Malika Dhanani (she/her/hers) - Executive Director
Malika holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto and a Baccalaureate of Applied Science in Child, Youth, and Family from the University of Guelph. Malika is passionate about policy analysis and has engaged in policy work on youth homelessness and housing in Canada, national home care, and childcare in Ontario. In her spare time, Malika enjoys listening to music and singing her way through life. She is an avid reader and a sucker for a good enemies-to-lovers trope. She has recently been working on her photography skills and loves spending time outdoors. (Fun fact: Malika has been going camping every summer since the age of two!)
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Octavia Andrade-Dixon (they/them) – Manager of Research & Policy
Octavia holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Human Geography and Portuguese from the University of Toronto. While they have always had a passion for education, Octavia became aware of the importance of student politics and advocacy as a director on UofT’s Student Union (UTSU). Since graduating during the pandemic Octavia has worked in the research field- most recently at the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario where they were introduced to the post-secondary research and policy sector. In their spare time, Octavia enjoys biking, reading books from the library (support public libraries!), going to concerts, travelling and finding fun ways to maintain their Portuguese skills (mostly through music and bad reality TV).
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Tiffany Li Wu (she/hers) – Manager of Operations & Communications
Tiffany holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Global Development Studies and Politics Studies with a Certificate in Business from Queen's University. Coming to OUSA with 4years of student government experience at Alma Mater Society (AMS) at Queen's, she loves hosting events and handling all things communications and operations at OUSA. This work looks different every day, whether it is running advocacy campaigns online, coming up with itineraries for conferences, designing publications for print and web, coordinating media interviews with Ontario's brightest student leaders or hosting big and glamorous events for PSE stakeholders. She love meeting and connecting with people from all walks of life and have wealth of experience in student government. If you are a student at one of OUSA's 9 member – then Tiffany thinks you to consider writing for our student blog!
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Abishane (Abi) Suthakaran (she/her) - Manager of Research and Policy
Abishane (Abi) Suthakaran) holds a Master of Applied Politics and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology with a concentration on Research Specialization and Legal Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University. Abi is passionate about advocacy work and community-based research. She has engaged in topics related to housing, marginalized communities, and social equity. Abi is also an active real estate agent. When she is not working, she enjoys adventure and travels to different places worldwide (she’s been to 12 countries to date!)
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Sophia Carnovale (she/her/they) - Indigenous Policy Intern
Sophia is in the final stages of completing a Bachelor’s of Public Health Honours with a Minor in Indigenous Studies from Brock University. Sophia is passionate about cultural revitalization, youth empowerment, and social justice. Her dedication to education, cultural advocacy, and community well-being highlights her commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable future for Indigenous Peoples. In her spare time, Sophia likes to bead, read, and coach/play soccer.
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Gabrielle Pinto (she/her) - Advocacy and Communications Intern
Gabrielle is wrapping up her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Wilfrid Laurier University. She comes to OUSA with experience as both a delegate during the Fall 2024 General Assembly and an author for the Spring 2025 General Assembly in which she authored A Comprehensive Access Strategy. She was also the Associate Vice President of Government and Stakeholder Relations at the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union for the 2024/2025 academic year. In this role she furthered her interest in policy and advocacy, and gained a deeper understanding of the post-secondary sector. In her spare time, Gabrielle enjoys travelling to new places, the outdoors, and reading.
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