WHEN’s Board of Directors
Kanisha Acharya-patel, BOARD DIRECTOR
Kanisha has been deeply involved with WHEN, serving as a Policy Analyst (December 2018–August 2019), interim Executive Director (January–June 2022), and a Board member (July 2022–October 2023). She later served as WHEN’s Law Reform Specialist (November 2023–July 2024) before rejoining the Board in August 2024. With a background in environmental science, a law degree specializing in environmental and Aboriginal and Indigenous law, and extensive experience in the environmental non-profit sector, Kanisha is committed to advancing environmental justice.
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 from the 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.
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 support the Board in expanding knowledge translation to drive environmental and social change.
Charlotte Hobson, Board director
Charlotte is a lawyer with considerable academic and professional experience in the environmental and human rights space. She is deeply committed to environmental justice and looks forward to advancing WHEN’s mission on the Board of Directors.
Our Staff
Sayesha Gupta (She/Her), Executive Director
Sayesha is the Executive Director at 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. Contact Sayesha: sayesha@womenshealthyenvironments.ca
Lily Farinaccio (She/Her), Policy Analyst
Lily is a Policy Analyst at WHEN and advocates for policies that promote environmental justice and uphold the human right to a healthy environment. She graduated 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. Contact Lily: lily@womenshealthyenvironments.ca
Victoria Lewis, operations manager
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
Our volunteers
WHEN@UofT Club Founder
Lizramona Mwakitwange (she/her)
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.
Social Media team
Mythreyi Rajasingham (she/her)
Mythreyi is a dedicated volunteer with WHEN, where she has been contributing for the past year and a half to support its mission of empowering women by addressing the interconnected challenges of environmental and health advocacy. She is deeply passionate about exploring the intersection of the environmental crisis with race, class, gender, and other forms of social inequality. As the new year begins, Mythreyi is excited to continue amplifying these critical conversations through social media and collaborating with the team to engage and inspire the community.
Shay Pokharel (she/her)
Shay is an MA Geography student at Western University 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.
Nicole Nicola
Nicole is a student at the University of Toronto studying human biology, ecology and evolutionary biology, and has a strong passion for women’s health. Here at WHEN, Nicole can use this passion to create and invent new ways to spread knowledge and awareness.
Events team
Stephanie Wiatr
Stephanie recently graduated from Queen's University with a Bachelors in Gender studies and Sociology with a focus on environmental justice for Indigenous communities in Canada, researching the lack of clean drinking water. Stephanie worked on helping to plan the 30th anniversary WHEN gala.
Amy Fernando
Amy Fernando is a MSc student at the University of Toronto, where she studies environmental health and pregnancy. She graduated from the University of Manitoba in 2023 with a degree in biology. She is passionate about science-backed policy and improving educational equity!
Editorial team
Kaitlyn De Sousa (She/Her)
As a recent graduate from UofT with a bachelor’s in Health Studies and Human Geography, Kaitlyn is passionate about promoting sustainable and healthy living through an intersectional lens that explores the connections between health, the environment, and community well-being. She is committed to supporting evidence-based initiatives that advance WHEN’s mission through research and collaboration.
Gwen Merry
Gwen is a fourth-year student at the University of Toronto studying Political Science and Ethics, Society and Law. She is passionate about the environment and enjoys working with peers to address environmental challenges.
Lyndsay (Lyns) Amat
Lyndsay holds a BSc in Environmental Science and Data Science from the University of British Columbia. Currently, she works as a Data Analyst at ERIS, where she provides environmental risk information services. Lyns is passionate about promoting a healthier environment by leveraging data-driven solutions to enhance environmental sustainability initiatives and foster a sense of ecological responsibility.