Leisha Zamecnik, MSW, RSW
Founder & Executive Director
Leisha Zamecnik is an experienced education consultant, facilitator, program designer and clinician who has been engaging young people and youth-serving professionals in the areas of social emotional wellbeing, mental health and leadership development, for the past 15 years. Leisha excels at building relationships with people from diverse backgrounds using anti-oppressive and empowerment approaches to achieve results.
Before founding Common Compass, she worked within the children’s mental health field both as a clinician and manager, lead numerous multi-agency partnerships and region-wide youth prevention programs. Over the last 7 years, her leadership of Common Compass has yielded collaborations across 8 school boards, with more than 6000 students, parents and educators.
Leisha’s experience is underscored by a Masters degree in Social Work: Dean’s List, Specialization in Children & Families (University of Toronto), a Certificate in Leadership (College of Management & Economics, University of Guelph) and a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Science: Social Psychology & Biology (University of Guelph). Leisha has authored two peer-reviewed academic articles, has developed and implemented many impactful youth-led programs, and has been the recipient of numerous community leadership awards, including the YWCA Young Woman of Distinction.
Bianca Gouveia,
Project and Administrative Coordinator
Bianca Gouveia has a professional background emphasizing leadership and community engagement. In her role as the Vice President of Student Services at Western University’s Students’ Council, Bianca successfully led nine diverse programs and services, directly impacting over 35,000 undergraduate students. Her leadership provided her expertise in project/program management and collaboration while emphasizing the creation inclusive environments.
With a background in Sociology and History, Bianca’s work experience has fueled her passion for understanding social dynamics and driving meaningful change in communities. She is excited to join the Common Compass team to create a lasting and positive impact within education and mental health sector.
Board of Directors
Joshua Akiti
Joshua Akiti is a young professional accountant currently pursuing an MBA at the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University. He holds an MBA in Petroleum Accounting and Finance, an MSc in Defense and International Politics, and a BSc in Accounting. Joshua is a member of several professional bodies, including the Institute of Financial Accountants (UK), the Institute of Public Accountants (Australia), and the Chartered Institute of Financial and Investment Analysts (Ghana). He works as the Senior Tax Accountant at Ghana National Gas Company Limited, the premier gas company in Ghana, and also serves as a Senior Tax Consultant with Dream Solutions.
Joshua is passionate about the values promoted by Common Compass, particularly its efforts in partnering with schools to foster belonging, inclusion, and positive mental health for all. This mission has inspired him to join the organization as a Co-Tresure. He believes in the importance of providing students worldwide with the guidance and support that Common Compass champions.
Anne Falomo
Anne Falomo is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified Management Accountant (CPA, CMA) who works independently as Owner-Operator of Schooley Mitchell of Vaughan Cost Reduction Services. She has over 15 years of Financial Reporting, Planning and Analysis, and Systems Implementation experience with various Food Manufacturing and Consumer-Packaged Goods companies. Anne obtained her Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting and Economics from McGill University and her Master of Science in Management Information Systems from Queens University. Her volunteer experience includes roles as Board Member, Community Outreach for the Canadian Association of Women Executives & Entrepreneurs (CAWEE) and Board Member, Finance Committee member at York Hills Centre for Children, Youth and Families. In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies and travelling.
Debbie Chou
Debbie Chou is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant (CPA, CA) and holds a Bachelor of Accounting and Financial Management and a Master of Accounting from the University of Waterloo. She has over 12 years of experience in internal and external audit assurance specializing in the financial services industry.
Debbie’s interest in mental health started at a very young age when she noticed that finding resources and support in school was far. Her personal values are what drew her to common compass and Debbie firmly believes that by speaking up about mental health issues and raising awareness about the importance of seeking help, young people can make a positive impact on their communities and inspire others to take action.
In her spare time, Debbie enjoys practicing yoga, running, reading, and running after her 2 young boys with her husband.
Jennifer Drummond
Jennifer Drummond is the Founder of Racial Lens, an Equity and Inclusion consulting service. Combining lived experience as a Black woman, training as a Psychotherapist, and extensive expertise in training creation and facilitation, Jennifer has created a way to make people reflect deeply on their own relationship with racism, equity, and inclusion.
Before starting Racial Lens, Jennifer worked as a Program Consultant with Family Day, a childcare service organization, working with school-age children. As the first Program Manager and creative lead, the Beyond 3:30 afterschool programs came to life. Beyond 3:30 was run in partnership with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) working with middle school children in Toronto’s “improvement areas”. She comes with more programming experience working as a Program Supervisor and Program Coordinator with two non-formal youth exchange programs; Canada World Youth and Katimavik. Being part of the Common Compass Board aligns with my experience and values and I’m happy to help bring mental health and equity tools to students to enhance their school experience and give them skills that can be used for a lifetime.
Rose-marie Fernandez, CPC, PCC
A seasoned Human Resources Professional (HRPA) and Professional Certified Coach (ICF) with international experience across continents (30+years), holding Senior Lead positions in HR, Consulting, and a Coach/Facilitator/Mentor in diverse environments in 12 countries. This would include the non profit, public, finance, hospitality, manufacturing and airline sectors. Highly skilled communicator and influencer, adept at engaging individuals at all organizational levels to achieve high performance. Focused on building collaborative relationships with Influencers in organizations to create work environments that optimizes their Human Capital.
Alan Findlay
Alan Findlay is a strategic communications leader currently serving as the Vice President of Communications at Infrastructure Ontario. With a career spanning over two decades, Alan drives the planning and execution for organizations to communicate their mission, values, and impact to diverse stakeholders.
Alan’s ability to distill complex infrastructure concepts into compelling narratives was honed during his 12 years as a news reporter, covering politics at all levels of government and serving as president of the Queen’s Park Press Gallery at the Ontario Legislature. He possesses an innate that resonate with both experts and the general public. Under his leadership, Infrastructure Ontario’s communication strategies have undergone a transformative evolution, ensuring transparent and engaging interactions with government agencies, private partners, and the broader community.
Alan is also the proud father of two school-aged kids, a former co-chair of the Courcelette School Council and a weekend woodworker.
Ron Levy
Ron helps advance social missions that educate, inspire, and empower by giving voice to awareness, fundraising, corporate, government and community relations, marketing, and media strategies. For more than 30 years, Ron has helped raise awareness of issues and articulate the value of programs and services that benefit the community.
Saloni Patel
Saloni Patel is currently pursuing her Chartered Professional Accountancy designation and holds a Bachelor of Accounting and Financial Management and a Master of Accounting from the University of Waterloo. She works in external audit with extensive experience within the financial services and asset and wealth management industries and is passionate about ESG reporting.
Growing up as an only child, she was drawn to Common Compass’s values of compassion and community based problem solving. She believes that even the smallest actions can make a big impact. She enjoys reading and being active outdoors in her free time.