Deanna D'Souza

Biography

As the TIDE Administrator, Deanna D'Souza provides scheduling and coordination support to the Toronto Initiative for Diversity & Excellence (TIDE).  TIDE is a grassroots service group founded by Professor Maydianne C.B. Andrade, consisting of University of Toronto faculty members from across disciplines and campuses with a focus on supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion at the University. TIDE provides education and resources about unconscious bias and related challenges in the academic career arc, and counsel to academic and staff units and administration about these challenges. 

In addition to her role as TIDE Administrator, Deanna D'Souza is also the Centre Coordinator for the Centre for Global Disability studies (CGDS), a new research Centre housed at U of T Scarborough.  She previously worked as the Equality & Inclusion Manager at the National Health Service England & Improvement and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Ryerson University.  

7 Questions with Deanna D'Souza Toronto Initiative Diversity & Excellence (TIDE) Administrator and Centre Coordinator, Centre for Global Disability Studies (CGDS)

1. What can you tell us about a project you are currently working on? I am currently working on coordinating 14 workshops for a range of departments across the tri-campus for The Toronto Initiative for Diversity & Excellence (TIDE).  I am also working on an ongoing project to collate, update and maintain TIDE’s resources.
2. If you had to define yourself in three words, what would they be? Reliable, efficient, curious
3. What do you enjoy most about your role? I enjoy that my role allows me to be a part of a team which has a positive and lasting impact on the daily lives of students and faculty and their success at U of T.
4. Why U of T Scarborough?  The community.  Everyone seems to genuinely care about each other’s success, wellbeing and is willing to help with whatever is needed.   Being onboarded during the pandemic, it was easy to feel isolated, but I felt that colleagues went out of their way to help me feel like part of the team!
5. What important lesson have you learned in your current role? The importance of taking time to connect with colleagues when you are working remotely.  Working remotely, it is easy to put connecting with colleagues to the side.  When you take the time to (virtually) meet with colleagues not only do you feel connected to your team, you also can find about potential synergies that exist between your work and learn from colleague’s expertise and experience.  
6. What is the one thing people likely do not know about you? I used to dance Jazz, Ballet, Tap, and Hip Hop when I was younger.  I also did a bit of cultural dancing too.  It’s not something I do regularly now, but when I find opportunities to participate in a dance class or performance I will do so. 
7. Which movie, book, or show makes you laugh the most? I love British humor. Some of my favorite comedians are Russel Howard, David Mitchell and Jon Richardson.