OUR BOARD
Daniel Loaiza, President
Daniel was born in Colombia and attended hearing school without a sign language interpreter until college. He is the Deaf member in the family. When he was 11 years old, he learned Colombian Sign Language “LSC”, Deaf Culture and Deaf Community. He was the President of the Palmira Association of the Deaf “ASORPAL” for over 9 years providing resources, support and advocacy for Deaf Community in Palmira. In 2019, he resigned as President to move to Canada. He was a Colombian Sign Language instructor and taught hearing people to communicate with Deaf people and he also ensured accessibility in services. As a Multimedia Designer, he developed many projects successfully to break down the barriers of communication. He is excited to be part of the TAD board to work hard together for TAD members and the Deaf Community across GTA. dloaiza@deaftoronto.ca
Magda Chmielinski, Vice-President
Magda was born and raised in Communist System in Poland, without Deaf Accessibility, TTY and Closed Captioned. When the Communist ended in 1989, she moved to California, USA at 14 years old and learned both English and American Sign Language. She studied the Upward Bound Program at California State of University in Hayward during her last year in high school. She earned a degree in Electronic Publishing & Printing Technology from NTID/RIT. She worked at Gannett newspaper company as a Graphic Designer and Pre-Press Specialist for 6 years before she moved to Ontario in 2007. Since then she has been volunteering in various organizations, such as fundraising for Deaf Missionary in Haiti, secretary for GTDC, coach for Special Olympic Bowling and much more. She became Treasurer of TAD in January 2019 then in January 2021 moved into President of TAD and served for 2 years terms. She is hoping to bring more diversity & grow Deaf Community stronger. She has three beautiful daughters: Olivia, Malaika & Caprina and a dog named Moka. vicepres@deaftoronto.ca
Secretary
Vacant
If you are interested in this position, send email introducing yourself and your background to president@deaftoronto.ca
Karen Escourse, Treasurer
Karen was born in Georgetown, Guyana. When she was one year and 4 months, she moved to Toronto with her mother and attended a mainstream School where provided the Deaf Program and graduated in 1995. She learned Sign Exact English SEE when she was 7 years old. She enrolled in Adult Continuing Educations ACE in 1995 for one year in Milton. In SVP96, she also enrolled at National Technical Institute for the Deaf NTID in Rochester, NY and graduated in 2002. She was hired by RBC – Royal Bank of Canada for 16 years of Financial Services. She joined TAD as a member for 2 years. She loves to travel on road trips, play video games, research anything with online history and collect hockey cards. Japanese Sushi, Portuguese and Greek foods are her favourites. Her favourite colour is blue. treasurer@deaftoronto.ca
Gary Malkowski, Director at-large
Gary was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario. He graduated from Ernest C. Drury School for the Deaf and Gallaudet University. He was President of Ontario Deaf Sports Association (ODSA), Chair of Ontario Association of the Deaf Education Task Force, and led Deaf Ontario Now movement. He also served as board member with Canadian Deaf Sports Association (CDSA), Canadian Association of the Deaf (CAD) and Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf (CCSD) during 1980s and 1990s. He has been a member of TAD for 36 years and served on the TAD Board for 10 years. He received numerous awards and honours provincially, nationally and internationally. He has appeared on TV, radio, newspapers and magazines nationally and internationally. Gary teaches Civics and Career class at the International Yeshivas High School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Toronto, and is Director for Sign Language Institute Canada. director3@deaftoronto.ca
Director at-large
Vacant
If you are interested in this position, send email introducing yourself and your background to president@deaftoronto.ca
Director at-large
Vacant
If you are interested in this position, send email introducing yourself and your background to president@deaftoronto.ca
