Josie Cancilla, President

Josie has 20+ years experience as a Human Resources Executive most recently with Flow Hydration. She earned a Double Honours Bachelor of Psychology & Social Sciences with a postgraduate degree in Human Resources Management. In both her professional & personal journey she’s an active advocate championing for Diversity, Inclusion, Civility & Equity inside and out of the workplace.  Josie is passionate about women’s rights, she is relentless in her pursuit raise awareness for the safety & protection of women and their children. 

Sofia Arora, Vice-President

Sofia Arora is working as a Manager, People and Culture with Daily Bread Food Bank and has over 8 years of experience in driving strategic human resources initiatives and optimizing organizational performance. Prior to Daily Bread, She has worked with SKETCH, a community art organization supporting homeless and marginalized young people and has been instrumental in setting up the human resources department from scratch.
She has a Master’s from Seneca College and is a holder of the Certified Human Resources Professional designation (CHRP). She has a strong passion for social justice and believes in creating a safer and more equitable society by combating gender-based violence. This is the reason she has joined Embrave.

Tapardi Ntogaiti, Secretary

Tapradi Ntogaiti is a dedicated professional with a background in office management, business coordination, and human resources, bringing over 15 years of experience to every role. With a proactive and resourceful approach, Tapradi has consistently excelled in senior-level administrative support roles, contributing significantly to organizational success. Notably, Tapradi has a track record of optimizing office operations, enhancing efficiency, and harnessing IT and HR skills to drive performance across diverse responsibilities. Prior to their current role, Tapradi played a pivotal role in managing staff and shelter program administrative functions at the WoodGreen Red Door Family Shelter, demonstrating a deep commitment to community service. Holding a Certificate in Digital Analytics, a Certified Human Resources Professional Designation (CHRP), a Professional Certificate in Human Resource Management, an MBA in Entrepreneurship, and a Bachelor of Business with a double major in Marketing and Management, Tapradi is committed to continuous learning and professional growth. They have joined Embrave to further their passion for social justice and gender-based violence prevention, making invaluable contributions to the organization’s mission.

Lana Da Silva, Treasurer

Lana Da Silva is an HR professional with over 20 years of experience providing strategic and innovative direction in the area of talent acquisition while leading project initiatives to improve global organizational recruitment systems. Lana currently works as a Talent Acquisition Manager at IKEA. She is a skilled problem solver with strong analytical and interpersonal skills and prides herself on building strong and equitable relationships with internal and external stakeholders alike. Lana is passionate about giving diverse and historically marginalized groups employment opportunities this is at the heart of the work she does. She is excited to share her wealth of experience and knowledge to create awareness and education in the fight against gender-based violence with Embrave.

Ripika Kapoor, Board Member

Ripika is a University of Toronto graduate with an Honours Bachelor of Science, double major in Health Care Ethics and Psychology, and also has a Master’s in Public Health and Health Promotion from Brunel University in England. Her research thesis was focused on the motivations and perspectives of volunteers (previous survivors) who offer support to other survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and rape. She is passionate about women’s rights, and has previously been a volunteer counsellor at the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre. She eagerly joined Embrave to continue to be an advocate for women’s rights and to work towards supporting the journey against violence directed at women.

Board of Director Contact Information –

To Contact Embrave’s Board of Directors Regarding Any Questions and Concerns, Please Email:

boardofdirectors@embrave.ca