As a non-profit corporation and registered charity, Waldorf Academy has a Board of Directors which is responsible for the short and long-term strategic advancement of the mission and values of our school.
Waldorf Academy has established five committees to support the strategic plan of the school. Meeting monthly, the Board of Directors also extends an invitation to our community to participate in these strategic discussions.
Please view our board committee mandates here.
We are seeking new Board Members to join our team! Please find our call for Board Member applications here: Waldorf Academy Call for Nominations February 2023
ethiagaraj@waldorfacademy.org
Emily Thiagaraj is a Californian who moved to Toronto in 2021 in order to open her law firm’s first international office. Emily is an attorney who has devoted her career to representing employees in matters of discrimination, harassment, and wage theft. Emily received her JD from the University of San Francisco and her BA in Political Science from UC San Diego. Emily has an energetic seven year old daughter, Remi, who is currently enjoying Grade 2 at Waldorf Academy. In addition to Remi, Emily also lives with her partner, Felipe, who is an intensivist, and Sweetie, her family’s rescued rabbit. In her free time, you can find Emily portaging in Algonquin Park, learning French, growing vegetables, and traveling.
Yew-Thong Leong, Board Secretaryyleong@waldorfacademy.org
Yew-Thong is a professor at Toronto Metropolitan (Ryerson) University and an architect in private practice as the Managing Director of SSG Architecture Inc. With close to 4 decades as an educator, he is interested in curricula design and learning environments (specifically for experiential learning). In addition to a general-buildings practice, he has designed teaching and learning facilities from child care to high schools, universities, and research facilities. He is a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, a member of the Ontario Association of Architects, and a past-Chair of the Toronto Society of Architects.
Bill Rossbross@waldorfacademy.org
Bill has had a career in business but his passion is art. He recently had two showings of his work in Toronto. He believes that imagination and creativity are two key qualities that are lacking in traditional education. No matter what career path students choose, it is critical that they participate and be encouraged to foster their creativity and innovation. He currently teaches at the University and College level. He has a unique mix of skills in that he has his CPA in Canada and the U.S., but most of his career has been with Ernst & Young and IBM in Sales & Marketing. He was fundraising chairman for Humber Valley United Church, Chairman of the Toronto Christmas Seal Campaign and President of The Toronto Don Valley Rotary Club.
Anoosha Reddyareddy@waldorfacademy.org
Anoosha is a graduate of Waldorf Academy (Class of ’08) and holds a BA in Psychology from Concordia University and an M. Ed in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University. Anoosha is passionate about increasing access to alternative education and has worked with youth and adults in a variety of settings. She spent two years as a middle school teacher in the Indian public education system and most recently taught youth and adults involved in the US criminal justice system. During her time in graduate school, she specialized in advocacy and non-profit governance and had the opportunity to visit and observe a number of alternative schools. Her approach to education has been profoundly shaped by her experience at Waldorf Academy and she looks forward to contributing to the continued success of the school.
Emerson Rajaram, MBA, BScerajaram@waldorfacademy.org
Emerson Rajaram is a performance-driven technology leader who is valued for the trust, confidence and respect he has earned from his nine-member team at Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health.
He thrives in environments where he can effect change, create value, help to work through complex organizational problems and favorably impact organizational strategy and culture.
Emerson holds an MBA from Laurier University and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of West Indies.
dspacca@waldorfacademy.org
Diana is an experienced board member and business professional with over three decades of
leadership contributions driving the success of both public and private organizations. Diana
runs an independent insurance brokerage providing insurance solutions for both personal and
commercial insurance needs.
dsutherland@waldorfacademy.org
David is an alumni parent of Waldorf Academy. He was involved with founding the Community
Council and is a previous WA Board member. David has a background in IT and is currently a
working artist. David is a member of the Canadian Electronic Ensemble.
arao@waldorfacademy.org
Amoolya is a Vice-President of Corporate Finance at PricewaterhouseCoopers. She
consistently volunteers in the field of education—it is her heart’s cause. She enjoys
fundraising and is fact based in her thinking/decision making approach. By joining the Board,
she hopes to make a positive impact and “to offer high-level strategic guidance”.
Andrea Van Leeuwenavanleeuwen@waldorfacademy.org
Andrea is a Waldorf Academy parent to two children in Grades 4 and 6. Professionally,
Andrea serves as the Head of North America Strategy & Operations and Head of Marketing at
Meta, leading the strategic plans for US and Canada, optimized for efficiency, growth, and
people.
aaur@waldorfacademy.org
Ana is a lawyer by profession and has worked for over a decade as a corporate attorney at Shearman & Sterling LLP and White & Case LLP, two leading global law firms based in New York where she practiced in their capital markets and banking finance departments, respectively. Ana is admitted to practice law in both New York and Ontario. She graduated from University of Toronto, Faculty of Law in 2009 as well as University of Toronto, Faculty of Arts & Science, with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Psychology (cum laude) in 2006. Ana’s daughter has been in the childcare program at Waldorf Academy for close to 2 years and, throughout this time, Ana has grown connected to the school and committed to assist it achieve its full potential in the community.
pburzese@waldorfacademy.org
Paolo is a Waldorf Academy parent. Paolo is an educator with a Master’s degree from OISE. Paolo has served as a teacher, a vice-principal, and a principal at various educational institutions over his career and has experience leading DEIJ initiatives.
Alison Dantasadantas@waldorfacademy.org
Alison is a senior executive in the not-for-profit world with over 30 years of experience leading health care associations, community organizations and government agencies. She is a values driven leader, executive coach and strategist committed to inspiring organizations and people to actualize endless possibilities and remarkable results. Alison previously served as a Board member at The Linden School and is well situated to understand dynamics of overseeing the governance of a private school.
Her numerous specific areas of expertise include transformational change management, board governance, operations and human resources, financial oversight and board development, mediation and alternative dispute resolution.
dpurohit@waldorfacademy.org
Dilan comes to the board with a strong financial background, experience with strategic
planning and loads of energy. Self-described as a “banker by day”, he currently serves as the
Director of Global Payments Solutions at HSBC. Dilan is committed to service and founded a
non-profit focused on educating communities about reducing food excess.
Dilan hopes to expand his knowledge of Board governance and is ready to commit time and skills towards the school’s success.
