Meet the Team
Interim Executive Director - Tim Burns
Tim Burns is a highly motivated professional with expertise in organizational leadership, strategic planning, policy, performance measurement, and program design; results-oriented; innovative with strong research and analytical skills; effective team leader, relationship builder, and change manager; proven ability to adapt and execute. Tim’s work spans several years in the healthcare sector, specifically long-term care. He has recently worked as an Administrator with the City of Toronto and has extensive experience working as a Special Advisor and director to Health Quality Ontario and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Director, Community Program - Marija D. Miskovic
Marija has over 10 years of international experience managing diverse cultural, community, and multimedia projects. She holds a MA in both project management and anthropology, and has spent most of her professional career working for non-profits immersed in varied fields such as minority rights, youth empowerment, community development, and social justice.
She believes in the power of community, the synergies of connection, and the potentials of collaboration to ignite social change. As Associate Director of Community Services at The Centre, she is passionate about bringing mindfulness programs to marginalized communities in Toronto and beyond.
In her free time, Marija enjoys traveling the globe with her husband, going to concerts and theatre shows, riding her bike, and finding hidden treasures in thrift stores.
Contact for inquiries regarding: our community program offerings, non-profit program collaborations, and grant applications.
marija@mindfulnessstudies.com
Marketing and Communications Manager - Alik Tamachi
Alik manages communications and marketing initiatives for the Centre. He handles all efforts connected to digital media, omni-channel advertising, social media, analytics, innovation, design, and leading cross-functional teams. Alik holds a BA in Political Science from Wilfrid Laurier Univerity, as well as a post-graduate certificate in Digital Media Marketing. Alik is passionate about long-distance running, foreign film, and social equity. He has worked in government, environment, advertising, immigration, and mental health.
alik@mindfulnessstudies.com
Client Services Lead - Mylène Séguin
As Client Services Lead, Mylène is a front-line point of contact and support for clients and faculty. From addressing daily inquiries and preparing course material, to program registration and logistics, she strives to provide the best possible experience for all clients while keeping faculty well-informed. Her attention to detail coupled with passion for service helps to ensure efficient program scheduling and delivery. She has a continued interest on the subject of the mind and body connection as it relates to stress and physical pain. Outside of work, she enjoys doing yoga, Pilates, reading and spending time with her husband and furry companions.
mylene@mindfulnessstudies.com
E-Learning and IT Lead - Theo Amory
Theo coordinates both professional and clinical online programs.
With a background in Communications and Event Planning, he oversees the Centre’s various ventures and ensures that the scope and direction of each project is on track.
Theo is also a trained MBSR facilitator and integrates mindfulness into his life.
Community Engagement Coordinator - Jeremy Finkelstein RP
As Community Engagement Coordinator, Jeremy has dedicated himself to cultivating a mindfulness community both in-person and online. Jeremy believes a community can boost one’s practice while simultaneously supporting those around them.
Community Program Coordinator - Kim Ronaline B. Salvador, M.A. RP (Qualifying)
Kim was a participant in a project by the Centre for Mindfulness Studies to train mental health professionals in the Philippines in MBCT. She became inspired to join the Centre because of their mission to make mindfulness-based mental health programs accessible. She continues this work as part of the Community Program where she develops and delivers mindfulness-based programming to marginalized communities across the city of Toronto and beyond.
Kim is also a trained MBCT Facilitator. She comes to this work with a background in clinical psychology where she has mostly worked with university students and youth with cancer and their families. In her free time, she immerses herself in the world of K-Pop.
Client Services & Education Coordinator - Fani Peker
As the Client Services & Education Coordinator, Fani supports clients seeking to participate in mindfulness-based programs and teacher training. She is the point of contact for all general inquiries and bursary placements for our personal well-being programs. Fani is also the education advisor for clients in our professional teacher training pathway, from approval to certification, supporting our team and faculty ensuring smooth delivery of courses, orientations, learning platform updates, training tracking for successful completion of certification requirements, accreditations, etc.
Fani joins our Centre with over 8 years of medical office administration and management experience, in chronic pain rehabilitation clinics. She holds a BASc in Psychology with a major in Neuroscience, certifications in Mindfulness-Based Life Coaching and Clinical Hypnosis. With a passion for the mind-body connection, she facilitated both group and individual meditation sessions for emotional well-being. In her free time, Fani enjoys mindful walks in the forest or by a lake, retreats, and spending time with family and friends.