About the OVPECI
The Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI) is a resource for all TMU students, faculty and staff. We support equity and inclusion by providing guidance, strategies and amplifying diverse voices.
How the OVPECI supports the TMU community
The OVPECI oversees the realization of the university’s ECI strategic initiatives. We work collaboratively,providing technical guidance and support — to empower all members of the university to help create a human rights-centred campus. We work in partnership to reduce barriers to access and inclusion for students, faculty and staff and strengthen an equitable, inclusive, community-focused and decolonized university in pursuit of its academic mandate.
We support capacity-building across all sectors of the university by bringing together ECI expertise and intentionally guiding purposeful action through the provision of:
- advice, consultation and coaching
- education and awareness
- identification of best practices
- human rights-related services
- research and data
- support for the development and review of policies and programs
How the OVPECI is reducing systemic barriers at TMU
Accessibility
Advancing accessibility by identifying, removing and preventing barriers, and promoting full participation for persons with disabilities.
Education, Awareness and Outreach
Providing thoughtful, collaborative learning experiences through workshops, coaching, consultations and facilitated sessions that foster constructive dialogue related to equity, diversity, inclusion and human rights.
Indigenous Initiatives
Advancing Indigenous student success, teaching, research and community engagement through a relational model grounded in listening, advising, coaching and meaningful partnerships.
Gdoo-maawnjidimi Mompii Indigenous Student Services
Creating a culturally supportive learning environment for Indigenous students that honours traditional teachings and supports academic excellence.
Research, Planning and Assessment
Providing equity data and diversity resources to help identify systemic barriers impacting students, faculty and staff from TMU’s six equity-deserving groups, supporting more intentional and informed decision-making.
Equitable research
The Dimensions Program seeks to enhance EDI in scholarly, research and creative activities by increasing equitable access to funding, promoting inclusive participation and integrating EDI into research design and practices.
Human Rights Services
Supporting the TMU community with coaching, advice and consultation on human rights concerns, and offering fair, respectful investigations and alternative resolution options..
Confronting anti-Black racism and cultivating Black flourishing
The PICCABR includes teams across TMU leading the implementation of the 14 recommendations from the Anti-Black Racism Campus Climate Review. The OVPECI supports the coordination and management of PICCABR.
Leadership team
Meet Dr. Tanya (Toni) De Mello
Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion
Tanya (Toni) De Mello, Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion, is a trusted human rights lawyer, mediator and equity expert with 25 years of EDI experience and 15 years in post-secondary leadership. Since 2017, she has advanced a more equitable and inclusive TMU campus.
Toni previously served as Director of Human Rights Services and Associate Dean at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, providing leadership across admissions, student wellness, accessibility accommodations, and equity-centred student support. Her work spans global and community contexts, including working for the United Nations and co-founding two NGOs in Canada. She holds degrees in economics, political science, law, public policy, and counselling, and completed a PhD in social justice education. A recognized leader in equity, her work catalyzes systemic and transformative change.
Joanne Okimawininew Dallaire | Elder (Ke Shay Hayo) and Senior Advisor, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
Debbie Thompson | Executive Director
Nina Acco Weston | Director, EDI Strategic Partnerships and Capacity Building
Erin Hallock | Director, Human Rights Services
Daniela Jimenez Tirado | Manager, Human Rights Services (on leave)
Michelle (Mitch) Poirier | Manager, Human Rights Services
Monica McKay | Director, Indigenous Initiatives
Brian Norton | Program Manager, Gdoo-maawnjidimi Mompii Indigenous Student Services
Zimran Khan | Director, Research, Planning and Assessment
Kelly Campbell | Accessibility Manager
Nina Rafeek Dow | Communications Manager
Staff members
Sharon Abrahams | Human Rights Resolution Officer
Ahmed Ahmed | Strategic Advisor and Senior Resolution Officer HRS
Camille Alli-Ramnath | ECI Education and Awareness Facilitator
Dominique Bautista | ECI Education and Awareness Facilitator
Michelle Cho | Human Rights Services Policy Review Facilitator
Dina Chowdhury | Data Specialist, Research, Planning and Assessment
Amy Desjarlais | Lead, Rebirthed Teachings
Bradley Gibson | Indigenous Academic Support Advisor
Loredana Infusini | Executive Assistant
Gregory John | Web Development and Digital Experience Coordinator
Justin Lloyd | Business / Financial Technical Support Specialist
Hannah Medina | EDI and GCBS Project Coordinator
Sloan Miller | Indigenous Outreach and Recruitment Officer
Sabah Rahmath | Human Rights Resolution Officer
Sheila Saikkonen | Administrative Assistant
Stephanie Santos | Intake and Support Administrator HRS
Antoni Shelton | Senior Resolution Officer and Investigator
Monique Simon-Tucker (on-leave) | Project Coordinator PICCABR
Diane Simone | Indigenous Learning Support Facilitator
Tamara Sylvester | Human Rights Resolution Officer