BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Carion Fenn Foundation Board of Directors meet regularly to oversee the policies and practices to promote integrity, transparency, accountability and is responsible for the Governance of our Registered Charity. Our Executive Team is responsible for the Day-to-Day operations of our organization with the leadership of the President & CEO. Our Board Committee Durham Black Network advocate for Equity and Equality through increased awareness and implementing programs addressing Systemic Anti-Black Racism.

TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER®

Carion Fenn

Founder & Executive Director

AJAX, ON CANADA

Carion Fenn is a TV show host at Rogers TV Durham hosting Health 180 with Carion Fenn. She is the Founder & Executive Director of the Carion Fenn Foundation and an award-winning healthcare advocate. Carion is a Board of Trustee, Current Chair & Past-Vice Chair of the Board Quality Committee and Committee Board Chair of The Ajax Pickering Hospital Community Panel for Lakeridge Health, governing the 5 hospitals, Pinewood Centre for addictions, Long Term-Care and Durham Mental Health Services in Durham Region.

Carion is the recipient of the Rogers TV Resiliency Award 2021 for her resiliency, dedication, and hard work displayed throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Carion is the first black woman to run for Mayor of the Town of Ajax and a past Vice Chair and Accessibility Advisor to Council on the Accessibility Advisory Committee for the Town of Ajax. She is a member of the Ajax Legion and has earned several recognitions for her community service including being a former volunteer for Big Brother Big Sisters of Canada.

She is a winner for CIBWE’s Canada 100 Black Women to Watch 2020 and has been selected for the following: Women of Influence, “Meet A Role Model” 2020; 2020 Black History Month Panel speaker identified as someone who personifying black excellence; the Denise House 35 Courageous Woman Award; one of the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women by the honourable Jean Augustine & her Co-authors; the Ontario Volunteer Service Award (10 YRS) from the Ontario Provincial Government; Adult Ajax Civic Award (the Town’s Highest Honour); Education and Accessibility Community Award from the Town of Ajax; Spinal Cord Injury Ontario and University Health Network Patti Dawson Award and Advocacy Award from Abilities Awards.

Tanis Russell, MN, RN

HEALTH DIRECTOR, BOARD MEMBER

DURHAM BLACK NETWORK, CHAIR

REGISTERED NURSE

BOWMANVILLE, ON CANADA

Tanis Russell is a Clinical Practice Leader, and a experienced Registered Nurse, skilled in Critical Care and Emergency Medicine. Tanis is passionate about the development of health policy initiatives , and facilitating nursing education for nurses at every stage of their career. Tanis values education and appreciates its impact on nursing practice, and its influence on patient care outcomes. Tanis is experienced in identifying, planning, implementing and evaluating educational strategies that influence nursing practice and facilitate the change required to meet the patient healthcare needs. Tanis has received a Master's degree in Nursing with a focus on Health Policy & Leadership in Education through Ryerson University, and is a proud inductee of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Tanis moved to Durham Region 11 years ago, and is passionate in serving the community.

Angini Mohammed, MSW, RSW

Mental Health Director, BOARD MEMBER

Psychotherapist & Social Worker

Pickering, ON CANADA

Angini Mohammed MSW RSW, is a Psychotherapist & Social Worker. She is the founder & owner of Safe Harbor Support, a private psychotherapy practice. Angini is a highly skilled and experienced therapist, she specializes in working with anxiety, stress management & trauma in her private practice. In addition, Angini works with Probation & Parole, counselling individuals who are in the criminal justice system and helping them to navigate their way through difficult circumstances. Her empathetic & non-judgmental approach creates a safe space for her clients to heal & move forward with their lives. When she’s not working, Angini loves to spend her time sailing. She finds sailing to be a calming & therapeutic way to unwind and recharge her batteries. She often draws on the lessons learned from sailing, such as the importance of staying in the moment and adapting to changing circumstances, to inform her work as a therapist. It is her dream to create a therapeutic sailing community program. Angini’s dedication to helping others, combined with her expertise and love of sailing make her a unique and inspiring individual. Her clients are fortunate to have her as their therapist and her contributions to mental health are greatly appreciated.

Nicole N. Hanson, MES (Pl.)

DIRECTOR AT LARGE, BOARD MEMBER

URBAN PLANNER

MISSISSAUGA, ON CANADA

Nicole specializes in land use planning and environmental regulatory compliance for long-range planning process. Nicole holds a Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning, and is well versed in meeting provincial and municipal regulations of environmental compliance. Nicole specializes in land use planning and environmental regulatory compliance for long-range planning process. Nicole holds a Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning, and is well versed in meeting provincial and municipal regulations of environmental compliance. Nicole retains extensive knowledge of provincial legislation for planning and development systems and processes; Provincial Policy Statement, Ontario Planning Act, Ontario Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, The Big Move (Metrolinx), Metrolinx Five Year Strategy 2015-2020, Indian Lands Act, Ontario Heritage Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act and the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. Nicole N. Hanson has been a long-standing advocate of building healthy communities as an urban planner and visionary. As a recent cancer survivor who was misdiagnosed for a number of years, Nicole understands the importance of building capacity and awareness on issues of chronic illnesses in the public interest.

Ken Anderson

SUPPORT DIRECTOR, BOARD MEMBER

NORTH VANCOUVER, BC CANADA

Ken Anderson was born, raised and lives in North Vancouver, British Columbia, and much of that time has been spent living with disability. Ken survived a spinal cord injury occurring as a result of a motor vehicle accident when he was just a teenager. Ken having suffered a devastating life setback chose to value the gift of life and drive forward productively and energetically. Ken participated in rehabilitation at the G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre. Ken has also continued to pursue athletics, participating in an array of wheelchair athletic venues. Most notably Ken was part of the Sports Hall of Fame inducted Vancouver Cable Cars Wheelchair basketball team. Ken has also worked for the British Columbia Paraplegic Association. After High School Ken attended the British Columbia Institute of Technology BCIT as well as Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Having been a person living with disability since his teenage years, Ken has seen the need for advocacy in support of the rights and freedoms of the disabled, and has for much of his life, both worked and volunteered in support of his peers.

Alex Blair

SENIORS DIRECTOR, BOARD MEMBER

RETIRED SOCIAL WORKER

AJAX, ON CANADA

Alex Blair is a retired crisis counselor for the City of Toronto who also worked in Durham Region with organizations such as Durham Mental Health Services. A resident of Town of Ajax with over 40 years of experience working as a social worker. He has a bachelors degree in social work and takes great pride in being able to make a difference in the lives of others. A husband, father and grandfather. Alex is enjoying retirement years as a senior.

Sparky T. Johnson

Honourary Board Member (Non-Voting)

RETIRED COUNSELLOR

CLARINGTON, ON CANADA

Sparky was a 1st Nations Ojibway “PEACEFUL” Warrior Woman (Kwe) who was out going, loving, caring, compassionate, empathetic, open minded and giving. Whose journey & walk of life even since having had Stroke in 2012 total left side paralysis. A calling, mission and life to serve assist protect guide & support “AWOL” All walks of life without prejudice. Also, a college graduate as a Counsellor/Therapist/Life, Skills Facilitator/CPI/Other with the objective goal: Also, volunteered with CCAC/other, pastoral care & spiritual (non- denominational) & sat on various community BOD’s. In 2022, Sparky was murdered. Our board of directors voted to keep her spirit with us by adding her name to our senior's program and making her a non-voting honourary Member. Sparky is ddep missed. RIP Sparks.

Tejus Tuppal

BOARD SECRETARY, BOARD MEMBER

UNIVERSITY STUDENT

WHITBY, ON CANADA

Sai Tuppal is a manager in the healthcare industry. He has worked in that position for the last few years, growing a passion for healthcare and advocacy. After joining the foundation’s team, he has learned a great deal about rare diseases and mental health as it pertains to the community. He hopes to continue having an impact in the community.