Peel HIV/AIDS Network 2011/12 Board of Directors

Syed Raza - Board Chair

Tania Fernandes - Board Vice-Chair

Sanya Khan - Board Secretary

Dorothy Binkley - Treasurer

Rose Colacci - Director

Rob Gearing - Director

Hamid John - Director

Melissa Toney- Director

Biography of Board of Directos

Syed Raza
Syed is a resident of Mississauga and work as Manager Finance with Cooksville Chrysler. He has over 10 years of Automotive Consulting experience specializing in Sales & Finance Management. He is pioneer in establishing the Canada’s First South Asian Car Talk Show. Syed is an active member of Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council, Canadian Ethnic Media Association, Mississauga Board of Trade, Canadian Association of Business Managers & holds Master’s degree in Business Administration & certification in Automotive Law and Ethics. Syed has been passionately volunteering with non for profit organizations & member of PHAN board of directors since 2004, he previously served as a Treasurer and currently as a Chair of the Board of Directors.

Tania Fernandes
Tania is pursuing a Masters Degree in Public Health from the University of Waterloo. She has spent the past 5 years as a team manager, health promoter and researcher working with a variety of populations both within her community and internationally. Currently working with a Community Health Centre as the Health Promoter, she is committed to addressing the root causes of issues faced by the Rexdale community. In addition, her role as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors with the Peel HIV/AIDS Network highlights her passion to raise awareness and understanding of HIV. In her spare time, Tania enjoys travelling and experiencing new cultures and communities.

Sanya Khan
Sanya is currently completing a Masters in Public Health from the University of Waterloo. Sanya has six years of experience working and volunteering in healthcare, clinical research and community health settings. She has worked extensively with diverse communities including her recent experience instructing a community health program aimed at teenage girls in the Jane & Finch area. Sanya was also previously involved with Dignitas International as an executive member of the organization’s campus chapter at U of T St. George. This organization’s mission is to help AIDS patients to live with dignity through the provision of community-based care. As a new resident to the region of Peel, PHAN is a perfect fit for Sanya to continue working with and supporting the HIV/AIDS community.

Dorothy Binkley
Dorothy is a resident of Mississauga and works as Manager of Operational Projects at The Credit Valley Hospital. In this role she manages hospital-wide clinical and administrative projects, such as a skin and wound care improvement initiave and a leadership and service excellence program. Dorothy has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and French from Dalhousie University and a Master of Business Administration degree from McMaster University. She currently serve as Treasurer for the Board of Directors for the Peel HIV/AIDS Network.

Rose Colacci
Rose is a graduate of York University with a Honours Degree in Sociology,specializing in Harm Reduction and Crisis Management. She is currently the Chair of the PHAN’s Scotia Bank AIDS Walk for Life and she has been volunteering for PHAN for over a year. Rose is a former co-ordinator of Telecare Distress Centre in Brampton, and have been working in the non profit field for the past 5 years. She has been a resident in Brampton for over 25 years and she is an employee of the City of Brampton for over 13 years. Being an activist and volunteering is a passion of hers, Rose indicates this is her community and she is dedicated to making PHAN a strong presence in the Peel area so that anyone effected by HIV or AIDS can feel as though they have a voice and support from a member of their community. Most importantly PHAN is educating the community about HIV prevention.

Rob Gearing
Rob Gearing currently works for TransForce Inc. as a Human Resources Business Partner providing HR support for their subsidiary Canpar Transport L.P. Rob is a member of the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario and holds the CHRP designation. Rob was one of the founding members of the Pride Committee of Peel and has been involved in the planning of Peel Pride from 2004 to 2006 and again from 2009 to the present. Rob has also participated in a number of AIDS Walks in both Toronto and Peel since 1994. Rob attended both the University of Toronto, Erindale College, and Humber College and he currently resides in Brampton.

Hamid John
“I always grew up hearing about the importance of giving, and not giving for just being recognized, but giving sincerely from the heart. I would like for my volunteer efforts with PHAN to represent this.” said Hamid. Hamid has started and sold his own phone wiring installations company, understanding the different levels of business in being efficient, and effective. His experience in business and education has prepared him with a foundation to thrive and help his community in any way that he can. Hamid has also contributed much work with PHAN and various charitable organizations such as the Princess Margaret Hospital, Yonge Street Mission, Canadian Hearing Society, Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and taught the YMCA Leadership-In-Training program.

Melissa Toney
Biography to be added.