundland Representative
Mandy Penny
Newfoundland
Indigenous Representative
Lyndsay Breadner
Alberta
Indigenous & Senior Representative
Laura Langstaff (she)
TBC
Northwest Territories Representative
Denise McKee (she)
Northwest Territories
Member at Large
Ena Chadha
Ontario
Member at Large
Larissa Proctor (she)
Ontario
Member at Large
Kelly Bron Johnson (she/they)
Quebec
Member at Large
Teri Thorson (she)
British Columbia
Advisory Committees
Title
Name (pronouns)
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