Get to know the faces behind the Office of Human Rights and Equity. Our diverse team is dedicated to fostering inclusion and promoting equality in every aspect of our work. Learn more about the team below.
For contact information, please visit our contact us page:
![Alana Alana](https://brocku.ca/human-rights/wp-content/uploads/sites/208/Alana-800x800.jpg?x10201)
Alana Lowe
Manager, EDI Education and Outreach
She/They pronouns
Alana is an energetic, engaging, experienced equity and systems change advocate who has worked for over two decades in various positions in her field. As an equity advisor, arts educator and media producer, Alana remains passionate about advocating for communities’ rights to be self-determined in creating the communities they want to live and thrive in. Alana’s anti-oppression and equity education journey began in her youth as a peer facilitator and coordinator with several grassroots nonprofits. At the Metro Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children, Alana learned the foundations of equity and anti-oppression from Black and Queer feminists. There she learned to develop and deliver gender-based violence workshops within an anti-oppression framework that recognized how the intersections of identity (race, ability, income, sexuality, gender identity, spirituality and age) impact youth and families’ experiences of violence.
Alana has extensive experience in a variety of educational institutions and spaces, working in collaboration with Black student leaders, staff and community organizations, Alana led systems change projects to strengthen the public education system for Black students experiencing exclusion. As a director, organizational consultant and media producer with Stolen From Africa, a Black-led arts education organization, Alana led advocacy training and created resources for youth and families to increase their efficacy skills to combat anti-Black racism. Alana is dedicated to creating inclusive spaces, services and resources that centre the voices and experiences of those experiencing exclusion with an outgoing commitment to advance the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Alana is completing her MEd in Social Justice Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.
![HRE Logo Square 1 HRE Logo Square 1](https://brocku.ca/human-rights/wp-content/uploads/sites/208/HRE-Logo-Square-1.png?x10201)
Alison Rothwell
Human Rights Advisor
She/Her pronouns
With Brock since 2002, she brings over 20 years’ experience in post-secondary institutions and believes that true inclusion is an anticipatory process that requires ongoing reflection and flexibility. She is a Disability and Human Rights Advocate and Professional. Her academic research focuses on representation, identity and the rhetoric of disability and mental health, and has a particular interest in the relationship between disability and embodiment. She has expertise in rights-based negotiation, conflict resolution, alternative dispute resolution, as well as labour, employment, and public policy administration. In her spare time, she instructs post-secondary courses in Disability Justice, Human Rights, and UDL, and is active in animal and wildlife rescue and conservation.
![Chelsea-Takalo Chelsea-Takalo](https://brocku.ca/human-rights/wp-content/uploads/sites/208/Chelsea-Takalo-800x800.jpeg?x10201)
Chelsea Takalo
Associate Vice-President, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
She/They pronouns
I am my mother’s daughter. Raised in government housing by a single mother (community activist and mobilizer), Chelsea was encouraged to understand the uniqueness of intersectional experiences and the importance of social justice and collective care as acts of resistance. As a settler on this land of Finnish, French, Jewish and Chinese descent, and a Survivor of family and sexual violence, Chelsea is committed to transformative social change, accountable actions and to dismantling all forms of intersecting oppressions within organizations and institutions grounded in listening to and learning from diverse communities and stakeholders.
Chelsea is an EDI and human rights organizational change specialist with over 20 years of experience in designing and delivering systems change initiatives based on equity, anti-oppression, trauma informed practices, social justice, and human rights. They started their activism journey at the age of 8 as a member of the Jr Board of Directors within their housing co-op. At the age of 13, responsive to the lack of affordable local youth programs, they co-founded SEYA, a youth led social justice advocacy organization resulting in recognition through national awards.
Over the last 20 years, Chelsea has worked for a variety of community based and educational institutions. Their work involves managing complex, large scale, public facing human rights concerns and facilitating restorative and transformative healing-centred responses grounded in cultural safety and collective care. Additionally, they have transformed schools and institutions through the co-construction, facilitation, and reporting on multi-year EDI strategic plans including professional learning, ongoing gathering of quantitative and qualitative stakeholder data, and community engagement events, programs, and campaigns. Chelsea’s practices are grounded in anti-oppressive, anti-racist, anti-colonial, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, feminist, critical, and intersectional approaches, theories, and pedagogies.
![Katie Keays Katie Keays](https://brocku.ca/human-rights/wp-content/uploads/sites/208/Katie-Keays-800x800.jpg?x10201)
Katie Keays
Manager, Gender & Sexual Violence Intake
She/Her pronouns
In her role as the Manager of Gender and Sexual Violence (GSV) Intake, Katie is an excellent collaborator and advocate for positive change. At the heart of her mission is a dedication to anti-oppressive and decolonial practices, survivor-centered care, and a trauma-informed approach, all of which underscore her commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. Katie works directly with survivors, offering compassionate guidance, and serving as a steadfast advocate, ensuring they are aware of the full spectrum of options available to them. She also provides collaborative leadership for GSV support programs and in strategic planning for sexual violence prevention, education, and response. In every aspect of her work, she aims to empower survivors to reclaim their agency and voice.
Katie’s lived experience and intersectional identity, marked by privilege and oppression as a (White, low-income, cis-hetero) survivor of sexual violence and a woman with a disability, further enriches the collaborative ethos she brings to her role. Her exceptional academic achievements, including a Master’s degree in Social Justice and Equity Studies, reflect her intellectual rigor and dedication to breaking down systemic barriers. Katie also serves as a Director on the Board of Directors of the YWCA Niagara Region, channeling her lived experience with homelessness into community advocacy. Her active involvement in the President’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights, Equity, and Decolonization’s (PACHRED’s) Sexual Violence Prevention Sub-Committee since 2020 and ongoing work to advocate for survivor-centered and trauma-informed changes in the university’s Sexual Assault and Harassment Policy (SAHP) further highlight her exceptional leadership. Katie is not just a collaborator; she’s a catalyst for change who continuously challenges herself and her family, friends, and peers to confront biases and strive for a more inclusive, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed culture. Her ultimate goal is to create a campus environment that not only acknowledges the gravity of sexual violence but actively works to prevent it, fostering a culture of consent, accountability, and collective empowerment.
![Megan Kuzak Photo of Megan](https://brocku.ca/human-rights/wp-content/uploads/sites/208/IMG_6134-800x800.jpg?x10201)
Megan Kuzak
Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor
She/Her pronouns
As the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor at Brock University, Megan leverages her extensive experience in social work to foster inclusive environments. Holding a Bachelor of Psychology and a Bachelor of Social Work from Trent University, as well as a Master of Applied Disability Studies from Brock University, Megan brings a comprehensive understanding of social systems and critical disability studies to her work. With her professional experience in Northern Ontario, Megan has held various roles, including working with people experiencing gender-based violence, working as an in-school youth addictions worker, and a disability case manager in Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services funded programs. In her role as a case manager, Megan supported people in navigating high-risk situations, such as incarceration, homelessness, and job loss. Guided by a client-centered and solution-focused approach, Megan consistently prioritizes supporting people and communities in removing barriers. With a passion for advancing equity and inclusivity through policy development, education, and community engagement, Megan continues her work at Brock University!
![097ECE23-9913-49C2-AC5F-E59BFBA83274 Dr. Melissa Wilson](https://brocku.ca/human-rights/wp-content/uploads/sites/208/097ECE23-9913-49C2-AC5F-E59BFBA83274-602x800.jpeg?x10201)
Melissa Wilson
Director of Human Rights and Equity
She/Her pronouns
Dr. Wilson is an educator and an anti-racist consultant. She worked in the Ontario public education system for fifteen years. Her roles included being a principal of a secondary school, a vice-principal, the coordinator of anti-Black racism education, the coordinator of Indigenous education, and a classroom teacher. In addition, Dr. Wilson taught sociology and human rights courses at a college. Prior to joining Brock University, Dr. Wilson was an anti-racist consultant for the United Nations. Dr. Wilson completed her PhD in Social Justice Education at the University of Toronto in 2021.
![SJC Student Justice Centre Logo](https://brocku.ca/human-rights/wp-content/uploads/sites/208/SJC-1.jpg?x10201)
Rabia Choudhary
Student Justice Education Coordinator
She/They pronouns
Rabia is an intersectional artist, educator and scholar with a passion for social justice, equity, gender and sexual violence education and prevention, disability justice and activism. They are devoted to decolonization, anti-racism and QTBIPOC equity within community spaces and academia.
With over five (5) years of experience working and volunteering in marginalized communities, as an educator, facilitator, and peer support person, Rabia is currently a Masters in Social Justice and Equity Studies (SJES) candidate at Brock University.
Student Justice Centre links:
![Shaka Shaka](https://brocku.ca/human-rights/wp-content/uploads/sites/208/Shaka.jpeg?x10201)
Shaka Licorish
Anti-Racism and Inclusion Advisor
He/Him pronouns
With over 20 years of experience and execution in both non-profit and for-profit sectors, across equity, diversity, & inclusion, social & community impact, art & culture, and an industry leading global start-up, Shaka is a highly innovative visionary, organizational leader, strategist, and connector. Passionate about the intersections of race, class, culture, and community, Shaka brings exceptional range and understanding to the practice and principles of anti-racism, anti-Black racism, and inclusion, amongst others.
As a former Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and semi-professional team sport athlete, Shaka’s anti-oppression and equity journey began as a student-athlete attending the University of Guelph while in pursuit of a Criminal Justice & Public Policy degree. During this time, Shaka worked extensively in open custody youth detention facilities across Southern Ontario, wherein he was exposed to several systemic and institutional service gaps that were disproportionately affecting young people and families from equity deserving groups and communities.
Following the completion of his second degree in Political Science from McMaster University, Shaka went on to serve as a youth community counsellor and facilitator, where he developed and led programming, workshops, internships, and experiential learning opportunities for underserved young people from at-risk and high-risk communities, many of whom were in conflict with the criminal justice system and often subjected to experiences of violence. In this capacity, Shaka gained invaluable experience and skills in advocacy, crisis management, alternative dispute and conflict resolution, mediation, as well as program management, analysis, and evaluation.
As a community minded advocate and through his own exposure and involvement with Toronto’s vibrant art & culture sector, Shaka developed a deep appreciation for the power of storytelling to inspire meaningful change through various mediums, including music, film, art, and design. This ultimately led him to the role of Director, Education & Film with Manifesto, a community-based arts & culture organization focused on providing underserved youth and communities access to impactful art & culture-based programming and education opportunities. Following a series of film programming roles at The Regent Park Film Festival, The Toronto International Film Festival, and the Hot Docs International Film Festival, Shaka went on to explore his natural talents as a producer, serving as lead executive of the critically acclaimed stage production, Secrets of a Black Boy – a timeless story that explored the trials, traumas, and triumphs of five Black men coming of age in Regent Park.
Currently the Board Chair of New Leaf Foundation, a registered non-profit that provides access to mindfulness resources and tools for underserved youth and communities, Shaka remains dedicated to disrupting mechanisms of oppression and exclusion, while developing strategic relationships and partnerships that can advance, support, and reinforce the importance of collective awareness, understanding, and meaningful action with respect to the equity, diversity, and inclusion space and its related initiatives.
![Tassia Gabbidon Tassia Gabbidon](https://brocku.ca/human-rights/wp-content/uploads/sites/208/thumbnail_IMG_0919-1-1-800x800.jpg?x10201)
Tassia Gabbidon
Community Counsellor, Anti-Oppression & Justice
She/Her pronouns
Tassia’s journey toward a career dedicated to creating meaningful and transformative change through service to those in need traces back to her early fascination with the human condition and the intricacies of the mind. Growing up, she eagerly delved into books and documentaries, using them as tools to psychoanalyze characters and vicariously connect with their experiences.
Her passion for making a positive impact on the lives of others became evident during her undergraduate years, where she pursued a BA in Sociology. During this time, Tassia actively engaged in volunteer work with numerous community service organizations, a commitment she continues to uphold to this day. These experiences served as a confirmation of her desire to create positive change.
After completing her undergraduate studies in Sociology, Tassia furthered her education by pursuing a Master’s in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. She is now a registered professional (RP-Q) Psychotherapist, with a wealth of clinical training that has provided invaluable insights into the psychological impact of challenges within both home environments and broader society. Her work acknowledges the profound ways in which these tribulations manifest within individuals, shaping their lived experiences.
Tassia’s tireless advocacy for social justice is a core aspect of her mission. She is dedicated to combating oppression, decolonizing access to mental health services, and amplifying mental health awareness in historically excluded and under-resourced communities. Her multifaceted approach to effecting change includes representation, education, art, and wellness.
With a keen awareness of the intricate interplay between class, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation and other forms of discrimination, Tassia brings a holistic perspective to her work. Her dedication extends to her recent role as the Gender & Sexual Violence Intake Support Coordinator on the Human Rights & Equity Team (HRE), where she has dedicated herself over the past year. Currently, Tassia serves as the Counsellor of Anti-Oppression & Justice within HRE and takes on the role of Co-Coordinator in the Black Student Success Centre.
Outside of her various roles, you’ll often find Tassia spending time with her family and friends, seeking new adventures in far-off places, getting lost in the pages of a good book, reconnecting with nature through hikes and some good tunes, and indulging in fresh culinary experiences.
![HRE Logo Square 1 HRE Logo Square 1](https://brocku.ca/human-rights/wp-content/uploads/sites/208/HRE-Logo-Square-1.png?x10201)
Zhané Hamilton
Executive Assistant, Human Rights and Equity
She/Her pronouns
Zhane Hamilton is a dedicated professional with a strong background in Business Administration. She pursued her education at Humber College, where she honed her skills and gained valuable insights into the world of business. Currently, she holds the position of Executive Assistant in the Office of Human Rights and Equity. In this role, Zhane plays a pivotal part in supporting the office’s initiatives and ensuring the promotion of fairness and inclusivity across the institution.
In this role, Zhane’s responsibilities include coordinating and managing administrative tasks, assisting in the planning and execution of equity-focused projects, and ensuring efficient communication within the office and with external stakeholders
Zhane finds joy in hosting gatherings and cherishing moments with her loved ones. She has a passion for culinary exploration, constantly seeking new food experiences and experimenting with flavours in her spare time!