Board
BOARD
Daniel Retzlaff
(he/him)
Daniel Retzlaff has worked with TD in various roles and responsibilities across multiple segments, including retail banking, wealth management, commercial banking, and risk management. Daniel currently holds the position of Managing Director with a focus on driving improvements, efficiencies and transformational change across TD Securities, Corporate and Investment Banking Credit. For a number of years, Daniel has been a passionate leader within TD’s 2SLGBTQ+ community and actively involved in numerous committees, events, and initiatives. This leadership has included mentoring and developing a variety of colleagues through different stages in their own careers. He has also served as a Community Member of The 519’s Fundraising and Philanthropy Committee since 2022 and has remained committed to driving the agency’s strategic priorities forward. He believes in the importance of raising visibility, awareness, and acceptance of those within the community. Daniel Retzlaff holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta and an MBA from Queen’s University, as well as holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.
Erin Roach
(she/her) - Chair of Thought Leadership Committee
Erin is the Director, Diversity and Inclusion at Ubisoft where she leads the equity, diversity and inclusion strategy for its Canadian studios. Previously, Erin was the Executive Director of the Diversity Institute, an action-oriented research centre at X University focused on building more diverse and inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems. She has taken a leadership role on national knowledge sharing networks such as the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub and the Future Skills research network. Her work focuses on multi-level system approaches to D&I, innovation and entrepreneurship, intersectionality and impact measurement. She is often found playing sports and games (especially when there's role playing involved) and would love to connect on LinkedIn.
Katia Aubin
(she/her) - Chair
Katia Aubin combines a creative mindset with a strong sense of duty. She is passionate about communities and brand authenticity, going above and beyond to help them succeed. As an expert in reputation management and brand influence, she has developed captivating, engaging, and inclusive communication strategies for organizations such as Sid Lee, RDS, Ubisoft, and Rogers throughout her career. Her campaigns have made an impact in Quebec, Canada, and have been featured in international publications like The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and The Verge. Katia has always viewed communications as a team sport, where making room for new voices is crucial. This collaborative approach has earned international recognition for several projects, including at Cannes, The One Show, and Fast Company’s World Changing Idea Awards. Katia is also the founder of Collective Pivot, an accelerator focused on elevating the entire women’s sports ecosystem, ensuring its sustained success and long-term perenity. She serves on the board of directors for Pride at Work Canada and contributes her expertise as a member of the board of Hockey Quebec.
Keith Clarkson
(he/him) - Treasurer
Keith is an experienced media professional in management for business affairs and production for multi-platform media content. Previously, Keith was Chief Executive Officer and Chief Negotiator for the Union of BC Performers (UBCP), an autonomous branch of ACTRA. Prior, he joined Xenophile Media as Chief Financial Officer/General Manager, and later Executive Producer. While there, Keith’s work earned two Emmy® Awards, two Banff World Television Awards, a Gemini, and a Rose d’Or. In 2000, Keith was recruited by Telefilm Canada as Manager of the New Media Unit to create the Canada New Media Fund and make it an engine to develop innovative Canadian interactive content. He also produced interactive content and social and cultural documentaries for Canadian and international markets. Keith was a founder of both the Vancouver and Toronto Lesbian and Gay Film Festivals and has been involved with Celebration 90 – the International Lesbian and Gay Games and Cultural Festival, Pride Toronto, St. Stephen’s Community House, EGALE Canada, and National Film Board of Canada. Keith has a Master of Business Administration degree, and Diploma in Arts & Media Administration (Schulich School of Business, York University), and a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Television Production (University of British Columbia).
Marcos A. Persaud
(he/him)
Marcos A. Persaud is a seasoned advocate for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, with over a decade of experience driving diversity and inclusion initiatives across multiple industries. Throughout his career at notable organizations such as the Department of Justice, Deloitte, PwC, and George Weston, Marcos has been instrumental in fostering inclusive work environments. As the Senior Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and HR Governance Specialist at Maple Leaf Foods, Marcos has played a pivotal role in transforming the company’s approach to 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion. His efforts, including advancing employee engagement, leading unconscious bias training, and overseeing the company’s diversity initiatives, have significantly impacted its corporate culture. Beyond his corporate contributions, Mascos has also made notable strides within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, particularly through his involvement with The ArQuives, an organization committed to preserving Canada’s 2SLGBTQIA+ history. As President of The ArQuives, he led anti-racism initiatives and contributed to governance reforms that strengthened the organization’s role as a vital resource for 2SLGBTQIA+ heritage. Marcos’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) with honours from the University of Birmingham, a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Paralegal Studies, and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Canadian Immigration Consultancy from Humber College. Additionally, he holds a Marketing Certificate from the University of Toronto, providing him with a strong foundation in legal, communication, and strategic leadership skills that enhance his expertise in diversity and inclusion.
Rachel April Giguère
(she/her)
Rachel is a business advisor and lawyer with extensive experience in tech, media, and entertainment. She has worked in private practice and in-house, most recently at Netflix, where she led legal support for innovative initiatives aimed at expanding the studio’s global production capabilities. Committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, Rachel has actively lent her expertise to programs that create opportunities for underrepresented talent in VFX, TV, and film production worldwide. Rachel also served on the board of Molior, an organization focused on producing exhibitions and artistic projects leveraging technology as a tool for creation, expression, and action. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys personal challenges like cycling almost 900 km from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise funds in the 2024 AIDS/LifeCycle. In her free time, she skis, explores new places, or dives into a good book. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Ruth C. White
(she/her)
Ruth C. White, PhD MPH MSW RSW is a writer, speaker, and consultant in equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) and mental health. Her full-time role is EDI Project Advisor at the Rotman School of Management at the University in Toronto, where she also teaches in the Factor-Inwentash School of Social Work. Ruth is also a part-time therapist in private practice. In 2004 Dr. White, conducted groundbreaking research on the LGBTQ+ community in Jamaica. As an expert witness, she worked with Yale, Columbia and NYU Law Schools, leading law firms, and immigration and gay rights organizations to prevent the deportation of members of the Jamaican LGBTQ+ community from the USA. Dr. White has authored several books in mental health, and has written for Harvard Business Review, Fast Company and Tracy Anderson Magazine. Dr White gained tenure in social work at Seattle University, then taught in the virtual MSW program at the University of Southern California for 7 years. She has also taught at UC – Berkeley, San Francisco State, Simmons and Fordham universities. As a subject matter expert, Ruth was a mental health contributor on KRON4-TV (San Francisco) for three years, and has been a DEIB consultant for leading corporations including JPMorgan, Indeed, PwC, Premera and more. Ruth is passionate about wandering the planet and being outdoors – especially with her adult daughter, Maya.
Simon Parent
(he/him) - Vice-Chair
No matter the companies and industries he evolves in, Simon advocates for 2SLGBTQIA+ in the workplace. This expands into his line of work by implementing inclusive advertising campaigns. Simon is a marketing and communication executive with recognized leadership in developing innovative and integrated plans. Over the years, he has adapted strategies to regional dynamics and seized short-term, high-reward business opportunities. Simon’s career is marked by agency, media, and company leadership. He has worked, among others, for New Look Eyewear, Vidéotron, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Rogers, and Bell. He also occasionally lectures at Université de Montréal. His experience spans in advertising, sponsorships, promotions, public relations, digital ecosystems, etc. Simon’s management style builds accountability and capitalizes on the strengths and interests of colleagues and partners in a constructive atmosphere. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from HÉC Montréal and a master’s degree in communications with a marketing specialization from the same university. In recent years, he brought his expertise to non-profit organizations related to the arts and nature conservation.
Waqas I. Yousafzai
(he/him)
Waqas is currently a Trade Commissioner with Global Affairs Canada in Toronto and was previously a Policy Advisor in Halifax (2021), Calgary (2020), and Edmonton (2018) with federal departments responsible for economic development and diversification. He has supported senior decision makers in Syria (2011), Austria (2011), Qatar (2012), Ghana (2013), and Mongolia (2017) and was an Advisor with the Alberta government (2014-17) prior to joining Canada’s federal service. As part of Canada’s international assistance program, Waqas worked on gender inclusion and equity for Ghana’s K-12 curriculum in Accra and with the Mongolian wool and cashmere sector in Ulaanbaatar. Waqas’ passion for community development has seen him serve as: Chair of Finance on the Board of Governors of St. Stephen’s College at the University of Alberta, two terms as Director of one of Canada's top 100 employers and Maclean’s 100 best charities - World University Service of Canada; and past Chair of Governance and Government Relations and current treasurer of the Canadian Art Therapy Association. Waqas has completed all modules of the Institute of Corporate Director’s (ICD) Board Fundamentals Series and holds ICD’s NFP Governance certificate. He is a Certified International Trade Professional (CITP®), and also holds a Bachelors in Sustainable Economic Development, an MA in Public and International Affairs, and a postgraduate diploma in Project Management. He is an avid traveler and father to three very active boys. Waqas strongly believes in every individual’s right to feel safe and be themselves in their quest to reach their full potential. You can connect with him on LinkedIn or Twitter.