Board of Directors2025-10-10T08:06:00-04:00

Governance

TAIBU CHC is governed by a community Board of Directors made up of 12 members. The Board of Directors is responsible for:

Governance
Setting policies and standards
Financial oversight
Upholding our mission, values and vision
Setting and Achieve goals
Community relations
Accountability
Professional development

What is Community Governance?

Members of the Board are members of the community
Members of the Board represent and reflect the priority populations of the community
Community is involved in decision-making processes
Board considers the changing needs of the community
The Board is accountable to the government as well as the community

Board of Directors

2025-2026

Karen Richards

Chair

Chelsie Johnson

Member

Kezia Amoako

Member

Belinda Ndaye

Vice Chair

Radeka Clarke

Member

Elijah Gyansa

Member

Michelle Bailey

Treasurer

Cornel Grey

Member

Sagal Shuriye

Member

Marielle Lubula

Secretary

Nancy Chioma Ezeonugo

Member

Kevin Anderson

Member

Karen Richards

Chair

As the founder and CEO of Karen Natasha Coaching, Karen works with executives and professionals at all levels, bringing over 20 years of corporate experience, intuitive insights and cutting-edge business strategies. She has provided executive coaching, training, leadership and organizational development to clients worldwide. Karen specializes in helping BIPOC women thrive in their lives and careers and has coached several diverse professionals in STEM, academia and the non-profit sectors. Additionally, she empowers clients to take their leadership skills to the next level through her Elev8 program, which is based on a design thinking approach.

Karen is an iPEC-trained Professional Coach certified through the International Coach Federation and is a member of Womenmind, an organization dedicated to closing the gap for women’s mental health. Karen continues to share her knowledge and passion for helping others thrive through various speaking engagements, interviews and mentorship opportunities.

Chelsie Johnson

Member

Chelsie Johnson is dedicated to community work and service. She has earned her Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto, a Master of Public Health from the University of British Columbia, and a Master of Disaster and Emergency Management from York University. She also holds a certificate in Infection Prevention and Control, and the Associate Business Continuity Professional designation. Throughout her education and experiences, she advocates for communities to be at the centre of her work. Whether it be developing and hosting a ‘Zombie Apocalypse’ workshop, designing innovative emergency management exercises, serving on the inaugural Youth Council for Canada’s Chief Science Advisor, or redefining health metrics using Afrocentric principles, she grounds her work in community-based approaches.

Chelsie is excited to bring her experiences, ideas, and advocacy to the Board and the broader TAIBU community.

Kezia Amoako

Member

Kezia is a vibrant health care professional of Ghanaian descent with over 10 years of healthcare experience in hospitals, non-profit organizations, public health and in educational institutions. She brings a passion and expertise in health promotion where she encourages communities, especially communities of colour, to support each other in taking ownership of their health. Kezia also curates community events which can be seen in her work as the Founder of The Melanin Skate Crew in which she brings beginners and advanced roller skaters together to enjoy roller skating in community parks and roller rinks across Toronto. She is excited to contribute innovative ideas in advancing the mission of TAIBU forward.

Belinda Ndaye

Vice Chair

Belinda Ndaye is a human resources professional and a resident of Malvern. Belinda holds a Commerce Degree in Human Resource with a minor in Psychology, and a Master’s degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Saint Mary’s University. While at Saint Mary’s University, Belinda played competitive basketball on an athletic scholarship.

Belinda’s academic and community based work has focused on the intersection of race, gender, and inequality. Her thesis – Equity and Intersectionality: Sociology Effects of Race and Gender Inequality involved a quantitative research approach that measured intersectionality within the community.

Belinda currently serves as a human resource representative for McMaster University, as she continues to develop her business skills as an HR specialist.

Radeka Clarke

Member

Radeka Clarke As a dedicated healthcare professional with over 8 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Radeka has the privilege of supporting communities with the GTA through health prevention and management initiatives. Radeka has a passion for delivering compassionate care. She has worked to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills to achieve optimal health outcomes. Through advocacy, education, and collaborative community engagement, Radeka aims to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of the communities she serves. Based in Toronto, Radeka is proud to be part of a vibrant community that values health, wellness, and inclusivity

Elijah Gyansa

Member

Elijah Gyansa is a health equity researcher committed to advancing anti-Black racism work and community-led models of care.
His research spans mental health, disability, and access to care among Black youth, particularly through leadership roles at the Black Health Equity Lab, Women’s College Hospital, and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. He volunteers at Casey House, supporting people living with HIV/AIDS, and has held long-standing roles at TAIBU, from youth leadership to program development.

Elijah also works as a facilitator with the Institute for Change Leaders, where he supports diverse communities in driving social change through organizing and storytelling. His work emphasizes practical tools for empowerment, equity, and impact.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors at For Youth Initiative and has facilitated the Black Youth Leadership Program, helping young people develop advocacy skills rooted in lived experience. Across all his work, Elijah is passionate about making research and healthcare systems more accountable, inclusive, and responsive to the voices of marginalized communities. He is also a very proud uncle to twin nephews and twin nieces.

Michelle Bailey

Treasurer

I am a Funding Operations Manager with over 10 years of experience in reporting, auditing, B2B account management, and collaborating within the financial industry. I am currently working on courses at the University of Toronto to complete my CPA designation.

I grew up in Malvern and have a heart for the community. Being a single mother at a time when community services were not easily obtained, I desire to serve, by giving back to the community that has provided me and my family with a sense of belonging. In my spare time, I enjoy time with friends and family, reading, cooking and eating (but mostly eating lol), and helping those in need.

Cornel Grey

Member

Cornel Grey is a scholar whose work focuses on Black queer health and the intersections of race, sexuality, and wellbeing. He brings expertise in critical health studies and community-engaged research, with a commitment to advancing equity in Black health and 2SLGBTQ+ health. In addition to serving on the board, Cornel contributes to several national and international projects that center marginalized communities and promote more inclusive approaches to health and care.

Sagal Shuriye

Member

Sagal has lived in Malvern her whole life and is deeply committed to the growth and well-being of her community. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration and previously worked with the Province of Ontario as a Capital Planner, focusing on infrastructure development and long-term planning. Sagal brings expertise in community development, strategic thinking, and capital design, and is eager to contribute these skills to TAIBU’s mission of fostering strong, sustainable, and thriving community spaces.

Marielle Lubula

Secretary

Marielle Lubula grew up in a diverse and vibrant community in Scarborough, Toronto, where her passion for community engagement and youth education first took root. She is a proud graduate of McMaster University, where she studied biology and psychology. It was within the supportive community at McMaster that Marielle embraced the value of Ubuntu—an African philosophy meaning “I am because we are”—which continues to guide her work and approach to community service.

As an advocate for Black health and healthcare, Marielle hopes to pair her passions for biology and neuroscience with her dedication to improving health outcomes for underserved communities. She is deeply involved in STEM outreach at McMaster University, where she has spearheads programs that provide tutoring and mentorship in subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics to Black, Indigenous and LatinX youth. She has also played a key role in encouraging at-risk youth to prioritize their education, significantly increasing participation in these programs through her outreach efforts. Her commitment to improving educational outcomes is matched by her dedication to enhancing healthcare services for Black communities in Scarborough.

Nancy Chioma Ezeonugo

Member

Nancy Chioma Ezeonugo is a United Kingdom (UK) and also a Canadian Certified Privacy Professional. She has worked for several multinationals heading the legal departments with the responsibilities for profferring legal advice and managing risks for these companies.

She has also served as a thought partner to several boards of directors in her capacity as the Company Secretary and working closely with the Chairman of these Boards.

She has advised on various license acquisitions for financial payment products from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), debt & equity financing and share capital restructuring. She has skills in legal advisory, negotiations, contract management, data privacy, corporate governance and regulatory compliance. Nancy is excited to bring her wealth of experiences to the Board and most importantly, to serve the community.

Kevin Anderson

Member

I’m originally from Toronto, where I’ve worked many years within the child welfare sector. I am deeply committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. I continue to actively work towards dismantling Anti-Black Racism (ABR) as I strive to be an anti-racist. I love the homestead lifestyle and believe in living a simple and sustainable life focused on self-sufficiency and connecting with nature. My values align with creating a nurturing environment where everyone can thrive together.