- Elvire B. Toffa, Chair of the Board
- Suzanne Leonard, Officer
- Hugo von Levetzow, Officer
- Francine Lévêsque, Officer
Elvire B. Toffa, Chair of the Board
A graduate of the University of Quebec in Trois-Rivières in written communication, Elvire B Toffa is a dynamic teacher who founded the first dance school specializing in African dance in the Mauricie region in 2008. The African dance school of Mauricie is a major part of her business Casafriq, the African hub of Quebec, a staple of African arts and crafts.
Sensitive to the issue of the socio-professional integration of immigrant women, mainly African women in Quebec, Elvire also founded the NGO called Le Regroupement des Amazones d´Afrique et du Monde (RAAM). RAAM aims to be a place of sharing, exchange and projects for the growth, development and influence of women of diversity.
For Elvire B Toffa, the integration of immigrant women takes off through leadership at work and even more, through the creation of entrepreneurial projects. Today, Elvire B Toffa is Amazon 2.0; a speaker with a story and beautiful dance steps. An Amazon realizes that it’s our differences that make us strong. She is a woman who has realized her worth and intends to make a masterpiece in all spheres of her life.
On May 31, 2022, Ms. Toffa received the medal Pour un Québec sans racisme (for a racism-free Quebec) awarded by Mr. Benoit Charette, Minister responsible for the fight against racism.
Suzanne Leonard, Officer
Suzanne Leonard is a 30-year professional in the Canadian media and broadcasting industry.
She is a videojournalist and storyteller – a weather, communications, outdoor and travel expert. Suzanne is best known as a popular spokesperson and trusted source for one of Canada’s top brands, The Weather Network. Known for her engaging presentation style covering a wide range of weather, science and news topics, Suzanne has a passion for learning and sharing with others.
She creates original content that explores dynamic activities, ideas, places and things – she’s the host/producer of the original video series “Get Outside With Suzanne Leonard” and the author of “Adventures in Gardening”. She has a passionate interest in other cultures and has traveled extensively across Canada and around the world.
Suzanne’s production career includes 10 years with TVOntario’s Gemini Award-winning current affairs and children’s programs and teaching television studio production at Sheridan College. She has volunteered her time to Easter Seals Ontario, the North American Indigenous Games, Princess Margaret Hospital and as a teacher of English as a second language for Canadian newcomers.
Suzanne holds a bachelor’s degree in Radio and Television Arts from Ryerson University.
Hugo von Levetzow, Officer
Freelance editor of films, documentaries and TV. Hugo has been an editor since 1985.
His editing career started during the infancy of MuchMusic. As a drummer in a post-punk band, his group needed exposure on the burgeoning station. He produced two videos that received regular rotation and helped him launch a career that has been exciting and fun ever since.
Soon after Avid introduced its first NLE, Hugo was given the opportunity to learn and work at the same time using the revolutionary new editing platform.
In 1994, he started Triangle Post with a few partners. During his 25 years at Triangle, Hugo edited documentaries, commercials, corporate productions and hundreds of hours of programming for television.
Over the years, he broadened his skills as a Finishing Editor and as a Colourist using DaVinci Resolve and Baselight. With extensive picture editing and finishing experience, clients appreciate his passion, versatility and patience.
When not enjoying editing work for fabulous clients, Hugo teaches SCUBA as a PADI Instructor and travels the world, on land and under the sea. His latest projects include films about musical collaborations between diverse cultures and protecting life in our fragile oceans.
Francine Lévêsque, Officer
A graduate of Laval University in visual arts. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she began creating unique hand-painted wooden decorative objects from old recycled pieces. She also created and manufactured decorative objects in series, always in wood. In addition to this creative work, she taught drawing and painting for over 25 years. Now retired, she devotes part of her free time to painting. She combines abstraction and figuration on canvas in the form of vivid and colourful landscapes. Some of her works are part of permanent collections such as Bell Canada, Loto-Québec, Desjardins.
