Leadership & Board

Supporting complex challenges requires collaborative leadership. We believe that we are stronger when diversity in thought and experience is prioritized and integrated in leadership. Our leadership team brings years of expertise, passion, and commitment to inspire innovative solutions in mental health and addiction care. Our board of directors strengthens LOFT’s leadership by providing sound governance and strategy through their combined experience in both corporate and healthcare sectors.

Leadership Team

Heather McDonald

CEO

Heather brings enthusiasm and passion to the role of CEO since 2017. She believes her MSW and social work values have been a key to her success as a leader. Heather has led comprehensive health clinic sites for people who face barriers to getting health services in the community in London and Toronto. Heather is a regular presenter at local, provincial and national conferences. She was awarded the Globe and Mail’s Changemaker award in 2022.

Amuna Baraka-Clarke

People and Culture

Amuna is passionate about access. In her role, she has the privilege of helping to foster an environment of continuous improvement, learning, and employee engagement. She has spent three decades strengthening organizational structures and practices through strategic human resources interventions and policy engagement in homelessness, financial literacy, mental health, social justice, and legal advocacy.

Rosa Galluzzo

Finance

Having a strong interest in the not-for-profit and charitable sector, she joined LOFT Community Services in 1998 as its financial analyst with progressive roles in the organization. Rosa holds both a C.G.A. and C.P.A. designation.

Negin Zebarjad

Operations

Negin is committed to supporting impact-driven organizations as they bring ambitious strategies to life and adapt in the face of emerging challenges and opportunities. At LOFT, she is focused on ensuring that staff have access to secure and reliable systems, suitable and safe facilities, and data-driven insights so that they can continue to provide hope and dignity to clients in accordance with the highest standards.

Debra Walko

Client Care and Experience

With over 30 years of experience in providing community based services focused on supporting people holistically with their mental health, substance use, behavioural and social drivers of health needs, Debra oversees all LOFT programs.