Honour Stahl
Executive Director
Honour is the Executive Director at Women’s Healthy Environments Network, and works to educate individuals on the interconnectedness of environmental and public health. She is a Sustainability Scholar, graduate from the University of Toronto, and has been a dance and embodiment educator for over ten years, working with individuals to cultivate a stronger connection to body and planet. Her research has a focus in environmental ethics, plastic pollution, women’s health, and knowledge translation. Her projects have been featured in the Global Water Dances Film Festival, by the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, Environmental Defence, the Trinity College Integrated Sustainability Initiative at the University of Toronto, and at Toronto Metropolitan University. Honour aims to reach beyond traditional knowledge translation formats to insight environmental and societal change. She is delighted to be working with WHEN and to have a space to advocate for women and other vulnerable populations through multiple channels.
Kanisha Acharya-patel
law reform specialist
Kanisha has a long history with WHEN - she joined the team as a policy analyst from December 2018-August 2019, was the interim executive director of WHEN from January-June 2022, and was on the Board of Directors from July 2022-October 2023. During her time at WHEN, Kanisha's work was focused on reforming the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) to be more protective of women and other vulnerable populations. Kanisha wrote a submission regarding the necessity of conducting gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) in the development and implementation of Bill S-5 (an act to amend CEPA) in order to identify and meaningfully address health inequities that have been historically perpetuated by the current CEPA. The submission contained a set of recommendations and proposed amendments to Bill S-5, and was submitted to the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy and Natural Resources after the Bill's second reading in the Senate. Kanisha engaged with Senators regarding WHEN's submissions and was invited to testify before the Senate Committee in May 2022. Kanisha was also invited to present on her submission at the Urban Economy Forum's conference on gender equality, and was contracted by the Canadian Environmental Law Association to consult on the application of GBA+ to the National Pollutant Release Inventory Program. She is very grateful for the opportunity to represent WHEN at the legislative level and appreciates WHEN providing a platform on which she could further develop her research and advocate for change.
Kanisha has a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Conservation and graduated from the Schulich School of Law in May 2022 with specialized certificates in Environmental Law and Aboriginal and Indigenous Law. Kanisha has significant experience in the non-profit sector, having worked as a summer student for East Coast Environmental Law and the Canadian Environmental Law Association during law school. Kanisha completed her articling placement with Ecojustice and became a licensed environmental lawyer in June 2023.
Kanisha is excited to be back on the WHEN team as our Law Reform Specialist, where she will continue to advocate for GBA+ compliant laws and policies that advance environmental justice, intersectional gender equity, and the human right to a healthy environment.
MEET THE VOLUNTEER TEAM
Victoria (she/her)
community liaison and accessibility advisor
During her Bachelor of Social Work Vic focused on issues in accessibility, women’s studies, and wellness studies. As part of her commitment to advancing social justice and equity for individuals, families, and communities, she is committed to reducing constraints to wellbeing through access to information and knowledge sharing. She connects WHEN with local organizations, ensures the material is widely accessible, and advocates for vulnerable populations. .
Connect with vic: outreach@womenshealthyenvironments.ca
Mythreyi (she/her)
Social Media Coordinator
Is a recent graduate of UofT with a background in English, Equity, and Environmental Studies. As a volunteer at WHEN, she creates fun and informational posts about toxins lurking in our daily products. She is looking forward to more creative endeavours with WHEN!
Lily (she/her)
Policy Analyst
As a Community Research Partner in Ethics (CRPE) at WHEN, she conducts research and policy analysis for the organization. Lily is excited about collaborating with WHEN!
Lizramona (she/her)
WHEN at UofT, Club Founder
Liz supports youth engagement by connecting WHEN's work with students on the UofT campus and is eager to play a pivotal role in empowering and mobilizing gender-diverse youth to advocate for intersectional environmental justice.
Other volunteers include:
Sayesha, Alicia, Monika, Sonia, Eden-Sage, Ariana, Helen, Nicole, Shay, Faria, Georgia, and Noah.
Become a Volunteer
Are you enthusiastic and passionate to make a difference?
Would you like to get more involved with your community?
Would you like to learn more about environmental health risks?
Do you want to teach others, raise awareness and promote healthy living and a healthy planet?
We offer interesting and challenging volunteer positions for people who are interested in environmental and health issues. We offer the opportunity to build your skills, connect with like-minded individuals and learning platform.