Board of Directors

Director – Gemma Gillis (she/her)

Gemma Gillis is a seasoned executive and transformational leader with over two decades of experience driving strategic change, governance design, and stakeholder alignment across Canada’s financial and public sectors. Most recently serving as Vice President of Business Management at Fiera Capital, Gemma led global investment operations supporting ~$160 billion in assets, advised senior executives, and spearheaded enterprise-wide initiatives focused on operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and human-centered innovation.

A passionate advocate for inclusive leadership, Gemma chaired EmpowerHer, Fiera Capital’s women’s resource group, and played foundational roles in DEI governance councils at the Investment Management Corporation of Ontario and Fiera. Her background includes board service with the Pension Investment Association of Canada, where she contributed to audit, finance, and strategic event planning.

Known for her clarity in complexity, high emotional intelligence, and collaborative style, Gemma brings tested expertise in organizational resilience, risk frameworks, and policy development—skills deeply aligned with the Durham Rape Crisis Center’s mission to empower survivors, strengthen advocacy, and foster systemic change.

Gemma is committed to using her leadership platform to advance social equity, support community initiatives, and build capacity for lasting impact.

Director — Nivedita Misra (she/her)

Nivedita is a mother of two young kids. She is also a lawyer, practicing in the area of Insurance defence law. Nivedita completed her B.A(H) in Sociology from the University of Windsor and LLB from England. Since her law school days, Nivedita has enjoyed Mooting & Negotiation. She is skilled in oral advocacy and problem solving. Nivedita joined the Durham rape crisis centre Board of Directors in July of 2023. Nivedita is a first-generation immigrant and understands the struggles some of us face as a woman of colour. With her diverse experience she hopes to add value to the team of Board of Directors here at the DRCC.

Director – Rosalyn

Rosalyn, or Ros as she is known to friends, is a recent law graduate with lived expertise in harm reduction, relational care work, and frontline services. Ros now carries the shared knowledge of clients and friends into her work in criminal defence, family law, and movement lawyering. Having received and facilitated life-saving services, Ros believes in developing sustainable care models that are led by and centre the autonomy of survivors and their loved ones

Mentee Director – Ariela Kong (she/her)

Fora: Network for Chang’s Rise on Board Young Director

Ariela Kong is a community-focused emerging leader dedicated to advancing dignity, equity and access through nonprofit work. As Community Development and Program Manager at Feed the Need in Durham, she leads operations for high-impact community food programs and works with a regional network of over 60 agency partners to align services and provide collaborative support in addressing food insecurity. She also serves on the City of Oshawa’s Community, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (CDEIC) and the Durham Region Anti-Racism Taskforce (DRART). Grounded in both professional and lived experience, Ariela is excited to join DRCC’s Board of Directors, supported by Fora: Network for Change’s Rise of Boards program.