Why Representation Matters

Date: February 25th, 2021

This webinar is offered at no cost, to support our advocacy efforts and to raise awareness about healthy public policy.

Join us for a panel discussion on why representation matters. During this session you will have the opportunity to hear from an interdisciplinary group of professionals who work to overcome representation challenges and barriers in their respective fields. Our hope is that this session will allow us to have an open discussion on why diversity is important, what needs to change, and provide a space where students and professionals alike can learn how to advocate for diversity & inclusion in their area of expertise. 

Speakers:

Gifty Djulus

Gifty Djulus is a Policy Analyst at the Public Health Agency of Canada. She holds a Master of Public Health specializing in Social and Behavioural Health Sciences from The University of Toronto. Her educational background, combined with her work and lived experiences, have led her to her passion for equitable spaces. Gifty has gained valuable experience in roles that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), particularly among student populations (i.e. undergraduate, graduate and medical students). Gifty has also been a lead contributor in the promotion of anti-oppressive practice through her EDI workshops, while also publishing a research study and a couple upcoming book chapters on the significant impacts of oppressive practices among emerging public health practitioners, healthcare workers and post-secondary educators. Her goal is to continue fostering equitable environments for all.

Ben Sit

Ben is the Owner, Founder and President of Evolved Sport and Nutrition. Ben is a Registered Dietitian and Sports Dietitian. He received his education from Ryerson University’s School of Nutrition and graduated his Dietetic Internship from the Sunnybrook Dietetics Internship Program in 2010. He received a Sports Dietitian Certificate from the Sports Dietitians of Australia and is currently pursuing Ryerson’s Physical Activity Assessment and Promotion certificate program and the International Olympic Committee’s Sports Nutrition Diploma. This combination of the world of Nutrition and Dietetics along with Physical Activity and Exercise is what makes Ben’s interventions truly unique and customized.

Ben is also an athlete himself. When he’s not training for his next marathon, bike race, lifting weights or doing cross-fit workouts he’s busy cooking up a storm developing recipes for athletes. Ben has worked with athletes from every end of the spectrum, from weekend warriors aiming to complete their first marathon to nationally ranked professional athletes to olympic gold medalists and even celebrities! He specializes in endurance events and weight lifting but is more than qualified to work with any sport and medical conditions. He also trained as a Chef and a Pastry Chef in a number of Restaurants and Hotels across Toronto before combining the culinary world with dietetics and sport. He continues to travel the world, studying different cultures, cuisines and cooking styles in order to best serve his clients.

Anjum Sultana

Anjum Sultana is an award-winning public affairs strategist, sought-after media commentator, accomplished public speaker, and published health equity researcher with expertise in gender equity, public health, and civic engagement.

Anjum is the National Director of Public Policy & Strategic Communications at YWCA Canada, the country’s largest and oldest gender equity organization. Anjum is the Primary Author and Operations Lead for ‘A Feminist Economic Recovery Plan: Making the Economy Work for Everyone’, the first nationally-focused recovery plan of its kind.

Anjum is an internationally recognized expert in public policy and has delivered keynotes, lectures, and participated on panel discussions across Canada and globally. Anjum’s commentary has been featured in print, TV, radio, and digital platforms including CBC, CityTv, CTV, First Policy Response, Healthy Debate, National Observer, New Canadian Media, NOW Toronto, Public Policy Forum, TVO and UN Women.

Tanya Senk

Tanya Senk is a Métis/Cree/Saulteaux educator/writer/researcher/community leader/speaker and lecturer. She is currently the Principal of Kapapamahchakwew – Wandering Spirit School, K-12, and the Centrally Assigned Principal in Indigenous Education through the Urban Indigenous Education Centre, Toronto District School Board. The Urban Indigenous Education Centre provides: ‘Wholistic’ wrap around supports for Indigenous Students; Community Engagement; Partnerships; Professional Learning in all sectors across the system, including Educators, Administrators, Superintendents and Trustees; Research and Innovation; Programming and Curriculum Development. Tanya has also been a Course Director at York University in the Faculty of Education, Teacher Education Programs. As a PhD candidate at York University, her research interests include decolonizing and Indigenizing education.

Moderator:

Gurneet Dhami

Gurneet Kaur Dhami is an MSc Candidate at Mount Saint Vincent University conducting ground-breaking work on dietetic diversity in Canada. Her thesis “Re-setting the Table: Exploring the Counter-stories of Racialized Dietitians in Canada” is the first study of its kind to explore racism through Critical Race Theory perspective in Canadian dietetics. As a settler residing in Canada, Gurneet’s identity as a South Asian (Panjabi-Sikh) woman guides her work to be grounded in social justice wherever she goes. She co-leads the Diversify Dietetics – Canada Community Chapter in Canada from a group born out of the American organization, Diversify Dietetics, where dietetic professionals connect and chat about diversity in dietetics. Connect with her online @gurneetkdhami or at www.gurneetkdhami.com.