Board of Directors

Terri Johns, Board Chair

Terri is president of T. Johns Consulting Group Ltd. Although Terri was born in Owen Sound and spent many of her early years in Welland, she has happily called Hamilton home for almost 40 years.  As an urban planner, Terri has seen Hamilton reinvent itself; transforming a lunch bucket community into a vibrant cultural hub.  Terri feels the support of women in strong leadership roles is key to keeping Hamilton moving forward to its full potential.  She sees her role as a board member as a way to, not only give back to the community she loves but also promote and encourage girls and women to think outside the box when it comes to their future.

Anna D’Angela, Vice-Chair

Anna is a Canadian Certified Physician Assistant in Respirology. Prior to transitioning into clinical practice, she completed her MBA in Health Services Management in 2017, and spent time in various quality improvement and healthcare project management roles. As a feminist, Anna firmly believes in the mission, vision, and values of the YWCA Hamilton. When women and girls are empowered to succeed, we can do remarkable things. The YWCA Hamilton plays a critical role in our community and Anna looks forward to supporting and helping it continue to achieve its goals.’

Shaarujaa Nadarajah

Shaarujaa is a strategy consultant that has experience working with non-profits locally and internationally within the areas of fundraising development, strategic planning, and business operations. A proud graduate of McMaster University, she spent 6 years in Hamilton before leaving the city to pursue her graduate studies at the Smith School of Business. Shaarujaa is committed to supporting the YWCA Hamilton in their mission to strengthen the voices of women and girls in order to promote and build equitable communities. She is most passionate about supporting the growth of women’s entrepreneurship programs as she firmly believes communities can be transformed by more women entrepreneurs.

Melanie Skrlac, Treasurer

Born and raised in Hamilton, Melanie continues to feel a strong connection to the greater community. A professional with many years of experience in the financial services industry – most recently as a Commercial Banker – she brings a comprehensive understanding of finance to the boardroom. She is appreciative of the opportunity and is looking forward working collaboratively with the Board to support the YWCA’s mission and values.

Jesse Elders, Member

Jesse is a lawyer and advocate for her clients in the areas of employment, human rights, and administrative law. Jesse, a Hamilton resident, is grateful for the opportunity to work with and support other women and girls in her community. As a board member committed to YWCA’s mission and values, Jesse will work hard to improve the freedom, status and experience of women and girls.

Colleen Ryan, Member

Colleen is the Associate Director of Marketing, Communications and Customer Experience at John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport. Originally from Newfoundland and Labrador, Colleen chose Hamilton as her new hometown in 2018. She has seen how the City has evolved in just the past four years and is eager to support its continued growth and building an even stronger, more vibrant community. Colleen attributes her own career success and opportunities to the many female leaders and mentors who supported and lifted her up along their own journeys and firmly believes in mentoring and holding space for other women and girls to excel. She sees her role on the Board as an opportunity to create such opportunities for the women and girls the YWCA serves.

Anandi Naipaul, Member

Anandi is a lawyer, partner, and Firm Chair at Ross & McBride in Hamilton. As a personal injury lawyer, her focus lies in advocating for injured individuals and their families. With a deep-rooted passion for challenging the status quo, she actively promotes diversity, inclusion, and equity within the workplace. Anandi finds great pride in her role as a member of the YWCA Hamilton Board, and she actively encourages and empowers young girls and women to pursue leadership roles within their communities. Her dedication to making a positive impact serves as an inspiration to those around her.

Carla Velastegui, Member

Carla is a healthcare technologist with a background spanning the private and public sectors, as well as early-stage companies focused on advancing accessible and equitable technology solutions for all Canadians. A proud alumna of McMaster University, she maintains deep connections to Hamilton. Carla actively engages in advisory committees, speaking engagements, and raises awareness about the multifaceted experiences that caregivers encounter in their communities, workplaces, healthcare settings, and beyond. Closely aligned with the mission, vision, and values of YWCA Hamilton, she is committed to advancing gender equity and social justice for women and girls to thrive in their communities.

Sabih Ottawa, Member

Sabih is very proud to have grown up in downtown Hamilton and feels a deep commitment to the community. As a passionate advocate Sabih centers her volunteer work around poverty alleviation, gender equity, and youth advocacy. She holds a finance degree from Toronto Metropolitan University and is a lawyer at McCarthy Tétrault LLP, where she represents clients in complex litigation disputes.

Aakansha (Shona) Goel, Member

Shona is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), with professional experience in audit, reporting, and financial planning & analysis. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. Shona is passionate about solving problems and collaborating to create positive change. Shona feels closely aligned with YWCA Hamilton’s mission, and is excited to work with the organization to support its critical role in the community. She has resided in Hamilton for over a decade and is excited to contribute towards the city’s growth.

Dr. Susan Tighe, Member

Dr. Susan Tighe is provost and vice-president (Academic) and a professor of civil engineering at McMaster University. In her role as provost, she fosters student curiosity, innovation, and service excellence, reflecting Hamilton’s vibrant spirit. Susan is dedicated to advancing equity, enhancing accessibility, and celebrating diversity on campus. She mentors emerging women leaders and promotes programs aimed at reducing gender disparities in academia and engineering. A champion of women in leadership, she actively supports female scholars and leaders through various initiatives and partnerships. Her leadership extends to fostering innovative collaborations and supporting community engagement, strengthening the bond between McMaster and Hamilton.

Nicole Biros-Bolton, Member

Nicole is a dedicated advocate for gender equality and social justice, passionately serving on the board of YWCA Hamilton. She is the founder of Bird Bolt Law, a feminist, trauma-informed law firm based in Hamilton. With over 20 years of experience working in the gender-based violence sector with trauma survivors, Nicole brings a deep understanding and commitment to her work. Her legal practice focuses on championing the rights of marginalized communities and addressing issues such as gender discrimination, wrongful termination, and disability rights. Her commitment to social justice extends beyond her professional work, as she actively contributes to initiatives that support and empower women, gender-diverse individuals and marginalized groups.