Team

Nital has been involved with VegTO for 25 years, previously serving on the Program Review Committee, then on the Board of Directors, and now as President. Twenty-five years ago, Nital’s father, a plant-based physician, introduced him to research and clinical practice that demonstrated the power of whole-food, plant-based lifestyles and opened Nital’s eyes to veganism beyond ethics. He has since advocated and raised awareness about how plant-based living can be a solution to many of today’s challenges. Having worked in strategic policy at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Nital questioned what would happen in Canada if everyone transitioned to a plant-based diet. As a result, he founded Plant-Based Economics, an NGO focused on evaluating plant-based nutrition economics and policy. In addition, Nital joined the Plant-Based Data team, a plant-based research platform, as a nutrition economic researcher. Nital is passionate about plant-based food strategy in Toronto as the city increasingly focuses on climate change commitments (following last year’s C40 Copenhagen Summit). This focus is enhanced by his time with the Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank, where he sits on the Board of Directors. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master’s of Science (international economics) from Queen’s University. He enjoys yoga, reading, basketball, chess, and spending time with his family.

Elliot became vegetarian in 1990, inspired by a research project. He and his husband Tim became vegan in 2000 after Tim took a course offered by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, an organization that advocates for plant-based diets and promotes the use of non-animal models during medical school training. After many newsletters to the house, they declared, ‘That's it, we’re becoming vegan!’. Elliot is the former owner of Cosmic Treats Vegan Restaurant and Dessert Bar in Kensington Market. He has supported VegTO over the years by being a business member and hosting and participating in many markets and events. He has been a long-time member of VegTO, even submitting an entry in their very first Totally Fabulous Vegan Bake-Off. Elliot is a registered physiotherapist who focuses on working with people who are homeless and other marginalized populations. He also has a particular interest in studying obesity, the focus of his research during his graduate degree. Elliot has volunteered for many years in organizations that address drug policy reform. He loves to bake, eat cake, and seek out the latest vegan treats in different cities and countries. Elliot also enjoys reading science fiction and loves to stay active by hiking and rollerblading along the Martin Goodman Trail.

“It’s an honour, each day, to align my values and my actions for the animals, the planet and our improved health. Once we know better, we need to do better!” Adrienne George has been an ethical vegan 6 years ago and has never looked back! Currently Global Marketing Director with Animal Save Movement and the Plant Based Treaty campaign, Adrienne is also Co-Organizer for Toronto Pig Save, Lead Safety Marshal for Toronto Pig Save and Cow Save, Regional Liaison for ASM chapters in North America and a Board Member and Organizer for Burlington Vegfest. With a college diploma in Marketing and Promotions, as well as a degree in History from Brock University, Adrienne branched out into a 20-year Marketing & Special Events career with companies such as Warner Music Canada and Tim Hortons. Adrienne also volunteers, on a weekly basis, at her “happy place” – The Ass Menagerie Sanctuary, in Wainfleet, Ontario, where she gladly helps to clean the barn, pamper the animals and hug sheep.

Fraser has been on the Board of Directors for more than ten years and served as President for a five-year term. During his time with VegTO, he has been active on various committees such as Nominating & Governance, Programs Review, and Strategic Planning Committees and a coordinator for Veggies of Halton & Peel. Fraser has previous board experience with non-profit arts organizations. He is a Vice-President at a company involved in the distribution and servicing of industrial fire, safety, industrial hygiene, and occupational health equipment in the workplace. He manages quality systems, the facilitation of project teams, and a variety of strategic initiatives, including implementing new technology systems. His specialty is supply chain management. Inspired by the environmental/political perspective, health, and ethics, Fraser has been a vegetarian for more than 35 years and a vegan for 20. VegTO programs have had a significant positive impact on his life; he is honoured to be able to give back and help support the organization. He looks forward to implementing the strategy of VegTO.

Dharma Jain born in India in a vegetarian family that had been following Jain religion and philosophy of non-violence since centuries. In early childhood he understood the concept of healthy living, importance of environment, rights of every living being and human anatomy. Since then, he has applied the core Jain principle of “live and let live. He has been a VegTO member and monthly donor for over 10 years. Professionally, Dharma is a practicing CPA, CGA. He is also a CPA from USA, CA, and LL.B.from India. Besides, he is an entrepreneur, investor and a passionate community worker. He is a well known and respectable face in the Indo-Canadian Community. He has served as past President of Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce (2014-2015), VP and board member(2011-2015). Dharma has also served as a director and audit committee member of amalgamated Canadian Helen Keller Centre. He served as treasurer for Sri Digambar Jain Mandir, Toronto. He has held positions in committees of the City of Brampton and Mississauga. Currently he is VP of Indo-Canadian Harmony Forum. In past he has raised funds for various Ontario Hospitals. He is widely covered by ethnic media, print and digital, on issues affecting Indo-Canada business relations, community, politics, and other professional matters. He has to his credit various articles published in ethnic media. In 2017, a docu-feature on his life journey in Canada was telecast by DD International, India. Dharma is the recipient of prestigious ICCC member of the year 2019, director of the year ICHF 2019, Canada 150 Pin, and Queens Platinum Jubilee Medal 2022 for his services to the community. Dharma’s skills include leadership, networking, governance, implementation, strategic thinking besides his professional skills of tax, accounting, and finance, which he wishes to apply in raising VegTO membership, private sector sponsorship, new collaborations, and increased awareness of healthy plant-based living. A family man, Dharma lives in Brampton, with his wife, Anu and his sons, Abhishek and Raghushek. Raghushek is pursuing a vegan lifestyle. He loves travelling, reading, and listening to light soft music.

Marc is the founding lawyer at Green Economy Law Professional Corporation, a boutique Toronto-based law firm focused on sustainability, psychedelic, and housing-related legal work. Before launching the firm in 2020, Marc worked as a resident associate at the premier New York entertainment law firm Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks. He is a member of the Toronto Community Bikeways Coalition and Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s Toronto chapter. He’s been a proud vegan since 2011 and runs the website www.vegandigitalnomad.com.

Kelly Kerr has been a supporter of VegTO since her vegan journey began 9 years ago. A vegetarian in the 1990s, she rediscovered her path in 2014 when the mother-of-two learned from a iVegan “Why Love One But Eat The Other” subway campaign that mother pigs sing to their babies. Since then she has been an unstoppable activist for the animals, and regularly volunteers with various animal rights organizations including Animal Save Movement, Plant Based Treaty, Wishbone Animal Rights Lab, and Climate Healers. You can find her speaking about all things vegan on the weekly online show The Vegan Stew and as a co-host of the Calling All Vegans show. Sharing food at all-day vigils inspired Kelly to become a food activist and to earn a vegetarian culinary certificate at George Brown College. Her former career in community management and customer service for eBay and other Dotcom corporations shapes her relationship with the vegan community in Toronto and on social media, where she “enables” individual plant-based transitions and facilitates the global vegan revolution under the brand The VeganAbler. VegTO anticipates a tidal wave of new vegans and Kelly is dedicated to teach everyone to wax their surfboards!

Peter has been with VegTO for many years as a director, outreach volunteer, 2-time President, a committee chair, and currently a member of the Marketing and Development Committee. He brings his strong local and international contacts and ties to the very active Toronto animal rights scene and the environmental movement. His profession is teaching; Peter has been a special education teacher for several years and previously worked in business and government. He brings an understanding of financial statements, strategic planning, HR, and marketing. In the 40 years since becoming vegetarian and the 25 since he became vegan, he has witnessed the impressive growth in vegan resources in the city and the world. With a strong alignment with VegTO’s values, he believes that the diversity in membership and programs is VegTO’s biggest strength and looks forward to contributing to the strong team of staff, directors, committee members, other volunteers, and members in moving VegTO forward.