Generous Futures: Addressing Ageism

Dr. Samir Sinha is the Director of Geriatrics at Sinai Health System and the University Health Network in Toronto and a Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and the Director of Health Policy Research at Toronto Metropolitan University’s National Institute on Ageing. 

A Rhodes Scholar, Samir is a highly regarded clinician and international expert in the care of older adults. He was recently appointed to serve as a member of the Government of Canada’s National Seniors Council, and is also leading the development of new National Long-Term Care Standards for Canada. 

Mitch is a Partner and the chair of the Pensions and Employment Practice at Torys LLP and the Chancellor of Ontario Tech University. His law practice focuses on all aspects of pension, benefits and employment. He is the founder of the National Institute on Ageing at Toronto Metropolitan University, a former adjunct professor at both the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and Osgoode Hall Law School, Senior Advisor to the Dean of the Ted Rogers School of Management at Toronto Metropolitan University and a published author. Mitch is also vice-chair of the Board of North York General, a member and former chair of the TFS Board of Directors, chair of the Western Law Dean’s Advisory Council, the immediate past chair of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Board of Governors and a former member of the Board of Trustees of the Ontario Science Centre. He is the recipient of Wilfrid Laurier University’s MBA Outstanding Executive Leadership Award, Western University Law School’s Ivan Rand Alumni Award, a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Ontario Bar Association’s Award of Excellence in Pension and Benefits Law, was named one of the 25 most influential lawyers in Canada by Canadian Lawyer magazine and is the recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Toronto Metropolitan University.

As President & CEO, Chameli is responsible for the overall strategic direction and management of Symcor’s operations. Dedicated to a leadership philosophy that delivers results through people, Chameli has fostered and built a values-based, results-oriented culture at Symcor. This approach has resulted in business solutions that create richer outcomes for clients and industry partners. 

Chameli Naraine joined Symcor in 2008 and was appointed President & CEO in 2011. She has over 25 years of global business experience in the technology, manufacturing, and financial services industries, with a proven track record for building efficient operations in an innovative manner.

Chameli is the founder of The Naraine Global Fund. She notes “recent health, climate and public policy decisions are having a disparate and adverse impact globally, particularly among women, the poor, and older adults.” The Naraine Global Fund is a philanthropic organization that funds grass roots initiatives to advance results-based solutions, with a particular emphasis on promoting health, education and wellness among women and girls of all ages.

Chameli has obtained bachelor’s degrees from both Wilfrid Laurier University and Conestoga College, in Economics and Operations and Materials Management, respectively.

Delores Lawrence, O.Ont, MBA, RN, is the Founder, President & CEO of NHI-Nursing & Homemakers Inc. Born in Jamaica and migrated to Canada in 1969, Delores completed her high school and university education in Canada and chose her first career as a Registered Nurse. After graduation, she worked in major teaching hospitals in critical care nursing and as a nursing supervisor. 

In 1985, Delores founded the award-winning Canadian healthcare company NHI- Nursing & Homemakers Inc. A company that provides opportunities to close to 800 individuals comprising of temporary, permanent, casual and contract workers throughout organizations across Ontario. NHI offers healthcare staffing and home care services to clients in hospitals, long-term care facilities, insurance companies, dentists and other healthcare companies. 

Delores has a passion for helping those in need and is accountable for doing so. Ethics, accountability and compassion are practiced throughout NHI and this helps in providing a high quality of service to clientele and employees.

In recognition of her leadership and community service, Delores received the Order of Ontario from the Province of Ontario, the Order of Distinction from the Government of Jamaica, Vice-Chancellor's Award from the University of West Indies, and the Order of the Diocese of Toronto from the Anglican Church.