EDI Team and Committee
EDI team
FHSD has two key roles in supporting EDI projects and initiatives. The EDI Advisor to the Dean and EDI Coordinator operate at both the Faculty and School levels.
EDI Committee
The EDI committee provides leadership and guidance on the implementation of strategic plans and reports, and the advancement of decolonization, equity, diversity, and inclusion, within learning, teaching, research and administrative activities specific to FHSD.
As educators and researchers of future health care providers and as healthcare professionals, we envision an equitable and accessible health care system where respect, humanity, dignity, and compassion are embedded in all procedures, interactions, and operations.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Rishma Chooniedass (She/Her), FHSD EDI Advisor to the Dean and committee chair
Rishma believes that as educators and global citizens, everyone has a responsibility to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in admissions and hiring, curriculum development, and campus culture. Prioritizing Indigenization, decolonization, equity and justice is crucial for transforming academic culture. Visit Rishma’s profile to learn more
Natalia Peñuela Gallo (she/her), FHSD EDI Coordinator
Natalia is an uninvited guest and settler on the stolen and currently occupied territory of the syilx Okanagan nation. Born and raised in Colombia, she feels honoured to live, learn and work on Indigenous lands. Natalia is passionate about Justice, Respect and Reciprocity. Her inspiration stems from the extraordinary voices of resilience and resistance, embodied by those who have historically worked to create a better world. Visit Natalia’s profile to learn more
Ashley Sandrasagra
Ashley grew up as a settler of colour on traditional Mississauga of the New Credit First Nation land. She is a graduate student pursuing a Master’s in Social Work at the University of British Columbia Okanagan, with a strong focus on social justice advocacy, community engagement, student leadership, and social policy. She is committed to supporting underrepresented, marginalized, and racialized communities through both academic and professional experiences. Her social work practice in social policy thus far has been centered around issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion; the full participation and citizenship of people with disabilities; incorporating learnings from anti-oppressive and anti-racist practice; developing anti-colonial learning materials; and developing/implementing community-based/community-led initiatives.
Paige Reekie
Paige is a fifth year Human Kinetics student who was raised on the Sylix Okanagan territory. She is passionate about creating an environment in which everyone is able to be their truest selves without fear of harassment or judgement. Through her experience of living with a movement disorder, she hopes to help educate others on the importance of equity, diversity, and accessibility both within the university and greater community.
Madden Brewster (SHE/HER)
Dr. Madden Brewster grew up as an uninvited guest on the traditional, ancestral and unceded land of the Anikituwagi, more commonly known as the Cherokee Nation, of the Shaconage mountains in western North Carolina. She is grateful to learn from the Salish Unit Crew, the only remaining entirely indigenous firefighter crew within the BC Wildfire Service through her postdoctoral work. Madden believes that equity, diversity and inclusion should be an intentional daily practice and that individuals with power and privilege should bear the brunt of EDI implementation. She is particularly interested in encouraging EDI in the research space and is devoted to continually learning from diverse perspectives.
Mary Jung (she/her)
Dr. Mary Jung is a second-generation Canadian of Chinese and Ukrainian mixed ancestry. She was born and raised on the territories of the Anishinabewaki, Wendake-Nionowentsio, Haudenosaunee, and Mississauga peoples. Personal experiences of racism continue to act as motivators for her passions and interest in advancing EDI in academia, and broader community. Visit Mary’s profile to learn more
Kathryn Douglas-Campbell (she/her)
Kathryn is a chronically ill/disabled woman originally from Treaty 7 territory (Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, and the Métis Nation (Region 3))/Calgary, Alberta. She joined the FHSD Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee in early 2022. Kathryn is inspired by the group’s motivation, hardworking attitude, and keenness to move forward on EDI issues. Visit Kathryn’s profile to learn more
Meaghan MacNutt
Meaghan is a white settler who grew up in Mi’kmaq territory on the east coast of Canada. Current projects include quantifying the persistent sex/gender bias in the exercise physiology literature, and exploring representations of women, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ characters in educational case studies. Her work in curriculum development and educator outreach focuses on inclusive, equity-minded teaching and learning. Visit Meaghan’s profile to learn more
Laura Mercer
Laura is a registered nurse with a master of science in nursing. As an educator with the UBCO School of Nursing, she acknowledges her responsibility to the public and to her students. She strives to equip students entering health care with knowledge and strategies to provide safe and individualized nursing care to all patients. She hopes to be an advocate for students and patients, a leader for EDI education, and a role model for students. Visit Laura’s profile to learn more
Dr. Jennifer Jakobi
Dr. Jennifer Jakobi is Professor in Health and Exercise Sciences, the NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering for the BC and Yukon Region, and the Lead Investigator for the Aging In Place Research Cluster at UBC Okanagan. She is committed to cultivating an inclusive environment in which each member of in the community can excel, contribute and benefit from different perspectives. Visit Jennifer’s profile to learn more
Alicia Belmont
My multicultural growth comes from my experiential journey with immigration. Living in three different countries, I have gained a unique perspective on how equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are perceived and applied in each setting. I have lived in areas around Indigenous groups in Mexico, Nunavik, Canada, and the Māori in New Zealand. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work with people from diverse backgrounds, with various cultures, beliefs and languages. As language translates emotions, I believe that bilingualism not only helps to build empathy and respect, but also fosters connection between cultures. These experiences not only helped me to better understand and appreciate differences, but also helped shed light on the challenges and success in diverse regions.
I believe that EDI begins with each of us. It is the mindset that requires a compassionate outlook. We need to learn from each other and do our best to improve.
Dixon Sookraj
Dixon Sookraj is an associate professor at the School of Social Work, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus. He teaches in areas including research, ethics, and social welfare policy. His scholarly activities have focused on the advancement of social work education. Dixon served as President of the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE-ACFTS) and chaired its International Relations Committee for several years. He also represented the CASWE-ACFTS on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), where he chaired several Committees. He contributed to several international initiatives, including the Global Agenda of Social Work and Social Development (2012), the Global Definition of Social Work (2014), and the Social Work Ethical Principles Statement (2018). In addition, he led international task forces, which developed the Global Standards for Social Work Education and Training (2021) and the International Definition of Clinical Social (2023). In 2021, Dixon was appointed chair of the People of Colour (POC) committee, one of six committees of the University President’s Taskforce on Anti-racism and Inclusive Excellence. Since September 2024, he has been Chair of the School of Social Work’s IDE Committee and a member of the Faculty of Health and Social Development‘s EDI Committee. Human rights in social justice and inclusion were critical to these initiatives.