Hongmei Cai
Hongmei is a long-time resident of Riverdale. She has worked in community organizations for over 10 years helping newcomers and their families. Currently she is a caseworker with the Ontario Disability Support Program. She has great understanding of the needs of people and families who face multiple barriers and the roles of community organizations in serving the communities.
Hongmei has strong connections and involvement with the Chinese community. She has been involved with RTCC for the past 15 years, both as a board member and as a community member.
Hongmei has a master’s degree in social work. Outside her regular employment, she teaches Mandarin and does counselling and psychotherapy. She enjoys gardening, reading, and walking in the neighbourhood. Hongmei lives with her husband and daughters in Rivertowne.
Ex Officio Board Member Councillor Paula Fletcher
Paula Fletcher has a long record of service to Toronto-Danforth residents. She first became involved as a leader in the East End Parent Network and was then elected as the TDSB Trustee in 2000. Paula was elected as City Councillor for the former Ward 30 in 2003 and has served as Councillor since. She was re-elected in 2018 and again in 2022 to represent the over 106,000 residents of Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth, which extends from the Don Valley Parkway to Coxwell Ave and from Lake Ontario to just north of O’Connor Drive.
Paula is a strong progressive voice at City Hall. She’s focused on creating affordable housing, improving public transit, parks and other public spaces, fighting the climate crisis along with enhancing community and road safety for all users. Paula works with residents, community groups and local business owners to build vibrant, healthy neighbourhoods.
Paula was appointed to a number of key committees and boards in August 2023. This includes the Executive Committee, responsible for major City-Wide issues and key priorities, and the Economic & Community Development Committee.
Paula was reappointed as Chair of the Film, Television and Digital Media Board and as Mayor Chow’s designate on the Boards of Toronto Community Housing, CreateTO and TOLive. She also serves on the Toronto and East York Community Council.
Visit Paula’s website for a full list of her committee and board appointments.
Ruby Kaliray
Ruby is an accomplished lawyer with extensive experience in securities, mergers and acquisitions, and technology law, and has advised regulatory bodies on developing legislation. Ruby leverages her expertise on corporate boards to drive impactful decision-making and promote ethical practice. Ruby also volunteers as a mentor to foster care youth transitioning out of the system, guiding them through challenges.
She leads a community-focused group that examines how local developments and housing initiatives shape the Riverside community, with a particular focus on the diversity impact on its residents. Additionally, Ruby serves on Ralph Thornton Community Center as a board member contributing to its mission and initiatives in the community.
Michelle Markwart
Michelle has proudly called this vibrant neighborhood home for nearly 13 years and, having grown up in the east end of Toronto, has strong ties to the area.
With more than two decades of experience in Marketing and Customer Engagement, they have honed their skills working with large consumer packaged goods companies. Their forte lies in connecting with key stakeholders—whether they’re customers, employees, or community members. They believe that understanding the varying needs of all stakeholders is the key to positive engagement.
Michelle currently serve as co-chair of their organization’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and as chair of the DEI Communications sub-committee. In these roles, they support the company’s initiatives to ensure all within our diverse North American employee base are made to feel welcomed, heard and valued. They look forward to bringing these skills to the Ralph Thornton Community Centre Board to meet the needs of our ever-evolving community.
McKell Neilson
McKell joined his first board at age 17, representing his dance group – the Kingston Ukrainian Maky Dance Ensemble, as part of the local Folk Arts Council.
McKell had the opportunity to see much of the US and Western Europe as a member of the international performing group Up with People, working with the organization until the end of 2000, visiting 20 countries and almost every US state and Canadian province. Countless hours of community service and involvement were part of the Up with People program ranging from working in inner-city schools in the US to visiting nursing homes, clearing litter and working with animals. In the years since then, he moved to Toronto and started working at an event planning company but left after SARS decimated the industry in Toronto in 2003. Since then, he has been working at Exela Technologies, currently as an operations manager.
During the pandemic, McKell led a volunteer group in his apartment complex to assist house-bound residents with groceries and prescription pick up, support phone calls and a food library to support those with food insecurity. McKell also serves on the International Alumni Association Board as Director of Internal Development. He has two cats and shares his life with them.
Maggi Redmonds
RTCC has been important to Maggi for a long time. She previously served on the Board of RTCC, including as President, and on committees for 6 years starting in 2011. After a break of several years, she was again elected to the Board in 2021. She has significant work and volunteer experience in the community-based sector, including as a member of or an advisor to, a wide range of community Boards. She also brings various additional skills gained through her wide variety of jobs (including community worker, taxi driver, program manager, groundskeeper, conference organizer) plus her experiences living and travelling in other countries and cultures. She has lived in this neighbourhood for many years and has experienced its significant changes. Her now-adult children grew up here and her family used many of the locally-offered resources. She am committed to giving back to this community.
Sarah Reyes
Sarah brings nearly a decade of experience in commercial banking, merging professional development with personal growth. As a Director at TD Bank, she navigates financial complexities, collaborating with diverse businesses, including non-profits.
Passionate about financial literacy and community empowerment, Sarah actively contributes to the success of healthcare institutions and advocates for financial education. Having moved to the community in 2018, she brings a fresh perspective and a dedication to making a difference close to home. Further, her recent journey into motherhood has deepened her commitment to local causes, particularly within her daughter’s neighbourhood.
Sarah’s immigrant background instills in her a profound appreciation for diversity, resilience and collaboration, guiding her endeavors. Inspired by the mission of the Ralph Thornton Community Centre, centered on inclusivity and service, she is driven to make a meaningful impact.
With a blend of financial expertise, a passion for community, and a steadfast commitment to positive change, Sarah eagerly awaits the opportunity to contribute her skills and dedication to the Centre’s continued success as a board member.
Sarah Reyes holds a B.Com with Distinction in Finance and Economics from Rotman Commerce at the University of Toronto and is a CFA Charter holder.
Heather Simpson
Heather Simpson is a consultant who works exclusively with nonprofit and social purpose organizations. Her work is focused on supporting the development of earned income strategies (through social enterprise feasibility and business planning), strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, evaluation and grant writing.
Heather has over 20 years of experience working in and for non-profit organizations. She has previously served in the roles of Board President and Treasurer at Elizabeth Fry Toronto, as a Board member of the Canada Africa Partnership, a Councillor for the Toronto council of the Canadian Red Cross, as a member of the Grant Review team at Ontario Trillium Foundation, as an Agency Reviewer for United Way Toronto, and as a Peer Reviewer for Imagine Canada’s standards program
Heather has an MBA from Schulich/York University, a certificate in Fundraising Management from X University, and a certificate in Non-for-Profit & Charity Finance Leadership from CPA Ontario. As an RTCC Board member elected in 2021, she hopes to put her skills and expertise to use in order to give back to an organization that is an important part of the community in which she resides.
James Topham
James Topham returned to Toronto, Canada, after spending two decades dedicated to assisting children in war zones. In the early ’90s, he worked in the music industry, where he once accidentally hung up the phone on Bono.
Joining the RTCC Board in 2021, James has two decades of non-profit experience both as a fundraising and communications director. He was a member of the Crisis Management, Gender and Diversity, and Safeguarding Committees at War Child Canada. He was also part of War Child Canada’s senior team that oversaw the organization’s growth from $5M/year to over $20M in just five years. James is looking forward to using his expertise and experience to help and give back to a community that is closer to his home, and seeing the impact with his own eyes.
Gabrielle Totesau
Gabrielle Totesau is a driven and dynamic individual with a passion for creativity. With a background in marketing and communications, she has honed her skills in crafting compelling narratives and engaging with diverse audiences. Gabrielle’s journey in the professional world has been marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to pushing boundaries.
Throughout her career, Gabrielle has thrived in fast-paced environments, where she has embraced challenges as opportunities for growth. Her natural curiosity and enthusiasm for learning have led her to explore a variety of industries and disciplines, from technology startups to non-profit organizations, where she has made meaningful contributions and left a lasting impact.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Gabrielle is deeply invested in giving back to her community. She volunteers her time and expertise to support causes she believes in, advocating for social justice and equality. Her dedication to making a difference extends beyond the workplace, as she actively seeks out ways to contribute positively to the world around her.
In her free time, Gabrielle enjoys podcasts, yoga, walking her dog and travel. She finds inspiration in the beauty of the world and is constantly seeking out new experiences to fuel her imagination and inspire creativity. When she’s not planning vacations, she’s a pop culture enthusiast and amateur baker.
Ejay Tupe
Ejay Tupe is a long-time resident of Toronto’s east end and a community leader, known for his work with people in the margins through Mission Canada, a national agency for local mission work. Originally from the Philippines, Ejay immigrated to Canada, bringing with him a rich cultural heritage and a deep commitment to community service.
In Toronto, Ejay has dedicated himself to fostering a sense of community in the east end. His leadership in PAOC has seen the successful implementation of numerous urban projects aimed at promoting justice, advocacy and people centered approaches.
Ejay’s background in urban leadership and community development is evident in his strategic approach to addressing local issues. He has been instrumental in organizing community events, neighborhood revitalization efforts, and initiatives that support marginalized groups. His work reflects a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within Toronto’s diverse neighborhoods.
Through his tireless advocacy and hands-on involvement, Ejay Tupe has made significant contributions to the vibrancy and resilience of Toronto’s east end.
Wairimu Wamugo
Wairimu Wamugo brings over twenty years of professional experience in government and non-profit organizations, with more than fifteen years in leadership roles. As the current Regional Integration Manager at the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services, Wairimu champions diverse Ministry priorities across 18 regional offices, ensuring effective oversight of $5 billion in contractual agreements with community-based organizations, and leading initiatives focused on reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Wairimu has also held key roles such as Program Supervisor and Housing Planning Lead, managing a multi-year supported living investment in developmental services, and overseeing a community-based crisis response system. At the Fred Victor Centre Women’s Hostel, Wairimu transformed services for homeless women, including transgendered and two-spirited individuals, under an anti-oppression framework. Additionally, at the Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre, Wairimu led the development and evaluation of various homeless initiatives, securing new program funding and implementing essential services.
Wairimu lives in Leslieville with her partner and three children, she enjoys biking to work, camping trips, hiking, and long days at the beach, and is an avid reader. With a deep personal connection to Leslieville, Wairimu is passionate about contributing to the Ralph Thornton Community Centre’s mission and supporting its programs.
Lindsay Williams
Lindsay has lived in the community for over 10 years and her affinity for it grows each day. She is looking forward to being part of RTCC and contributing to the great work that it does.
Lindsay holds a leadership position at a full-service public relations agency and brings more than 20 years of experience across a broad range of clients in varying sectors. Her professional experience has taught her to quickly integrate and ingrain herself into new roles. As a strategic problem-solver she knows there’s always a solution – the art is finding the right one for every situation.