WHEN’s Board of Directors

Kanisha Acharya-patel
BOARD DIRECTOR

Kanisha has a long history with WHEN - she joined the team as a Policy Analyst from December 2018-August 2019, was the interim Executive Director from January-June 2022, and was on the Board of Directors from July 2022-October 2023. Kanisha served as WHEN’s Law Reform Specialist from November 2023-July 2024, and rejoined the Board in August 2024. With a background in environmental science, a law degree with specialized certificates in environmental law and Aboriginal and Indigenous law, and significant experience in the environmental non-profit sector, Kanisha has a demonstrated commitment to advancing environmental justice.

Melanie Jarcaig
BOARD DIRECTOR

Melanie has always been drawn to the intersection of technology, creativity, and sustainability. Driven by her commitment to creating a greener and more equitable world, Melanie has navigated diverse career paths, including roles in non-toxic beauty and the renewable energy industry. Despite the varying landscapes of her professional journey, Melanie's compass always points back to environmental activism.

Enida Kule
TREASURER

Enida is a champion of women's health, women's issues, and environmental sustainability. She has led WHEN in the capacity of both Chair and Treasurer and has been on the WHEN board for over 10 years.

Monika Molka
BOARD DIRECTOR

Monika is an investment professional and past WHEN volunteer. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Waterloo where she studied Science and Business, with a specialization in Biochemistry and a minor in Economics. Monika bridges her passions for science and problem solving to support WHEN's mission.

Anuja purohit
BOARD DIRECTOR

Anuja is a law student at the University of Ottawa and has completed her HBA in Political Science with a minor in Environmental Studies and a Masters of Environment and Sustainability (University of Toronto). She began her involvement with WHEN during her Masters where she conducted a critical review of the Bill S-5 amendments for CEPA, 1999. She looks forward to continuing her policy engagement work on the Board of Directors.

Zeina Saeifan
BOARD DIRECTOr

Zeina has volunteered with when since 2023 as WHEN’s Policy Engagement Researcher and was a co-lead for the #WannaBeToxicFree campaign 2024. She completed her undergraduate and master’s degrees at the University of Toronto where she studied Environment & Sustainability and is looking forward to advocating for vulnerable populations as a Board Director.

Nicole SpiegelaAR
BOARD DIRECTOR

Nicole as been a longstanding advocate of environmental and social change, and has uplifted and mentored young women, gender diverse, and BIPOC youth in the environment sector. Nicole is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto who uses complex adaptive systems theory and trans-disciplinary knowledge integration to address sustainability imbalances. Nicole is a valued member of WHEN’s Board of Directors.  

Honour Stahl
BOARD DIRECTOR

Honour worked with WHEN as the Executive Director from 2022-24 and led WHEN through the development and execution of major partnerships, events, and community and academic outreach initiatives, building WHEN’s capacity for national environmental and health advocacy and engagement. Honour is glad to be on the Board supporting the organization to reach beyond traditional knowledge translation formats to insight environmental and societal change.