CanTYD runs a working board model. Our board members are active participants within the organization. Each Director assumes ownership of 1 committee, as well as assuming responsibility for yearly planning, overall strategic development, and campaigning for greater awareness of the organization throughout the community.
Our Board of Directors are appointed at our Annual General Meeting. Each term is 2 years in length. Directors can serve up to 3 consecutive terms for a maximum of 6 years.
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Thiva Paramsothy has been a long time volunteer with CanTYD and passionately believes in the organization’s work. He become the Chair of the Board in November 2006 and continues to lead the organization. Thiva Paramsothy has been a strong advocate for youth in the Toronto’s communities. He is currently a Project Manager with United Way’s Action for Neighbourhood Change (ANC) project in Malvern.
Thiva works with local residents, not-for-profit agencies and private sector partners in new ways to develop creative locally-based solutions for sustainable community development and neighbourhood revitalization. Thiva has also worked as Youth Outreach Worker with one of the largest United Way funded non-profit organizations, Malvern Family Resource Centre. On the advocacy end, Thiva engages at-risk youth as both a mentor and youth worker, encouraging them to attain success in academics and in the work force.
Thiva Paramsothy holds a B.A. in Criminology and Sociology from the University of Windsor.
Thiva Paramsothy, Chair of Board of Directors
Darsan joined CanTYD in 2003 as an organizer for the Awards of Excellence gala. Motivated by a desire to reconnect with the Tamil community and surround himself with those who valued volunteerism, Darsan rejoined CanTYD in 2009.
Darsan is currently active in a wide array of CanTYD fundraising and communications initiatives, including the CanTYD website, DM Newsletter, various presentations, and collaborating on obtaining new funders and increasing awareness. Prior to CanTYD, Darsan has been involved with creating websites and producing advertising and communications material.
An avid traveller, Darsan backpacked through Southeast Asia after graduating in 2007 and South India in 2008-2009. Darsan has a keen interest in social interface design, worm composting (vermicomposting), barefoot running, ted.com, and cultural anthropology.
Darsan holds a Bachelor of Technology in Graphic Communications Management with a Minor in Marketing from Ryerson University.
Darsan Sivanantharajah, Vice Chair of Board of Directors, Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Karthiga joined CanTYD in 2007 as an organizer for CanTYD’s Walkathon at York University. Shortly thereafter, Karthiga worked as a youth worker with CanTYD for a year and a half. Prior to joining CanTYD, Karthiga worked alongside children with autism. Among Karthiga’s current interests are Tamil calligraphy and photography.
Kathiga holds a B.A. in Specialized Honour’s Psychology from York University and a B.Ed from Queen’s University. An aspiring high school physical education teacher and avid sports fan, Karthiga’s favourite event is the CanTYD Cup.
Karthiga Thayananthan, Director of Programming
Shanthy joined CanTYD in 2001 as a member of the Medai Konal group, where she coordinated the drama, film, and artistic talents of Tamil youth. After a two year hiatus, Shanthy returned as the Director of Administration in 2006. Shanthy has a strong desire to mentor young people, imparting her knowledge and skills to empower youth to succeed. Among Shanty’s hobbies are landscape oil painting and amateur photography, and she has driven across Canada from coast-to-coast.
Shanthy holds a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Western Ontario and a B.A. in Administrative Studies from York University. She is currently a professional consultant for IT project management in the financial services sector.
Shanthy Logeswarann, Director of Administration
Sujeether has been actively involved with CanTYD since 2008, where he started volunteering at the Awards of Excellence event and then joined the Finance Committee in early 2009. As a member of the Finance Committee, Sujeether has helped develop financial systems for the organization, assist with funding proposals and the annual audits, monitor budgets and help bring about internal financial control. Sujeether has been a member of the Board of Directors since October 2010. He is currently the Director of Finance and chairs the Finance Committee.
Sujeether graduated from the University of Waterloo with an Honours Bachelor of Mathematics, Actuarial Science/ Finance Option and is currently employed in a pension consulting firm.
Sujeether Kumareswaran, Director of Finance
Sri-Guggan Sri-Skandarjah joined CanTYD in 1998 as one of the founding members to address the growing concerns of violence in the Tamil community. He was soon appointed as the facilitator of CanTYD until 2001, after which he remained as an advisor to CanTYD. Since 2007, Sri-Guggan has been a member of the Board as the Director of Human Resources.
Previously, Sri-Guggan was a Senior Community Legal Worker from 1977 to 1988, and a member of the Convention Refugee Determination Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada from 1988 to 1992. Subsequently, Sri-Guggan served as a Commissioner on the Commission on Systemic Racism in the Ontario Criminal Justice System from 1992 to 1995, and as the Vice-Chair of the Ontario Pay Equity Tribunal and Human Rights Tribunal from 1995 to 1998. He currently serves as a Senior Settlement Counsellor / Supervisor at the Tamil Eelam Society of Canada.
Sri-Guggan volunteers with the Urban Alliance of Race Relations, where he is the immediate Past President. He has also been an Advisor for the Organization of Canadian Tamils with Disabilities since 1997.
Sri-Guggan received the Urban Alliance’s Award for Extraordinary Work in Race Relations and Human Rights in 1994. In 1995, Sri-Guggan was recognized by the City of Toronto for his volunteer work on the Mayor’s Committee on Race Relations, where he was active for six years. In 2000, Sri-Guggan received the J.S. Woodsworth Award for Outstanding Work on Race Relations and Human Rights from the Ontario NDP. Sri-Guggan was also awarded the Fifteen-Year Volunteer Award from the Provincial Government.
Among Sri-Guggan’s hobbies are cooking and dancing, and he is very active with sports organizations. Sri-Guggan studied law briefly in the UK.
Sri Guggan Sri-Skandarajah, Director of Human Resources
Sen joined CanTYD in June 2008, and is currently the editor of CanTYD’s Directions Magazine. As the Director of Communications, Sen is responsible for expanding CanTYD’s publicity in the local community. Sen is also the Editor-in-Chief of CanTYD’s Directions Magazine. Sen has a keen interest in sabermetrics, and appeared on the TV quiz show Brain Battle. A former Awards of Excellence recipient, Sen’s interests lie in improving opportunities for youth.
Sen holds a Bachelor of Mathematics in Actuarial Science from the University of Waterloo.
Senthuran Vettivelupillai, Director of Communications
Senthurran has been involved with CanTYD since 2001 as a high school student facing adversity, and joined CanTYD’s Board of Directors in July 2011. Senthurran credits CanTYD for helping him overcome adversity, and recently became re-engaged with the organization to mentor, empower, and inspire other youth. As the Director of Alumni, Membership, and Volunteers, Senthurran is involved with outreach efforts to better engage CanTYD with the greater community. Senthurran’s notable activities include being involved with CanTYD’s Dragon Boat team and skydiving from over 10,000 feet.
Senthurran is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce in Global Management Studies at Ryerson University.
Senthurran Sachithanantham, Director of Alumni, Volunteers & Membership