Executive Director
Nivedita (Niv) Balachandran
416-720-5342, nivb@wcyr.ca
Nivedita (Niv) is a strategic and mission-driven executive with 15+ years of leadership in public health, non profit management, and community development. She is adept in governance, financial oversight, EDI frameworks, and stakeholder engagement across government and community systems. As Executive Director of WCYR, she leads a passionate team committed to empowering communities through holistic, trauma-informed services that foster safety, connection, and economic stability.
She holds a Bachelors degree in Neuroscience, a Masters Degree in Public Health, and has recently completed the MBA Essentials program at Rotman.
Manager of Stakeholder Engagement
Jaklyn Odish
905-716-9106, Jackyo@wcyr.ca
Jacky brings many years of experience in marketing, communications, and community-focused service delivery within the not-for-profit sector. She is passionate about building partnerships and engaging stakeholders, and connecting businesses with the mission and impact of the Women’s Centre of York Region.
Jacky holds a degree in Media Studies and a diploma in Public Relations, and uses her expertise to cultivate strategic relationships that strengthen community connections and transform lives.
Finance Administrator
Heather Mort
Heatherm@wcyr.ca
Heather Mort brings essential financial oversight to the Women's Centre. She plays a pivotal role in managing the organizations daily accounts, ensuring transparency, accuracy and financial management in support of WCYR's mission.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We are pleased to present the 2025-2026 Board of Directors for the Women’s Centre of York Region.
Alanna Clark
Chair
Alanna is a seasoned Government Relations professional, who has worked for both the federal and provincial government. She currently works as Vice President, Government Relations at PearTree Financial Services, where her advocacy benefits both the charitable and exploration sectors. Prior to joining PearTree, Alanna worked for Caroline Mulroney in her capacity as Attorney General, and the late Julia Munro, former MPP for York-Simcoe. In these roles Alanna had the opportunity to work closely with local stakeholders, and gained an appreciation for the issues facing Northern York Region. She also worked at a Canadian government relations firm as a Senior Consultant. Alanna lives in Newmarket with her husband and daughter.
Mark Zwicker
Vice-Chair
An experienced executive and passionate leader, Mark worked for over 30 years building teams and growing organizations before retiring in 2023. Mark was Executive Vice President, with St. Joseph Communications | Content Group, where he spent 17 years. As the executive lead, Mark was responsible for overall revenue growth, as well as providing strategic guidance on the company’s expanding service offerings. In 2018, Mark left the commercial sector to become Executive Director at ComKids Foundation, a Toronto-based charity. During his five years with ComKids, Mark oversaw the expansion of the charity, to become a national organization, greatly increasing the number of clients served on an annual basis, and forging many new partnerships with community groups.
Mark is committed to the ongoing success of the WCYR and brings a unique blend of commercial and not-for-profit management experience to the Board.
Christin Stuart
Treasurer
Christin is a financial analyst, specializing in finance for not-for-profits working to improve the rights of women and girls, globally. Christin works with Grand Challenges Canada in partnership with Global Affairs Canada. In her role, she is responsible for assessing financial risk, providing suggestions for improvement to a not-for-profit’s organizational or financial processes in order to minimize these risks.
Christin is passionate about supporting not for profits, especially those focusing on women and girls.
Thivya Sornalingam
Secretary
Thivya Sornalingam is an accomplished healthcare leader with over 15 years of experience in strategy, project management and healthcare transformation. She has worked across diverse sectors, including healthcare consulting and hospital management, both in Canada and internationally. Thivya brings extensive knowledge in developing integrated care models, improving patient outcomes, and executing large-scale healthcare initiatives.
Thivya holds a Master of Management from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Toronto. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Rania Iqbal Ahmed
Director
Rania is a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, specializing in risk management, governance, policy management and regulatory compliance. She brings a strategic lens to risk management and governance, with a career defined by transforming complex frameworks into scalable, efficient operations. Known for bridging vision with execution, Rania has led enterprise-wide initiatives that strengthened control environments, optimized processes, and aligned risk practices with organizational goals. A passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion, and mental well-being, Rania is dedicated to empowering women and supporting equitable access to resources in the community.
Patricia Buffone
Director
Patricia is an accomplished Human Resources leader with over 20 years of experience in strategic planning, workforce planning, organizational design, leadership coaching, and change management. As the Founder of her own HR company, she has dedicated her career to assisting small businesses with their HR needs. Her extensive expertise in developing and executing HR initiatives has not only elevated workplace practices but also fostered stronger business relationships between leaders and employees.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Patricia is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment. She is dedicated to mentoring and supporting women of all ages, and she actively encourages newcomers to Canada to find their voice and defend themselves in both personal and professional settings. Patricia’s commitment to uplifting communities is reflected in her focus on supporting women and girls, ensuring they have the tools, confidence, and guidance needed to succeed. Her work continues to inspire countless individuals, empowering them to break barriers and realize their full potential.
Heather Mason
Director
Heather is a Senior Manager in Assurance at BDO Canada LLP, where she specializes in providing audit and advisory services to not-for-profit organizations. She has significant experience supporting community-based organizations, including local women’s shelters, helping them navigate financial reporting requirements while maintaining a strong focus on accountability and transparency.
She is passionate about supporting organizations that provide critical services to women and families in the community. She values the opportunity to contribute both professionally and personally to causes that drive meaningful, lasting impact in the community.