Meet the Literary Circle Committee
We are part of a special group of like-minded individuals who share a love of the Library and invest in the well-being of our city. Become a Library champion and support TPL’s highest needs to help ensure all Torontonians have free and equitable access to the vital Library resources they need to succeed.
Chair
Florence Narine
Head of Investment Solutions, IG Wealth Management
“The Library is an oasis for the imagination.”
Florence is Head of Investment Solutions at IG Wealth Management where she plays a critical role in driving the organization’s growth and success. Her expertise in investment product, sales strategies and client relationships makes her an innovated thinker and differentiated leader. Previously, she held increasingly senior roles at Gluskin Sheff, AGF Investments Inc, CIBC Wood Gundy and Fidelity Canada. Florence earned her MBA from the Rotman School of Management and continues to support her alma mater through her involvement in the UCAA Executive Committee, Principle’s Advisory Committee, and most recently as a GATE Power Circle advocate. She is also a tremendous advocate for HotDocs, is the Canadian Chair of Made for Millions and a willing mentor (for CFA Institute, Women in ETFs, University of Toronto to name just a few).
Ayman Alvi
Vice President, Global Pension and Benefits at Scotiabank
“The Library provides space that is truly open to all, and the opportunity to immerse oneself in learning, reading or disappearing into a new world.”
Ayman’s team works with different stakeholders to develop policy around pension, benefit and wellness programs to bridge strategic, financial and talent management objectives across lines of business at Scotiabank. Prior to joining Scotiabank in 2019, Ayman spent his career at several consulting firms, including KPMG, PwC, and WillisTowers Watson , supporting clients on their human capital strategies across industries and geographies. Ayman is a fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and of the Society of Actuaries. He also serves as Vice Chair of the board of the Regent Park Film Festival.
Luke Connell
Co-Founder and CEO of CarbonRun
“The Library offers one of the last places where equity and inclusion is on proud display.”
Luke is a leader in the field of social innovation, climate technology and an experienced nonprofit executive. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of CarbonRun, a climate technology company that restores rivers and their ability to safely and permanently remove carbon dioxide and provide social and environmental benefits. Since 2018, he has been the Executive Director of the Omega Foundation, developing and supporting initiatives that promote financial self-sufficiency through microfinance and enhancing the savings capacity and financial literacy of low to modest-income families. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Canada Learning Bond Champions Network and Community Co-Chair of Education Savings Week at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). He is an Energy Affordability Roundtable Member at Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) and Strategic Advisor at Wealthsimple Foundation.
Leah Commisso
AVP, Head of Business Line Communications, Manulife Investment Management
“The Library is not only a place where we go individually to learn, grow, and dream, but also where we find community and connection with others.”
Leah is Assistant Vice President and Global Head of Business Line Communications for Manulife Investment Management, where she is responsible for building, connecting, and driving the communications strategy to support the global business, while protecting and enhancing the brand and reputation across all audiences. Prior to joining Manulife, Leah led Corporate Communications at Gluskin Sheff + Associates Inc. She also held an extensive tenure at RBC, where she supported Organization Change Communications and the company’s Global Asset Management division. Leah holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
Jennifer Dolman
Partner at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Jennifer has been practicing commercial litigation for over 30 years, after clerking for the Chief Justice of the Ontario Court (General Division). Jennifer is an active participant in franchise organizations in Canada and the U.S., is the past Chair of the Ontario Bar Association Franchise Law Section, and a frequent speaker and writer. She was formerly the only Canadian on the editorial board of the American Bar Association’s Franchise Law Journal. Jennifer volunteers as a skills instructor and speaker at The Advocates’ Society and is a member of Women Get on Board Inc. She serves on the Alumni Association Board of Directors at the University of Toronto and previously sat on the Board of Governors of Havergal College.
Adrian Ishak
Director, Senior Corporate Counsel, Global Labour and Employment at Salesforce
“TPL is the lifeblood of our community, binding us all together in this project we call Toronto.”
Adrian is a trusted business partner and strategic global advisor on a wide range of legal and business issues with nearly 20 years of experience representing employers. Adrian is the past Chair of the Roundtable of Legal Diversity Associations (RODA), supports equity initiatives across his professional and personal engagements, and has extensive experience working with vulnerable and at-risk communities through his work on various NFP boards. He has been recognized by Lexpert as a Rising Star. He is a Director at Casey House and previously served as Director at Eva’s Initiatives, the Ontario Bar Association, FrancoQueer and was on the Young Leadership Council at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, among others.
Christine La Fleur
Director, Senior Corporate Counsel, Commercial Legal at Salesforce
“The Library is an essential and inclusive gathering place. Families and people of all ages and backgrounds have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive because the library provides technology, training, and equitable access to information. For these reasons and more, I support the Toronto Public Library.”
Prior to joining Salesforce, Christine worked at Accenture (Manager, Legal Counsel); DuPont Canada Company, a leading science and bio-tech company (Senior Corporate Counsel); and Independent Electricity System Operator, formerly the Ontario Power Authority (Legal Counsel). She previously sat on the Board of Directors of Book Clubs for Inmates and the Canadian National Exhibition, where she also served as a member of the Finance and Audit Advisory Committee.
Jennifer Liu
Founder & CEO, Kennebrook
“I support TPL because the public library is a bedrock of democracy, providing empowerment through equal access to knowledge.”
Jennifer is an executive with over two decades of business strategy and implementation experience in the Financial Services industry, including work experience at Wall Street banks and major consulting firms. She is the founder and CEO of Kennebrook, which provides banking and capital markets clients with advisory and execution services. She also helps women with financial literacy and management through coaching and educational programs. Previously she held practice leadership roles at EY, KPMG and Capco, and was Vice President at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in New York.
Teresa Toten
Author
“To me, your local library is the beating heart of every community it serves!”
Teresa is the multi-award-winning children’s author of the acclaimed Blondes series, as well as The Game, The Onlyhouse, The Unlikely Hero and Eight Days, among other books. Teresa has been shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award three times and won for The Unlikely Hero of Room 13b. She has worked for the federal government and freelanced for Radio Canada International. She has also been an Artist/Teacher with the Learning through the Arts Programme, a Creative Artist for the Evergreen Youth at the Yonge Street Mission and she has taught ESL at Frontier College. Teresa has spoken at conferences and conducted workshops in classrooms and libraries throughout North America.
Jennifer Wardrop
Director & COO, Toronto Centre for Advanced Reproductive Technology and Owner, Sigmacon Lifesciences Inc.
“The resources and support that the Library provides to Torontonians is vast, is vital, and is relatively unsung! Seniors, youth, and the vulnerable are all supported by incredible programs and resources ; we need to get the word out, and raise awareness!”
Jennifer is the COO of the Toronto Centre for Advanced Reproductive Technology (TCART), a role she has held since 2010. She started her career in the medical device business in 1984 when she founded Futuremed, a nursing home supply company, with a group of entrepreneurs. Since that time she has continued to develop new ventures in various fields, including medical lasers, medical clinics, cosmeceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and technology patents. Jennifer has also been involved in many spheres as a board member: philanthropic (Child Development Institute), branded spirits (Canadian Iceberg Vodka), medical devices (Zirclight), and community organization (Midtown Parks and Trees, South Rosedale Ratepayers Association).
Dr. Irene Ying
Palliative Care Physician, Mount Sinai Hospital
“I volunteer because just as TPL was a vital resource for me in my youth, its programs and services continue to be essential for many Torontonians.”
Dr. Ying completed medical school, family medicine residency, as well as a palliative care fellowship at the University of Toronto and went on to obtain her Master of Health Science in Bioethics. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. Irene’s academic interests include ‘ethics and end of life care’ and ‘cross-cultural communication’. She is one of the hosts of the About Empathy podcast, a healthcare podcast that focuses on educating and learning through patient, caregiver and healthcare provider stories. When she is not at work, Irene enjoys spending time with her two young children and husband, learning Mandarin, and reading books on the Libby app!