Dr. Roz Roach is an accomplished practitioner and therapist who has dedicated her life’s work, locally and internationally, with an aim of ending the stigma of violence, especially towards women and girls. She is the founder and president of Nu-Life and Longevity, an international practice supporting the promotion of optimal health and wellness. Dr. Roz is the first Black woman in Canada to negotiate with three levels of government to raise five million dollars to build Dr. Roz’s Healing Place where she is the current Executive Director. Dr. Roz’s Healing Place is a centre for abused women, children, youth, and youth at risk with a mandate to eradicate violence locally, nationally, and globally.
Charlena T. Claxton B.A. LL.B., has been practicing law in Ontario since 2005. She was called to the Nova Scotia Bar and the Ontario Bar in 2005. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill University in 2001 and her law degree from Dalhousie University. In June 2019, she obtained her Masters in Law (LL.M.) from Osgoode Law, in Health law. Charlena practices in the areas of criminal law, mental health law, and civil litigation. Prior to working at Claxton Law, she worked in the areas of criminal, class action, civil litigation, and short and long term disability law. She has experience representing clients at both the Provincial and Superior Court levels.
Charlena is dedicated to vigorously representing clients and helping them navigate their legal options. Most notably, during her tenure as a criminal lawyer, she assisted the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario and a self-represented accused in her capacity of amicus curiae for a lengthy and complicated murder trial.
Charlena taught at Durham College, teaching its Criminal Law, E-discovery, Administrative and Insurance Law, and Civil Litigation classes.
Charlena is the President of the Board of Director at Dr. Roz Healing Place, Women’s Shelter Foundation. She represented Canada at the United Nations Conference against Racism, Xenophobia and other related Intolerances in Durban South, Africa in 2001. She was also past president of the Black Law Students Association of Canada.
Farzana Taji, Treasurer: I have been a banker since the age of 17. I graduated from the University of Toronto with BA Hons in Economics, English & Sociology. I have been on the Board of Directors since 2017 and have known Dr. Roz over 10 years. I believe violence against women and children must be eradicated and believe that Dr. Roz has truly made a mark in Canada and globally in her fight against violence against women. I will continue to support the organization at this time.
Chipo Nwakwubei is a Christian, a wife, a mother of two girls & a grandma. Chipo practices as a Social Worker with a nursing background providing counselling and therapy in Ontario under The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
She obtained a Master’s in Social Work and is a Registered Therapist completing her Doctorate at the University of St. Thomas. Chipo has been working with seniors & was one of the founding members of Toronto Seniors Helpline providing crisis services, community linkages etc. Chipo is now the leading manager of a program by the City of Toronto on Crisis Management. Chipo has also worked with children, youth, and families for over fifteen years in areas of child welfare, child abuse and trauma, and counselling.
Chipo Nwakwubei has also worked with women who have experienced abuse within intimate partner relationships. Chipo’s practice seeks to empower, strengthen, and educate individuals to achieve their internal and external wellness by providing a holistic counselling approach. She is mindful of how difficult experiences can impact one’s social, emotional, spiritual, or developmental functioning, and thus therapy is client-centered and goal-oriented.
Chipo incorporates different models of interventions such as Narrative, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, Validation Therapy, Advocacy and Client-Centered Therapy. Chipo is an active member of her community, volunteering to support children and women; driven to make a difference in her surroundings.
Crystal Devlin is a devoted mother of two teenagers and an accomplished entrepreneur who brings passion and purpose to every project she undertakes. Her professional journey began with owning and operating a Masonry business, where she proved her resilience, creativity, and dedication to quality. Eventually, her calling shifted toward a life centered around personal healing and creative expression, leading her to establish Lost and Found Healing Studio in Toronto.
At Lost and Found, Crystal guides others through transformative practices such as Reiki, Hypnosis, and Breathwork. Her approach is deeply holistic, rooted in the belief that true well-being requires harmony of mind, body, and spirit. Crystal infuses joy and compassion into her work, creating a warm and welcoming environment where individuals feel genuinely seen and supported on their own journeys. Her work is more than a profession; it’s a calling to bring light, resilience, and positive change to her community.
As a woman of African Ancestry, Crystal understands the potential for marginalization, which is
often a contributor to the propensity for exposure to domestic violence. With a deep commitment to eradicating violence and its effects on the mind and spirit, Crystal is passionate about contributing her time and expertise to empower her community and create lasting change in a world re-imagined as equitable, compassionate, and safe for all. Through her unique blend of business acumen, creativity, and a commitment to the wellness of others, Crystal brings heartfelt energy to all she does. Her goal is to inspire others to reconnect with themselves, embrace joy, and build a foundation of inner strength that they can carry into
every aspect of their lives.
Emilsa Sealy, a Toronto costume designer, is popular in the Caribbean for her contributions to beloved carnival costumes. Emilsa’s love of Caribbean art and her knowledge of the carnival contributes to her success. Through her work at the heart of the carnival as a band manager, she works with costumers and performers to coordinate their costumes. Her attention to details makes her an asset for any production.
Emilsa performed in both Sistas Calling productions in 2023 and 2024, helping to spread messaging about the prevalence and impact of violence against women and children.
Ishrat Sarwar-Butt is a Licensed Paralegal and Mortgage Agent with extensive experience in the financial industry. Ishrat has studied Business Marketing, financial Planning, Accounting and Paralegal Advocacy. Ishrat has served on the Board Member for Dr. Roz’s Healing Place since 2005, including six years as the Treasurer. In 2010 she was the recipient of the Annual Champion’s Award.
Linda Rose is the Founder of Linda Rose Collection. An advocate of natural healing, Linda is a certified Reiki Practitioner, specializing in the mind-body connection. Linda’s passion for wellness and well-being has led her to proudly serve as a Board Member for Dr. Roz’s Healing Place.
Maureen Malone, Secretary, has been on the Board of Directors a few times over the past 25 years. She is passionate about raising awareness to end violence against women and children. Maureen has spent most of her career managing retirement homes and brings a customer service set of skills to the Board.
As a dedicated board member at Dr. Roz’s Healing Place, Ravneet Kaur is deeply passionate about combating gender-based violence through transformative initiatives. Her work and educational background is rooted in an unwavering commitment to anti-racist, decolonial, and intersectional feminist principles, ensuring that all voices are heard and uplifted. With a strong belief in the power of community and advocacy, Ravneet strives to create inclusive spaces that promote healing and justice for women, children and gender-diverse folks.
Robert Johnson: With my Industrial Engineering background, I spent 18 years developing a career in food manufacturing becoming Operations Manager for a facility employing over 350 hourly-paid workers. I managed the facility during a major renovation and also managed the combining of a takeover of a company of equal size. The last 25 years of my professional life were spent developing a successful residential construction company of which I was sole proprietor. I joined the Big Brother organization in 1976 and developed a very meaningful relationship that continues to this day. I started my association with Dr. Roz’s Healing Place in 2019 by organizing outings for the resident families to Bluffers Park Yacht Club where we provided boat tours (at the dock only), lawn games and a picnic.
Shushanna Harris is a Prosecutor for Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario. Shushanna is a lawyer and doctoral candidate at Osgoode Hall Law School, researching the experiences with the criminal law system of Black women survivors of intimate partner violence.
My name is Rev. Ulric Richard Rollox My wife and I are Founder and Co-founder of Royal Rouge Christian Ministries (RRCM) and I hold the position of Associate and Outreach Pastor. I recently retired in May of 2022, after working for the University Health Network for 46 years in the facilities department holding several positions.
During that time span, I was also very active in the union movement, holding many positions including Chief Shop Steward, President and Area VP for OCHU central bargaining committee for hospital workers in Ontario. I was one of the original members of the hospital diversity committee when it was formed.
After my union tender, I joined the management team as Facilities Supervisor. My last seven years at work I held the position as the Manager of facilities at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – Lyndhurst site. My community activities included nine years on the Pregnancy Help Centre Durham Board. Presently, I am involved with our ministry working with the 185 Galloway Road, Innisfree Co-Op members, providing the children with back-to-school backpacks and supplies, bread from COBS bakery and providing some food insecurity support to the Co-Op residences.
Our ministry (RRCM) is a partner with the Muslim Welfare Canada in the Malvern area (within Scarborough) with a program called ‘Malvern Eats Program’. This program provides over 200 hot meals every Wednesday to members in the community. I am also active with God’s Strength Ministries as a Food Rescuer Volunteer.
Zaynab Butt: I am a young homemaker, a homeschooler, and a professional decorator, who is passionate about ending violence against women and children. While completing my Bachelors in Legal Studies, I was exposed to the systemic barriers women face when trying to escape violence in their home. My goal for joining the Board of Dr. Roz’s Healing Place is to support this wonderful cause that is trying to make the lives of others safer and more enjoyable. I truly believe that a life without violence is the only life worth living.