Eleonora Dimitrova graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law with a combined J.D./M.A. in International Relations.

After her admission to the Ontario Bar, Eleonora worked for Lawyers for Human Rights, an independent human rights organisation with a 40-year track record of human rights activism and public interest litigation in South Africa. Eleonora practiced in the areas of human rights, refugee protection and access to justice in their Durban office. Following her return to Canada, she joined Law in Action Within Schools (LAWS) as the Osgoode Hall Law School Program Manager and spearheaded the program's expansion in the Jane and Finch and York University Heights communities.

Eleonora is presently the Executive Director of Law in Action Within Schools (LAWS) and oversees the University of Toronto Faculty of Law Youth Summer Program.

Eleonora is passionate about youth outreach, legal education and civic engagement and has been extensively involved with LAWS in various capacities for over 10 years.

Mary brings extensive years of experience in working with community, human rights, and access to justice initiatives. As a passionate champion for supporting system change around equity, diversity, and inclusion, she takes pride in being our first black Director, LAWS and is committed to expanding the program's impact and reach. Holding a JD from Osgoode Hall Law School, Mary has contributed both internationally and locally, collaborating with community-based organizations such as the Female Lawyers Association Gambia (FLAG), Foundation for Human Rights Initiative Uganda (FHRI), the award-winning African DefendDefenders organization, the Pan-African Human Rights Defenders Network (PAHRDN), Parkdale Community Legal Services, Rexdale Community Legal Clinic, and the Health Justice Program pilot.

During her tenure at LAWS, Mary has played an instrumental role in spearheading the development and expansion of LAWS Africentric core program. She has implemented educational outreach and experiential programs in law for over a thousand students across various LAWS newcomer, core, alumni and community initiatives. In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Mary was honored in 2023 with the inaugural Ubuntu Lifetime Achievement Award. This award acknowledges her as an African-Canadian leader and educator whose lifework embodies the fundamental principles of Maat and Ubuntu: harmony, reciprocity, balance, integrity, truth, social justice, and universal love. Mary is also an integral part of the lead team overseeing the University of Toronto Faculty of Law Youth Summer Program (YSP).

Mary has actively served on the inaugural Black Future Lawyers (BFL) Working Group. Currently, she sits on the EDI committee and the Black Student Access Process (BSAP) admissions subcommittee, showcasing a deep commitment to building inclusive communities.

Stephanie has dedicated over ten years of her career to justice education and access to justice initiatives.

As a Program Manager at the Ontario Justice Education Network, a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization established by the three Chief Justices of Ontario, Stephanie spearheaded a novel area of programming for elementary school students, promoting civic engagement, advocacy, conflict resolution skills and an understanding of the justice system to over 700 students each year in diverse communities.

As the bilingual Program Manager at the National Office for Pro Bono Students Canada, Stephanie managed seven law school chapters in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. She successfully developed seven new Family Law Projects to assist unrepresented litigants in family courts across Canada, working closely with the legal community in multiple jurisdictions.

Stephanie first began volunteering at LAWS when she was a law student. She joined LAWS in 2011 and has since managed both Core and Newcomer programming and worked at seven LAWS partner high schools across the TDSB.

Stephanie has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and a J.D. from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law.

Presila Mason is a dedicated professional with a strong academic background and a commitment to community service. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (Criminology Concentration) and a Minor in Political Science from Brock University, equipping her with a nuanced understanding of societal structures and dynamics.
Presila is the first LAWS alumni to become a Program Manager, reflecting her leadership and dedication to empowering others. In recognition of her work advancing equity and social justice, she was honored with the Lincoln Alexander Award by the Osgoode Hall Law School Black Law Students Association. This prestigious award celebrates individuals who exemplify leadership, professional excellence, and a commitment to public service.

Presila’s focus continues to be to drive positive change, empower others, and create lasting impact in the community.

Gnanushan Krishnapillai (Gnanu) is an experienced community and youth outreach worker, with a passion for equitable education and empowering systemically marginalized communities. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Health Studies from the University of Toronto and applies a holistic lens of public health and wellbeing to his work.

At his previous role as Education and Outreach Manager for Childhood Arrivals Support & Advocacy Centre of Canada, Gnanu developed a workshops program that delivered curriculum-linked workshops on youth rights, immigration law, and social justice across Ontario. At Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities, he managed a youth leadership program that supported young people in designing and facilitating a variety of community programs and events.

Gnanu is inspired by the Scarborough neighbourhoods he grew up in, where he watched community members engage in activism, organizing, and mutual aid with little to no institutional support.

Amelia Berot-Burns (she/her) has been working in the access to justice and public legal education field for many years. She holds a Masters of International Laws (LL.M) from the University of Bristol with a focus on ecological advocacy and human rights.

Amelia's previous roles at the Ontario Justice Education Network (OJEN) and Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) gave her the opportunity to work directly with communities across the province on justice education. Empowering youth through mentorship and education is incredibly important to her on a personal level, and she is excited to continue this work at LAWS.

Julia Abbott returns to LAWS with an unwavering focus on equitable and accessible education, particularly for youth from under-resourced communities. Her passion is rooted in the belief that when young people are truly supported, they begin to see possibility where they once saw limitation.

Julia has held key roles in multiple equity-focused initiatives at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law including Black Future Lawyers (BFL), Law in Action Within Schools (LAWS) and the Law Youth Summer Program (YSP). Across these programs, she has contributed to long-term program sustainability, community outreach, and student engagement. Her work consistently centers on measurable impact, advocacy, and meaningful initiatives that connect students to opportunities in legal education. These experiences have deepened her understanding of the systemic barriers students face and affirmed the importance of building inclusive pathways into higher education, strengthening her resolve to help dismantle them.

Earlier in her career, Julia’s work with Canadian Women in Communications supported efforts to increase access and elevate representation for women in media and technology. A focus on advancing women into leadership roles reinforced her belief in the power of visibility and mentorship to shape both academic and professional futures.

With her return, Julia brings a strong service ethic and deep belief in the power of education and community connection.

Marsha Malcolm is an administrative professional with more than 10 years of communications, advancement, and student services experience gained across several University of Toronto departments. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy from the University of Toronto and is a strategic communicator dedicated to cultivating community and making connections.

Passionate about education and equitable access to opportunities, Marsha is committed to helping remove barriers to student success. In 2024, she and her communications team in the University Registrar's Office received a University of Toronto Excellence Through Innovation Award for their work on the redesigned UTAPS program. Their efforts helped encourage more eligible students to apply for funding.

Throughout her career, Marsha has taken on a wide range of responsibilities, from coordinating events and supporting advancement initiatives to drafting donor communications and editing alumni publications. She is committed to upholding equity, diversity, and inclusion while supporting her team in reaching its goals.