Meet The Toronto Team

Nadia Van

Assistant Chair 

Nadia Van is a communications and design strategist with experience working in higher education, healthcare, and real estate. Her specialty is crafting beautiful visuals and human-centered digital experiences that tell a compelling story. She is passionate about intersectionality, equity and inclusion, and creating space for marginalized young women to share their stories and pursue their career goals. Nadia has a keen interest in the arts and all things digital, often taking on side projects in writing and web development.

Sandra Lai

Technology Lead

Sandra is an experienced IT manager with progressive experience specializing in analytics, project management, and technology.  She has a proven track record of driving regulatory, marketing, and analytics initiatives to completion, supporting critical analytical platforms, and establishing consistent processes / documentation standards to improve customer experience. 

Sandra has volunteered for over 20 years in the analytics, project management and sports community, and has been on the Board of Director for 5 years.  Her affiliative leadership style focuses on team collaboration, proactive communication, and problem solving with a focus on accountability.

Pelin Kaya 

Events Lead

Pelin is a compassionate and empathetic leader with a more than decade of experience in managing large scale delivery initiatives. She has an entrepreneurial spirit that has lead her to engage in several small-scale business projects and develop onto leadership roles in her career. She is passionate about giving back to the community and currently sits on the Board of Directors of Sunrise Seniors Place, a non-for-profit affordable housing complex for Seniors in Oshawa. Pelin is an advocate for women’s rights and equality encouraging the dialogue of the gender pay gap, shared housekeeping responsibilities, and paternity leave.

Farhana Mahbub

Chapter Chair

Farhana Mahbub, Toronto Chapter Board Chair is a Director at RBC Capital Markets, is a delivery-oriented professional who is passionate about transformational change and developing world-class implementation capabilities. She hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from University of Toronto and Masters in Business Administration from Ryerson University (Ted Rogers School of Management). Farhana has worked in multiple industries including pharmaceuticals, biotech, insurance and banking. Farhana, mother of three boys, is passionate about developing the next generation of leaders and advancing their careers in the workplace through her sponsorship, mentorship and consistent advocacy for female leaders.

Nkechi Ogbue

Diversity & Inclusion Lead

Nkechi is a program management, compliance and regulatory affairs professional with more than 13 years of experience that has spanned roles in energy, aerospace and manufacturing and legal services. In a career characterized by positions in highly visible corporate initiatives and public programs, Nkechi has been regularly credited for strategically delivering business process improvements, effectively managing multiple project stakeholder relationships, and optimizing B2B customer experiences. Nkechi is passionate about increasing the representation of racialized groups, including visible minority women, in STEM-oriented professions and fields. She is also a youth financial literacy advocate and has volunteered throughout her career with organizations that are dedicated to this cause.

Karolina Smith

Marketing Lead

Karolina Smith is an Operational Risk Manager with over 10 years of extensive experience working within the financial services industry. Karolina holds various degrees and professional certifications, such as a Project Management Professional (PMP) designation and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Karolina recently completed her Cyber Security Management certification at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies and continues her studies in the Cyber Security field, working within Enterprise Technology at TD bank.  

Rachita Ranjan

Social Media Lead

Rachita Ranjan values interpersonal relationship & coaching and is passionate about problem-solving and leading strategic transformation initiatives. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Technology and Masters in Business Administration from University of Toronto (Rotman School of Management). Rachita has extensive experience in banking industry with over 10+ years of progressive career within Canada, India and Australia. Outside work, Rachita, wife of an anime lover, loves to learn or experience new things in her spare time. During summer she loves cycling and trail hikes with her two adopted dogs and during winter she dances her way out of the cold weather. Rachita joins WIL Toronto as Strategy Lead and is an ardent advocate for workplace well-being and developing diverse and inclusive mindset through her volunteering and mentorship.

Rachel Sachs

Communications Lead

Rachel Sachs (she, her) is an Ontario lawyer striving to make the law more accessible to her clients. Rachel runs her own practice, serving senior clients, families, individuals, and small businesses. She is a wife, a mother, a lover of animals and coffee, and a staunch advocate for women, seniors, and inclusion and diversity, within the legal profession and beyond. Rachel gives back to the community through pro bono work and public legal education, including her "Seniors, Ask Me Anything" sessions. In past years, she has volunteered her time to the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic and the Refugee Sponsorship Support Program.

Sarah Hamel

Engagement Lead

​Sarah is an industry-recognized senior leader with expertise in Data Analytics, Data Management, Data Strategy, and Data Governance. Her specialty is driving real business value through insight into data.  In addition to an excellent project track record across multiple financial institutions, Sarah has developed a reputation as a passionate and community advocate who is committed to diversity in leadership. During her spare time, she is engaged in helping others grow their professional careers through mentorship and volunteering at various diversity organizations.

Miley Zheng

Chapter Coordinator

Miley is a University of Western Ontario student who is currently pursuing a degree in Management and Organizational Studies with Honors Specialization in Finance. She found her passion in the field of business in high school and is inspired to advocate for cultural diversity and female leadership. Miley co-founded two companies with 30 students of similar interests, and has extensive experience in marketing and working with the corporate social initiative team.