Meet our Board
Interested in becoming an RHAC Board Member?
Matt Brown, Board Chair
Matt is a teacher with the Thames Valley District School Board at N’Amerind Friendship Centre. Matt served as a London City Councillor for Ward 7 from 2010-2014, and London’s 63rd Mayor from 2014-2018. Matt is a previous Chair of the 55 Hours of Hope fundraising event, past president of Childreach, past co-chair of “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes," and was also a member of the London Police Services Board, the Public Utility Commission, the London Economic Development Corporation Board, the London Convention Centre Board, Western University Board of Governors, and London Public Library Board.
Lila Desjardine, Vice Chair
Lila is the Manager of Supportive Response Programs at CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services. Prior to this role, Lila spent 10 years at Regional HIV/AIDS Connection, where she honed her expertise in supporting individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. Lila has also contributed significantly to the HIV sector and AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) across the province through her 3 years of service on the Ontario AIDS Network's Board of Directors. Lila has completed extensive training in suicide intervention, critical incident debriefing, anti-racist/anti-oppression work, trauma-informed care practices, and crisis de-escalation.
Saleha Khan, Treasurer
Saleha possesses a Masters in Public Administration from Western University. Saleha’s employment experience includes roles as: Equity & Inclusion Instructor and Unit Lead (Ontario Police College), Diversity & Inclusion Specialist (Corporation of City of London), Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager (Peel Regional Police Service), and Senior Inclusion Lead/Acting Unit Command (Toronto Police Service).
Erica Lawson, Secretary
Erica completed a PhD in the Department of Sociology and Equity Studies in Education at OISE (University of Toronto). She is currently a tenured Associate Professor of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies at Western University. Erica has experience volunteering with the Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention (Black CAP) and has been involved in several initiatives aimed at implementing anti-racism and anti-oppression.
Alexa Duggan
Alexa is a lawyer with Cohen Highley LLP in London, Ontario. She specializes in disability and personal injury law. Kindness, compassion, and fairness are the values she instills in her practice and the backbone of a strong community. Alexa is excited to bring her experience and passion for helping people, and her community, to her work with the RHAC Board.
Justin Henry
With over 15 years of experience in Human Resources, Justin is a seasoned HR professional. He is deeply committed to advocating for marginalized communities, particularly as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Justin has a strong commitment to social justice and has gained profound insight into the challenges faced by those dealing with addiction. Justin is eager to contribute his expertise and personal insights as a member of the Regional HIV/AIDS Connection Board of Directors, where he hopes to support the organization’s mission to serve diverse communities and address critical social issues with empathy and effectiveness.
Lily Yosieph
Lily completed a BHSc in Health Sciences and MSc in the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Western University. She is currently a Research Associate and Adult Liaison of the Youth Mental Health and Addictions Council at MINDS of London Middlesex, a Job Retention Specialist at Youth Opportunities Unlimited, and a DEI Consultant at Senomi Solutions Inc. In her previous role as a Community Outreach Facilitator at Black Youth Connect, Lily led several initiatives such as a session hosted by Regional HIV/AIDS Connection to provide culturally specific sexual health information.
Sydney Miller
Sydney Miller earned a Diploma from Durham College as a registered Social Service Worker. Sydney is currently a Youth Worker at Youth Centre for Change and a Shelter Support Worker with The Salvation Army Centre of Hope. Sydney has previous experience as a Resident Care Worker at Rotholme Family Shelter, a Neighbourhood Worker for Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre, and as a volunteer for SafeSpace London.
Matt Gleeson
Matt holds a Paramedic Diploma from Fanshawe College. At present, Matt serves as a Clinical Simulation Laboratory Specialist at Fanshawe, with previous experience as Medical Relief for Carepoint, a Primary Care Paramedic at Elgin-St. Thomas EMS, a Rescue Technician at EHS Canada, and a Medical Technician with the Department of National Defence.
Raymond Sutherland
At present, Raymond is retired. In addition to being an active volunteer at RHAC for over 10 years, he has also dedicated his time to volunteering for 519 Pursuit. For 7 years, Raymond was also a Chair and Board Member of his condominium. With more than three decades of experience as a Registered Practical Nurse, Raymond has been a skilled and compassionate team player committed to client advocacy and compassionate care. As a nurse at St. Joseph’s Health Care London and the Victorian Order of Nurses, Raymond has had the opportunity to mentor team members, provide emotional support to clients, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.