Leisha Zamecnik, MSW, RSW
Founder & Executive Director
Leisha Zamecnik is an experienced education consultant, facilitator, program designer and clinician who has been engaging young people and youth-serving professionals in the areas of social emotional wellbeing, mental health and leadership development, for the past 15 years. Leisha excels at building relationships with people from diverse backgrounds using anti-oppressive and empowerment approaches to achieve results.
Before founding Common Compass, she worked within the children’s mental health field both as a clinician and manager, lead numerous multi-agency partnerships and region-wide youth prevention programs. Over the last 7 years, her leadership of Common Compass has yielded collaborations across 8 school boards, with more than 6000 students, parents and educators.
Leisha’s experience is underscored by a Masters degree in Social Work: Dean’s List, Specialization in Children & Families (University of Toronto), a Certificate in Leadership (College of Management & Economics, University of Guelph) and a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Science: Social Psychology & Biology (University of Guelph). Leisha has authored two peer-reviewed academic articles, has developed and implemented many impactful youth-led programs, and has been the recipient of numerous community leadership awards, including the YWCA Young Woman of Distinction.
Board of Directors
Anne Falomo
Anne Falomo is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified Management Accountant (CPA, CMA) who works independently as Owner-Operator of Schooley Mitchell of Vaughan Cost Reduction Services. She has over 15 years of Financial Reporting, Planning and Analysis, and Systems Implementation experience with various Food Manufacturing and Consumer-Packaged Goods companies. Anne obtained her Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting and Economics from McGill University and her Master of Science in Management Information Systems from Queens University. Her volunteer experience includes roles as Board Member, Community Outreach for the Canadian Association of Women Executives & Entrepreneurs (CAWEE) and Board Member, Finance Committee member at York Hills Centre for Children, Youth and Families. In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies and travelling.
Tanya Davis
Tanya holds a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering degree from Carleton University and a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Cambridge. Tanya moved to Toronto after her undergrads and since then have lived and worked in UK, Honduras, China and India. She is currently a subsidiary CFO and CIO in a major aerospace consortium. In addition, she is a financial services advisor specialized in small businesses. Prior to that, she had extensive work experience in aerospace product development and program management. Tanya has a special interest in youth mental health management due its far reaching impact on macro-level economics, mass productivity and social infrastructure. Tanya is passionate about traveling – discovering hidden gems and rediscovering classic attractions in a new light. At home, she loves to hike, bike, kayak, ski, camp and is always up for a picnic or cookout. However, taking a stroll around the streets of Toronto and trying out different restaurants along the way remains one of her favorite things to do.
Debbie Chou Bio
Debbie Chou is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant (CPA, CA) and holds a Bachelor of Accounting and Financial Management and a Master of Accounting from the University of Waterloo. She has over 12 years of experience in internal and external audit assurance specializing in the financial services industry.
Debbie’s interest in mental health started at a very young age when she noticed that finding resources and support in school was far. Her personal values are what drew her to common compass and Debbie firmly believes that by speaking up about mental health issues and raising awareness about the importance of seeking help, young people can make a positive impact on their communities and inspire others to take action.
In her spare time, Debbie enjoys practicing yoga, running, reading, and running after her 2 young boys with her husband.
Jennifer Drummunond
Jennifer Drummunond is the Founder of Racial Lens, an Equity and Inclusion consulting service with a twist. Combining lived experience as a Black woman, training as a Psychotherapist and extensive expertise in training creation and facilitation, Jennifer has created a way to make people reflect deeply on their own relationship with racism and equity and inclusion.
Nichole Quan
Nichole is a dedicated fundraising professional with a passion for supporting youth-serving organizations. Nichole holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Northwood University and transitioned her career to the non-profit sector in 2016. Over the past five years she has worked at several well-known charities in Toronto focusing on corporate and major giving, fundraising events, sponsorship, and employee engagement. Nichole grew up in Michigan and moved to Canada in 2016 after teaching English in Thailand. As a health and wellness lover, she spends a lot of her time outside of work being active and creative in the kitchen. She also loves traveling, being adventurous and spending as much time as possible with her family and friends.
Anita Gouveia
With a passion for employee engagement and uncomplicating change, Anita has spent over 20 years as a professional in the Learning & Development field. Currently the Director of People Development in a global organization, Anita has spent much of her career supporting leaders and teams reach their full potential. As a certified Training & Development Professional (CTDP), Change Practitioner (Prosci), and graduate from Wilfrid Laurier University, she also serves as an Executive for the Peel-Halton Chapter of The Institute for Performance and Learning. In her spare time, Anita can be found listening to a good book or podcast while out on a walk, practicing yoga and spending time with family and
Darlene Ma
Darlene is a customer enablement/success professional at a software company and former Toronto District School Board elementary teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology and Health Studies from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Education from York University. Though she no longer works in a classroom, her passion still lies in education, specifically creating equitable learning environments and improving the mental health of children and youth. In her free time, Darlene can be found cooking, baking, traveling, planning events, and making soy candles.