Staff
Sayesha Gupta (She/Her), Executive Director
Sayesha is the Executive Director at the Women's Healthy Environment Network (WHEN). She graduated from the University of Toronto with a BA in Political Science, Women and Gender Studies, and Education; her passion for social justice and environmental health drives her leadership at WHEN. Sayesha began working with WHEN as an advanced placement student and lead Operations Manager for our Wannabe Toxic Free Campaign in 2023 and continued volunteering with WHEN after completing her placement, supporting events such as WHEN’s 30th anniversary gala. Currently studying at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, she brings a unique perspective to her role, focusing on empowering individuals and promoting access to justice.
Lily Farinaccio (She/Her), Policy Analyst
Lily is a Policy Analyst at WHEN and advocates for policy that advances environmental justice and protects the human right to a healthy environment. She is a graduate from the University of Toronto, where she studied Ethics, Society and Law, and Critical Studies in Equity and Solidarity. Her current research focuses on social justice, women’s issues, and environmental policy and toxics regulation. Lily initially joined WHEN as a Community Research Partner in Ethics (CRPE) as part of a collaborative project with the University of Toronto that centred on environmental racism. Through an intersectional feminist lens, her research project analyzed the potential of the Environmental Justice Strategy Act (formerly Bill C-226) with specific reference to the disproportionate exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) faced by Indigenous Communities in Canada. Lily is delighted to be working with WHEN to continue to advocate for intersectional environmental law and policy that protect those most vulnerable to environmental harm.
MEET THE VOLUNTEER TEAM
Victoria Lewis (she/her), community liaison and accessibility advisor
During her Bachelor of Social Work Vic focused on issues in accessibility, women’s studies, and wellness studies. As part of her commitment to advancing social justice and equity, she reduces constraints to wellbeing through access to information and knowledge sharing. Contact Vic: outreach@womenshealthyenvironments.ca
Mythreyi Rajasingham (she/her), Social Media Coordinator
Is a recent graduate of UofT with a background in English, Equity, and Environmental Studies. As a volunteer at WHEN, she creates fun and informational posts about toxins lurking in our daily products. She is looking forward to more creative endeavours with WHEN!
Lizramona Mwakitwange (she/her), WHEN@UofT Club Founder
Liz supports youth engagement by connecting WHEN's work with students on the UofT campus and is eager to play a pivotal role in empowering and mobilizing gender-diverse youth to advocate for intersectional environmental justice.
Shay Pokharel (She/Her), WEB Design
Shay is an incoming MA Geography student at the University of Western Ontario with a strong interest in environmental justice initiatives. Shay joined WHEN to learn more about WHEN’s law and policy reform efforts, to collaborate with peers who share similar interests, and to advocate for gender-diverse individuals.