MINDFULNESS STUDIES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director, Finance & Operations
Antoinette recently returned to the workforce after a long hiatus raising her family. She is ecstatic to have found The Centre for Mindfulness Studies, conjoining her finance skills with her passion for empowering others and align it with the Centre's vision of creating communities of well-being. Her long-time mantra has been "people helping people." Fostering a compassionate and collaborative approach to her work, she directs all aspects of finance, operational capacities, and corporate services, as well as sits on the Centre's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Antoinette is a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher and is passionate about deepening her practice of meditation, exploring dynamics of the mind, and cultivating authenticity in relationships. She is a strong believer in the power of selfless service, volunteering with numerous charities, locally and internationally, in her spare time.
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Founding Editor of Mindful
Barry Boyce is the Founding Editor of Mindful magazine and mindful.org. A longtime meditation practitioner and teacher-as well as a professional writer and editor- he is the editor of and a primary contributor to The Mindfulness Revolution: Leading Psychologists, Scientists, Artists, and Meditation Teachers on the Power of Mindfulness in Daily Life. Barry also worked closely with Congressman Tim Ryan, as developmental editor, on A Mindful Nation and The Real Food Revolution, and with Sharon Salzberg on her new book, Real Change: Mindfulness to Heal Ourselves and the World. He is a member of the group who created the renowned Denma translation of Sun Tzu's Art of War and co-author of The Rules of Victory: How to Transform Chaos and Conflict; Strategies from the Art of War. Barry is board chair of the Foundation for a Mindful Society, serves on the board of directors of the Centre for Mindfulness Studies in Toronto, and is a member of the advisory board of Peace in Schools, in Portland, Oregon.
Barry joined us first as a consultant then as our Director of Communications, Business Services, and Strategy working closely with all of our stakeholders to help build a new brand strategy for The Centre. He is very passionate about the important work that the Centre does to help individuals and communities nurture or regain their well-being. He has more than 20 years of experience working in leadership roles within the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Recently, as President of CMU College where he led the institution in creating a new strategic plan focused on a new curriculum, building a new campus and developing strategic partnerships. Previously, Barry worked at Emily Carr University, the Canadian Film Centre, CBC Television, Astral Media and Famous Players where he developed multi-award winning campaigns focused on launching and revitalizing brands, enhancing reputation and strategically building organizational success. He has volunteered with The Centre, ReBoot Canada, and the DemocracyXchange Summit.
Job Titles:
- Co - Chair
- President and CEO of Environics Research
Barry Watson is the President and CEO of Environics Research. In addition to his management and strategic responsibilities, his activities currently involve socio-cultural research as part of Environics' Social Values practice. Dr. Watson is a frequent speaker at seminars and conferences, and regularly briefs senior officials in government and industry on current and emerging issues. He serves as president of the Marketing Research and Intelligence Association (MRIA). He is a past-president of the Canadian Association of Market Research Organizations (CAMRO), and a past-director of the Canadian Survey Research Council (CSRC). He is president of the International Research Institutes based in Switzerland and is also a member of ESOMAR, the World Association of Marketing Research. Dr. Watson holds the Marketing Research and Intelligence Association's Certified Marketing Research Professional (CMRP) designation, and a PhD in environmental studies from Pennsylvania State University.
Blakie Sahay (she/her) BA, BscOT., MEd., is an occupational therapist, certified mindfulness meditation teacher and certified mindfulness based program facilitator and trainer. She holds advanced certifications in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and has additional training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and various trauma-informed approaches. Blakie has additional training in trauma informed & trauma sensitive mindfulness approaches, anti-racism training and anti-oppression therapy practice.
At the Centre for Mindfulness Studies (Toronto, Canada), Blakie not only facilitates a variety of mindfulness-based group programs, delivers professional development programs and mentors new mindfulness facilitators-in-training she is also the Director of Education and Clinical Services. She is also a Certified Mindfulness Teacher - Professional Level, International Mindfulness Teachers Association (IMTA) and an Accessible Yoga Ambassador (accessibleyoga.org).
Blakie provides tailored mindfulness-based workshops for various organizations and businesses from local libraries, mental health organizations to universities and large corporations. Blakie has a private occupational therapy practice working with youth with concurrent mental health and substance use issues who are at risk of homelessness. She also works with a private therapy practice working with youth and adults with emotion dysregulation and self-harm assisting them to reduce their suffering through various mindfulness and therapy approaches. She has extensive experience working with veterans and active duty military personnel with mental health, trauma and/or addictions challenges. She is part of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee at the Centre for Mindfulness Studies.
Jennifer Boucher currently manages the Integrated Palliative Care Program at Toronto Central Home and Community Care Support Services. She is passionate about home and community health care and specifically palliative care and mental health support programs that support patients to live with dignity and quality of life in their homes and communities.
Jennifer is a health sector professional with over 20 years of experience leading large-scale, strategic change in multi-stakeholder environments. Jennifer has managed integrated, interdisciplinary programs, projects, and multi-sectoral/stakeholder initiatives to improve patient and caregiver experience. As a management consultant, she has provided consulting services to numerous organizations including the Ministry of Health, Local Health Integration Networks, and other health sector organizations.
Jennifer has been a meditation practitioner since 2010 and participates in silent retreats throughout the year to further her Buddhist practice. She has the honour of being the Centre's first volunteer back in the first year of operation. Jennifer has a Masters degree in Information Studies from the University of Toronto and is the President of the University of Toronto Faculty of Information Alumni Association.
Job Titles:
- Community Engagement Coordinator
As Community Engagement Coordinator, Jeremy has dedicated himself to cultivating a mindfulness community both in-person and online. Jeremy believes a community can boost one's practice while simultaneously supporting those around them.
Jeremy is not only the Community Engagement Coordinator but also an MBSR facilitator for The Centre Mindfulness Studies, Mindfulness Everyday and his own psychotherapeutic mindfulness support group, Mindful Living.
Job Titles:
- Community Program Coordinator
Kim was a participant in a project by the Centre for Mindfulness Studies to train mental health professionals in the Philippines in MBCT. She became inspired to join the Centre because of their mission to make mindfulness-based mental health programs accessible. She continues this work as part of the Community Program where she develops and delivers mindfulness-based programming to marginalized communities across the city of Toronto and beyond.
Kim is also a trained MBCT Facilitator. She comes to this work with a background in clinical psychology where she has mostly worked with university students and youth with cancer and their families. In her free time, she immerses herself in the world of K-Pop.
Job Titles:
- President of on Call Centre
Laurie Arron is currently the president of On Call Centre. He was the Managing Director of the Centre for Mindfulness Studies from 2014-2020 and, prior to that, was the Director of Advocacy for national LGBTQ equality group Egale Canada, Executive Director of the Green Party of Canada, an associate lawyer at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt, and real estate Development Manager at CN Real Estate. Laurie is a long-time mindfulness meditation teacher and a member of Thich Nhat Hanh's Order of Interbeing. He has been practicing mindfulness and meditation since 2001. In addition to numerous long-term retreats with Thich Nhat Hanh, he has also done retreats with Shinzen Young, Ken McLeod, Michael Singer, Joseph Goldstein, and many others, and is certified to teach Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. Laurie is currently a board member of the Consciousness Explorers Club.
Job Titles:
- Director, Community Program
Marija has over 10 years of international experience managing diverse cultural, community, and multimedia projects. She holds a MA in both project management and anthropology, and has spent most of her professional career working for non-profits immersed in varied fields such as minority rights, youth empowerment, community development, and social justice.
She believes in the power of community, the synergies of connection, and the potentials of collaboration to ignite social change. As Associate Director of Community Services at The Centre, she is passionate about bringing mindfulness programs to marginalized communities in Toronto and beyond.
In her free time, Marija enjoys traveling the globe with her husband, going to concerts and theatre shows, riding her bike, and finding hidden treasures in thrift stores.
Contact for inquiries regarding: our community program offerings, non-profit program collaborations, and grant applications.
Job Titles:
- Marketing and Communications Manager
Michelle manages communications and marketing initiatives, develops digital assets, oversees media relations and social media, and designs core organizational materials. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing & Consumer Studies from the University of Guelph, as well as a post-graduate certificate in International Project Management. Michelle is a yoga teacher and absolutely loves being in nature and biking around the city.
As Client Services Lead, Mylène is a front-line point of contact and support for clients and faculty. From addressing daily inquiries and preparing course material, to program registration and logistics, she strives to provide the best possible experience for all clients while keeping faculty well-informed. Her attention to detail coupled with passion for service helps to ensure efficient program scheduling and delivery. She has a continued interest on the subject of the mind and body connection as it relates to stress and physical pain. Outside of work, she enjoys doing yoga, Pilates, reading and spending time with her husband and furry companions.
Nicholas Parker has pioneered sustainable venturing ideas and initiatives around the world for decades. He's currently Chairman of Parker Venture Management Inc. through which he makes catalytic investments (presently in solar fintech and analytics) and provides strategic advisory services, particularly to private wealth holders. Nicholas is also Founding Managing Partner of Global Acceleration Partners Inc. ("GAP") a financial enterprise accelerating cross-border deployment of technologies and business models into emerging economies, especially China. In recent years, Nick's contribution to advisory boards includes the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, Singapore Economic Development Board, Premier's Climate Change Advisory Panel, the Blue Economy Initiative, Network for Business Sustainability (academic research), Centre of Excellence for Commercialization of Research, Purpose Capital and the Clinton Global Initiative where he was principal energy and climate advisor. Nick earned a BA Tech, Hons. (Carleton University, Ottawa), an MBA in International Business (City University, London), and is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA). He's authored or edited many publications and articles related to cleantech, finance and international business, starting with Investing in Emerging Economies in 1993, co-published by The Economist and the International Finance Corporation. Nick's an active mindfulness practitioner, keen swimmer, soccer fan, outdoor enthusiast and happy parent.
Shelley La Hay is a community artist and musician working in Parkdale since 2003. As an individual with lived experience, Shelley speaks publicly to raise awareness and educate others about the challenges of mental illness and share the difference mindfulness has made in her life. She is also active in community outreach and engagement, and serves as a consultant for a project with the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
There are many more like Shelley. More than we can currently help. Help us raise money so we can provide more clients like Shelley with access to our Community Program. Meditate for mental health at Mindfulness Challenge 2019.
Soussan Tabari has led the modernization and digitization of over 100 lines of business in 6 Ontario government ministries covering the spectrum of lifelong learning from Child Care to K-12 (Ministry of Education), to Post-Secondary Education (Ministry of Colleges and Universities), as well as Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Sports and Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, as the Information and Information Technology (I+IT) Assistant Deputy Minister/Chief Information Officer (CIO).
The focus of Soussan's leadership has been to transform and modernize user-centric, public policy programs and services through digital opportunities. She initiates innovation and facilitates collaboration between policy and technology expertise to co-design new and modern business models.
Soussan received an individual 2015 Amethyst Award in the category of Leadership and 2 Amethyst awards for innovative projects.
Soussan completed the Executive MBA Program at Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western, London, Ontario. She holds a Master of Science in Mineral Exploration and Mining Geology from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, and an honours Bachelor of Science in Oil and Gas Geology from the University of Tehran, Iran.