Toronto Metropolitan University

Dr. Tanya (Toni) De Mello is a human rights lawyer and equity, diversity and inclusion expert who serves as Vice-President, Equity & Community Inclusion at Toronto Metropolitan University. She has over two decades of experience in advancing human rights and inclusive practices across higher education, government, and nonprofit sectors, and has worked internationally with the United Nations. Dr. De Mello holds degrees in economics and political science (University of Waterloo), public policy and urban planning (Princeton), law (McGill), counselling and psychotherapy (University of Toronto), and a PhD focused on bias in hiring from the University of Toronto. She is recognized for her leadership in equity-focused training, coaching, and organizational transformation.