Board of Directors

Léo joined the education sector after a career as association manager in the cultural sector, in Quebec and Ontario. His college studies in special education preceded his university studies in philosophy. His academic path helped shape his interest for human rights and its promotion.

For Léo, the creation of CDIC-CIDE springs naturally from his commitment to promote individual expression, to the benefit of society at large.

Caring parents made it possible for him preserve childhood drawings of his own. During childhood, the images found in book of works by prominent artists such as Alfred Pellan, Fernand Léger, Harold Town, John Meredith, Miro and many others made a great impression on him. Exposed to their original works later in life, Leo’s belief in the evocative and liberating power of self-expression remains unaltered.

Nish Parameswaran is a Science and Business graduate from the University of Waterloo, with over twelve years of experience in Logistics and Operations. She is a results-driven professional with a passion for creating efficiencies and driving change. In her most recent role as Senior Operations Manager at Amazon, Nish managed multiple delivery stations, exceeding business plan and driving the vision for her team.

As a mother of two young children, Nish finds inspiration in their creativity and curiosity, which drives her to bring new ideas and fresh perspectives to everything she does. Her children inspire her to view the world through a different lens, and she believes that this mindset is critical to unlocking innovation and success in any organization.

Ali is a highly analytical finance professional with over a decade of experience in financial analysis, business intelligence, and process optimization. With a strong background in leveraging data-driven insights, Ali has contributed to strategic decision-making and operational efficiency across diverse industries.

Flora is an MBA graduate from Queen’s University, bringing a wealth of international experience spanning the UK, China, and Canada. With a strong passion for creativity and user experience in digital products, she has over five years of experience in IT project management and product development. Flora excels at solving complex business challenges by leveraging modern technologies. Inspired by a belief in the power of imagination and creativity,

Flora finds inspiration in children’s stories and drawings, which reflect the simplicity and joy in life that adults often lose as they grow older. As she said: “Children’s art offers a unique window into seeing the world, inspiring creativity and encouraging out-of-the-box thinking.”

Gurleen is a Business Administration student at Laurentian University with a strong foundation in accounting, logistics, and financial management. In her current role as Finance Intern with the Nova Scotia Government, Gurleen has honed her skills in financial analysis, disaster recovery claims, and process optimization, all while driving transparency and accuracy in fiscal operations.

As Treasurer, Gurleen is leveraging her expertise to build sustainable financial practices that support the preservation of children’s art. She is inspired by the authenticity of children’s creative expression and its power to foster cultural understanding. Her experiences motivate her to bring innovative and forward-thinking perspectives to her role at CDIC.

Robert is a dedicated professional with a passion for cultural development, business management, and financial strategy. As a former Undersecretary of Heritage, Libraries, and Cultural Infrastructure, he has led transformative projects, enhanced accessibility to cultural rights and promoted cultural initiatives. This includes managing a network of 57 public libraries and preserving cultural heritage in Cali, Colombia.

Currently, Robert is pursuing a Master’s in Management at the University of Niagara Falls, he combines a strong academic foundation with a commitment to empowering communities through education and cultural expressions.

As a young mother, Sangeetha was one of the early volunteers and item contributors of our collection. A lifelong learner and active listener with strong mentoring skills, she helps community organizations dedicated to helping children navigate the world. Sangeetha holds a bachelor degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Madras.

Upon joining as board member, she said: “I am delighted to contribute my skills and experience to the Children’s Design International Collection as a volunteer, assisting in the overall functioning of the Board and making a meaningful impact.”