OUR BOARD

Arjun Dhanjal (he/him/his) is a diversity, equity, and inclusion strategist based in Toronto, Ontario. With over 10 years of experience working in the technology, financial, education, and non-profit industries, Arjun has a proven track record for building diverse, high-performing organizations. He has been working at TD Bank Group in Toronto since 2016, where he leads the 2SLGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group for TD’s technology organization—a mandate spanning over 25,000 colleagues.

Arjun served as a student trustee for the Halton District School Board from 2012-2013, and has been involved with OSTA-AECO in a leadership capacity since his return to the organization in 2014. As the chair of the board of directors, Arjun has led the board through significant organizational and cultural changes.

Carina Gabriele (she/her) is an education advocate, feminist, and policy specialist passionate about advancing gender equity. She holds a Master of Education in Education Policy from the University of Toronto, and a BA in Women’s Studies and English Language and Literature from Western University. At Western, Carina served in a number of elected leadership positions and worked on multiple gender-equity projects in the London community. After graduating, Carina was elected as an Executive Officer of Western’s student union. In this position, Carina created the student union’s Women in House program in collaboration with federal Members of Parliament, designed and implemented a free campus menstrual equity pilot program, and advocated against campus gender-based violence. 

Professionally, Carina has worked on Courage to Act, a multi-year project to address and prevent gender-based violence on post-secondary campuses, and for then-Toronto City Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam. She presently works for the federal government, advancing policy issues with a focus on diversity and inclusion. Outside of her work, Carina served as a Young Director for Fora’s Girls On Boards program, and presently serves as a Vice-Chair for OSTA-AECO and as a Board Member for People for Education. She is the recipient of many awards, including the Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case for her work advancing gender equality in Canada, and Ontario’s Leading Women, Leading Girls award.

Lindsey Keene (she/her/hers) is a Public Affairs and Policy Management student at Carleton University specializing in Communications Technology and Regulation. She was a student trustee for the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board from 2017-2019 and Public Affairs Coordinator for OSTA-AECO from 2018-2019.

Lindsey is currently a Communications Officer in the Strategic Communications Directorate for Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer. She was previously a Policy Analyst with the Ministry of Education’s Student Achievement Division and a Student Project Officer with the Canada Border Services Agency’s Traveller Transformation Branch. When she’s not working, she is an active member of Ottawa’s theatre community as an actor, director, and member of the Board of Executives for Sock ‘n’ Buskin Theatre Company.

Lindsey is thrilled to work with the talented and capable individuals on the Board of Directors. She is committed to contributing to an organization that is equitable, inclusive, and accessible for all student trustees.

Kira Petriello (she/her/hers) graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University. Currently, Kira is a Juris Doctor candidate at the Queen’s Faculty of Law, and is actively involved in her school community through her positions with the Queen’s Business Law Clinic, and the Queen’s Chapter of Pro Bono Students Canada. Kira served as student trustee for the Niagara Catholic DSB from 2016-2017 and has continued to actively participate in student government at Queen’s University.

Kira is also a devoted advocate for justice and equity outside her university as she values the importance of giving back to her community. Kira is excited to return to the organization in a greater leadership capacity, as the Treasurer of the Board at OSTA-AECO. In this role, she will ensure OSTA-AECO’s long-term financial security and maintain the stability of the organization through the highest standards of fiscal responsibility.

Harleen Arora (she/her/hers) currently works as an Engagement Associate at DoorDash in Toronto. She graduated with an Honours Business Administration from the Ivey Business School at Western University, in 2020. Prior to her current role at DoorDash, Harleen has had experience working in healthcare, the CPG industry, and economic development.

Harleen served as a student trustee for the York Region District School Board from 2015-2016, and has been involved with OSTA-AECO in a leadership capacity since her return to the organization in 2021. As the chair of the Alumni, Mentorship and Outreach Committee, Harleen continues to strategize and execute initiatives to keep OSTA-AECO Alumni involved, engaged and excited about the organization. 

Nicolas Bottger (he/him/his) currently works as a management consultant at the Boston Consulting Group. He has driven various end-to-end transformations in the US and Canada, and done substantial work on the development of optimal operating models, including a corporate spinout and the creation of a Board of Directors. Prior to BCG, Nicolas has also worked at Scotiabank’s Enterprise Strategy team and Banco de Credito’s FP&A team.

He served as a student trustee for the York Catholic District School Board from 2015-2017, as President of the Catholic Board Council in 2016-2017, and as CEO of OSTA-AECO in 2017-2018.

Nicolas graduated with an Hons. Bachelor of Arts in Global Economics from Western University and a Hons. Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the Ivey School of Business. During his time at university, he served as a Director and Vice-Chair for the University Students’ Council from 2019-2021, offering strategic guidance during political, economic, and stakeholder uncertainty.

Outside of work, Nicolas is interested in Latin American issues, snowboarding, and scuba diving.

Cameron Prosic (he/him/his) is a second year student at McMaster University studying Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour as well as Mental Health and Addictions. Cameron served two terms as a student trustee at the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board from 2017-2019. He was elected public affairs coordinator of OSTA-AECO from 2018-2019, and was appointed chief executive officer of the organization from 2020-2021.

Cameron currently works for St. John Ambulance as a first aid instructor and medical first responder, and also runs a trades business employing 8 full-time students. Cameron looks forward to coaching and mentoring the executive council, as well as supporting governance and infrastructure. Cameron is also heavily involved with technology management, and hopes to apply his experiences both in the health & safety and private business sectors to support all members of the organization in fulfilling their roles.

Madison Davis (she/her/hers) is a third year student at Carleton University studying Commerce with a minor in Neuroscience and Mental Health. Madison served as a student trustee at the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board from 2018-2019. She currently works for the RCMP in the Digital Realization of Enterprise Information Management team as a research assistant.

She is also extremely passionate about inclusion and education for disability awareness. This lead her to her role as a research assistant in Sun Labs for as a research assistant in study on monitoring and manipulating early-life seizure sensitive neurons in the developing brain. Her passion has also lead her current entrepreneurial project where she aims to build an accessibility device for individuals with photosensitive epilepsy. Madison is pumped to work along side a dedicated team of OSTA-AECO Alumni to support current student trustees in their terms and future endeavours, while advocating for inclusive spaces.

Arpita Savaliya (she/her/hers) is a student at the University of Toronto studying Political Science, French Language Learning as well as Environmental Studies and Sustainability. Arpita served as a student trustee at the Durham District School Board from 2020-2021 and served as Professional Development Coordinator for OSTA-AECO.

Arpita currently works for the City of Oshawa delivering arts programming within the recreation department. She previously served as a program coordinator for the Youth Impact Challenge where she worked with young start-ups and nonprofits striving for social and environmental change. Arpita looks forward to bringing her passion for sustainability, equity, and advocacy as well as her experience in the public and nonprofit sector to the organization and support all members achieve their goals.

Dakota Livingston (she/her/hers) served as a student trustee for the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board in 2017-2018. She currently works with youth in the non-profit sector to advance climate action and diversify STEM spaces across Canada. She graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor of Global and International Studies degree, specializing in international law and policy from Carleton University. During her time at university, Dakota was heavily involved in student leadership, being elected to two terms on the Carleton Academic Student Government executive team, where she advocated for compassionate grading measures, and increased student supports during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

In all senses, Dakota values community and is excited to be combining her experience in student advocacy and supporting youth in her role as a Director with OSTA-AECO to continue amplifying student voice across the province.

Declan Amaral (he/him) is currently a student in the Bachelor of Fine Arts Music program at York University, hoping to specialize in classical performance and music education. From 2020 to 2022, Declan served as a student trustee at the Durham Catholic District School Board, and he has held several leadership positions within OSTA-AECO. In his second term as Chief Executive Officer, he continues supporting student trustees’ work on the Leadership Team and in the General Assembly. In addition to his educational advocacy at OSTA-AECO, Declan works as a Research Assistant and Knowledge Mobilization Coordinator on the Public Education Exchange (PEX) project led by Associate Professor Dr. Sue Winton at York U. He is enthusiastic about promoting accessible, equitable, and universal public education, as well as ensuring that students have a voice in shaping education and policy decisions.  

Siobhán Marie (she/her) is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) at Trent University in the Teacher Education Stream.

From 2021 to 2023, she served as a student trustee for the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic District School Board, and as the Policy Coordinator for OSTA-AECO from 2022-2023. In her role as Chief Operating Officer, Siobhan supports student trustees’ by managing daily operational tasks as well as helping equip student trustees across Ontario with important professional development, skills and resources. Siobhan combines her passion for education with her commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders to support the success of student trustees across the province.

In addition to her academic and advocacy pursuits, Siobhán works for the City of Kawartha Lakes Parks and Recreation Division and volunteers in her free time as the founding leader of a variety of community wellness programs. Siobhan is committed to making a positive impact on others through non-profit management, promoting equity in education, and philanthropic community developments.