Board of Directors

Aaron Franks

Aaron joined Horizon in 2022, motivated by resistance to the “freedom” occupation and the possibilities of progressive grassroots action in the last municipal election. He is a strong believer in public ownership and participatory governance, housing for all, fossil fuel disinvestment, decolonization everywhere, critical thinking, humour, music, and love. Aaron works at the First Nations Information Governance Centre in Ottawa and has an MA in Social Justice and Equity Studies from Brock University and a PhD in Human Geography from the University of Glasgow. Originally from Edmonton in Treaty Six territory, Aaron is of British, Northern European, and Metis descent with roots in the Anglo-Metis communities of St. Andrews, MB, and Birch Hills, SK. He is a member of the Manitoba Metis Federation and has lived on unceded, unsurrendered Algonquin territory in Ottawa with his family since 2016.

Erica Angers

Erica has worked in the climate and food justice sectors for over ten years. From conservation to organic farming, she has advocated for environmental issues in Ottawa and beyond. She is a passionate supporter of the arts, going to and volunteering with many of the music, visual art, dance, and theatre events that the city has to offer.

She holds a Masters in Public Policy, a dual degree she got in Vienna and Barcelona. This degree taught her to dream big when considering how we can foster sustainable, equitable, and enjoyable cities across a range of contexts. Erica is from Ottawa and is excited to continue to see how the city can evolve and support all of its residents now and in the future.

Ethan Smith-Johnson

Ethan is an organizer, activist and student currently living in the New Edinburgh neighbourhood of Ottawa. They have lived in Ottawa since September 2019 when they moved to Ottawa from Guelph for University, and have been involved with Horizon Ottawa since the Fall of 2020.

They are proud to serve as the Co-Chair of Ontario's New Democratic Youth and are extremely passionate about youth organizing and political engagement.

Ethan sees Horizon Ottawa as a critical organization in the fight for a better city; as a board member, they look forward to advocating for better public transit, social services and affordable housing for all.

Juanita Molano

Juanita has been living in South Keys since 2015, where she bought her first apartment and learned the role of property taxes. In 2018 she started her Masters in Public Policy and Administration at Carleton, where she met a professor deeply passionate about urban policy and learned about the role of cities in Canada. Both of these experiences have shaped her view of Ottawa and the understanding of the importance of empathy and community to the city's success. Juanita has experience working as a federal public servant and engages in academic research on policy development. She looks forward to putting these skills to good use through her involvement with Horizon

Keith de Silvia-Legault

Keith is a community organizer, fundraiser, and writer living in Britannia Heights. Originally from the Greater Toronto Area, Keith moved to Ottawa in 2018 to pursue their undergraduate degree in Political Science.

Keith joined Horizon in 2022 when they ran to be a school trustee for the OCDSB. Keith has fundraised for the NDP, various non-profits and organized the Rideau McDonald's Farewell March in 2023. Keith looks forward to using these skills to good use through their involvement with Horizon.

Meaghan Burden

Living in Ottawa over the past 20 years, she has been involved in the Hintonburg Community Association, Mechanicsville Community Association, the Vanier Beautification Committee, and is an active member of Ottawa-Carleton ETFO. Meaghan was born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario, and their family was very active in the Steelworkers, and ETFO. As a board member, her interests are in member engagement through strengthening of structure, community education through outreach, and empowerment of community voice within Horizon and Ottawa.

Mikaela Kennedy

Mikaela (they/them) lives in Sandy Hill and loves living near ByWard Market and Centretown.

They moved from Barrie to Ottawa in 2017 to attend university, earning a degree in Political Science and Gender Studies from uOttawa in 2022. During their undergrad, Mik was an executive of the UONDP, holding the positions of VP Membership, VP Social, and Co-President.

This experience taught them about community organizing, volunteering, and campaigning. As a board member, they are passionate about free, accessible, and reliable transit, safe bike infrastructure, affordable housing, and tenant rights.

Ray Eskritt

Ray grew up in Northwestern Ontario, 4 hours north-west of Thunder Bay, home of the Cree and Ojibway peoples. She has spent close to twenty years working in youth and family shelters as well as dedicating much of her time to community spaces for children and families. She has a passion for universal housing, basic income policies, and seizing the means of production. She moved to Ottawa 3 years ago, after completing her Masters in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership.

Rose Lockyer

Rose has been living on Unceded Unsurrendered Algonquin Territory for 35 years.

As a Haida Grandmother (Naanii) Rose's responsibilities are to protect the waters, land and air for the coming generations. How else do we look our Grandchildren in the eye? It is imperative we all do what we can to ensure the best possible future for Our grandchildren's children.

Rose looks forward to working together for a brighter sustainable future for Our Peoples and this city called Odawa.

Susan Hickman (Treasurer)

Susan currently works at Ecology Ottawa as their Administrative Director and has over 20 years experience in not-for-profit administration and finance, having worked with national, international and community-based organizations. Driven by the energy of the teams she works with, Susan strives for just and sustainable efficiencies, ensuring the organization can ‘walk the talk’ both literally and figuratively. Originally from the East Coast, Susan has lived in Ottawa for over 30 years. As a stalwart pedestrian urbanite, she enjoys Ottawa’s walkable green spaces in the summer as much as curling up with a good sci-fi flick on the cold Ottawa winter days.

Tristan Oliff

Tristan is a storyteller and community builder on a journey to use his energy to promote meaningful collaboration and facilitate equitable and sustainable social change.

His professional journey has led him through parliament hill, into the non-profit world, and around the new media movement, providing a unique background in creative strategy, policy communication, and community engagement.

With South African and French Canadian roots, Tristan has been based in Ottawa for the past 8 years.

Tristan is on the Board because he believes Horizon provides community; When the mainstream media shies away from amplifying issues of concern, Horizon stands up and shouts out the truth.

Yami Msosa

Yami Msosa (they/them) is a gender queer Malawian arrivant to Algonquin Anishinabek territory. Yami grew up in Ottawa South & Orleans and currently works as the Executive Director of OCTEVAW.

They are an auntie to nine beautiful niblings, a cultural worker, a movement facilitator, and a feminist organizer. Yami is two-time graduate of the Pauline Jewett Institute of Women and Gender Studies at Carleton University, where they have worked closely with Dr. Egla Martinez and Dr. Pat Gentile.

Yami serves on Horizon's Board, driven by a vision for a city that genuinely addresses the needs of communities that have experienced systemic harm and erasure.

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