Our team
Dr. Erica Di Ruggiero is an Associate Professor of Global Health, Division of Social and Behavioural Health Sciences & Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. She is also the Director of the Centre for Global Health and the Collaborative Specialization in Global Health, and co-director of the WHO Collaborating Centre on Health Promotion. Her program of research examines how evidence affects global policy agendas related to employment, other determinants of health equity in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals. She also studies population health interventions, using novel conceptual and methodological tools to conduct international comparative policy research on global social and health inequities. Prior to joining the DLSPH, she was the inaugural Deputy Scientific Director with the CIHR-Institute of Population and Public Health. She holds a PhD in public health sciences from University of Toronto.
Nicoda Foster is strongly committed to addressing the social determinants of health and advocates for the removal of barriers to improving the health and wellbeing of the most vulnerable in society. She has demonstrated her passion for health equity through her career, working in sustainability, and her research that focuses on the health and wellbeing of minority women in Canada. Over the years, Nicoda has held several progressive administrative roles with organizations such as Toronto Metropolitan University’s Future Skills Centre where she managed funding agreements with over 70 project partners, Sinai Health System where she lead the development of the Geriatrics program’s evaluation and research infrastructure, the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario where she supported the uptake of their world renowned best practice guidelines in nursing practice as well as Cancer Care Ontario where she provided leadership in the publication of their yearly report, the Cancer System Quality Index. She received her Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management from the Arthur Kroeger College of Public Affairs and Policy Management at Carleton University, her Masters of Public Health from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto and completed her Ph.D. at McMaster University.
Areej brings her years of project coordination experience to create meaningful change across various sectors. She leverages her project development skills to design, implement, and evaluate programs tailored to the unique needs and challenges of marginalized communities.
With a BA in Sociology, she has a strong foundation in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Additionally, she holds certifications in domestic violence risk assessment, trauma and attachment, and advanced digital and professional training. Over the past 10 years, she has had the privilege of advocating for women, children, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, newcomers to Canada, racialized groups, and individuals with diverse abilities, including those experiencing physical and mental health challenges. Her goal is to combine her experience, education, and skills to create a positive impact and foster social change.
With a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, she looks forward to contributing to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and driving impactful outcomes.
Siya is a fourth-year student at the University of Toronto Scarborough, pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management with a specialization in Marketing and a minor in Economics for Management Studies. She is passionate about the UN SDGs and is particularly interested in how strategic communications and storytelling can advance sustainability, equity, and global development. Siya hopes to continue working at the intersection of marketing, social impact, and public good.
Kanchan is a second-year MGA student at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto. She brings an interdisciplinary background in global affairs and environmental studies, along with over four years of experience in climate research, policy development, and stakeholder engagement. She is deeply committed to advancing climate action through collaborative and evidence-informed approaches, and looks forward to contributing to the SDGs Scholars Academy at SDGs@UofT.