Board of Directors

Sarah Woods, President

Sarah is a Researcher at the Child Development Institute, a children's mental health agency. Sarah also has experience working in the not-for-profit sector with youth and adults in education, employment, criminal justice and newcomer services in management, project management and research roles. Sarah studied at the University of Guelph and holds a M.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice Policy and a BAS with a minor in Psychology and Criminal Justice and Public Policy. Understanding the importance of the services Times Change provides for women, Sarah looks forward to her continued involvement with Times Change and assisting women achieve equity and self-efficacy. Sarah joined the Board in 2011 and has served as Vice-President and Secretary.

Tracey Walsh, Vice-President

Tracey is a business development and marketing sales professional with close to 20 years of private and public sector experience. Her current role is Business Manager, Ontario with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Prior to her career in broadcasting; she spent three years as a business development manager assisting women in the start up and management of small business enterprises in rural Newfoundland. She also has experience in Canada and Mexico working with regional authorities to establish strategic plans that defined and enhanced local economic development. She holds a B. Comm., Co-op from Memorial University with a specialty in Marketing and an MBA from Dalhousie University, with a concentration in International Business. Tracey strongly believes that women should be empowered and supported in their goal of finding meaningful life work. Tracey joined the Board in 2013.

Ann Patterson, Secretary

Ann studied at the University of Toronto and obtained an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree before receiving her designation as a Certified General Accountant. She has worked in the accounting field for over thirty years, and has been employed in the not-for-profit sector for most of her career with three large charities. She has friends who have utilized the services of Times Change, and is aware of the valuable assistance that the agency provides to women in assisting them to find meaningful and rewarding employment. Ann joined the Board in 2012 and has served as Secretary.

Shelley Umlah, Treasurer

Shelley has worked in the financial industry as a Human Resource professional for 15 years, focusing on training and development and more recently on talent acquisition. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Saint Mary’s University and is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA). Knowing what a difference it makes to have the support and assistance that Times Change provides to women seeking employment in an ever changing and challenging job market, Shelley is looking forward to working with the board and staff of Times Change and contributing to their continued success. Shelley joined the Board in 2013.

Lesley Brown, Director

Lesley is the Executive Director at Essential Skills Ontario (ESO), a research and policy agency. In previous management roles at AlphaPlus Centre and the Toronto District School Board, Lesley was instrumental in building accountability through the establishment of a project-management office; leading a new training department that served five district schools boards; and establishing the first certificate programs for adult literacy education and numeracy programs in Toronto. Lesley holds a Masters Degree in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University, a Bachelor’s degree from York University, a certificate in Conflict Mediation from Guelph University, and a Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate. In 2012, Lesley was awarded The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of public service. Lesley believes strongly that Times Change, makes a significant difference in women’s lives, empowering them to take charge of their employment aspirations. Lesley joined the Board in 2015. 

Marie Chow, Director

Marie recently retired from a business and marketing career in the IT industry and is eager to apply her management and leadership skills to serve the community, and to make a difference. She has a Nonprofit & Voluntary Sector Management certificate from Ryerson University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Waterloo. The current economic climate requires that people understand and present their unique value to potential employers, and Marie is eager to help Time Change clients find meaningful work by doing just that. Marie joined the Board in 2014.

Jane Erbil, Director

Jane, a management professional with more than 20 years of experience in marketing and business development, holds an honours degree in Business Administration and a graduate degree in Public Management. She is also amongst the first members of the Canadian Board Diversity Council who have been certified for board governance. Jane has been both a strategic planner and a hands-on manager for several marketing initiatives in diverse industries. She has started A-Game Consulting, with a desire to help advance the success of directors of small business owners, non-profits and immigrant entrepreneurs. Committed to public service, Jane has gained valuable experience in non-profit management, serving as a director and board member at Jazz FM 91.1 and Wychwood Barns Community Association. Her active roles in these organizations include fundraising and planning. Jane joined the Board in 2015.

Gillian Godfrey, Director

Gillian served for many years on a City of Toronto board. She has a B.A. Honours Geography degree from Queen’s University. Gillian attended a Times Change workshop when looking for a career change, after working in the commercial real estate appraisal industry for many years. She is currently self-employed in the horticulture industry. Gillian knows the valuable services the organization can provide for women from personal experience. Gillian joined the Board in 2013.

Anastasia Mandziuk, Director

Anastasia is a public sector lawyer with a particular interest in equality, human rights, and litigation practice, with an Honours B.A. (Political Science) and M.A. (Political Science/Women & Politics) from York University, and a Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall. She has worked in the areas of immigration and refugee law, employment and labour policy, constitutional and human rights law, and public law. She is committed to gender equality and feminist issues and joined the Times Change Board in 2014 in continuation of this commitment.

Maureen Spencer, Director

Maureen has been a volunteer at Times Change both on the front desk and helping clients through the drop-in resume clinic. Maureen was a Senior Human Resources Consultant at the City of Toronto for 28 years and retired in 2009. She holds a B.A. Special Studies Sociology degree from the University of Leeds, England and a Masters in Adult Education from the University of Toronto. She chose to volunteer at Times Change because of her background in human resources and employment equity and realized that she had been a client of the agency when it started in 1974. Maureen joined the Board in 2011.