Leadership Team

Medora Uppal, Chief Executive Officer

Medora Uppal (she/her) is committed to advancing gender equity through systemic change. As the CEO of YWCA Hamilton, she leads with a deep commitment to creating inclusive, equitable spaces for women, gender-diverse people, and families. 

Medora champions transformative change across housing & homelessness, gender-based violence, economic advancement, and women’s health—advocating for safe shelter, survivor-centered support systems, equitable financial opportunities, and accessible, culturally competent care. Her work bridges policy and grassroots action, empowering communities and dismantling barriers for women and marginalized populations. 

A strategic community-builder, Medora has chaired and contributed to key equity-focused collaborations including the Women’s Housing Planning Collaborative, the Women Abuse Working Group, and multiple municipal and regional committees. She currently serves on the boards of the Greater Hamilton Health Network, Today’s Family and the Advisory Council of McMaster University’s Wilson College.  

Her contributions have been recognized with the Carolyn B. Bray Award from YWCA Canada (2019), YWCA Hamilton Woman of Distinction Award (2011), the Order of Hamilton (2025), the King Charles III Coronation Medal (2025). Medora continues to shape systems and policies with compassion, clarity, and conviction. 

Contact: (905) 522-9922 ext.101

Chelsea Kirkby, VP Strategic Initiatives and Program Development

Chelsea Kirkby (she/her) has nearly 20 years of experience working non-profit and government sectors primarily supporting women and gender-diverse individuals and their families in Montreal, Toronto, and Hamilton. Her past work spans program innovation and implementation, policy and strategy development, community engagement and relationship building, and leading organizational growth and capacity building. Chelsea has written and presented on various topics related to trauma-informed care, health equity, and innovative approaches to gender-based health and social services. With a wide range of experience, Chelsea brings creativity and innovation to her role at the YWCA. Chelsea is very active in her community, volunteering with organizations that promote youth engagement, provide dignified housing, and improve health and wellness.

Contact: ckirkby@ywcahamilton.org

Khadija Hamidu, VP Economic Development

Khadija Hamidu is an accomplished leader with a rich background in fostering community development and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. As the new Vice President of Economic Development for YWCA Hamilton, she has demonstrated a commitment to strategic planning and governance development within non-profit organizations, with a focus on enhancing the local economy through innovative sociological frameworks.

In addition to her role at YWCA Hamilton, Khadija is also the Founder of Melanin Market, a platform dedicated to supporting BIPOC businesses on a national level. Through Melanin Market, she provides essential support to entrepreneurs and creators, aiming to amplify their voices and facilitate access to funding, marketing, and event opportunities.

Khadija’s dedication to community engagement and empowerment extends beyond her professional endeavors. She actively contributes to various initiatives and organizations, serving as a Vice Chair of the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council and volunteering as a Board Member for the Goodwill Amity Board of Directors. Her commitment to leadership excellence has been recognized through her inclusion in the Top 40 leaders under 40 in Hamilton.

With her extensive experience and passion for creating positive change, Khadija Hamidu continues to make significant contributions to the advancement of inclusive economic development and social justice within her community and beyond.

Contact: khamidu@ywcahamilton.org

Idalin McKenzie, VP of Finance & Asset Management

Idalin is an accomplished finance, strategy, and business transformation leader with over 20 years of experience. As the Vice President of Finance and Asset Management at YWCA Hamilton, she provides strategic direction across Finance, IT, and Facilities. Prior joining the YWCA Hamilton, Idalin was the Managing Principal – CFO, Strategy, and Transformation lead at KLAM Consulting, where she offered fractional and interim CFO services to a diverse range of businesses.

Idalin’s academic journey is marked by significant achievements, including an MBA from the Rotman School of Management, a Master’s degree in Computer-Based Management Information Systems, and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. Her professional qualifications include a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation, and she has further enhanced her skills with certifications in Corporate Board Governance, Audit Committee, IT Audit, ITIL, and Risk Management.

Utilizing her diverse expertise, Idalin contributes to the social services sector as a board director. Dedicated to empowering the next generation of professionals, she serves as a mentor with CPA Ontario and as a women’s ambassador for the Executive MBA program at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. In addition, Idalin shares her knowledge as a speaker and sessional professor, teaching postgraduate students in accounting, finance, audit and management information systems.

Her commitment to professionalism, leadership, community and excellence has earned her noteable recognition. In 2022, Idalin was named Poets & Quants’ Top 100 “Best and Brightest” Executive MBA, and in 2023, she was honoured as one of WXN’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada.

Contact: imckenzie@ywcahamilton.org

Daniela Giulietti, Director of Public Affairs

Daniela Giulietti (she/her/elle) first joined YWCA Hamilton in 2016 when she led the Elect More Women Conference that preceded City Council’s historic Gender Parity. Since then, she has built significant experience working as a strategic advisor to elected officials in government and leading successful political campaigns focused on amplifying marginalized voices and pushing for positive change in the community. In her current role as the YWCA’s Director of Public Affairs, she leads the organization’s advocacy work, supports government relations, and advances strategic communications that connect YWCA Hamilton’s impact with a broad public.

Daniela has degrees in Labour Studies form McMaster University and an Honours Specialization in Social Justice from King’s College. Her academic research focused on successful methods of building solidarity between community and institutions toward the influence of policy and government action.

Contact: dgiulietti@ywcahamilton.org

Melissa Ramos, Director of Human Resources

Melissa Ramos (she/her) joined YWCA Hamilton on March of 2022 and since then, her commitment to working hard to help YWCA Hamilton overcome challenges and improve our human resource services has been consistent. Melissa has fully embraced the organizations values and she understands the support our clients need and how to assist our employees to be successful and rewarded in their work.  Before coming to YWCA Hamilton Melissa worked in a diversity of Industries such as Manufacturing, Retail and Healthcare.  Melissa is passionate about helping people thrive in organizations to reach their full potential, and her education and experience in Human Resources reflect that.  She holds a Bachelor’s in Organizational Psychology, a Certification in Human Resources Management and she is a Certified Human Resources Professional.

Contact: 905.522.9922 ext. 127

Matt Barton, Director of Information Technologies

Matt Barton (he/him) has over 30 years working within the IT discipline, focused on utilizing technology as a platform for success of the organization. Prior to YWCA Hamilton, Matt has worked in the fields of Communication, Financial Services and Healthcare. Matt looks at things from the “Big Picture” perspective and has the ability to understand business strategies, and transform them into technology solutions. Matt is very results driven and passionate about technology, and wants to help people understand how technology is a key to their success.

Contact: mbarton@ywcahamilton.org

Sarah Borde, Director of Capital Projects

Sarah (she/her) specialized in Project Management and stakeholders’ relationships and has worked in various industries before joining the YWCA Hamilton. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in Earth Sciences, a master degree in Environmental Sciences and a master degree in Geophysics. In her previous roles, Sarah worked on feasibility studies and due diligences mostly in the mining industry. Sarah is a scientific enthusiast and is always on the lookout for prospective opportunities. She became interested in Passive House Building with the Putman Family YWCA construction project and since then has obtained Passive House training. Sarah is currently Vice-Chair of the Passive House Canada Board. As the Director of Capital Projects, Sarah supports new capital acquisitions, development planning, and major repair & renewal with the purpose of expanding YWCA’s affordable housing portfolio and decreasing the impact on the environment through engaging in environmentally sustainable planning.

Contact: (905) 522-9922 ext. 187

Heather Barkley, Director of Philanthropy

Heather Barkley (she/her) joined YWCA Hamilton in 2019 as the Campaign Officer for the successful #WomenBuildHamilton capital campaign. The opportunity to increase permanent, affordable housing for women and women-led families at the Putman Family YWCA was a personal and professional milestone that resonated with her core value that housing is a human right. Heather moved into the position of Director of Philanthropy in 2023 and she is passionate about connecting donors, funders, and volunteers with YWCA Hamilton’s mission and growing the organization’s impact in the community. Heather holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Bio-Medical Sciences, a Post Graduate Certificate in International Development, and a Master’s Degree in Philanthropy and Non-Profit Leadership.

Contact: (905) 522-9922 ext. 156

Amy Deschamps, Interim Director of Gender-Based Violence Support Services

Amy Deschamps (she/ her) has close to 20 years of experience working within the gender based violence and homelessness sectors and applies an intersectional, harm reduction lens in supporting and amplifying the needs of marginalized individuals experiencing violence and homelessness.  She has centred her career around promoting inclusivity within the Gender Based Violence sector while working to enhance access and service for traditionally underserved populations.  Amy has a passion for enhancing wellness, resilience and creating a culture community care within frontline staff teams.  Bridging her direct service knowledge, with her progressive leadership experience, strengthens Amy’s focus on development and capacity building opportunities for frontline teams in the areas of anti-racism/anti oppression, truth and reconciliation, trauma informed care and risk assessment.

Contact: (905) 522-9922 ext. 112

Violetta Nikolskaya, Interim Director of Housing

Violetta Nikolskaya (she/her/elle) joined the YWCA in 2017 as the Manager of Transitional Housing, and promptly joined the Young Women’s Leadership Engagement Committee to further amplify the voices of young persons within the movement. Violetta has experience in front-line shelter service, management of shelter, housing and support programs for individuals experiencing homelessness, and program design.

Violetta completed her Masters of Critical Social Work at McMaster University, and focused her thesis on understanding the way the homeless-service-sector could improve their performance measurement processes. Violetta has served her community as the Vice and/or Vice-Chair for both the LGBTQ Advisory Committee for the City of Hamilton and the Housing and Homelessness Advisory Committee for the City of Hamilton. She now supports the work of City of Hamilton through the Community Benefits Protocol Sub-Committee. She has also been a sessional instructor for Mohawk College since 2017 for the Continuing Education department and an Adjunct Professor at McMaster University since 2022.

Contact: (905) 522-9922 ext. 320

Klaudine Ravo-Qurbashi, Director of Finance

Klaudine (she/her) first joined YWCA Hamilton in December 2022.  She is experienced in financial leadership roles, examining complex data and delivering accurate financial information to various clients.  Klaudine has strong team building and leadership skills and is passionate about the programs and services offered by the Hamilton YWCA and their positive impact within the community.  Throughout her career, she has demonstrated an exceptional ability to meet organizational objectives and provide exemplary services to both internal and external stakeholders.  In her current role, Klaudine utilizes her expertise in the areas of strategic operational and financial planning for the organization, process improvements and system implementations, including financial reporting, annual budgeting, audits, policy and legal compliance.

Klaudine is a CPA, CA who obtained an Honours Bachelor of Accounting (Co-op) from Brock University.

Contact: (905) 522-9922 ext. 313

Nicole Pocsai, Director of Children’s Services

Nicole Pocsai (she/her) joined the YWCA in 2025 and is a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) with over 20 years of experience in the child care sector. Throughout her career, Nicole has been dedicated to advancing high‑quality early learning and fostering environments where children, families, and educators can thrive.

Nicole’s work is grounded in the belief that child care is a cornerstone of a society that values women. Accessible, affordable, and high‑quality child care is essential to gender equity, family well‑being, and the economic participation of women, making it a key building block of a more feminist and inclusive world. This conviction shapes Nicole’s leadership and fuels her commitment to creating systems that truly support those who rely on them.

She has a strong interest in driving systemic change within the child care landscape, particularly in expanding equitable access for families and addressing long‑standing structural barriers. Nicole is also a vocal advocate for the professional recognition and fair compensation of early childhood educators, championing the need for sustainable wage reform and improved working conditions within the sector.

Contact: (905) 522-9922 ext. 129

Jennifer Perkins, Director of Developmental Services 

Jennifer started her journey at the YWCA Hamilton in 2016, as a relief worker and since then has worked with passion and dedication while embracing the YWCA’s mission, vision and values.

With over 30 years of experience in the social services field, Jennifer is a compassionate and results-driven leader committed to empowering individuals with developmental disabilities. During her time with the YWCA Jennifer has served as a Residential Supervisor overseeing 24/7 residential programming, then transitioning to Manager where she led a dynamic team dedicated to delivering inclusive, high-quality care aligned with trauma-informed practices and equity-based values.

Jennifer’s career spans a range of leadership roles—from supervising and managing multidisciplinary teams to designing innovative life skills and community integration programs. Her strategic vision and operational acumen have consistently improved client outcomes while fostering healthy, resilient teams. She is known for her collaborative approach, strong advocacy, and unwavering commitment to dignity and independence for marginalized populations, including women, youth, and gender-diverse individuals.

Jennifer’s dedication extends beyond the workplace through her volunteer work with the Hamilton Burlington SPCA and various animal rescues, where she combines her love of animals with front-line community support.

Contact: (905) 522-9922 ext. 507

Tehreem Zafar, Director of Health Equity and Newcomer Services

Tehreem joined YWCA Hamilton in June 2020 and led the development of a comprehensive 360° Immigrant and Settlement Services model for newcomer women. What began as a pilot during the extraordinary circumstances of the global pandemic has now grown into a well-established, integrated service department at YWCA under her strategic leadership, delivering coordinated and wraparound supports that respond to the complex realities of newcomer communities.

As Director of Health Equity and Newcomer Services, Tehreem now provides strategic oversight to a broad portfolio of community-based initiatives advancing newcomer integration, gender equity, and inclusive wellbeing across the lifespan. With over a decade of experience leading large-scale, government-funded programs, she brings deep expertise in equity-informed program design, cross-sector partnerships, and outcomes-driven service delivery. Her work is grounded in a strong GBA Plus and community-informed lens, collaborating closely with funders, policymakers, and grassroots partners to strengthen accessible, culturally responsive systems of support.

Tehreem holds a Master’s degree in English Language and Literature and an OCELT designation from TESL Ontario. She previously oversaw Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) programming in Saskatchewan and continues to contribute sector leadership in language integration at a systems level through her role on the Board of Directors at the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CCLB).

She also serves on Hamilton’s Hate Crime Case Review Team (HCCRT), and holds advisory and leadership roles with the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council (HIPC), the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI), the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board Human Rights and Equity Advisory Committee, and the South Asian Heritage Association of Hamilton and Region (SAHAHR).

Contact: (289) 556-8059 ext.148