Tharmila Apputhurai: Director (Community Representative)

Tharmila Apputhurai is an educator, currently working at the Durham District School Board as the K-12 Multilingual Language Learner Facilitator.

She has taught various grades over the last 16 years, both within Durham as well as internationally (Macau, South Korea, & China) and has

also served as a Special Education Resource teacher. Tharmila holds a Hons. Bachelor of Science degree from University of Toronto,

Bachelor of Education and Master of Leadership and Community Engagement degrees from York University. In her spare time, 

Tharmila enjoys reading, spending time with her family, travelling, and organizing/participating in community/educational events.

Anirban Chatterjee: Director (Community Representative)

With 18 years of consulting experience working in 10 countries, Anirban works as a Consulting Executive in the oldest Technology Company.

He holds a CFA Charter from I.C.F.A.I. and a B.Com (Hons.) from Calcutta University to demonstrate his depth of knowledge in Finance

and Accounting. Born into a family of social workers, he has worked closely with underprivileged children in developing countries since childhood.

Anirban loves spending spare time on world music, cricket, and hiking. 

Jennifer Cooke: Secretary-Treasurer (Community Representative)

As a Child Youth Worker for over 20 years, Jennifer has extensive experience working for non-profit and charitable organizations across the GTA.

Throughout her career she has had the opportunity to work with young people in day-treatment, facilitating educational workshops, building

relationships with stakeholders and volunteering her time in the community. Currently, Jennifer works to help connect those with low mood to

moderate depression with therapeutic services as a Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Specialist for the Canadian Mental Health

Association - Ontario’s BounceBack program. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, playing sports, hiking and camping.

Danica Cross: Vice-President (Community Representative)

Danica completed a Master of Leadership and Community Engagement (MLCE) from York University. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree

from York University and a post graduate diploma in communication disorders from Georgian College. Currently she is the Director of Cross

Agency Clinical Services at Surrey Place in Toronto. Danica has worked in the field of developmental disabilities for over 20 years and brings 

with her a deep understanding of the developmental system with many years of clinical experience. Previous roles include Manager of Intake

and Service Coordination, Service Coordinator, Communicative Disorders Assistant, and Infant Hearing Screener. In her spare time Danica

loves to embrace her entrepreneurial spirit owning and operating a small business. She also enjoys spending time outdoors with her family

and dog.

Anne Joyce: Director (Community Representative) 

Anne is the Financial Services Marketing Director at CGI, with a deep background in marketing strategy and execution, writing and editing. A new

member to the board, she is eager to contribute her unique skill set to the Communication Committee. As mom to a son on the spectrum and two

adopted daughters, Anne is passionate about autism advocacy, inclusion and diversity, and mentorship. She spends her spare time running,

hiking and staying fit, and her love for the outdoors and nature is only matched by her love of reading and coffee.

Sheryl Lamkey: President (Parent Representative) 

Sheryl is a Child and Youth Worker with the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto. Sheryl has a daughter with special needs and has played an active

role in advocating for exceptional children. In her spare time, Sheryl enjoys reading, doing crafts, walking, and running. Sheryl joined the

Board of Directors in  2005 and is the current chair of the Communication Committee. She is also a member of the Audit Committee.

Melissa Morrison: Director (Community Representative)

Melissa is an educator, technology enthusiast and Special Education champion. Throughout her teaching career, Melissa has been actively

involved with Special Education at the secondary level as both a teacher and Special Education Department Head and as a K-12 Assistive

Technology Teacher with the Special Services Department at the Toronto Catholic District School Board. She is a graduate of Ontario Tech

University Bachelor of Education program, and holds degrees in both Computer Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from

Queen’s University. Melissa received an Innovative Exemplary Practice Award for the work she has done with the Assistive Technology

Team’s Virtual Co-op Innovators Project, which was also presented at the Ontario Co-operative Education Association 2021 Spring

Conference. Equity, innovation, leadership, creativity and a growth mindset are what fuel Melissa’s professional practice as an educator. 

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.

Dr. Akeem Stewart: Director (Community Representative)

Originally from Barbados, Dr. Stewart’s passion for helping people and medicine began at an early age. He was deeply involved in his community,

serving as President of the Junior Optimist Octagon International and volunteering much of his youth in the children's ward at the

Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados. Alongside his commitment to service, he played rugby at both the Junior and Senior levels,

balancing his love for sports with his dedication to making a difference in the lives of others. At the age of 18, Dr. Stewart moved to Cuba on a

scholarship to study Medicine, where he honed his skills and deepened his commitment  to healthcare. Upon graduating, he moved to

Canada with a strong desire to continue his mission of serving high-priority populations. His work with the Red Cross Canada during the

COVID-19 pandemic was a significant milestone, solidifying his dedication to those in need and steering him toward a career in Preventative

Care. As a Preventative Care Specialist, Dr. Stewart launched initiatives focused on creating pathways to address mental health for children

and adolescents aged 0-18 years. His dedication and vision eventually led him to his current role as the Provincial Lead in Black Health and

Wellness. In this position, Dr. Stewart is committed to establishing equity in healthcare from a 360-degree holistic perspective for all diasporas

within the African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) community. He works tirelessly alongside the motivated members of the Black Health Committee

to achieve  this goal. Outside of his professional life, Dr. Stewart enjoys staying active by playing rugby and basketball, maintaining a healthy

lifestyle through regular visits to the gym, and cherishing time spent with friends and family, creating lasting memories.

Cynthia Waugh: Director (Community Representative)

Cynthia is a senior lecturer at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto where she earned a PhD in developmental

psychology and education. She teaches courses related to special education, inclusion, universal design for learning, and autism. Her applied

research involves the development of friendship-making skills among children. While working for the Durham District School Board as a special

education facilitator she was awarded the Barb Phair Award for outstanding contribution to special education. She has been a guest speaker at

conferences and consultant  to school boards across Ontario and in Sweden. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family,

dancing and reading.

Eloise Zareian-Jahromi: Director (Community Representative)

Eloise is a dedicated autism communication expert and advocate for inclusive education, committed to creating equitable opportunities for

all learners. As a parent to a high-needs child, Eloise has firsthand experience with the challenges families face and has made it her mission

to support and empower them. With a strong background in individualized education therapy, she collaborates with families, educators, and

community leaders to develop tailored learning strategies that address the unique needs of each student. Eloise’s work focuses on building

supportive environments where every child can thrive, and she is passionate about using her expertise to drive positive change and create

a more inclusive society.