Anthony Gonsalves is an avid cyclist and lover of the outdoors who happens to be a Certified Management Accountant. When not on his bike or playing guitar, he can be found at the Law Society of Upper Canada where he is the Supervisor of the Spot Audit Program. Prior to the Law Society, Anthony was an auditor with the Canada Revenue Agency specializing in small business, trusts and estates.
Meaghan Grewal has been building her ethical fashion and sustainable sourcing consultancy KuKu Curry in Kenya and India for the past few years. Through research work for her thesis at the University of Nairobi, various work experiences and her innate love of travel, Meaghan has been exposed to and worked with a plethora of global organizations, companies, NGOs, designers, brands and artisans within the framework of sustainable development. Meaghan is very excited to be back home in Canada and looking forward to getting involved with Toronto's burgeoning socially responsible business community.
Michelle has worked in the advertising industry for 15+ years and has worked on some of our countries top publications including Canadian Geographic, Canadian House & Home and Best Health. Currently she is the Director of Advertising for Chatelaine & Châtelaine, Canada’s largest women’s brands. Michelle has always been passionate about fashion and the environment and being part of Fashion Takes Action is a way to take her knowledge in advertising and marketing and marry it with her passions.
Sarah has spent her career organizing people around environmental work, enjoyment, and action. Her passion has lead her to projects such as starting a fair trade café at York University, or founding an inner-city community garden as her Senior Honours Work in Environmental Studies. She has carried this tradition on into her career as a teacher and facilitator, taking every opportunity to integrate sustainability into her curriculum where ever her global and local travels have taken her. While working at Toronto Region Conservation (TRCA), she also coordinated staff as five facilities worked towards Ontario EcoSchools certification. For three and a half years (2009-2013), Sarah worked along side Kelly Drennan as Program Director (and unofficially, VP of Everything Else) promoting sustainability in the fashion industry through campaigns such as Resizing Fashion's Footprint, and the Fashion Innovation BizCamp. She is now pursuing innovative community-building in Durham Region, just east of Toronto, and is the Secretary of the FTA Board.
Dionne moved back to Toronto in 2012 after working in New York's luxury fashion industry for the last 12 years. As a Board member of Fashion Takes Action, she looks forward to beginning the second chapter of her fashion career – this time with a purpose. Dionne has 12 years of wholesale experience and strong relationships in the industry, which is a huge asset for FTA. Her mission is to help bring sustainable collections to the mainstream, and she would love to see more sustainable fashion on the sales floors of the top department and specialty stores across North America.
Dr. Lafrenz is an Associate Professor in the School of Fashion at Ryerson University. “The reason why I am so interested in being part of this great organization is both personal and professional. The professional part trumps even the personal since I am so concerned that our students learn more about sustainability. The reason I wanted to be involved with FTA was my belief that this organization could in many ways benefit fashion students at Ryerson and how in turn our students could influence the fashion industry and beyond.”
Robert was born and raised in Toronto where he developed an appreciation for the unique challenges facing small businesses by packaging nails and selling fertilizer in his father's High Park-area Home Hardware. He is thrilled to establish a legal practice back in the city of his roots and is looking forward to assist smaller businesses, community groups and individuals in becoming active participants in the province's emerging green economy.
