Victim Services Toronto | Leadership Team
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Leadership Team
Carly Kalish is an advocate, innovator, and go-to thought leader for survivors of trauma. Carly currently drives Victim Services Toronto as their new Executive Director. Carly holds a Master of Social Work from the City University of New York. She attended the non-profit management program at Harvard University. Carly is the recipient of the Toronto Police Services “Leading the Path Award”, Toronto Foundation’s “Vital People Grant” and Attorney General’s “Victim Services Award” for her dedication to working with survivors of gender-based violence.
Bobbie McMurrich
Associate Executive Director
Bobbie McMurrich graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a major in Psychology and a minor in Social Work in 1985. After working briefly at Hamilton Psychiatric Acute Care and Hamilton/Wentworth Detention Centre’s Social Services Department, Bobbie spent two years travelling in Africa, South Asia, and Australasia and then settled in Toronto.
Bobbie began her career at Victim Services Toronto in 1991 as a Relief Crisis Counsellor. After a short time she promoted to a full-time permanent Crisis Counsellor position where she remained for the next 11 years. Bobbie then became the Volunteer Coordinator and one year later was promoted again to Director of Programs overseeing operational functions of the agency including supervising all direct service staff members.
Kiran Brar
Program Director
Kiran Brar started her role with Victim Services as a Social Work student placement in 2009 and was hired as a full time Crisis Counsellor in 2010 upon completion of her placement. In 2015 Kiran became the program manager for the Crisis Response team and is currently managing one of the largest HR portfolios within the agency.
Kiran has over ten years of experience in the social services sector, speaks five languages holds a diploma in Social work, a degree in Business Management in addition to Crisis Intervention, De-escalation and Harm Reduction certificates. Kiran continues to volunteer, sits on various committees to implement an emergency response protocol and is excited to be the newest addition to the leadership team.
- Link to Crisis Response Program
Wendy Castanha
Director of Finance
Wendy Castanha started with Victim Services Toronto in 2022. Wendy is managing the financial aspects of Victim Services Toronto, including payroll. Wendy has experience in the Education, Health Care, Government and Social Services sector. She is a CPA and holds a degree in Accounting Science and has an MBA. Wendy is excited to be the newest addition to the leadership team.
Alyson Joseph
Program Director
Alyson Joseph is a devoted advocate, volunteer and leader for change. She has extensive front-line experience in various social service roles and is passionate and intentional with affecting lives through her many interactions. She holds a Social Service Worker Diploma from Centennial College in 2000, in addition to her BSW Honors Degree 2017.
Alyson joined Victim Services Toronto (VST) in 2016 as a Bachelor of Social Work with Honors (BSW) practicum student from York University. Commencing her practicum, Alyson continued her journey with VST in Enhanced Services as a Case Manager. Now serving as the Director of Neighborhood Client Services, Alyson leads VST’s newest program; Exit Route which focuses on Gender-Based Violence, Intimate Partner Violence, Human Trafficking and Sexual Assault.
Sarah Rogers
Program Director
Sarah Rogers has been working for Victim Services Toronto since 2006 upon the completion of her student placement and currently holds the position, Director of Community Programs and Projects. Passionate about preventing gender based violence, Sarah created the agency’s first healthy relationships program for youth, T.E.A.R.™ (Teens Ending Abusive Relationships), reaching over 10,000 students annually. Sarah’s current portfolio includes the volunteer program, student placement, T.E.A.R.™, and the Trauma Dog Program. Additionally, she develops innovative projects and leads several multi-sectoral community committees committed to enhancing prevention and response strategies to cyberviolence, human sex trafficking, and critical/mass critical incidents.
Sarah holds an MSW from the University of Windsor, Honours BA in Sociology from McMaster University, SSW from Seneca College and is a registered social service worker.
- Link to T.E.A.R.™
- Link to Volunteer Program
Lindsay Upton
Program Director
Lindsay Upton has been working in her role as a Program Director since June 2007. She has extensive experience in crisis intervention and assists clients in navigating complex bureaucratic systems. Her responsibilities include managing a dedicated group of case coordinators who are responsible for providing timely emergency financial aid and case management services to victims of violent crime and sudden tragedy. Her team links clients to community resources and works alongside clients to challenge individual and systemic barriers.
Lindsay holds a Social Work Degree from Ryerson University. She is an active volunteer, has served on numerous committees, engages in public speaking engagements and is dedicated to developing community partnerships and community response protocols that challenge barriers experienced by diverse and vulnerable populations.
- Link to High Risk Support Services
- Link to Case Management Services