Accessibility Services
Phone: (613) 533-6000 ext. 75734
Email: accessibility.hub@queensu.ca
Adaptive Technology Centre, Stauffer Library, Room 120C
Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Services
Phone: (613) 533-6000 ext. 36330 (Monday to Friday)
Email: bjl7@queensu.ca (Monday to Friday)
Staff Contact Information
Lavonne Hood - Acting Associate Vice-Principal (Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion)
Lavonne joined the university in 2018 as Senior Legal Counsel, bringing with her a wealth of expertise and experience. In 2019, she took on the leadership of the University Ombudsperson Office, where she has been an outstanding advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion. Her dedication to promoting systemic fairness and accessibility for all members of our Queen’s community has made her Office an invaluable partner to the Human Rights and Equity Office.
During this transitional period, Lavonne will assume the responsibilities of the AVP role, ensuring the continuity of our important work. She will hold this position while a comprehensive search for the next AVP is organized and conducted. We anticipate that this process will likely continue into the fall term, allowing us to find the most qualified candidate who will further strengthen our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. To schedule a meeting with Lavonne, please reach out to Ruth Santamaria at: rls3@queensu.ca.
Lavie Williams - Associate Director Human Rights Advisory Services
After earning her Bachelor of Science from Queen’s and then a Master of Arts in Human Rights from the University of Sussex, Lavie Williams joined the Office as the Inclusion and Anti-Racism Advisor in 2018. Lavie brings her passion for and experience with anti-racism and anti-oppression work to contribute directly in developing, implementing and monitoring institutional inclusion and anti-oppression strategies. Lavie is a central point of contact for individuals and units who wish to access all related anti-oppression and anti-racism initiatives, processes and services at Queen’s.
Jermaine Marshall - Inclusion and Anti-Racism Advisor
After graduating with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the West Indies and a Master of Arts in Social Justice and Equity Studies, Jermaine Marshall joined the HRE Office in 2021 as the Inclusion and Anti-Racism Advisor. Jermaine is a central point of contact for individuals and units who wish to access all related anti-oppression and anti-racism initiatives, processes, and services at Queen’s. As an advisor Jermaine pulls from years of academic and professional experience in order to facilitate an intersectional approach to addressing issues of racism, discrimination and oppression.
Nilani Loganathan - Human Rights Advisor
Nilani Loganathan joined the Office in 2019 as a Human Rights Advisor. Nilani supports students, staff and faculty at Queen’s by working with them to effectively address human rights- and equity-related concerns using a client-led and anti-oppressive approach. Nilani has completed a Bachelor’s degree in Political Studies and International Development Studies and has previously worked to advocate for international members of the Queen’s community.
Meri Diamond - Office Manager
Meri Diamond is the Office Manager and has worked in the Office since 2005. Meri is responsible for the effective management and administration of all departmental operations. Meri contributes to a broad range of office/ campus/ community projects that advance the University’s equity goals. Meri administers the I Count Queen's Equity Census process to all new employees and administers the Faculty and Staff Employment Equity Process.
Contact: diamondm@queensu.ca or ext. 32563
Ruth Santamaria- Administrative Assistant
Ruth Santamaria has been in the Office since 1998 as the Administrative Assistant. As the front line person, Ruth is responsible for fielding inquiries made to the office as well as assisting with any questions that may arise. Ruth supports all staff and greets clients for the Advisory service.
Contact: rls3@queensu.ca or ext. 75139
Q Lethbridge - Office Assistant
Q Lethbridge is the Office Assistant and has worked in the office since 2019. Q is responsible for scheduling Staff and Faculty training sessions relating to human rights, equity and inclusion.
Contact: sl166@queensu.ca or ext. 79576
Vanessa Yzaguirre – Associate Director (Equity Services)
Vanessa Yzaguirre is the Associate Director (Equity Services) and joined the Office in 2018. Vanessa is responsible for the overall functioning of Equity Services. Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communications from Universidad Central de Venezuela and a Master of Arts in Gender Studies from Queen’s University. Vanessa is also responsible for working collaboratively with academic and/or administrative units to implement diversity and equity strategies using the Diversity and Equity Assessment and Planning (DEAP) Tool and Cyclical Program Reviews Process.
Dre Choi - Equity Advisor
Dre Choi joined the HREO in 2021. As an Equity Advisor they contribute to the oversight function of the Office regarding the University's compliance and commitment to achieving equity at Queen's. Dre draws on their previous experience as a practitioner, researcher, and educator in equity, inclusion, and anti-oppression and applies a client-centered approach when meeting with members of the Queen’s community. They hold a Doctor of Philosophy from the Department of Geography and Planning at Queen’s and an Honors Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto at Scarborough.
Heidi Penning - Equity Advisor
Heidi Penning has been with the Office since 2010. Heidi is an Equity Advisor and contributes to the oversight function of the Office regarding the University's compliance and commitment to achieving equity throughout the Queen's community. Heidi holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Queen's University. Heidi brings with her over two decades of experience about the way that public policy, human behaviour, and community realities intersect to create sustainable and positive change for equity-seeking groups so they can live, work and play with dignity in their communities.
Barb Lotan - Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator
Barb Lotan joined the University in May 2016. As SPVR Coordinator, Barb works closely with other campus partners on coordinating training and education related to sexual violence, and developing the University’s central sexual violence policy and other related policies on the Queen’s campus. Additionally, Barb serves as a point of contact to provide information to students who have experienced sexual violence about the services and supports available both on and off campus.
Contact: bjl7@queensu.ca or (613) 533-6000 ext. 36330
Rebecca Rappeport (She/her) SVPR - Community Outreach and Student Support Worker
Rebecca has joined the HREO in 2022 as the SVPR Community and Student support worker. Acting as a central resource for education about sexual violence prevention and response, as well as a support for students who have been impacted by sexual violence, Rebecca brings with her more than ten years of community development expertise. After graduating with a B.A in International Development with a focus on Gender from the Univirsity of Guelph, Rebecca earned her M.A. in International Affairs from NPSIA where she focussed her research on sexual violence and prevention in development contexts. Rebecca applies an intersectional, anti-oppressive lens to all her work, with previous experience in sexual violence prevention and research, directly supporting survivors of sexual violence, reproductive health, and as advocate for youth with disabilities. Rebecca hopes to bring her previous experience to her new role to work collaboratively towards a campus free from sexual violence.
Contact: r.rappeport@queensu.ca
Andrew Ashby - Manager, Accessibility Services
Andrew Ashby is the Manager, Accessibility Services and has worked in the Office since 2015. Andrew is responsible for the coordination of accessibility initiatives throughout the University. Andrew works collaboratively within the Queen's community to provide skills and services that will ensure a coordinated approach to accessibility. As a person living with a disability himself, Andrew fully appreciates the significance of being able to work and learn at Queen's in a way that takes into account dignity, independence, integration, and equality of opportunity.
Erin Clow - Associate Director, Education and Learning
Erin Clow is the Associate Director, Education and Learning and has worked in the Office since 2014. Erin is responsible for the implementation of training and learning strategies relating to human rights, equity and inclusion. Erin holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Political Studies from Queen's University, a Master of Arts degree in Canadian and Indigenous Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Women Studies and Political Studies from Trent University.
Emma McCallum – Education and Learning Coordinator
In her joint-position as an Education and Learning Coordinator for the Human Rights and Equity Office (HREO) and Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) Emma works to support Indigenization-Equity Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-racism (I-EDIAA) principles in education across the university.
Emma has been a part of the HREO team since 2022. At the HREO, Emma’s role involves training consultation, resource development, e-learning module design, training facilitation, and Positive Space program coordination. Emma’s experience as an educator, Gender and Sexuality education consultant, and community services professional greatly informs her contributions to the HREO and Queen’s community. Emma holds a BA in Gender Studies and Indigenous Studies and BEd from Queen’s University. Emma is completing an MA at UofT (OISE) in Social Justice Education.