BOARD MEMBERS

Ainsworth Morgan

Chair: Strong Academy – Education

  • Ainsworth obtained his BSc. in Criminology from the University of Toledo. Following a successful career as a professional athlete at home and abroad, Ainsworth set his sights toward education and received his B.Ed and M.Ed from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. In doing so, he came full circle and returned to Regent Park as a teacher. Ainsworth has been an educator for 17 years and as a testament to that achievement, he was promoted to Principal in September 2015. For the past 20 years, he served as a mentor and community organizer in the Regent Park community.

Charmain Emerson

Communications

  • Charmain has more than 20 years of experience in the communications industry which includes time spent as a broadcaster with Rogers Media, Global Television, and the CBC.

    Following a broadcast career, Charmain segued into corporate communications. She has worked in provincial government as legislative/communications advisor to Ontario government ministers and later founded her own public relations agency—Building Blocks Communications.

    Her agency experience transferred over to client side as VP, Communications and Marketing for the iconic UK fashion brand French Connection.

    Charmain currently enjoys time consulting and serving as a director on the boards of: the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI), Factory Theatre, OCAD University’s Onsite Gallery, and Board Advisor for Hot Docs (Canadian International Documentary Festival).

    Charmain holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from McMaster University.

Eboni Branch

Board Member

  • Eboni Branch is a Human Resources professional who brings together strategic thinking, authentic relationship-building, and deep emotional intelligence — a rare combination that makes her strong in her field.

    Currently serving as HR Consultant at BMO Financial Group (Capital Markets HR), she partners with senior leaders across the Office of the COO and Global Markets to deliver strategic HR advisory, talent solutions, and organizational initiatives.

    Eboni supports recruitment, collaborates with HR Business Partners and Centres of Excellence, and designs programs that strengthen workforce effectiveness and employee experience. Her background spans corporate, non-profit, and entrepreneurial environments — deepening her adaptability and her ability to connect across functions, levels, and contexts.

Marlon Reid

Chair: Finance

  • Marlon Reid is an entrepreneur, executive leader, and community advocate with more than two decades of experience across financial services, strategy, governance, risk management, and organizational transformation. He is currently focused on entrepreneurial and advisory initiatives while continuing to support organizations committed to sustainable growth, strong governance, and meaningful community impact.

    Throughout his career, Marlon has held senior leadership positions at CIBC and TD Securities, where he led teams and initiatives spanning strategy, operations, capital markets, client experience, and business transformation. His experience includes executive leadership roles in retail banking, commercial banking, wealth management, and investment banking, providing him with a broad perspective on organizational performance, financial stewardship, and stakeholder engagement.

    A passionate champion for community advancement, Marlon has dedicated significant time to supporting organizations that create opportunities for underrepresented communities. He previously served as President of the Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals (CAUFP) and Chair of its Corporate Advisory Board, helping strengthen pathways for Black professionals in the financial services industry. He has also contributed his leadership to organizations including the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Rotman School of Management, the Toronto Public Library Foundation, and the University of Ottawa.

    As Treasurer and Director of the 100 Strong Foundation, Marlon is committed to advancing the Foundation’s mission through sound governance, financial stewardship, and strategic leadership. He is passionate about helping build stronger communities by expanding access to opportunity, fostering leadership development, and creating lasting impact for future generations.

    Marlon holds a Bachelor of Commerce from York University, a Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa, a Master of Finance from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, and has completed the Chief Operating Officer Executive Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Dr. Ato Sekyi-Otu

Education

  • Dr. Ato Sekyi-Otu has been practicing Orthopaedic surgery at William Osler Health System since 1998 and currently the Division Head of Orthopaedics at the Brampton Civic Site. He is also currently a Lecturer in the Department of Surgery at University of Toronto and a mentor in the Diversity Mentorship Program in the Faculty of Medicine at University of Toronto.

Sharna Reid

Board Member

  • Sharna Reid is an experienced criminal prosecutor with more than twenty-five years of service within Ontario’s justice system. She began her legal career as Criminal Duty Counsel before joining the North York Crown Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted a broad range of matters.

    Throughout, her career, Sharna has appeared extensively before the Ontario Court of Justice and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, handling complex criminal proceedings. In 2022, she transitioned to the Guns and Gangs Unit, where she continues to prosecute serious and high-risk criminal cases.

Gavin Douglas

Finance and Governance

  • Gavin is a financial services professional with over 20 years of experience in the Property Casualty insurance industry. He is known for his relationship management, sales management, negotiation, coaching as well as business development competencies. Gavin is currently a business transformation consultant for one of the largest insurers in the world. He is responsible for creating a business environment that promotes continuous improvement, increases in operating model consistency, reduces customer pain points, and empowers employees to enhance the value of service.

    Gavin has served on non-profit boards and foundations in both Canada and the U.S. where the focus has been professional development, community outreach and the development, coaching, and the encouragement of youth within his community.

Sudz Sutherland

Education

  • Sudz Sutherland (Writer/Director) works on both sides of the fence as a freelance writer and director for TV dramas and feature films. Sudz’s latest feature film, Home Again, won the prestigious PAFF/BAFTA Festival Choice Award in Los Angeles and was recently nominated for Best Direction from the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC). Home Again was the follow up to his multiple award winning and Genie nominated debut feature film Love, Sex and Eating the Bones, which won the best first feature at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

    Sudz is developing two new feature films, Operation Red Dog and Duppy. His latest project ‘Shoot the Messenger,’ is his first Dramatic series and co-created with writer/producer Jennifer Holness; the series aired in the US on WGN and in Canada on CBC.

    Sudz was granted a Canadian Screen Award for Best Direction for the TV movie, The Phantoms, which also ngarnered a nomination for Best Direction from the Director’s Guild of Canada.

    Sudz is the writer/director of the triple Gemini award-winning series, Doomstown (re: Best Direction, Best Supporting Actress, Best Television Movie).

Kathy McDonald

Board Member

  • Kathy McDonald is a wife and mother to 4 changemakers who has resided in Brampton for over 30 years. Kathy, also known as “The General” has been revolutionizing the education system and working towards dismantling Anti-Black racism in education within Ontario and Canada. She served as a school board trustee for the Peel District School Board and is a co-founder and the inaugural chair of the Black Trustee Caucus of the Ontario Public School Board Association as well as the secretary of the Canadian Congress of Black Politicians.

    There is no stone unturned when it comes to ensuring that the legal rights of Black children are not infringed upon as they journey to get an education. Kathy has sat on many boards and is a well sought after speaker on dismantling Anti-Black Racism in education and Good Governance. She has a BSc. from McGill University and post graduate diploma from the University of Guelph.

Andrew Bromfield

Education and Communications

  • Andrew Bromfield has one main professional goal: to help organizations and people grow through the alignment of information technology and business strategy. This commitment has been the inspiration behind the founding of Formative Innovations Inc.


    The Toronto based creative and technology firm specializes in the design, development, and management of technology solutions that power business and workforce competitiveness.

    As Formative’s President, Andrew’s primary responsibilities include the creation and management of strategic initiatives and the realization of the company’s long-term vision.

    As Formative’s Chief Technology Officer, Andrew also plays a key role in the creative development of all product and service offerings.

    Prior to founding Formative Innovations Inc.,Andrew played key roles at DoubleClick and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC).

    Andrew has a Bachelor of Commerce, Information Technology Management degree from Ryerson University.

    Andrew’s commitment to community includes a director role on the following boards: Driven Accelerator and 100 Strong Foundation. Andrew is a past board member of The African and Caribbean Board of Industry & Trade and The Francophone Workforce Development Council.

Donna Walwyn

Governance

  • Donna Walwyn is a multidisciplinary professional focused on maximizing global opportunities, with a professional history of governance, regulatory compliance and risk assessment.

    Donna is committed to giving back to the community. She is a past president of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers, a former chair of the Governance Committee of the Black Business & Professional Association, and is a co-founder of Black Opportunity Fund where she also serves as a director on the board, and the chair of the Grants Committee.