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Governance & Team

Health Nexus is a bilingual registered charitable non-profit.

Board Members

Manjula Alles
Senior Program Manager,
Save the Children Canada
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Asim Bhatti
Managing Director,
PwC Consulting
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Stanislas Mian Etiegne​
Management Consultant, Accenture
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Wendy Katherine
Executive Director,
Health Nexus
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Dr. Deji Ayonrinde
Associate Professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, Queen’s University
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Dr. Jocelynn Cook
Chief Scientific Officer, Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
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Katerina Firlova
Manager,
Member and Community Engagement, Digital Research Alliance of Canada
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Saba Khan
Manager, Program Design & Implementation, Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Anti Racism Directorate(ARD)
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Lisa Brown
Strategic Policy & Communications Lead, Canadian Partnerships Against Cancer
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Joelle Chartrand
Program Coordinator, Healthy Growth and Development
Porcupine Health unit
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Angela Fong
Manager,
Toronto Public Health
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Sara Wolfe
Director,
I3, Grand Challenge Canada
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Meet the Health Nexus Team

Yemidale Ajayi
(she/her)

Project Assistant

Pina Bozzo
(she/her)

Clinical
Content Advisor

Marine Delage de Luget
(she/her)

Operations Manager

Sam Hyder
(he/him)

IT & Policy
Lead

Wendy Katherine
(she/her/they)

Executive
Director

Nancy Lockwood
(she/her)

FASD
Consultant

Limia Mohamed
(she/her)

Project Assistant

Anna Pupco
(she/her)

Clinical
Content Advisor

Haleema Siddiqi
(she/her)

Project
Associate

Lauren Tailor
(she/her)

Knowledge Mobilization Specialist

Michael Tan
(he/him)

Knowledge Mobilization Specialist

Kensie Treacy
(she/her)

Student

Elizabeth Uleryk (she/her)

Medical
Librarian

Samantha Waechter
(she/her)

Bilingual
Project Coordinator

Judith Zarek
(she/her)

Knowledge Mobilization Specialist

Hot Links

Contact Us

240 Richmond St. W         Toronto, ON, M5V 1V6

Telephone: +1 (647) 495-6749

Email: info@healthnexus.ca

Land Acknowledgement

The Health Nexus office is located on territory that for thousands of years has been the traditional homeland of the Anishinabewaki, Wendake-Nionwentsïo, Haudenosaunee, and, more recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit.  We are proud to take our part in the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabeg  and allied nations to peaceably share and care for the lands and resources around the Great Lakes. Health Nexus team members are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island and to work on this territory. 

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Manjula Alles

Over the past 18 years,  Manjula Alles has been dedicated to working around the topics of strengthening health systems and improving population and community-based health programming.  He is passionate about child and adolescent health and rights issues and has extensive experience around maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and human rights work.  His approach to this work has relied on pursuing community-centred co-design, health and gender equity-based approaches through a social determinants of health lens.  Currently a Senior Program Manager at Save the Children Canada, he is leading a sizable international consortium initiative around adolescent reproductive health and health rights in West Africa. Manjulahas also contributed to global health work with agencies like Plan International Canada, The Canadian Public Health Association, Right to Play and the UN Association in Canada.   

In Canada, Manjula recently worked as a senior executive leader with a Toronto based Community Health Centre (CHC) to establish, design and implement a localized health system initiative called Health Access Thorncliffe Park (HATP). It has shaped his experiences and insights around Canada’s healthcare system and governance structures. HATP is a government of Ontario supported model initiative designed to serve high needs, marginalized and racialized communities to ensure effectively integrated primary health care through unique synergies with localized health, social service, educational and community-led organizations. Through these efforts Manjula has significantly deepened his experiences at the intersection of digital health and community health services, particularly made critical during the COVID-19 pandemic.   

Equity and equality-based initiatives have been the cornerstone to what motivates Manjula’s professional efforts.  A firm believer –  that building trusting and accountable partnerships with community co-designed principles are critical to solving prevailing complex systemic societal issues. This path has led Manjula to launch a nascent firm called Disrupt InEquity.  Stay tuned for more to come!             
Most importantly, Manjula is a proud husband and father to two young very energetic boys — keeping up with them is inspiring!!  

Asim Bhatti

Asim Bhatti has 25+ years of experience in delivering high profile Digital and UX focused transformation projects ranging from large ERP/CRM/SaaS to custom point solutions.  His experience is a unique blend of private (consulting) and public sector roles.  Asim excels in fostering a culture of innovation, building diverse self-sufficient teams, developing practical solutions, and delivering business strategies and outcomes. 
Asim new role is with PwC Consulting as a Managing Director in their public/health sector technology practice.  Prior to this Asim was the Director of Product Management at Cancer Care Ontario/Ontario Health where he was responsible for managing teams providing technology products.

Asim enjoins social and community work and worked with his community to sponsor Syrian families to Canada in 2017, this experience allowed him to grow his understanding of the plight of refugee populations, share learnings with other private sponsors in navigating the complex sponsorship process and community develop responses to dealing with challenges refugees faced once they had arrived.  

Asim and his spouse have three children (two boys and a girl).  His youngest is his grade 10 daughter who keeps  him focused on thinking with an open heart.  Asim enjoys the outdoors and in particular camping in the back country.

Stanislas Mian Etiegne

Stanislas has over 15 years of experience in managing results-oriented projects across a several industries including Supply chain, Inventory management, Health, Food security, Health and safety and Finance. 

Bilingual (English/French), Stanislas has reliable record of leading high performing team under tough deadlines, and success in project management and reviewing engagements, with an ability to design, plan, establish milestones, coach, oversee deadline completion and resource management, as well as risk assessment and performance tracking.

Wendy Katherine

Wendy Katherine, RM, MBA (she/they) is the Executive Director of Health Nexus/Nexus santé, a Canadian bilingual non-profit knowledge mobilization organization specializing in person-centered health promotion. 

A career champion of reproductive and child health, Wendy carries rich experience as a health care provider, policy decision-maker and advocate. Among Canada’s first registered midwives, Wendy was a pioneer in establishing midwifery as a profession and later joined the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to manage funding for the profession’s services.  She developed and supported implementation of new programs and strategies including the Better Outcomes Registry and Network (www.bornontario.ca), the Toronto (www.torontobirthcentre.ca) and Ottawa Birth Centres (www.ottawabirthcentre.ca), and the Integrated Cancer Screening Program.  

Following completion of an MBA from the Rotman School of Management, Wendy led innovative digital projects including creation of the www.OMama.com website and app, an interactive hub for pregnancy and parenting information. A member of the Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health and a published author and speaker, Wendy is passionate about evidence-based care, equity diversity and inclusion; and supporting Indigenous-led health improvement projects.  

When not at the office, Wendy can be found in the woods with her kids and dogs or on the ice improving her wrist shot.   

Dr. Deji Ayonrinde

Dr. Oyedeji (Deji) Ayonrinde is an Associate Professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. He is also the Chair of the Commission on Black Medical Students at Queen’s University. He is the Clinical Director of Community Psychiatry Programs at Providence Care and works in an Assertive Community Treatment Team with certification in both general and addiction psychiatry.

His specialist training was at the Bethlem Royal and Maudsley Hospitals as well as the Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK. He has an MSc (distinction) in Research in Psychiatry ( University College London – UCL) an Executive MBA from Imperial College London where he received an award for his research in Organizational Behaviour in Healthcare. He also has a Diploma in the History of Medicine from the Society of Apothecaries.

 Dr. Ayonrinde has research and advocacy interests in Global Mental Health, with particular reference to marginalized and equity-seeking populations such as individuals with severe mental illness, racialized groups and people living in poverty with local, national and international collaborations.

 Dr. Ayonrinde plays an active role in cannabis education and the understanding of its impact on mental health across the lifespan. This includes initiatives with educational institutions, youth and family groups, Health Canada, parliament and the Canadian Armed Forces.

 Research and publications are broadly around themes of mental health, diversity, health inequity, advocacy and substance use.  Health innovation includes design of game-based learning in the understanding of complex health behaviour and diversity issues. He has received several local, national and international education and knowledge translation awards.

 For nearly 20 years, he has supported physician and occupational wellness programs advocating stigma reduction, mental health awareness and compassion.

 Dr. Ayonrinde is a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK), International Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Member of the Society of Apothecaries. He is a recipient of the Freedom of the City of London, England.

Dr. Jocelynn Cook

Dr. Jocelynn Cook received a Bachelor of Science degree (Honours Biology) from Bishop’s University and then a PhD in Reproductive Physiology from the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Cook studied the effects of alcohol consumption on preterm birth for her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Alberta. She also completed an MBA, with a focus on Economics and Health Policy, from the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Cook was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan before joining the Government of Canada where she held a number of Executive leadership roles at the Public Health Agency, Health Canada, Assisted Human Reproduction Canada and, as the Executive Director of the CIHR’s Strategy for Patient Oriented Research.  

 Dr. Cook joined the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada as its first Chief Scientific Officer in 2014, with the vision of facilitating the strengthening of, recognition of and incorporation of academics, science and evidence into the work of the SOGC and our membership.  In her role, Dr. Cook oversees all activities related to Academic programs, Clinical Practice Guidelines, Research, JOGC operations and Public Health-related activities and programs.  Dr. Cook also sits on the SOGC’s Board of Directors and its Executive committee, regional CME and ACSC planning committees, and represents the SOGC and its work nationally and internationally. 

 In her spare time, Jocelynn has been seen running marathons (slowly), trying to figure out how to get better at riding the Peloton (also slowly), and living vicariously through her two daughters.

Katerina Firlova

Katerina is a multilingual professional with extensive experience in global affairs, diplomacy, and strategic partnerships both in Canada and abroad. With a strong background in formal consultation practices and communications, she excels at collaboration and consensus-building in complex environments. Her expertise spans various sectors, including communities, government, academia, research and technology. 

Currently, Manager, Member and Community Engagement at the Digital Research Alliance of Canada, Katerina is responsible for leading engagement efforts, developing communication strategies, and strengthening relationships with members and community partners. Most importantly, Katerina contributes to the development and implementation of the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) Action Plan of the Alliance, with a commitment to community co-design practices, innovation and stakeholder engagement.

Previously with Health Nexus, Katerina supported the team as Manager Strategic Partnerships and Operations, where she successfully led strategic initiatives in collaboration with various stakeholders and communities. Moreover, she has actively engaged with Canada’s equity-seeking groups on maternal and child health, mental health and reproductive health-related projects. 

As a distinguished leader in international partnerships and engagement initiatives, notably contributing to the Geneva-based Alliance for Health Promotion (A4HP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the European Union (EU). Her dynamic leadership extended to a remarkable youth engagement strategy and pilot project launched during the pandemic, where she was leading the Health Promotion in Pandemics Geneva-based project, which empowered young individuals by fostering connections with experts and enhancing their peer-to-peer practices in mental health, embodying their commitment to health promotion, global health  and well-being.

Last but not least, Katerina is the visionary creator behind the Health Nexus “Parenthèse” mobile app and podcast, a pioneering platform designed to serve Ontario-based francophone families. With a special focus on the well-being and health of children aged 0-4 and their families. This innovative initiative provides invaluable resources and up-to-date information on crucial health and mental health topics in French. Katerina’s dedication to empowering and supporting families underscores her commitment to enhancing the health of the Francophone community in Ontario.

Prior to her Canadian experience, Katerina held significant roles, as Representative at the European Union, and European Policy Unit Co-Chair in Brussels, Belgium, where she was building trusted and sustainable relationships with EU-based stakeholders and collaboratively worked on supporting more than 40% of regulatory positions being taken on board during the negotiation process of the Clean Energy Package for All Europeans (a legislative package, which governs energy policy within the European Union today). 

In her free time, Katerina cherishes quality time with her family, including her furry companions. She finds peace in a warm cup of coffee, embraces the serenity of working out, and has a deep love for exploring new destinations. Currently, Katerina and her partner are eagerly preparing to welcome their first baby, an exciting new chapter in her life journey and commitment to a diverse, equitable and inclusive approach to health promotion. 

Saba Khan

Saba Khan is an accomplished and equity-driven policy professional who has worked across the public sector for almost 15 years. Saba has led cross-functional teams and worked with diverse and global community partners on innovative health research, programs and strategies at organizations such as St. Michael’s Hospital, ICES, and Dignitas International. Saba has worked for the Ontario Public Service since 2016, specializing in relationship-building with Indigenous, Black and racialized communities to support co-development of key provincial government initiatives, such as First Nations Health Transformation and the review and development of Ontario’s Anti-Racism Strategic Plan. Saba currently works at the Ontario Anti-Racism Directorate, managing oversight of the Directorate’s strategic grant and capacity building programs. In October, Saba will be transitioning to an exciting new opportunity at the University of Toronto, as Manager of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine. Saba is looking forward to returning to her alma mater and leveraging her Master’s in Public Health to champion equity and anti-racism strategies and initiatives that support all Temerty faculty, staff and students.

 

Outside of work, Saba spends time with her family enjoying the outdoors, watching movies and playing games, while also sneaking in quiet time to read and practice yoga. 

Lisa Brown

Lisa Brown is a health policy and strategy professional with 10 years of experience in strategic analysis, policy, planning, and implementation. She worked for several years at the Ontario Ministry of Health on high profile, cross-cutting files including COVID-19 response and recovery, and the opioids strategy. Currently she is Lead, Strategy at the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer where she supports strategic alignment and integration of the Partnership’s work and supports the implementation of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control.

Lisa holds a Master of Arts, Health Policy and Equity Studies from York University. Early in her career Lisa worked at The Jean Tweed Centre and Parent Action on Drugs, leading programming for youth and families. 

Lisa is an advocate for individuals and families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), a cause that holds personal significance as she has two adopted sisters with FASD. Over the past decade she has been involved in several initiatives to support people with FASD and their families including securing funding for programming and providing peer support to non-affected siblings.

Lisa lives with her partner Tristen and two children in Toronto, together they enjoy reading, cycling, and exploring the city on foot. Prior to moving into policy, she studied jazz performance and enjoys singing in a social justice-oriented community choir.

Joelle Chartrand

Joelle Chartrand is an experienced Public Health Nurse working in multiple specialities over the last 13 years. She is currently working in the role of Program Coordinator of Healthy Families and Mental Health at the Porcupine Health Unit. Her true passion is in growth and development as well as health equity.

In her spare time Joelle enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and 3 young boys as well as cooking and entertaining.

Angela Fong

Angela Fong obtained her Master of Health Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Toronto. She is currently a Manager at Toronto Public Health, where she manages a variety of publicly funded programs promoting a range of public health topics including child and youth health and development and sexual health. A seasoned people leader, Angela is highly skilled in the areas of program and project management, policy development and stakeholder engagement. 

Angela has held various management and public administration roles in a variety of clinical and governmental settings. As such, Angela possesses a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the public sector. 

 

In addition to her career experience, Angela brings her lived experiences as a Chinese- Canadian and parent to two young children. She is excited to share her knowledge and insights with Health Nexus as a Board member.

Sara Wolfe

Sara Wolfe is Anishnawbe from Brunswick House First Nation. She is a registered midwife and nurse. ​

A first generation residential school survivor, Sara has worked for more than two decades in Indigenous community and perinatal health, in both urban and remote communities. ​

She is a founding partner of Seventh Generation Midwives Toronto and was one of the co-leads of the award winning Toronto Birth Centre facility. ​ She has an MBA from the Rotman School of Management.