DAVINA REID, CHAIR

chair@caribana.com

Being a successful woman and financial services professional for 20+ years, of Caribbean (Guyanese) heritage, achieving roles of increasing importance in the Canadian automotive financial services industry, and possessing extensive non-profit experience, qualifies Davina Reid as a true trailblazer.

From 2002-2014, Reid was an active member of the Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals (CAUFP), formerly UFSC-Urban Financial Services Coalition; a non-profit professional services organization focussed on financial literacy and the advancement of Blacks and minorities in the financial services industry. She served as President of CAUFP from 2011-2012, and as President Emeritus and Chair of the organization’s Corporate Advisory Board from 2013-2014. She also served as Board Secretary for the charitable organization, National Junior Golf Academy from 2006-2017. Reid was appointed to the Caribana Arts Group (CAG) board in October of 2018 as a Director-at-Large and was officially voted in as Vice Chair by its membership in Jan of 2019, assuming the role as Acting Chair in the Fall of 2020.

Professionally, Reid is currently with the “Insurance Division” at Scotiabank as a Director, Growth & Partner Management. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from York University and an MBA degree with a concentration in Leadership from Dalhousie University.

Reid believes in the future potential of CAG and is dedicated to bringing the organization back to its previous greatness. She has prior board experience, having served on two non-profit boards, before joining CAG, and brings with her a firm understanding of Board Governance.

 

Previous CAG Board of Director history:

•  Davina was previously elected as the Vice Chair however, assumed the role of Acting Chair in October 2020 on the 2018-2021 CAG Board
• She has served on two consecutive CAG board terms (2015-2018 and 2018-2021), first joining the Board in 2018 when she was appointed as Director-at-Large

TASHIA ANTOINE, VICE CHAIR

vicechair@caribana.com

Tashia Antoine has acquired an extensive resume of successes as a business consultant in a variety of industries such as the food and beverage industry, corporate events, community initiatives, and cultural organizations.

She brings to Caribana Arts Group (CAG) many years of experience in public relations, project management, and customer service.

Antoine is also well known in Toronto’s Caribbean entertainment industry as a Carnival Queen, Artist Manager, Promoter, Radio Host, and Carnival & LifeStyle Correspondent.

Born in Toronto, her parents are Trinidadian and Vincentian. Antoine was not only exposed to her Caribbean culture from a very young age but was taught to embrace its culture as an art form and a way of life.

She grew up immersed in the culture: making mas with veteran mas-maker Arnold Hughes, singing in calypso tents, and performing and choreographing routines with local artists.

Her dance background and vibrant personality were a perfect match in competing as Carnival Queen in the “King & Queen Competition” over the years for Arnold Hughes & Associates, its new generation spin-off band Renaissance Mas Productions, and top masquerade band, Toronto Revellers led by NBA All-Star Jamaal Magloire.

Antoine continues to promote Caribbean Arts & Culture through her promo group Triple T Sports & Entertainment. She looks forward to serving her community through the efforts of the Caribana Arts Group and in keeping the legacy of Caribana alive.

 

 

Previous CAG Board of Director history:

• Tashia Antoine previously served as a Director-at-Large on the 2018-2021 CAG Board
• She never served on CAG’s Board prior to 2018

 

SEAN DeFREITAS, TREASURER

treasurer@caribana.com

 

 

Sean DeFreitas is a passionate and enthusiastic Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). DeFreitas works in this profession because he enjoys helping and supporting people and the companies that he interacts with. Says DeFreitas, “I like the industry, and I like to talk shop.”

His advice, input, and support are focused on and geared towards adding value, providing help and support; all three goals are geared to improve performance which helps a business to better serve its clients.

During the 20 years since attaining his professional accounting designation, DeFreitas has seen – time and time again – that no project can get off the ground without both (i) a tight control of, and (ii) a solid methodology applied to the numbers.

Though accountants are stereotyped as hermits, tightwads, penny-pinchers, math nerds and/or boring people who are only proficient at doing taxes, DeFreitas is different. He uses his skills to provide (i) innovative financial ideas, (ii) commercial market awareness, and (iii) a clear communication dialogue to persuade/affect clients so as to succeed with the end game-plan.

As a valuable accountant, he is also an excellent communicator. DeFreitas constantly communicates information in the most straightforward way possible about changes in his field: (i) new forms of data information; (ii) managing current projects delivered to existing clients; and (iii) meeting new clients to discuss their needs.

Says DeFreitas, “Presently, I am working with a not-for-profit organization focused on the development of Black youth, as well as being an advisor for the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce.”

 

Previous CAG Board of Director history:

• Sean DeFreitas has never previously served on CAG’s Board

ANGELLA GILL, SECRETARY

secretary@caribana.com

 

Born in St Vincent and the Grenadines, Angella Gill lived in Barbados from age 8 to 16, then her family moved to Canada in 1977.

Having worked in the finance industry for over 10 years, most of her jobs have been in management. Currently, Gill is a financial broker with numerous financial companies in Canada. She is known for her professionalism, and her love of people and culture. Gill works well with all walks of people; be they financially wealthy or not. Additionally, she believes that every person deserves the best that life has to offer. One of her philosophies is that “we are all connected.”

She has collected a wealth of formal education from Centennial College (Business Diploma in General Business; 1989), and from the University of Toronto (History; 1995). Also, she plans to go back to school to study Law because she is an avid learner and believes in continuous education.

Gill is an ardent consumer of a wide range of media especially from books – both fiction and non-fiction – because she enjoys learning about many different topics, e.g., nature, science, and the logistics of human behaviour, etc. Therefore, her eternal zest for knowledge is collected through either personal interaction(s) with people and/or via books. Her passion is to understand human beings, what motivates them, and how we all fit together.

Finally, Gill considers herself to be capable of anything she puts her mind to do. A forward-thinking, positive person, her mantra is “the best is yet to come!”

 

Previous CAG Board of Director history:

• Angella was elected to the 2021-2024 Board in the position of Assistant Secretary however was appointed to the role of Secretary in December 2022 when it became vacant due to resignation by previous Secretary
• Angella Gill previously served as the Assistant Secretary on the 2018-2021 CAG Board
• She has not served on CAG’s Board prior to 2018

 

SHANDRA BROWN, ASSISTANT SECRETARY

assistantsecretary@caribana.com

 

For the past 4 years, Shandra Brown has worked as a Teacher at the Toronto District School Board teaching various subjects from French, science, health and physical education. Shandra graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Arts in French studies, a Bachelor of Education, a Master of Education and a diploma in Urban education.

Shandra uses open mindedness, flexibility and vulnerability to help enact change and ensure her students feel respected and reflected in the classroom. She is driven by her love of learning, a passion which nourishes her efforts to help students see the value of education. Her focus is creating opportunities for Black youth to find their voices through school based leadership; she has organized her school’s first virtual Black History Month assembly and led the formation of her school’s first Black Student Alliance which supports Black students and ensures their voices are heard in the school community through initiatives and events.

Born and raised in Scarborough, Shandra has been attending Caribana since she was 4 years old and participating in the festival for the past decade. Her involvement in Caribana Arts group began over the summer of 2022 where she worked as Head Mas Camp facilitator and supervisor. With her background experiences, passion for education, and connection to Caribbean culture she is dedicated to the growth of Caribana Arts group and the value the Caribbean community brings to Toronto.

 

Previous CAG Board of Director history:

• Shandra was originally appointed by the Board in 2022 to the position of Director-at-Large however was subsequently appointed/moved to the role of Assistant Secretary in December 2022 when Angella Gill was appointed to the role of Secretary, leaving the Assistant Secretary role vacant
• Shandra Brown has never previously served on CAG’s Board

 

PAUL GREEN, DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE

directoratlarge1@caribana.com

 

Paul Green is a community leader with over 35 years of experience working at a grassroots level in many of the communities across the Greater Toronto Area. Additionally, he has developed a network of relationships throughout the education, entertainment, and business sector. Green’s passion is tied to youth leadership development; primarily starting from early adolescence to early adulthood.

He is a founder of B.S.A. (The Universal Black Students Association), B.L.O.C.K. Headz (Building Links On Community Korners), and “Rush The Vote” (a national youth voter turnout initiative), spearheading many projects and initiatives that focus on developing young leaders to see themselves as agents of social change.

Currently, he is an educator with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and is a founding member of ONABSE (Ontario Association of Black School Educators) that specializes “edutainment” programming; an arts and entertainment approach to education with a focus on civic and media literacy.

With expertise in youth and community civic engagement, Green has developed programming for youth; from adolescence to early adulthood. This programming promotes the importance of involvement in the political system as a key and vital component to building prosperous communities, and teaches how the political system and how government works.

Green’s previous experience includes working with young offenders in both open and closed custody facilities, developing educational resource material, as well as counseling, mentoring and coaching.

Presently, Green sits on the board of Dream Legacy Foundation whose mission is to support grassroots capacity-building and to promote economic inclusion of marginalized communities.

 

Previous CAG Board of Director history:

• Paul Green previously served as a Director-at-Large on the 2018-2021 CAG Board
• He has also served on CAG’s Board for three consecutive terms (2012-2015, 2015-2018 and 2018-2021)

GERALDINE STAFFORD, DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE

directoratlarge3@caribana.com

 

From Grenada; Geraldine brings to the Board a strong governance, relationship/ client engagement background complemented by her holistic love and passion for everything carnival. Growing up immersed in the culture, Geraldine is the daughter of the late Calypsonian, Sailor.

Geraldine is currently the Manager of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Unit, Executive Branch, Waterloo Regional Police Service and also has strong background in DE&I conversations within Black and indigenous communities.

 

Previous CAG Board of Director history:

• Geraldine Stafford previously served on CAG’s Board as Chair from 2018-2020

 

CHEDWICK CRIEGHTNEY, DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE

directoratlarge4@caribana.com

 

Chedwick is a leader, transformational coach, entrepreneur, and visionary. Throughout his career, he consistently worked to help others succeed as managers, CEO’s, or business owners. His leadership and coaching assisted clients in exploring their hidden potential by becoming focused, people-centric leaders, harnessing exceptional teams and delivering remarkable performance.

Chedwick is of Jamaican heritage and brings to the board significant fundraising and networking experience.

Chedwick is currently CEO of Gold Pill Group Inc. A group of companies providing consultation to small and midsize companies.

 

Previous CAG Board of Director history:

• Chedwick Criegntney has never previously served on CAG’s Board