Rashmi is a professional engineer with a degree in electrical engineering from Queens University. She enjoyed a progressive career and worked in various industries including municipal consulting, manufacturing and construction and project management. After working for over a decade, Rashmi took an extended parental leave to raise her children.

Rashmi joined the board in 2019 but she and her husband Neil have been fundraising for Armagh for the past few years within their community. In addition to her role as VP, she is also on the building committee and will be very involved in the upcoming expansion at Armagh.

“I have lived in Canada for a better part of my life but was born and raised in middle-class India. I was privileged to have a progressive and supportive family, but it was clear to me from an early age that women were not afforded the same opportunities as men and that violence against women was a way of life. Although my chosen profession was in engineering, I have always wanted to get involved in VAW initiatives and being a part of Armagh allows me to contribute in a small way. I am in awe of the strength and resilience of the women at Armagh who have been through unimaginable circumstances and am proud to support and contribute to this amazing organization that not only provides a safe haven for them and their children, but also with skills and opportunities to start a new chapter in their lives free from violence and abuse.

We are at a very exciting stage for the future of Armagh as we look forward to starting our building expansion in the next few months. This will double Armagh’s capacity and enable us to serve even more women in need. With my work experience, I hope to be able to contribute to the project. We have a great team at Armagh and an amazing group of dedicated people on the Board to set and implement the strategic vision for our organization for the next several years.

Julie has a 30 year career in the field of Human Resources. She has served in a variety of corporate environments and specializes in the areas of talent management and coaching. Julie has held senior level Human Resources roles in the healthcare, market research and entertainment sectors. Most recently Julie joined The Vector Institute, a not-for-profit organization committed to driving excellence and leadership in Canada's knowledge, creation, and use of AI to foster economic growth and improve the lives of Canadians.

Julie joined Armagh’s Board in December and currently holds the position of Executive Secretary.

"The clients and residents of Armagh House inspire me with their courage, commitment and conviction to create a better life for themselves and their children. I am also inspired by the passion and dedication of the Armagh House staff and volunteers. Without them, none of this would be possible.

I am excited and honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to such a needed and worthy cause in a meaningful way. I look forward to the expansion project ahead that will afford more women and children the opportunity to create the life they deserve free from violence and abuse."

Pending

Katrina Samson has worked in the education sector for almost 20 years, and currently is the Head of School at Appleby College, in Oakville, ON, a role she has had since 2010. Originally from the Ottawa area, Katrina completed her undergraduate (B.A, English/Health) and B.Ed. (I/S, English, History) degrees at Queen's University, and her M.A (Human Kinetics, Sports Administration) at the University of Ottawa. She earned her Ph.D. at OISE/University of Toronto, where her research focused on leadership succession and leadership development. Katrina is passionate about advancing the role of women in leadership and is a strong proponent of developing leadership structures that allow for the growth and learning of developing leaders in organizations.

Katrina joined the board in 2019 and serves as part of the fundraising committee, in addition to jher role as a member of the board seeking to advance Armagh’s mission and vision.

“The obstacles women face after having made the courageous move to escape violence are immense. Armagh does so much more than provide stable, safe housing for women and their children, by providing support services that give women the tools to establish themselves in the community. I wanted to be part of an organization that enables women to live free from violence and to build a life of peace and dignity for themselves and their children, and contribute my skills and my support in pursuit of that vision.”

“I’m very excited to be part of the expansion project that will see Armagh be able to support more women for years to come. In addition, I’m looking forward to helping build a culture of philanthropy and giving to Armagh.”

Robin has been an Assistant Crown Attorney with the Peel Crown Attorney’s Office since 2013. She is an alumni of the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and the University of Alberta. She is originally from Edmonton and currently lives in Toronto.

Robin joined the board in 2020 and is eager to support Armagh’s expansion and exciting future.

“I encounter intimate partner violence often in my professional life and am well aware of its sometimes fatal consequences. Armagh is the only transitional women’s shelter in Peel Region and is an essential haven for women and children fleeing abuse. It provides a safe space, valuable resources, and committed staff and allows those women and children to begin the rest of their lives, free of violence.”

I am excited to be involved in Armagh’s expansion, which will double its ability to offer transitional housing and in-house community supports. I hope to help Armagh develop a larger profile in Peel Region and am deeply committed to its mandate.

Fazal is a Computer Engineer (UWaterloo 1992) with a passion for helping small business and non-profits harness technology to achieve their goals. He is the co-Founder of Brampton Focus Community Media, a non-profit providing community access to video production and distribution.

Fazal joined Armagh as a Board Member in December 2020 and working towards expansion of the organization's facilities and services in Mississauga and Brampton.

"Everyone needs a helping hand at some point in life, especially Mom's with kids escaping violence. Armagh has an established history of doing great work and can be a driver of change.

I’m looking forward to raising awareness in the community and to help reduce the cycle of violence."

Nina has been a lawyer at the Ministry of the Attorney General since 2003. She has worked in numerous areas of law at Tribunals Ontario, the Office of the Children’s Lawyer, Court Services Division, and the Ontario Human Rights Commission. She is an alumni of the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and McGill University and a resident of the City of Mississauga.

Nina joined the board in 2022. She is excited to participate in Armagh’s expansion as it doubles transitional housing for women and children fleeing abuse in Peel, and considers an even greater reach in future.

“I am honoured to play a part in the stories of Armagh’s residents as they build a better life for their families, free from violence. Safety is the most basic necessity, and losing it is devastating on so many levels. Armagh helps women and children reclaim safety and recover the many elements of life that are lost when it is absent.”

Sandra DaCosta has worked in tax and accounting for over 20 years. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant. She worked at Deloitte LLP and then at PwC LLP. She started her career at Deloitte back in 2002 in the audit and assurance practice and in 2006 moved into the tax practice. She has been a tax professional since 2006 specializing in both Canadian and US expat cross border tax. In 2021 she opened her own tax practice in Toronto. She also completed CPA Canada's In-Depth Tax Program and is an alumni of the University of Toronto where she earned her Bachelor of Commerce degree. Throughout her career she has been involved with philanthropic initiatives and volunteered her time with various charities. Her focus has been on gender equality and women empowerment initiatives. As a mother of two daughters, these initiatives have been extremely important to her.

Sandra joined the board in 2022. Sandra and her family have been involved with various campaigns in the past and she is passionate to continue to serve Armagh as a board member and to participate in the expansion project of the only second-stage housing programme in Peel Region.

"I am honoured to be part of Armagh's board and to help make a positive impact on the residents so that they can continue to build their lives and move forward free from abuse and violence. Helping fulfill Armagh's mission of providing women and their children with the best opportunity to overcome the devastating effects of abuse is my goal. Remember, you are not alone. There is help available. You deserve to be safe and free from violence."

Pending

Roxanne Torbiak is a mission-driven senior communicator who is committed to advancing initiatives that have a positive impact on society and communities. Through her career in academic healthcare and not-for-profit organizations, Roxanne has developed expertise in areas including internal and external communications, marketing, branding, issues management, crisis communications, signature event planning, social media, and media relations. Her boutique consultancy, The End Game Communications, provides strategic communications, leadership, and guidance to organizations striving to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve.

"At a time in our history when intimate partner violence, food and housing insecurity are at record highs, the need to support Armagh has never been more critical. I look forward to sharing my time and skills to help raise awareness of the realities of intimate partner violence, the importance of seeking help and the need to support Armagh's vital services among the community, funders and stakeholders to help create a brighter future for women and children."

Sats is currently Managing Director and VP of Data and Digital in the financial services sector. In this role, he spearheaded the establishment of a high-performing organization, leading the transformation of the data management office, digital portfolio and the implementation of modern cloud and technology solutions. He has built his career working in industries including financial services, retail, telecom and manufacturing. Sats joined the Board in November 2023.

"I am thrilled to be a part of this esteemed board, dedicated to a noble cause. As a devoted husband and father, I have always regarded family as my greatest joy. The profound impact of violence on families strikes a deeply personal chord within me. In a progressive society, upholding the value of equality is essential, and it is imperative that no individual or family confronts the harrowing ordeal of violence or abuse. I am committed to assisting others during their most challenging moments, and I eagerly embrace the opportunity to find innovative solutions in this endeavor."

Sats holds an MBA from The Schulich School of Business, York University, an Master of Engineering from Ryerson University, and a BASc in Industrial Engineering from the University of Toronto. He is a Professional Engineer (P.Eng), a Project Management Professional (PMP).