Joseph Vincelli (He/Him Pronouns)Vice-Chair
Elected 2020 Born and raised in Montreal. Joseph is a keen and devoted occupational and environmental health and safety professional in practice for over 30 years at McGill University. Over the years, he has shown a strong interest in helping the black and elderly LGBTQ2+ community. All done with the respect and dignity of each individual. The importance is to help bring their voice to the table and have them be hear by all in our community. As Joseph approaches retirement, he would like to spend more time volunteering for these causes, and be present to assist the Centre in the projects it supports. |
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Rita Nduonofit (She/Her Pronouns)
Secretary
Elected 2022
Elected 2022
Lloyd Johns (He/Him Pronouns)
Treasurer
David Hawkins (He/Him Pronouns)Executive Director
As Executive Director (ED), David is in charge of the day-to-day operations of the Centre. The core tenants of his tenure as ED are to expand and diversify sources of funding; building stronger connections to our extended community; and to reinvigorate the Centre's seniors based programming. As a former student in the McGill School of Environment, David applies his understanding of Sustainable Development to the needs of the West Island LGBTQ2+ Centre. Ideas of diversification, adaptation, mitigation, and resilience building are integral to his strength as ED. |
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Melissa Juliette Mulligan (She/Her Pronouns)
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Member
Elected 2020 Originally from New York, Melissa studied communications at Concordia University and currently works as a Marketing Director at an Indigenous communications agency. In her career, she works with Indigenous media creators and leaders to create projects that foster social change, and that give a voice to marginalized communities across Canada. Growing up in the United States, Melissa has been strongly impacted by her upbringing in an era defined by tumultuous battles towards LGBT equality. Her experience with the ever-fluctuating politics surrounding the civil rights of Queer citizens has inspired her to become involved in creating positive change for LGBT people and interests. |
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Greg Giroux (He/Him Pronouns)
Member
Elected 2020
Greg has been a high school English language arts teacher for over 20 years and is a dedicated professional who strives to assist youth through the trials of adolescence. He has developed a keen understanding of the struggles that LGBTQ2+ students are faced with, and has provided them with an open, non-judgemental environment, in which they feel free to be themselves. He has also made it a point to foster inclusivity by integrating LGBTQ issues into the curriculum, and promoting open dialogue within the classroom.
Greg has a desire to expand his focus beyond the classroom and assist the community in a broader context. He is fuelled by his enthusiasm of working with youth and a community committed organization.
Elected 2020
Greg has been a high school English language arts teacher for over 20 years and is a dedicated professional who strives to assist youth through the trials of adolescence. He has developed a keen understanding of the struggles that LGBTQ2+ students are faced with, and has provided them with an open, non-judgemental environment, in which they feel free to be themselves. He has also made it a point to foster inclusivity by integrating LGBTQ issues into the curriculum, and promoting open dialogue within the classroom.
Greg has a desire to expand his focus beyond the classroom and assist the community in a broader context. He is fuelled by his enthusiasm of working with youth and a community committed organization.
Adedeji Sunday Akintayo (He/Him Pronouns)
Member
Elected 2018
Elected 2018
Bailey Eastwood (They/Them Pronouns)
Member
Elected 2022
Elected 2022
Caroline Turpin-Emond (She/Her Pronouns)Member
Elected 2022 Caroline was born in Gatineau and raised in Québec city. Now in Montreal for about 3 years, she has the West Island (WI) in her heart. Caroline has been working for Action Jeunesse de l'Ouest-de-l'Île and Ricochet (Hébergement/Homes) for the past 2 years, both organisations work with people experiencing homelessness in the WI.This experience helped her realize that the West Island could benefit from having more organizations that address specific needs and that is exactly why she wanted to get involved with the West Island LGBTQ2+ center. Being part of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, Caroline strongly believes that it is with the help of organizations like this one that some people have the opportunity to discover themselves and be who they are with confidence. |
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Linda Buchanan (She/Her Pronouns)
Member
Elected 2022
Linda Buchanan is a lesbian and an ordained minister. She grew up on the West Island and experienced homophobia long before she was able to embrace her authentic self. Linda’s faith in a God of love, led her to embrace her queer identity. She is excited to serve on the Board of an incredible resource for the LGBTQ2s+ community. Linda lives with her wife Jillian and their dog, Willow.
Elected 2022
Linda Buchanan is a lesbian and an ordained minister. She grew up on the West Island and experienced homophobia long before she was able to embrace her authentic self. Linda’s faith in a God of love, led her to embrace her queer identity. She is excited to serve on the Board of an incredible resource for the LGBTQ2s+ community. Linda lives with her wife Jillian and their dog, Willow.
Lynne McVey (She/Her Pronouns)Member
Elected 2022 Lynne McVey lives in Dorval where she raised her family. Her eldest Maegan, who now lives in New York with her wife, has often spoke of the lack of support for young queer and/or questioning people on the West Island when she was growing up. Both are delighted that the West Island LGBTQ2S+ Center was inaugurated in 2011. Lynne, who brings many years of Board of Directors experience from the public sector, aims now to give back to the community and to the Center. She is particularly interested in seeing that parents are encouraged to give children and young adults who are questioning their sexuality or who are coming out the love and support their so deserve. |
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