Meet The Team
We are a passionate and dedicated group of runners and volunteers who want to give back in any way we can. Like just about everyone else we want to do what we can through our own networks and organizations to help our front line healthcare workers to do their jobs safely and without fear.
Simon Liao
Simon is our Graphic & Web Designer, he is also a new resident of the 6ix. Graduated from the University of Manitoba with a bachelor degree in Architecture, Simon has a huge passion for art and design. As he started a new chapter of his life in the big city, Simon is constantly looking for ways to give back and get involved in communities. He has been volunteering for various nonprofit organizations helping their graphics and marketing needs. On weekends, you can find Simon jogging in parks and trials, or staying in his tiny kitchen cooking spicy Asian cuisine.
Niki Mrvelj
Niki is a young, passionate product manager who loves to question everything. She studied Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto. Aside from the professional side, Niki is a fitness enthusiast who is always looking to try new classes and studios around the city. She’s currently focused on improving her lifts and conditioning with Crossfit! She is rarely indoors and spends her weekends hiking trails, reading, or drinking red wine.
Nell Ganguli
Nell is a graduate student of Environmental Studies at York University with a focus on eco-health. She has 8 years of corporate experience in HR. logistics and communications. Nell's hobbies include hiking, kickboxing, travelling and experimental cooking.
Ariana Bell
Ariana is a Queens University student who just finished her third year in Life Sciences. She has always loved keeping an active lifestyle; she has been doing competitive cheerleading for 12 years and is currently on the Queens Varsity Cheerleading Team.
"This movement means a lot to me because my mother is a healthcare worker and I see how hard she’s been working the past little bit to keep everything under control. Additionally, I am applying to medical school this year, so I hope to become a healthcare worker myself one day. The bravery and dedication of healthcare workers is so amazing and I want to do everything I can to support them during this difficult time."
Eugene Tang
Eugene has been in the field of Recreation since 2014. Most recently with the City of Toronto as a Program & Event Coordinator and Assistant, he has supported a variety of portfolios including special events, active living, and youth leadership program areas. Over the past couple of years, he has supported the coordination of various community events and volunteer teams.
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Eugene is passionate about supporting his community and is excited to be part of a dedicated team in supporting our health care workers.
Ashley Emmens
Ashley is about to graduate from McMaster University with a degree in
Communications. She will be attending Humber College for a postgraduate program in Public Relations this fall. She’s super excited to be helping out with the PR for Isolation Run! Ashley just
got back into running and is very passionate about the positive
effects of running on both physical and mental health.
Peter Donato
Peter is the founder and organizer of IsolationRun.org . As the owner of Good Times Running Inc. -- an event creation and management company dedicated to re-introducing people to the joys of running, he has successfully executed various large running events in Toronto, such as the Corporate Run and Monster Dash. Peter is an accomplished, visionary leader with over 27 years of experience in special events management and marketing, he also founded the popular running webistes MyNextRace.com and RoadRaceResults.com .
Aidan Roman-Crossland
Aidan is an Educator, Business & Project Manager. She owned her own school for ten years building a peaceful inspirational place for students and staff to grow and develop. Recently she pivoted into consultation, helping other entrepreneurs and founders evolve and grow their own businesses and organizations for the future. She loves spending time outdoors running, biking and playing with her husband and three delightful children!
Ryan Tacay
Ryan is the team’s social media co-ordinator and video editor. He’s a digital media specialist, content creator, and social media story-teller. TIFF red carpet photographer, former healthcare practitioner, and Guinness Book of World Records holder, he wears many hats both literally and figuratively.In his 3rd year of the running scene, he has completed a few notable races such as a 650km relay race from Toronto to Montreal as well as his first Abbott World Major marathon at Chicago in 2019.Working on social media posts, creating inspirational videos from outstanding individuals participating in the IsolationRun,Ryan has a passion for sharing stories through various forms of media. When he’s not in front of the computer or behind the camera, you’ll find Ryan in the middle of eating a plant-based pizza and playing with his wiener dog, Fritz.
Celien Do
Celine just completed her second year at McMaster University studying Integrated Business and Humanities and is passionate about making a difference in her community. She has volunteered for some of the major runs/walks in Toronto over the past few years and has also participated in 10K runs with her friends. She hopes to help support as many healthcare workers as possible through the movement.
Grace Burwash
Grace has a background in retail but is now looking for work in supply chain management. She wished to volunteer for this opportunity as she wanted to grow her administration skills and contribute to the health care workers who work tirelessly for others. When she’s not trying to hold a yoga pose, she can often be found reading.
Nazia H,
Nazia is an undergraduate student at Western University studying Medical Sciences. She has always been driven to be an active member in my community, and am so grateful to be part of a movement that supports our brave healthcare workers. Besides volunteering, she loves teaching, cooking, anything to do with fashion, and exploring new places!
Carolyn Mcpherson
Carolyn is a 2019 graduate from Queen’s University with a major in Political Science and a minor in Sociology. Since graduation, she has been working for a boutique PR firm in Toronto. She played competitive soccer growing up, and used to run track and field and cross country as well! She still runs a lot today for fun and she especially enjoy running through the ravine near her house.
George Kel
George is a recent graduate of the University of Toronto, majoring in Political Science and Philosophy. In September, he will be pursuing a Public Relations and Corporate Communications postgrad at Sheridan College. He has experience in various political campaigns, newspapers, and urban research. Aside from the professional, George is a fan of exploring everything local - food, coffee, and music, among other things.
Dana Fradkin
Dana grew up in Ottawa and fell in love with acting and dancing pretty quickly. She's a graduate of Canterbury High School of the Performing Arts, George Brown Theatre School and the Second City Conservatory. She is a highly trained personal trainer, actor, opera director and writer. Her varied career has led her down many paths including Shakespeare, improv comedy, touring Commedia Dell'Arte, touring circus companies, street performing, clown, stunt work, opera directing, moviemaking, writing and personal and group fitness training. She has worked and performed throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. Dana has always believed strongly in volunteering with the community and was a Big Sister with the Big Brother Big Sister Program for eight years. She currently volunteers with Dress For Success Toronto and as the fitness expert for Isolation Run.
Maria Dinh
Maria is currently an undergraduate at UPEI with Accounting major. She is working on becoming an accountant in the next 3 years. She loves reading, yoga, Zumba, and has a desire to meet new people to learn about others’ perspective and broaden horizons. She always reminds herself that life is too short, so not only live for ourselves but also give back to the community.