BOARD MEMBERS
Justin Paolo Lim
President – Chair
Justin Paolo Lim currently serves as the President – Chair of the Centennial College Alumni Association Board of Directors. His journey within the association began as a director-at-large, gradually progressing to the role of Vice President before assuming his current presidency. Throughout his tenure as Director and Vice President, Justin actively engaged in multifarious projects and committees, leaving a resonating impact not only within the alumni community but also across the broader society.
Despite being half Filipino and half Chinese, Justin grew up in Uganda. During the final years of his International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), he has been heavily involved in community service. One of his most notable achievements is, when he and his peers organized a charity fashion show. He showcased his talent in textile and fashion design, and with this, they were able to raise a sufficient amount of money to purchase a cauterizing machine for an underfunded public hospital’s oncology department
During his academic pursuit, Justin demonstrated his leadership capabilities by serving as the Vice President of the Centennial College Student Association Board of Directors for a commendable two-year span. In recognition of his exceptional contributions, he was honored with the CCSAI Board Member of the Year award in 2019. In tandem with his responsibilities at CCSAI and his role as a student, Justin received further recognition through his appointment as an executive member of the College Student Alliance. This provincial advocacy organization champions the rights of college students in Ontario and played a pivotal role in contesting the Premier’s student choice initiatives. Justin’s academic journey culminated in the successful completion of the Architectural Technology program in 2019, embellished by honors and a Distinction in Leadership. Notably, he was bestowed with the President’s Spirit Award, a testament to his remarkable commitment and contribution to the college community.
In his current capacity as President, Justin ardently strives to infuse the Centennial College Alumni Association with purposeful programming, while also spearheading the inception and expansion of diverse association projects. Beyond his professional and association commitments, Justin serves as a consultant for a software company. During his leisure moments, he indulges his passion for volunteering, global exploration, culinary adventures, and the arts.
Amy Sit
Vice President
amy.sit@ccaa.life
Amy Sit is the Vice President of the Centennial College Alumni Association Board of Directors and a graduate of Recreation and Leisure, 2008. Currently, she is a coordinator with the West Scarborough Neighbourhood Centre where her responsibilities include coordinating licensed daycares and has coordinated the Boys & Girls Club in West Scarborough. As a board member, she is driven to help other alumni connect with the community and encourage graduates from all years to attend events and network with each other. When she has some downtime, Amy enjoys watching movies, TV shows, and reading.
Frincess Arbour
Vice-President
Frincess Arbour is the Chair of the Centennial College Alumni Association (CCAA) Board of Directors, providing leadership and guidance to drive impactful initiatives that strengthen the alumni community. She is a dedicated Child and Youth Care Practitioner, currently working at Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, Frontenac Youth Services, and Lumenus Community Services. With a degree in Child and Youth Care from Centennial College and completion of Indigenous Studies, Frincess brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role. Additionally, she serves as the Communications Director for the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care (OACYC). Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Child and Youth Care at Toronto Metropolitan University, Frincess leverages her expertise to make a positive impact within the Centennial College Alumni Association and the community. In her free time, she enjoys music, playing guitar and piano, and indulging her passion for collecting vintage items.
Alex Taraiev
Vice-President – Finance and Partnerships
Alex Taraiev is a Vice-President – Finance and Partnerships on the Centennial College Alumni Association Board of Directors. He is a graduate of both International Business Management in 2014 and Project Management in 2015. Currently he is a Associate at Colbourne Group at IG Private Wealth Management and keeps himself busy by serving on other boards and committees including the Fundraising Committee at Ukrainian Canadian Congress and Ukrainian Canadian Professional Business Association along with others. Alex would like to see CCAA as a key department at Centennial College that engages students early in their journey (as soon as they start studying at our school) and maintain them engaged/active long after they graduated (regardless of where they will be at that time across the world). He also wants to see it as the biggest and strongest Alumni Association across North America. Alex enjoys golfing, jogging, playing soccer and reading.
Ronak Nagda
Director of Special Events and Alumni Engagement
Ronak Nagda currently serves as the Director of Special Events and Alumni Engagement on the Centennial College Alumni Association Board of Directors. He graduated from the Project Management course at the Centennial College, earned Leadership Passport, and graduated with a distinction in leadership. He works in fintech industry and currently holds the post of a Vice-President at a major bank in Toronto. Ronak loves to volunteer his time and currently is on the Board of CHCC – Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce, the first registered not-for-profit organization in Canada to be dedicated to the unification of Canadian Hindus and their economic interests. Ronak is also part of the Management Committee at JSOT – Jain Society of Toronto, a non-profit religious organization. In his free time, Ronak loves to travel, attend various events happening around the city, and has a passion for Curling. As a Director, Ronak strives to work diligently to contribute to the strategic decision-making processes, and support initiatives that enhance the experience and engagement opportunities available to the Centennial College alumni.
TJ Taylor
Director of Marketing and Communications
TJ Taylor is the Centennial College Alumni Association Board of Directors Director of Marketing. She has graduated from three programs at Centennial College, Early Childhood Education in 2004, Medical Office Administration in 2007, and Legal Office Administration in 2008. TJ currently works full time at Centennial College. She is Part Time Learning Program Officer, and works part time in Continuing Education. During her time on the CCAA Board of Directors, TJ will use her strengths in marketing and ensure great and exciting events to reach alumni. She is excited to provide fresh ideas to the Board and alumni near and far. TJ is passionate about engaging and giving back to the community through community outreach work. She is currently Communications Secretary with Local 559 Centennial College Union, the Health and Safety representative, and Parent Council Secretary. In her free time she enjoys watching basketball, listening to music, and taking nature walks — although not all at once!
Miguel Meneses
Director-At-Large
miguel.meneses@ccaa.life
Miguel Meneses is a Director-At-Large on the Centennial College Alumni Association Board of Directors. He is a 2019 Centennial College graduate with a diploma in Business – distinction in Leadership – and the President of the Union of Taxation Employees Local 60008 in New Brunswick. At Centennial, he served as a Student Advocate on the Board of Directors, earning the Advocacy Award, the President’s Spirit Award, and the Learning-Centred College Award. He also was a lead in the Student Ambassadors program, volunteered extensively, and participated in a Global Citizenship and Equity Learning Experience in Costa Rica. In his professional career at ExxonMobil Canada and currently in the Federal Government, Miguel has demonstrated strong leadership, problem-solving, and advocacy skills through various roles, including mentoring and coaching colleagues and creating innovative processes. His commitment to community engagement and social justice continues to drive his efforts in both his professional and volunteer endeavors.
Laura Morra
Director-At-Large
laura.morra@ccaa.life
Laura Morra is a Director-At-Large on the Centennial College Alumni Association Board of Directors. She graduated from the Corporate Communication Public Relations program in 2014, and is the recipient of the Distinction in Leadership award. During her time on the board, Laura would like to bring her passion and enthusiasm to engage and support alumni to ensure their education at Centennial College leaves the lasting impression encapsulated in CCAA’s motto: “Centennial First, Alumni Forever.” Currently she is a full-time International Language Instructor where she plans programs for primary, junior and intermediate grades. Her other passions include: interior design, Latin dancing, kick-boxing, Co-Ed Badminton, travelling, and cooking Italian and French cuisines. She is a proud mother of three young adults and also hosts international students from across Europe. Laura is enthusiastic about using the rest of her free time serving as an active member on the CCAA board
Brandon Ramdial
Director-at-Large
brandon.ramdial@ccaa.life
Brandon Ramdial is a Director-At-Large on the Centennial College Alumni Association Board of Directors. Brandon graduated from the Community and Justice Services, and Criminal Psychology and Behaviour programs in 2016 with honours and a Distinction in Leadership and holds a Bachelor of Professional Arts in Criminal Justice from Athabasca University. He is a Scholarship Donor, having established the “Brandon Ramdial Building Leaders” scholarship to recognize and celebrate students who exemplified outstanding student leadership while at Centennial. Brandon has worked across several ministries including the Ministry of the Solicitor General and Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services supporting diverse populations including at-risk youth and adult offenders in various areas including probation services and policy and program development. Currently, he is a Strategic HR Business Advisor with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks where he delivers strategic HR programs focussed on championing the employee experience and redefining mental health supports in the workplace. Brandon is proud to be back at Centennial as a sessional Professor in the Community and Justice Services Program to prepare the next generation of the workforce, bringing his wealth of knowledge and experiences into the classroom. As Director-At-Large, Brandon hopes to enhance the Alumni experience through career mentorship opportunities, spotlight Alumni industry experiences, and strengthen connections between Alumni and the Association. In his spare time, Brandon enjoys reading, writing, traveling, baking and cooking along with exploring new ways to effect change in the communities he’s involved with.
Deepika Gangwani
Director-At-Large
Deepika came to Canada at the age of 18 from the comfort of my family and home in India to embark on the adventure of self-discovery as an international student to explore a new world and pursue higher education. While an International Student at Centennial College, Deepika was elected Vice President and President of Centennial College’s Student Association as well as the College’s Board of Governors as a student representative. Deepika was awarded the Board of Governors’ Student Leadership Award and the President’s Spirit Award. Deepika is a graduate of the Biotechnology Technician program with Distinction in Leadership from Centennial College and is currently enrolled in the Human Resources Management program at York University. She comes to us with a wealth of experience in operations, clerical, customer service, workforce budget planning, data management, and organizational development. In the last 7 years working for the TTC, Deepika has held numerous roles ranging from Customer Service, Clerical, Administrative and Managerial. Recently Deepika has also joined the Toronto Police Service (TPS) as a volunteer Auxiliary Police Constable which has allowed her to get the necessary training to engage in community events, crime prevention, defensive tactics, parades, patrol escorts, emergency callouts and a variety of other events that spreads the message of reliability, commitment and collaboration. Throughout Deepika’s professional history, she has acquired skills such as providing transformative customer service experience with a prime focus on Safety, Employment, Training & Development, Human Rights and creating a culture that respects diversity and Inclusion principles. Deepika has extensive experience in managing a large group of employees of various socio-economic backgrounds, relationship building, partnering with multiple functional areas, passion for strategic and innovative leadership, and ability to navigate complex, change management scenarios.