The REDI team members collaborate with people and units across the Faculty of Medicine to support our learning and work environments.
In addition to the Executive Director and Assistant Dean EDI, the work of the Office will be undertaken by a group of Advisors:
- Learning Environment
- Anti-Racism
- Indigenous Initiatives
The Office will work closely with the Director of Indigenous Engagement to implement the Faculty of Medicine’s action plans in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and with the Vice Dean Health Engagement in collaboration with health sector partners to promote changes in the learning and work environments where there is shared jurisdiction.
The Office is supported by a Manager, an Administrative Coordinator, and a Project Manager, who will assist with planning and oversight of the Transforming Culture Initiative.
Roslyn Goldner
Executive Director
Roslyn Goldner was appointed by Dean Kelleher to reorganize and broaden the scope of the office and to lead the Faculty of Medicine’s Transforming Culture Initiative to change our culture by creating and sustaining respectful, inclusive working and learning environments that are anti-racist and free from all forms of discrimination.
Learning Environment Advisor
Robyn Campol is an advisor in the Faculty of Medicine Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. As the Learning Environment Advisor, Robyn supports the education units to create respectful, inclusive, anti-racist and discrimination-free learning environments in which students feel safe to participate without fear of mistreatment or reprisals. In addition to providing advice and guidance to decision makers Robyn can assist Programs to resolve mistreatment or learning environment concerns through coaching, skill building and education, facilitation and mediation, and by conducting inquiries and investigations.
Anti-Racism Advisor
Dr. Neila Miled is the Anti-Racism Advisor in the Faculty of Medicine Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. Neila brings academic expertise in anti-racism education, first-hand experience with systemically marginalized and under-represented groups, and a social justice and equity lens. Neila is responsible for providing advice, developing and delivering a collaborative, anti-racist education and skill-building program, and for implementing and sustaining strategic best practices in equity, diversity, and inclusion. In collaboration with the REDI team, she will work towards facilitating and implementing organizational change strategies to create systemic change and foster a safer, more respectful, equitable and inclusive learning and working environment.
Derek Thompson – Thlaapkiituup
Indigenous Initiatives Advisor
Derek Thompson – Thlaapkiituup is an advisor in the Faculty of Medicine Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (REDI). Thlaapkiituup is from the diitiidʔaaʔtx̣ – Ditidaht First Nation, one of fourteen Nuuchahnulth Nations on the west coast of Vancouver Island. As the REDI Indigenous Initiatives Advisor, Derek provides leadership and support across the Faculty to help create and sustain learning and work environments that incorporate standards of cultural safety and humility and that are free from Indigenous specific racism and discrimination. Derek promotes inclusion of an Indigenous perspective in all Faculty initiatives. Derek also works closely with the Director, Indigenous Engagement to implement the Faculty’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action in a way that will best support the formal commitments made to Indigenous peoples for a better and just future. This important work will also create opportunities for students, staff and faculty to engage with Indigenous people and communities in meaningful ways, and to begin anew the creation of redressing what we believe ourselves to be – as Indigenous peoples, and as Canadians.
Mary Victor Kostandy
Educational Projects and Digital Content Strategist
Mary is the Educational Projects and Digital Content Strategist in the Faculty of Medicine Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. She oversees REDI’s communication strategy in line with its mission to support the culture transformation in the Faculty of Medicine. Her role includes promoting REDI’s work across the Faculty and managing the REDI website. She also supports the REDI Advisors in the design and development of REDI’s Education and Training Programming and organizes and promotes the many educational sessions delivered by the REDI advisors. Mary is responsible for overseeing the tracking of REDI activities and events. She is often the first point of contact for groups and individuals who wish to engage REDI support and services.
Mary brings to this role her education and work experience, which lies at the intersection of Computer Science, Education and Social Justice. As a Ph.D. Candidate in Educational Studies, her doctoral research follows a digital movement of Egyptian teachers on Facebook. It uses a social justice lens to analyze teachers’ calls for moral, material and legal justice. Mary’s MA is in International and Comparative Education, and her BSc is in Computer Science, both from the American University in Cairo (AUC), Egypt. Prior to this role, she worked as a sessional instructor in the UBC Faculty of Education Teacher Education Program (BEd). She is the PI for the Diverse Career Paths of Educational Studies (EDST) Alumni initiative.
Catalina Parra
Administrative Coordinator
Catalina is the Administrative Coordinator in the Faculty of Medicine Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Born and raised in Colombia, her professional journey has led her to work in different countries, supporting a variety of programs in the higher education sector. She naturally gravitates to work for leaders who are committed to build inclusive, respectful, and culturally rich environments. Catalina supports the REDI team in organizing meetings and events, coordinating calendars and maintaining record management systems.