The Executive Committee is comprised of Western faculty representatives and community organization representatives. The Committee meets four times a year and is responsible for the oversight and governance of the Centre.
Anne-Marie Sanchez
Anne-Marie Sanchez is the director for strategy, planning and health system integration at the London InterCommunity Health Centre and she is the senior leader most responsible for the Newcomer clinic. The Health Centre provides the most marginalized members of our community with access to comprehensive health care including primary care and community supports and the newcomer clinic provides health settlement services and supports to government assisted refugees for their first year in Canada. Prior to this position, Anne-Marie was a consultant for nine years at the Centre for Organizational Effectiveness and worked with nonprofits across southwestern Ontario. Anne-Marie holds a double honours in French and Political Science from Western University and she also holds a Master of Arts in Political Science from Laurier University. Anne-Marie is a member of the executive committee for the Centre for Research and Health Equity and Social Inclusion (CRHESI) at Western and previous volunteer work includes co-founding Women & Politics and working as Vice-Chair of the Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Advisory Committee for the City of London.
Daniel Lizotte
Dr. Dan Lizotte is Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Western. His research aims to support health decision-making by developing and applying machine learning and statistical tools to new sources of data including electronic health records and social media to better support patients and health professionals, particularly in public health and primary health care. His methodological research combines machine learning, optimal sequential decision-making, and multiple objective optimization. Dr. Lizotte has been formally teaching AI methods to a diverse set of students for over ten years, and he teaches the Public Health Informatics course for in the Schulich Interfaculty Program in Public Health at Western. He is also a member of the Rotman Institute of Philosophy at Western, and he has a strong interest in intersectionality and other critical social theory and how they should inform the development and deployment of AI tools that support health equity. He is currently working with the Alliance for Healthier Communities to develop tools for research and decision support.
Sukhveer (Sukhi) Bains
Dr. Sukhveer (Sukhi) Bains is a highly qualified physician, certified in Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Addiction Medicine. She currently serves as the Acting Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization (EDID) at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. Dr. Bains is renowned for her work in social medicine, health equity, and addiction medicine, with a strong background in medical education and community healthcare enhancement.
In her role as Acting Associate Dean of EDID, Dr. Bains plays a pivotal role in fostering inclusivity, equity, and decolonization within the academic and healthcare community. Her leadership and dedication to these principles are crucial to the institution’s mission of advancing health and addressing pressing societal health needs.
Carl Cadogan
Carl Cadogan is a dedicated professional with nearly 30 years of experience in the non-profit sector, particularly focused on youth counseling, training, and employment in underserved communities across several Canadian cities. His extensive involvement in community and government initiatives, founding roles in organizations like Pillar Nonprofit Network and Eva’s Place Youth Shelter, and his volunteer work with the Aya Afrika Foundation and the London Black History Coordinating Committee highlight his unwavering commitment to community betterment and diversity.
Notably, Carl’s leadership spans beyond his professional roles; he has been a pivotal figure in celebrating Black History Month and fostering partnerships with diverse communities, earning recognition on the London Mayor’s New Year’s Honour list for his contributions to Diversity and Race Relations. His dedicated efforts reflect a strong commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and social equity in London and its surrounding areas.
Shokoufeh Modanloo
Dr. Modanloo is a nurse scientist and Assistant Professor at the Western University, Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing. Through her community-based participatory research, she co-creates knowledge with community members and partner organizations to address the professional mandate of health justice by bringing the voices of marginalized people forward to inform programs, practices, and policies in Public Health to advance healthcare delivery. Particularly, her research program is titled “Health Justice Research in Global Context” and builds capacity within the community and brings healthcare, legal and social services together to address migrant women’s and families’ needs in Maternal-Newborn Nursing care and create actions for current and future healthcare initiatives.”
Lori Hassall
A social worker by background, Lori Hassall is the VP of Services and Supports at CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services. With over 20 years’ experience in mental health and addictions in both hospital and community settings Lori has provided clinical services, participated in research and taken on leadership and program development roles. Lori has also taught part time in the School of Social Work at King’s University College and the Social Service Worker Program at Fanshawe College. An active member of CMHA TVAMHS Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Lori is committed to enhancing health equity for individuals accessing support while also supporting a psychologically safe and inclusive workplace.
Rumina Morris
Rumina Morris is an Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression, Equity, and Inclusion expert providing consulting and coaching services to leaders and organizations who are committed to affecting change. She has spent over 17 years in leadership positions where she has managed diverse teams in the human services sector and currently serves as the Executive Director, the Office of Inclusion and Social Accountability, London Health Sciences Centre. She also served as Director of Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression at the City of London. Rumina has been a strong advocate for Social Justice and Human Rights and has used her privilege as a leader to draw attention to systemic inequities and demand change. A dynamic and engaging individual, Rumina thrives on lifelong learning and unlearning. By creating space for others to do the same, Rumina can facilitate critical self-reflection drawing attention to unconscious biases. Her expertise has bridged the gap between the vision of being an inclusive organization and actioning those goals in an intentional and strategic manner. She explores organizational culture with an equity lens to shed light on opportunities for growth.
Roula Hawa
Roula Hawa, PhD, MSc, MPH, BEd, OCT, PHEc, is an Assistant Professor in Family Studies and Human Development, School of Behavioural and Social Sciences at Brescia University College at Western University. An Ontario certified teacher by training, Roula brings a unique interdisciplinary lens in education, health sciences, and human ecology, providing her with a strong background in application of social science theories to public health scholarship. Dr. Hawa’s research is community-engaged with a focus on health equity of vulnerable populations, using arts-based and arts-informed inquiry methodologies and critical feminist, anti-colonial frameworks. A mixed-methods researcher, she brings vast experience in community-based participatory research and intervention research and has worked with racialized and immigrant women and youth communities in Canada in the area of HIV prevention, resilience, stigma reduction, gender-based violence, and sexual health. Her research program is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) and CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN). Roula also serves as an Associate Editor at Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action, Johns Hopkins University Press since 2019.
Susana Caxaj
Susana Caxaj is a registered nurse and Assistant Professor in the Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University. She is also the co-lead for a Vancouver Foundation-funded Support Model Pilot Project for migrant agricultural workers in the BC Interior region.
Pastor Sandie Thomas is a remarkable figure dedicated to community development and social justice. She serves as the founder and pastor of the Where We Are Now Community Centre, a vibrant hub. Pastor Thomas also holds significant roles on the London Police Service and Middlesex-London Health Unit panels for anti-racism. In addition to her community work, she has co-authored two books and has been featured in two documentary films, one of which received over 21 awards. Her commitment to empowering marginalized communities is evident in her 2020 establishment of the Where We Are Now (WEAN) Community Centre, which strives to promote well-being, spiritual health, and economic prosperity, ensuring equal access for all members of the London community. One notable accomplishment under her guidance is the launch of London’s first Black public library, created in partnership with the London Public Library, which features a diverse collection of books by Black and Indigenous authors, with a strong focus on Canadian contributions.
Sandie’s dedication to community service extends beyond her professional roles, as she views it as a way of life. She draws inspiration from her family’s strong support system and, notably, her grandmother’s legacy, which she aims to carry forward. Her holistic approach to community leadership is guided by a profound belief in nurturing individuals on multiple levels. In her ongoing commitment to growth and support for her community, Sandie is exploring new avenues, such as the upcoming launch of a podcast for the community center. With a deep understanding of London’s rich Black history and a wealth of life experiences, Sandie Thomas seeks to use educational media to highlight the enduring presence of Black communities in Canada. Her ultimate mission across all her endeavors is to foster understanding, love, and unity among all members of the human race, transcending creed and gender, and recognizing the shared spirit that unites us all.