Cycle Toronto 2017 Candidate Profiles
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Adam Tanel Ward - 29 Occupation - Lawyer Cyclist - Daily commuter and wannabe triathlete. Bio I am mildly obsessed with cycling, our city, and my dog Elvis. I am a lawyer who represents cyclists injured as a result of motorist negligence and/or inadequate cycling infrastructure. Find out more at: bikelawyers.ca Why I want to Join the Board I want to work with CycleTO to make cycling safer and more accessible. As a result of my day job, I am all too familiar with the carnage on Toronto’s streets. In 2014, this concern led me to run for City Council. My campaign team developed a robust cycling policy that greatly exceeded the "minimum grid" pledge. My policy platform called for more new cycling infrastructure than any other candidate running in 2014. Skills & experience I am familiar with the legal landscape, and how the law can be used as a tool to make cycling safer. I am on good terms with many of the important voices at City Hall. I have experience in law, politics, marketing, fundraising and NGO Boards. Adrian Currie Ward - 18 Occupation - Cycling Advocate, Actor & Film Maker Cyclist - Daily commuter Bio I am a Cycling Advocate, Actor & Film Maker who was born in Jamaica but grew up in Toronto. I have a BA in Economics and a BA in History both from McGill University. I presently sit on the Cycle Toronto Advocacy Committee and I am one of the co-chairs of the newly formed, Bicycle Parking Working Group. I am also a board member of the Community Bicycle Network and I am a past chair. Why I want to join the Board I want to join the CT Board of Directors because I would like to add diversity, solid cycling experience and energy to further cycling culture in Toronto. As a person of colour, I feel that I can add a perspective that may be lacking from the discussions about cycling in Toronto and perhaps I can help to attract more people from different cultures and backgrounds to help strengthen CT's board of directors, committees and it's overall effort to make cycling inclusive and representative of all Torontonians. Skills & experience Through my experience as a CBN board member since 2002 and as a Chair for many years, I have developed strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of people in a team setting. I have a strong background in community/city building, politics, transportation and grassroots advocacy as demonstrated by my position on the former Toronto Cycling Advisory Committee. My most recent roles as a member of the Cycle Toronto Advocacy Committee and as a co-chair of the Bike Parking Working Group has consisted of significant program development, community engagement, research and communication with may different stakeholders in the Toronto cycling community. Andrew Domacina Ward - 19 Occupation - Security Management Professional Cyclist - Daily commuter; weekend warrior; long range mountain bike terrain / camping Bio I am a security management professional with a passion for making Toronto better. Growing up in the downtown core, I have always been inspired by the possibilities of the bicycle. From daily commuting, to leading camping expeditions, our two wheel friends are at the core of who I am and what Toronto needs as we move towards a future of sustainability. Why I want to join the Board Having served on the Board of Directors for the Community Bicycle Network, I have worked in the trenches of cycling advocacy. I have heard our community's cries for support; have been touched by cycling tragedy; and have learned the nuances of navigating the difficult realm of cycling politics. Cycle Toronto is at the forefront of that battle. I relish an opportunity to join the good fight alongside you. Skills & experience I am currently a manager of security at the Art Gallery of Ontario. My expertise in risk assessment, emergency response, project management and public safety are well established. My years of board experience have seasoned my ability to work diplomatically with conflicting opinions, cope with budget crisis, manage marketing campaigns / events, and formulate / implement strategic plans. Ashley Quan Ward - 27 Occupation - Development and Communications Coordinator Cyclist - Daily all-season commuter Bio Before moving to Toronto, I grew up in a city that’s so car-oriented, you drive from one big box store to another in the same shopping complex. In the span of 5 years, I’ve gone from “too scared to bike down Harbord on a clear spring day” to “winter Foodora courier in the financial district is my side hustle”. Why I want to join the Board Shortly before the Bloor bike lanes were installed, a man in a pick-up truck threatened to “turn me into roadkill” for having the audacity to take the lane, which really got me up in arms. The pilot has totally transformed the experience of riding on Bloor, and I want to help Cycle TO advocate for more essential infrastructure that keeps cyclists safer. Skills & experience In my current job, I write fundraising appeals and blog posts, design collateral, and handle social media and web design. In undergrad, I helped to start a bike-sharing co- operative and community garden, and advocated for a sustainability master plan and local food procurement. I also have experience in event planning, marketing, and community engagement. Darnel Harris Ward - 21 Occupation - Urban Planner Cyclist - Commuter Bio I am a community advocate who enjoys animating spaces and leading innovative sustainability projects. I received my B.A. (Honours) from Glendon College, and earned my Master of Environmental Studies (Planning) from York University. My Master's Major Project, Breaking Down the Barriers to Biking in the Black Creek Area, created a community action plan for practical suburban biking, and led to Toronto City Council approving a Community Bike Center near York University. My sustainability efforts to combine a wide protected bike pathway with rain gardens to make a space efficient yet flood proof roadside barrier was honored with the 2016 Green Talents Award from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. My proposal to run a $250,000 pilot to use Cargo Bikes to Deliver Goods and Transport People has advanced to the Top 13 in 2017’s Ontario Budget Talks Public Call for Ideas. Why I want to join the Board Cycle Toronto identified in it's call for nominations a need for people of color with lived experience outside the downtown core, who have prior board experience, can aid with fundraising and plan strategically. As a proud member of the Canadian-Caribbean community, a record of advocacy in North York, and success in both fundraising and strategic planning, I believe I will be able to serve Cycle Toronto well. Skills & experience I have five years of non-profit Board experience, five years of community organization leadership experience and a track record of achievement. I served two years on the Board of Governors of York University, grew a small campus non-profit from a budget of a few thousand a year to a stable quarter million a year over five years, and have been a key figure in raising over $50,000+ for environmental initiatives. Francesca Allodi-Ross Ward - 19 Occupation - Lawyer Cyclist - Daily commuter Bio Weekdays I work for community legal clinics in Etobicoke and west Toronto, providing free legal advice to low-income people about their rights at work. Other times I’m organizing for social change around income inequality and racial justice. I love salsa dancing and spending time with my adorable niece and nephew. Why I want to join the Board We need cycling to play a key role in improving transportation in this city and we need Cycle Toronto to make that happen! I’ve been a member since 2011, helped recruit friends and family in Refer-a-Rider campaigns, and look forward to lending my skills and experience to further support the organization. Skills & experience I am an experienced facilitator, from chairing simple meetings to designing organizational visioning processes and would love to use those skills to help the Board function effectively. As an employment lawyer, I could provide insight regarding human resources issues for the organization. I also have some experience in non-profit/charity law. Jessica Rosenberg Ward - 18 Occupation - Environmental Lawyer Cyclist - Daily Commuter (former mountain biker) Bio I spend my days practicing environmental law, and my spare time cycling around this great city. I am a member of the CycleTO Ward 18 group, and I co-organized a custard tart tour for Bike Month (it was sTARTlingly delicious). I was born and raised in Toronto, and have been transported by bicycle since before I could walk. Why I want to join the Board I truly believe in CycleTO's mission and vision, and the important work the organization engages in. Having experienced cycling safety hazards firsthand (as so many of us have), I’m keen to provide meaningful support a board member using the skills and experiences I’ve acquired, outlined below. Skills & experience a) Ward 18 member: I have been dedicated to the organization at a grassroots level. b) Environmental law and policy: my background has prepared me to bring detail- oriented and pointed input to the organization as a Board member. c) ENGO experience: I've volunteered and worked with two ENGOs, giving me insight into their operation and management. Josef Zankowicz Ward - 32 Occupation - Entrepreneur Cyclist - Daily commuter; recreational mountain biker Bio I’m a tech entrepreneur, communications and management consultant. I’ve been doing this for the past 30 years.