Leadership Team and Board of Directors

Andrew Perez (he/him) is an accomplished non-profit executive, public affairs strategist and nationally recognized thought leader with extensive experience at the intersection of Canadian politics, public policy, strategic communications and human rights advocacy. He currently serves as Egale Canada’s Executive Director.

Throughout his career, Andrew has built a reputation supporting organizations through periods of growth and transformation while advancing public policy, strengthening stakeholder relationships and driving meaningful social impact. Most recently, Andrew served as Executive Director of the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention where he oversaw public communications, advocacy and programming for the pan-Canadian organization with a focus on advocating for demographics disproportionately impacted by suicide.

Andrew is also the founder and past principal of Perez Strategies, a public affairs consultancy that has advised mission-driven organizations like Pride at Work Canada and the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation on strategic communications and public affairs strategies. A respected voice in Canadian media, Andrew is widely recognized as a national commentator on Canadian politics, public policy and 2SLGBTQI issues. His commentary has regularly appeared in national and international media, exploring issues ranging from Canadian politics to mental health, health equity and 2SLGBTQI inclusion. Andrew has also devoted many years to advancing 2SLGBTQI causes through volunteer and governance roles, currently serving as Chair of the Board of Directors at Fife House, Canada’s largest supportive housing provider for people and families living with HIV/AIDS.

Andrew began his career in public service advising Members of Parliament in Ottawa and serving in the Premier of Ontario’s Office. He holds a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University, a Master of Public Policy from the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, and a Certificate in Public Relations from the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies.

Adrian Leung (he/him) is a pharmacist by training and works at a provincial agency that supports digital health advancement and greater coordination across Ontario’s health care system. He brings clinical, operational, governance, and strategic experience, supported by formal training in pharmacy, health administration, project management, change leadership, and health system governance. Committed to equity and continuous system improvement, Adrian has contributed to cross-sector health initiatives and previously supported 2SLGBTQ+ advocacy and mentorship efforts.

Ryan Walker (he/him) is a tax lawyer at a financial institution in Toronto. Previously, he was employed in the private practice of law and for the Government of Ontario. He obtained his law degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from McMaster University. Ryan uses his professional experience to support Fife House’s financial health and sustainability as it pursues its mission of providing secure, supportive housing for people living with HIV. Ryan is a proud member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and also serves as a member of Fife House’s Development Committee.

Andrea (she/her) is an experienced healthcare leader, bringing more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience across the sector, with expertise spanning mental health, addictions, community care, professional practice, and complex system transformation. Throughout her career, she has led interprofessional teams and advanced innovative programs at organizations including the University Health Network, Trillium Health Partners, Runnymede Healthcare Centre, and most recently LOFT Community Services.

A compassionate and strategic leader, Andrea is deeply committed to delivering person-centered care and advancing quality, safety, and continuous improvement. She brings a strong track record in operational leadership, strategic partnership development, financial stewardship, program innovation, and system-wide collaboration.

Andrea Westbrook (she/her) has been a registered social worker for almost 15 years, predominantly working in the downtown east of Toronto within the HIV sector, community mental health, and with people who are street-involved. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from OCADU, a Bachelor of Social Work from Toronto
Metropolitan University, and a Master of Social Work from the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at University of Toronto. She is currently a PhD Candidate at Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work with a research focus on non-policing, community-based mental health crisis interventions.

She has extensive experience in harm reduction, alternative community safety models, and accessible mental health programming, and has held leadership roles in program development, clinical supervision, and crisis response, including managing one of the inaugural Toronto Community Crisis Service teams. She currently works at York University as the Manager of Complex Communities, a new role in the Community Safety Department leading collaboration across York campuses to build a community-centric, trauma-informed engagement strategy to respond to mental health crisis and homelessness on campus. Throughout her work, she has seen the importance of delivering a diverse range of support needs and styles, and she loves discussing how we can be creative within our approaches to this work. She feels privileged to be invited into the communities she gets to work in and to have personal stories of strength and resiliency shared with her. She doesn’t take this privilege for granted.

From April-October, Andrea can most often be found in the 500-level of the SkyDome.

Dane Griffiths (he/him) is a strategic communications professional with more than a decade of experience in public health, community engagement, and organizational leadership. He currently works as a Media Relations Advisor at Toronto Public Health, where he helps shape messaging and public communications on issues that matter to Torontonians. Previously, Dane served as Director of the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance, leading advocacy, partnerships, and campaigns that advanced health equity for 2SGBTQ+ communities across Ontario. During the mpox outbreak, he served as a provincial spokesperson, ensuring that timely and accurate information reached the community during a critical health emergency. Dane is passionate about reducing health and housing disparities, and he brings his experience in health promotion and strategic communications to support Fife House’s mission of providing secure, supportive housing for people living with HIV.

Karam Tawfiq (he/him) is a global Human Capital executive with over 15 years of experience leading Total Rewards, HR Operations, People Analytics, AI Enablement, and organizational transformation across multinational organizations. As Senior Director, Global Head of Total Rewards & Operations at D2L, he leads the global rewards and operations strategy across many countries, advising executive leadership and Boards on executive compensation, governance, workforce strategy, and organizational performance. Karam has extensive experience leading mergers and acquisitions, HR governance, enterprise transformation, and AI-driven people analytics to support strategic decision-making and business growth. A trusted advisor, board leader, and sought-after speaker, he is passionate about building future-ready organizations through innovation, data-driven leadership, and exceptional employee experiences.

Kristen Raiskums (she/her) is a collaborative health leader with over 15 years of experience in health system planning and clinical integration. She is currently a director at a provincial agency, where she leads person-centered initiatives in chronic disease management, gender-affirming care, and pediatric care, among others. Throughout her career, she has advanced equity-focused strategies that strengthen primary care and enhance population health outcomes. She is a passionate advocate for inclusive and community-centered care and is deeply committed to building environments where diverse voices are heard and empowered. As a queer-identifying person, Kristen is committed to improving health and wellness systems for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Kristen holds a Master of Science in Health Administration and an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Physiology, and Buddhism and Mental Health from the University of Toronto.

Ken Chung (he/him) is a healthcare professional working in a multidisciplinary medical clinic within the Church-Wellesley neighbourhood. He provides pharmaceutical care to Toronto’s 2SLGBTQ+ community, of which he is a proud member, with specialty for HIV and transgender health. He helps patients navigate Ontario’s healthcare system to ensure that they maintain access to medication and advocates for better accessibility. He also continues to work at broader community settings around the city, which has allowed him to gain valuable understanding for diverse needs. Ken loves the city he was born and raised in; during his free time, you can catch him reading a book over at Hanlan’s Point Beach in the summertime or catching a concert nearby.

Michael Darcy (he/him) is a doctor and lawyer with a commitment to advocating for mental and physical wellbeing. During his legal career, Michael worked as an associate at a large national firm, a litigator at the Department of Justice, and most recently, as a partner in a mid-sized litigation firm. His work focused on tax law, civil litigation, contract disputes, and professional negligence. After many years as a lawyer, Michael left his practice to attend medical school. He is currently completing his residency in Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, where he works with patients at all stages of their mental health journey. Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts from Memorial University of Newfoundland & Labrador, a Juris Doctor from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, a Master of Laws in International Taxation from New York University, and a Doctor of Medicine from McMaster University.

Nick Green (he/they) is a social worker who has over 10 years of direct service and management experience. His work has primarily focused on working with children and families, as well as quality assurance, coordination, and oversight of foster and group care settings for children in care. He has worked internationally as a facilitator and trainer of the Caring Dads program, a domestic violence intervention that focuses on ending cycles of gender-based violence through direct work with male perpetrators. He has also engaged in work/volunteer opportunities in health care settings and with the queer community. Nick is also a Dora Award-winning playwright whose work focuses primarily on capturing queer Canadian history. Favourite works include Casey and Diana, which premiered at the Stratford Festival before transferring to Soulpepper Theatre; Every Day She Rose at Nightwood Theatre; and Body Politic at Buddies in Bad Times.