Karman Lock, B.Sc.(Hons.), LL.B.
Chair
Karman Lock was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2011 after having received her Honours B.Sc. in Neuroscience and Law Degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She articled with a prominent family law firm in York Region and has been practising family law and litigation since her call to the bar.
Karman’s studies began in neuroscience where she researched extensively in behavioural neuroscience and was been published in an international research journal in the brain sciences. During law school, Karman received a student clerkship with the Hon. Chief Justice Kennedy of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. She also volunteered with Pro Bono Students Canada and chaired the Public Relations committee for Habitat for Humanity Halifax-Dartmouth.
Karman is growing her practice in family law, wills and estates, and estate litigation. She works closely with family law clients dealing with and resolving the legal issues that arise as the result of preparing for marriage, separation, divorce, or child custody and access. As a trained Collaborative Family Lawyer, she can also assist clients in resolving issues collaboratively by way of negotiation and without going to court. She also assists her clients in estate planning through the preparation of their Wills and Powers of Attorney, estate administration when a loved one has passed away, and as counsel in estate litigation matters.
Michelle Sudeyko
Vice Chair
Michelle Sudeyko is a seasoned sales professional and a business executive with over 30 years’ experience. She has worked with a large number of Fortune 500 companies throughout her entire career.
Michelle has been working with Crestcom for close to 8 years in a facilitator and marketing capacity. Though she did not start her career in training and development, Crestcom became a perfect fit for her. Prior to that, in 2005, Michelle had spent 20+ years in the office products industry as an International Accounts Manager | Sales Manager | General Manager, Eastern Canada. The industry allowed her to hone her skills in Sales, Marketing, Management, Communication and Facilitation. In her management roles, she managed teams of 5 – 45 members. Michelle started her career with a diploma in Marketing from Humber College in Toronto, ON. She later worked on various components at York University for a degree in Business Administration.
In the past two years, she has had a great opportunity to also work with national charities; Lupus Canada and Kidney Cancer Canada, assisting them in their communication and program needs. She was the Director of Fundraising at Women’s Centre of York Region for 18 months working on corporate sponsorship and event execution. Balancing both ‘worlds’, Crestcom and charity support has been a wonderful experience that she plans to continue.
Ruth Corpuz
Treasurer
Ruth Corpuz is an accountant with over fifteen years of diverse management, finance and operations experience with not-for-profit organizations, retirement homes and manufacturing and distribution companies. Ruth earned her BBA at York University and holds a CPA, CA designation.
Ruth was elected the AIDS Committee of York Region’s Treasurer in September 2009 and held this position until her term ended in September 2015. She is excited to be rejoining ACYR’s Board of Directors and looks forward to working with a great team. Ruth also volunteers at various organizations including her church, schools and Girl Guides of Canada.
Gavin Demonte
Secretary
Gavin is an experienced Engineering Project Manager currently working for an industry leading payments processing technology firm. Prior to this, Gavin was part of a Toronto-based start-up that was later acquired.
Gavin has received his engineering degree, with honors, from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, is a trained Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and a Project Management Professional (PMP).
Gavin takes pride in his community involvement and for many years volunteered as an instructor at a large Martial Arts Academy where he taught adult and youth programs. More recently, he is pursuing a partnership with the Big Brother Big Sisters organization to further increase his involvement with community programs.
Alexander Blake, M.A.
Member at Large
Alex Blake is an experienced social service professional with over fifteen years of frontline, and program management experience; whereby, he has been employed in a wide variety of service streams in both Canada and the United Kingdom.
Upon completion of his undergraduate degree at the University of Windsor, Alex went on to travel and work in the United Kingdom and garner professional experience within the programming areas of homelessness, mental health, and youth probation. Alex was successful in completing his master’s degree in Criminology at the University of Leicester, and upon relocating back to Canada; he continued to successfully combine theory and practice towards building stronger and safer communities. From 2006-2011, he worked as a Program Supervisor and Lead Recruiter for a private foster care agency; and since 2011, has been employed with the John Howard Society of York Region as a Program Coordinator.
Alex takes pride in being a father of two boys, tries his best to stay physically active, and enjoys culture and the arts. Since 2005, Alex found himself coping with many generic, physical, and respiratory illnesses. After ten years of coping with an unknown chronic illness, he was diagnosed with hypogammaglobulinemia – a form of Primary Immunodeficiency. Alex volunteers his time with the Canadian Immunodeficiencies Patient Organization, which is an excellent complement to his service with the AIDS Committee of York Region.
Aminat Alli-Agboola
Member at Large
Aminat Alli-Agboola is a social worker with over 12 years of experience with not-for-profit organizations. She graduated with a Bachelors’ degree in Sociology from Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria. She has been living positively and openly with HIV since she got to know about her diagnosis in March 2004.
Aminat founded Health Education & Skills Development Initiative (HESDI), formerly positive Youth Initiative Nigeria (PYIN), in 2005. From 2005 till date she has worked in different capacity – Community Outreach Officer, AIDS Alliance in Nigeria (2005); MIPA Workplace Advisor/Project Assistant for Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (2007 to 2014); Coordinator, Network of People living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter (2014 – 2016) and Housing Worker, Haven Toronto (August 2018 – to date).
Aminat currently volunteers for Toronto People with AIDS Foundation (PWA) and Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention. Aminat has an understanding of working with People Living with HIV and vulnerable communities, helping them access community services and maintaining their health.