The OISE Alumni Association will be announcing two new Executive Board Members for the positions of Treasurer and Secretary this Winter 2025. Explore our candidates' bios below.
The voting period for the candidates will open on Tuesday, January 28 at 5:00 p.m. ET and end on Thursday, January 30 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Subscribed alumni will receive a secure link to cast their ballot. Only OISE alumni are eligible to vote.
How to vote
- To vote in the elections, update your alumni contact info.
Attend an OISEAA meeting
- If you would like to attend our next meeting, please RSVP here.
Candidates for Secretary
Lisa Chinchamie, PhD '24
Meet Lisa:
With over 18 years of experience in education, policy development, and governance, I am passionate about fostering equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) in educational and professional spaces. As a proud OISE alum, I hold a PhD in Social Justice Education from the University of Toronto, where my research explored the intersections of mental health, labour market integration, and systemic inequities faced by racialized immigrant women in Canada. Throughout my career, I have championed initiatives that promote inclusive environments, including diversifying graduate programs in the department of Applied Psychology and Human Development at OISE.
My volunteer work with organizations like Skills for Change and CultureLink reflects my commitment to empowering marginalized communities through advocacy, program development, and community engagement. I am passionate about creating inclusive spaces where all voices are valued and represented, and I look forward to bringing this dedication to the OISE Alumni Association.
As Secretary for OISE Alumni, I am committed to fostering meaningful engagement, amplifying diverse voices, and strengthening the connection between alumni and OISE to support our shared mission of transformative education.
What she brings to the role:
I have extensive experience in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in education and community settings. As a seasoned DEI leader and OISE alum, I bring a unique combination of academic expertise and professional experience that aligns with the values and goals of the Alumni Association. Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a strong ability to build connections, foster collaboration, and implement innovative strategies to address systemic inequities. My work at the University of Toronto, including leading DEI-focused academic initiatives and engaging diverse stakeholders, has equipped me with the skills to effectively support alumni engagement and amplify diverse perspectives. As Secretary, I will leverage my skills in project management, policy development, and stakeholder engagement to strengthen the OISE alumni network, create opportunities for meaningful connections, and strengthen the Association's commitment to inclusive values that define OISE.
Alison D'Cruz, MA '22
Meet Alison:
Alison is an alumni of OISE where she completed an MA in Education in 2021. She is currently a third year PhD student in Higher Education at OISE where she specializes in Education Policy and International Comparative Education.
She is Junior Fellow at Massey College and an Open Education Fellow at the Open Education Group. She serves as a chair and member of several education related national and international committees that include the Canadian Association of College & University Student Services, Internationalization of Student Affairs Community of Practice and CERIC's Research Committee.
Alison has over 10 years of professional experience that include administrative and consulting roles performed in 3 countries in education and healthcare. Her professional experience includes creating community, connections, and space for alumni to stay engaged with their alma mater. In this regard, she has worked on several alumni engagement initiatives and events.
What she brings to the role:
The secretarial role with the OISE alumni association requires a person who is organized, a good communicator, proactive, and above all a good planner. I have spend almost 5 years working in administrative roles with educational institutions and healthcare organizations across 3 countries. In my vast and varied experience, I have interacted with alumni, students, faculty, and management and have developed skills that make me efficient and structured. Above all my eye for detail is a critical skill that will be beneficial for the role of a secretary of the Alumni Association. In addition to my professional experience, I have been privileged to be part of the OISE community for the past 5 years, which has helped increase my familiarity with how OISE functions as well as the different departments and important voices they represent. Further, I have developed critical leadership and organization experience owing to my roles on OISE's Governing Council and the Leadership, Adult and Higher Education Departmental Student Association. The above skills and experience will be invaluable if I am elected to the role of Secretary of the Alumni Association.
Maha ElHindawy, MEd '15
Meet Maha:
Maha ElHindawy is a dynamic leader with a Master's Degree in Adult Education from OISE in 2015. With over 15 years of experience in change management, HR transformation, and talent management, Maha has consistently driven organizational success in both consulting and industry roles.
As an independent consultant, a former Manager at KPMG Canada and Manager of Talent Management at CRH Canada she has led numerous high-impact projects, including change management strategies for major corporations and HR transformations for healthcare providers. Maha's expertise extends to culture assessment, equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives, having designed talent management processes for Fortune 500 companies. Her commitment to education is evident through her role as an instructor at Lambton College, where she taught organizational behavior and business communication.
An active OISE community member, Maha has contributed to the Alumni Association's mentorship program, sharing her insights and experiences with fellow alumni and students. Her unique blend of strategic thinking, project management skills, and dedication to fostering inclusive environments makes her an ideal candidate for the OISE Alumni Association Executive Board.
Certified in Prosci Change Management and holding a Project Management Certificate from the University of Toronto, Maha continues to volunteer her time as a mentor with TRIEC Mentoring Partnership and as a guest speaker at the Schulich School of Business, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to professional development and community engagement.
What she brings to the role:
As an OISE alumna with a Master's Degree in Adult Education, I bring a unique blend of academic knowledge and extensive professional experience that aligns perfectly with the needs of the OISE Alumni Association. My rationale for seeking election to help lead the association is rooted in three key areas:
Expertise in Organizational Management: With over 15 years of experience in change management, HR transformation, and talent management, I possess the skills necessary to contribute significantly to the association's growth and effectiveness. My background in leading complex projects and implementing strategic initiatives at organizations like KPMG Canada and CRH Canada will be invaluable in enhancing the association's operations and impact.
Commitment to OISE Community: As an active participant in the OISE Alumni Association's mentorship program, I have already demonstrated my dedication to giving back to our community. This experience has provided me with insights into the needs and aspirations of OISE alumni, which I can leverage to develop more engaging and impactful programs.
Strong Leadership and Communication Skills: My roles as a Manager at KPMG, CRH Canada and and an instructor at Lambton College have honed my leadership and communication abilities. These skills are essential for fostering collaboration within the executive board and effectively engaging with the broader alumni community.
By electing me to the OISE Alumni Association leadership, you'll gain a dedicated, experienced professional who is passionate about strengthening our alumni network and advancing OISE's mission. I am committed to applying my expertise in organizational development, my understanding of the OISE community, and my proven leadership skills to enhance the association's impact and value for all alumni.
Candidates for Treasurer
Pui Yee Alisa Lee, MEd '23
Meet Pui Yee Alisa:
I am Pui Yee Alisa Lee. I graduated from the OISE MEd Curriculum, Teaching and Learning program in 2023.
I am a CPA Canada Certified Internal Auditor and Project Management Professional.
I previously worked as an audit manager and a L&D manager in PwC and Grant Thornton in Hong Kong. Now, I work as senior accountant of ACMS where I provide accounting services to medical professionals.
What she brings to the role:
I think that there should be many active alumni members to drive OISE Alumni events. Simply put, I strive to serve as Treasurer to the best of my ability so that all active members are well supported.
I plan to:
- read and reply to emails about finance matters in a timely way
- review purchases and expenses and help organize and approve financial documents as needed
- create a reasonable budget/forecast with a mindset of cost saving
- look after cash-flow
- keep an accurate book and create reports upon request