Meet Our Directors!

Board Chair

Ayesha is a Senior Servicing Platform Product Owner at TD. As part of the leadership team of the Servicing Platform, she makes banking easier by creating strategies and roadmaps and facilitating the creation of technical future-state architectures that enable meaningful development for TD’s customer-facing banking applications. Ayesha is deeply passionate about building and contributing to communities and demonstrates that passion by dedicating her time to various organizations that are making the world more accessible. She currently serves on the Accessibility Advisory Committee and Customer Experience Advisory Committee for Metrolinx and has served on the Quality of Care Committee of the Board of Trustees at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Ayesha holds a Bachelor’s degree from York University and she completed her Masters in Strategic Foresight and Innovation Design in 2021.

Vice Chair

Hi, I’m Allison. After years of noticing and admiring StopGap’s ramps all over Toronto, I decided to reach out and get to know the organization more closely. The StopGap team’s incredible vision for our communities and its entrepreneurial spirit left me wanting to get more involved. I’m honoured to bring my over 20 years of experience in fundraising and non-profit management to the Board. By day I’m a Senior Consultant with KCI and passionate about building capacity and healthy work culture in non-profit organizations.

Treasurer

Michael is the founder and owner of SCI Supply Inc., an online medical supply retailer and distributor serving customers across Canada and North America. Michael has experience in all business aspects of the company including sales, marketing, strategy, accounting, and customer service. At the age of sixteen, Michael sustained a spinal cord injury during a high school football practice, which left him paralyzed from the chest down. Being an athletic and competitive child, such an injury was difficult to overcome but Michael eventually found ways to stay active and compete through wheelchair rugby and hand cycling. He has since given up wheelchair rugby but still enjoys hand cycling as well as socializing with friends and family, travelling, learning new things and meeting new people. Michael completed a BA in Psychology at York University followed by an MBA at Wilfrid Laurier University where he developed the concept for SCI Supply Inc. He has grown the company substantially since launching and feels grateful for the meaningful work he gets to do.

Member

Hello there access allies, my name is Russell Winkelaar. I describe myself differently every time I make an attempt at doing so. Mostly I enjoy being a disability awareness advocate, which I have done through the mediums of public speaking as well as acting. I have been a ramp aficionado for as long as I can recall. Physically my favourite ramp is located in the glass dome atop the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany. As a concept though, StopGap ramps are by far the most amazing ramps out there! I first encountered a StopGap ramp back in early 2012 and helped in my couple of ramp builds in the summer of 2014. Now that I have finally made it to the inner circle, I am excited to bring as much energy and enthusiasm as I can to help promote StopGap and access for all. I can’t wait to see where this adventure goes!

Member

I’m Max. My days are mostly spent practicing human rights and employment law, cycling around Toronto, and engaging with the local music scene. I learned about this amazing organization through the work of Accessibility for Humanity and StopGap Ottawa. As a former student of urban geography, I’m thrilled to work toward a more just and accessible world with the StopGap team.

Member

Hi, I’m Shelby. I am thrilled to be a part of StopGap’s organization. I live with a genetic pain condition that limits my ability to walk stairs and requires a mobility scooter often. My passion and goals are to create a world free of barriers to allow for independence, inclusion, accomplishment, and success. I am a Registered Dietitian, mother of three, and contribute to other non-profit organizations. Together with the StopGap team, we will “break down barriers, one step at a time.”

Member

Oda Al-anizi sustained a complete Spinal Cord Injury at the c6 level in 1999. Oda is passionate about disability advocacy, peer support & knowledge exchange. Oda works at Spinal Cord Injury Ontario where he has a dual role as an Information & Resource Specialist and as a Video Content Developer. In his spare time, Oda enjoys long strolls across the beach, jazz and blues music, handbiking, cinema, and running his Instagram account @OdaHumanity where he makes disability-related comics.

Member

Hilary Johnston has been working in non-profits for over ten years. She spent the first half of her career in music education, supporting marketing, events, and other projects at the Royal Conservatory of Music and Sistema Toronto. She has led development teams at The Walrus, MOCA, and Crow’s Theatre and is now a consultant focused on helping small and mid-sized charitable organizations raise money, develop partnerships, and communicate their mission and impact. In addition to her work with StopGap, Hilary is on the board of Charlie’s FreeWheels and Lula Music and Arts. When she’s not working, she enjoys cycling, gardening, and caring for a temperamental chihuahua.