Meet Our People

Kendall is Egale’s Director of Project Management and has been a member of the Egale team since 2011. They identify as a queer afro-latino artivist, born and raised in Iëre (Trinidad) and currently residing on the sacred lands of Tkaronto. Over the last decade, they have successfully led an expansive project portfolio of social impact initiatives for 2SLGBTQI communities in Canada and works to realize Egale’s strategic objectives through project implementation. Kendall is globally recognized as a Project Management Professional (PMP) through the Project Management Institute and holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering from Queen’s University. 

They are grounded in their commitment to social justice and has worked effectively across multiple sectors including education, IT, social work, research, housing, construction, refugee and immigration services, and the arts.

Kim was the Executive Director of ARC International for 17 years, retiring in 2020. ARC International is an NGO geared to advancing human rights for LGBTI persons across the globe. They have played a key role in the application of international human rights law in relation to sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics, as well as providing support to NGO’s working in countries around the world to ensure that the records of all UN States on LGBTI issues are subjected to international scrutiny. She has been invited as a global expert to contribute research and advice to the political, expert, and agency bodies within the United Nations. 

She has received the Pride Community Service Award in her province, secured the first Registered Domestic Partnership in Canada, and was a successful litigant in one of the Canadian court challenges to secure equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.

For over a decade, Jennifer has been an exceptional leader in the non-profit and charitable sector and a champion of human rights and equality. Currently working as the Director of Communications at Egale, Canada’s leading 2SLGBTQI organization, she has held positions at a number of reputable organizations including the United Nation’s Population Fund, Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health and WE Charity. She also proudly serves as the Co-Chair of the Board of Directors at It Gets Better Canada.

Jennifer has led many noteworthy communications initiatives, from the federal apology to 2SLGBTQI victims of the purge to overseeing the launch of the inaugural Pride House at ‘Women Deliver’ in 2019. Jennifer believes in advancing human rights by driving forward powerful communications initiatives that aim to build widespread awareness and engage the public in meaningful dialogue on the most pressing issues in our society.

Mackenzie is passionate about working in 2SLGBTQI advocacy and education. Her previous role was as the Manager of Program Innovation at Big Brothers Big Sisters, co-developing Manitoba’s first Queer Lens Mental Health Training and overseeing their 2SLGBTQI department and staff. In addition, Mackenzie has worked with The Get REAL Movement for six years as their MB Program Coordinator and as a Team Lead Speaker, reaching over 150,000 students, educators, parents/guardians, and corporate businesses across the country. Through this, Mackenzie has a deep understanding of 2SLGBTQI curriculum and how to integrate inclusivity and diversity into a variety of spaces. As a Queer woman, Mackenzie is dedicated to working in collaboration with communities to build innovative programming and curriculum to address intersectional challenges. Mackenzie was awarded CBC’s Proud to Shine award in 2020 and 2021 to honour her work in advocacy and was named in the “Top 100 Fascinating Manitobans” in 2022. Mackenzie is thrilled to be continuing this work on the Egale team.

Mark has been working in fundraising and non-profit government relations since 2005. Since joining Egale Canada in 2016, he has overseen major fundraising initiatives and campaigns, helped to diversify revenue streams including partnerships with workplace inclusion training clients, and helped to close out Egale’s $15M+ capital campaign to build one of Canada’s first transitional and emergency housing facilities dedicated to homeless 2SLGBTQI youth in Toronto (now Friends of Ruby Home).

Mark became a Certified Fundraising Executive in 2021, and as an out gay man he is proud to lead Egale’s fund development efforts to support important research, education, awareness, and legal advocacy efforts in order to shift the culture of inclusion and improve the lives of all 2SLGBTQI people.

Valentyna joined Egale in 2013 and has over 20 years experience in non-profit organizations. She loves accounting and working with the 2SLGBTQI community. She immigrated to Canada in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree and has actively pursued her designation through the School of Continuing Studies at University of Toronto and Charted Professional Accounts of Ontario. Over the last ten years, Valentyna has worked passionately with key stakeholders in successfully leading accounting and finance efforts.

AJ Adams (he/him) is a strategic communications leader and social change advocate with over a decade of experience advancing equity, social justice, and public engagement across Canada’s non-profit, healthcare, and advocacy sectors. Since 2022, AJ has been the Manager of Communications for Egale Canada – Canada’s leading organization for 2SLGBTQI people and issues.

With a Diploma in Public Relations and a Bachelor of Arts in Community Leadership and Equity, Diversity & Human Rights, AJ blends academic insight with real-world expertise. He is passionate about using storytelling, branding, and digital media to shift narratives and build inclusive communities.

Originally from a small rural town in Ontario, AJ brings a unique perspective to his work, consistently centring rural and small-town voices in conversations about 2SLGBTQI inclusion. His advocacy journey began with a research project on The Importance of Pride in Small Towns and Rural Communities, which led to leadership roles in grassroots organizing, public speaking, and non-profit governance.

AJ has led diverse communications portfolios, overseeing teams focused on marketing, media relations, advocacy, government relations, and design. He has shaped national campaigns, managed brand identities, and developed digital strategies with reach into the millions.

He has also served in volunteer leadership roles. Presently AJ is a Program Advisory Committee member for Algonquin College’s public relations program. Previously he has served as President of Stratford-Perth Pride and as a board member for the Rural Ontario Institute and Stratford/Perth ShelterLink. His political and creative work includes campaign strategy and branding for progressive candidates and 2SLGBTQI initiatives across Canada.

AJ’s work lives at the intersection of equity, communications, and community-building, grounded in story-telling, social change, and creative problem-solving.

Amanda is a Project Management Professional (PMP) and an avid behind-the-scenes community organizer. Since 2013, they have developed a vast portfolio of community-driven organizational experience in local and international videogame collectives through The Hand Eye Society, Level Up Showcase, Different Games Collective, Pixelles, and Dames Making Games.

They are passionate in improving processes and procedures in all sectors she’s worked in, including videogames, IT, arts, transportation, education, and non-profits, and ensuring that each industry continues their commitment to fostering safer spaces for all marginalized individuals. She also is a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), graduated with a Master’s in Communications and Culture from Toronto Metropolitan University, and a Bachelor’s in Women and Gender Studies from University of Toronto.

Arsen is an accomplished partnerships specialist and former international civil servant with over a decade of expertise in developing, managing, and institutionalizing relationships with public, private, and multilateral stakeholders to advance the work of international and not-for-profit organizations and mobilize resources for key programs. Since joining Egale in 2018, Arsen has spearheaded the organization’s fee-for-service corporate workplace inclusion training program strategically engaging major government and business partners and gradually growing unrestricted revenue for underfunded areas. He has also played a key role in securing funds from Global Affairs Canada and the World Bank for Egale’s international projects in different parts of the world and most notably in Ukraine and Western Balkans. In his previous capacity, Arsen served at the United Nations World Food Programme, the world’s largest humanitarian organization, where he helped define the partnership engagement strategy and led its ground-level execution mobilizing US$300M+ for operations in Myanmar. Arsen is an avid traveller and aviation enthusiast having visited more than 60 countries.

Chett is a distance learning specialist with over 15 years’ experience developing ongoing learning programs for both professional and general adult learners. A leader in education management in the not-for-profit sector, Chett has developed and managed online and in-person learning programs for emerging and established professionals across the health care, engineering, corporate, and public service sectors. He has advised on the development of advanced professional certifications and scientific peer-review processes.

Chett holds a Master’s degree in Education and a Certificate in Instructional Design.

His areas of professional and research interest include informal learning, museum education, program evaluation, and professional expertise development.

Eric Freeman is the senior staff lawyer at Egale. Prior to joining Egale, Eric began his career as a commercial litigator, working at a national law firm in Toronto. In 2021-2022, Eric clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada for Justice Suzanne Côté. He also clerked for the Judges of the Court of Appeal for Ontario in 2019-2020, where he completed his articles. Eric graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School, where he served as a senior editor for the Osgoode Hall Law Journal. Prior to law school, Eric obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Allison University and a Masters degree in Political Science at McGill University.