Accessibility Services
Phone: (613) 533-6000 ext. 75734
Email: accessibility.hub@queensu.ca
Adaptive Technology Centre, Stauffer Library, Room 120C
Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Services
Phone: (613) 533-6000 ext. 36330 (Monday to Friday)
Email: bjl7@queensu.ca (Monday to Friday)
Staff Contact Information
Lavonne Hood - Associate Vice-Principal (Human Rights, Equity, and Inclusion)
Lavonne has been the Associate Vice-Principal (Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion) since June 2023. Prior to joining the HREO, Lavonne served as the University Ombudsperson at Queen’s from August 2019.
Throughout her career, Lavonne has been deeply committed to I-EDIAA. Before joining Queen’s in October 2018 as Senior Legal Counsel, she worked as Legal Counsel for the Department of Justice, where she served as the Co-Chair of the Advisory Committee on Visible Minorities. This work garnered her both the individual and team National Awards for Employment Equity and Diversity Leadership from the Department of Justice.
Lavonne is a central point of contact with respect to providing expertise on statutory human rights matters, advancing equity and accessibility policy development and education, and establishing and fostering positive relationships with equity-deserving communities and organizations both internal to Queen’s and within the broader Kingston community. Lavonne also works closely with the Vice-Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) and senior leadership to develop and implement long-term strategic planning to guide institutional areas of focus and university wide objectives aimed at advancing human rights, equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and accessibility.
To schedule a meeting with Lavonne, please reach out to Meri Diamond at: diamondm@queensu.ca.
Lavie Williams - Director, Human Rights and Equity
Lavie is the director of the Human Rights and Equity Office here at Queen’s. As a proud Black women with roots hailing from the Caribbean and a deep love for community, she spent her time at university studying, thinking, critiquing, and organizing at both Queen’s University and the University of Sussex as well as in the broader communities. Her Black feminist, anti-oppressive (budding abolitionist) praxis are all part of the space she occupies in the realm of human rights, equity, community work, and life in general. Put simply, Lavie bases her work on challenging ‘neutral’ situations to fully recognize, affirm, center and most importantly, make space for those who experience marginalization and oppression. Lavie endeavours to collaborate with and empower our communities to achieve substantive change and social transformation - culturally, systemically, and interpersonally.
Acknowledging the complexity and broadness of that, she notes it is apt to recognize that racism and other ideological systems of oppression, are in a sense ‘moving targets’. This means there are no ‘one-size fits all’ approaches to deconstructing and then reconstructing our social realities. At the core of it all, world-building can only happening with the people around you. Given the centrality of relationship building and nurturing to her praxes Lavie will seldom turn down an opportunity to have a hot beverage and get to know you, your passions, and figuring out how to build together. Please never hesitate to connect with Lavie.
Meri Diamond - Office Manager
Meri Diamond is the Office Manager and has worked in the Office since 2005. Meri is responsible for the effective management and administration of all departmental operations. Meri contributes to a broad range of office/ campus/ community projects that advance the University’s equity goals. Meri administers the I Count Queen's Equity Census process to all new employees and administers the Faculty and Staff Employment Equity Process.
Contact: diamondm@queensu.ca or ext. 79576
Tammy Parr - Intake and Administrative Assistant
Tammy joined Queen’s University in 2006, in November 2024 she began a new role in the Human Rights and Equity Office. She brings a wealth of historical and administrative knowledge to this role and is excited to be a part of this team. Tammy is the first point of contact in the office and serves as the liaison with other departments. Tammy provides support to the HREO team in various capacities in addition to providing intake services to students and staff.
Contact: parrt@queensu.ca or ext. 73933
Jermaine Marshall - Inclusion and Anti-Racism Advisor
Jermaine is a proud queer Jamaican immigrant who joined the office in 2021, bringing with him a wealth of cross cultural legal and professional skills.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the West Indies and a Master of Arts in Social Justice and Equity Studies from Brock U, Jermaine worked passionately across the public and private sector in Canada to increase organizational capacities in responding to complex socio-legal issues and changing inter-cultural landscapes.
Jermaine now serves as a central point of contact at Queen’s for students, staff and faculty who wish to access human rights related policy advising as well as resources and supports designed to cater to diverse campus community needs.
Nilani Loganathan - Human Rights Advisor
Nilani Loganathan joined the Office in 2019 as a Human Rights Advisor. Nilani supports students, staff and faculty at Queen’s by working with them to effectively address human rights- and equity-related concerns using a client-led and anti-oppressive approach. Nilani has completed a Bachelor’s degree in Political Studies and International Development Studies and has previously worked to advocate for international members of the Queen’s community.
Heidi Penning - Associate Director of Equity & Accessibility Services
Heidi joined the Office in 2010. Heidi contributes to the oversight function of the Office regarding the University's compliance and commitment to achieving equity throughout the Queen's community. Heidi holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Queen's University. Heidi brings with her nearly three decades of experience about the way that public policy, human behaviour, and community realities intersect to create sustainable and positive change for equity-deserving groups so they can live, work and play with dignity in their communities.
Ana Chuc Gamboa - Equity Advisor
Ana Chuc Gamboa joined the Office in May 2024, assuming the role of Special Projects Officer. In her current capacity, Ana conducts in-depth research on human rights cases, crafts comprehensive case summaries, shapes equity policies and collaborates on various initiatives in employment equity. She is deeply committed to fostering a community where human dignity is both acknowledged and respected. Ana’s academic journey includes completing her doctoral and post-doctoral research on the intricate interplay between human rights and trade at Queen's University. She holds a master’s degree in International Law, a master’s degree in Constitutional Law, and a Bachelor of Laws.
Barb Lotan - Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator
Barb Lotan joined the University in May 2016. As SPVR Coordinator, Barb works closely with other campus partners on coordinating training and education related to sexual violence, and developing the University’s central sexual violence policy and other related policies on the Queen’s campus. Additionally, Barb serves as a point of contact to provide information to students who have experienced sexual violence about the services and supports available both on and off campus.
Contact: bjl7@queensu.ca or (613) 533-6000 ext. 36330
Rebecca Rappeport (She/her) SVPR - Community Outreach and Student Support Worker
Rebecca joined the Human Rights and Equity Office in 2022, bringing over 15 years of community development expertise to her role as the SVPR Community Outreach and Student Support Worker. As a central figure in sexual violence prevention and response education, Rebecca plays a vital role in supporting students affected by sexual violence. With a B.A. in International Development focused on Gender from the University of Guelph and an M.A. in International Affairs from NPSIA, where she specialized in sexual violence prevention in development contexts, Rebecca is deeply committed to her work. Her approach is rooted in intersectionality and anti-oppression, drawing on extensive experience in sexual violence prevention, survivor support, reproductive health, and youth advocacy. Rebecca's dedication to advancing innovative, evidence-based prevention and awareness education is at the heart of her contributions to the HREO and the community she serves.
Contact: r.rappeport@queensu.ca
Sarah Lavigne - Case Management and Student Advisor
Sarah Lavigne joined the office in 2025 bringing 10 years of community social service experience working in a variety of client facing roles. Sarah serves as the main source of support and case management for students who have been impacted by sexual violence. Sarah works from a trauma-informed, client- centered approach drawing on years of experience working with survivors. Sarah has a BA in English from the University of Ottawa and completed her Social Service Worker Diploma from St. Lawrence College.
Contact: sarah.lavigne@queensu.ca
Emma McCallum – Education and Learning Coordinator
Emma has been a part of the HREO team since 2022. At the HREO, Emma’s role involves training consultation, resource development, e-learning module design, training facilitation, and Positive Space program coordination. Emma’s experience as an educator, Gender and Sexuality education consultant, and community services professional greatly informs her contributions to the HREO and Queen’s community. Emma holds a BA in Gender Studies and Indigenous Studies and BEd in First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies and History from Queen’s University and an MA (Thesis) in Social Justice Education from UofT (OISE).
Aimee Burtch – Communications and E-Learning Coordinator
Aimee Burtch joined the Office in May 2024, assuming the role of Communications & E-learning Coordinator. Working closely with both the HREO and the Centre for Teaching and Learning, she works with subject matter experts to develop training resources and associated communications to advance the institutional commitments to I-EDIAA. Aimee holds a BCom degree from the University of Ottawa and a Professional M.Ed. from Queen’s.