Meghan Hovey
Chair
Meghan is a lifelong resident of Waterloo Region and a passionate advocate for community development through education. With a strong background in business and education—gained through studies at Conestoga College, Lakehead University, and Wilfrid Laurier University—Meghan brings both strategic insight and a grounded understanding of community needs to her role as Chair of the Board of Directors at The Literacy Group. Having served as a board member for two years prior to becoming Chair, Meghan is committed to building on the organization’s legacy of empowering individuals through literacy. She believes deeply in the transformative power of education and that every person, regardless of background or circumstance, deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive. In her leadership role, Meghan is focused on guiding the board with integrity, fostering strong governance, and supporting the organization’s mission to deliver high-impact, accessible learning opportunities. Outside of her professional and volunteer commitments, Meghan enjoys exploring new cultures and perspectives through travel, which continues to inspire her community and leadership work.
Kristina Ashfield-Pelletier
Secretary
Kristina is an educational leader dedicated to accessibility, equity, and inclusive learning. With expertise in case management, literacy interventions, and advocacy, she has supported diverse learners through strategic accommodations and training. Holding a Master of Education and certifications in dyslexia support and psychoeducational assessments, Kristina combines hands-on experience with research-based practices to create equitable education systems.
Siddharth Rajopadhyay
Director
Siddharth is an experienced Senior Financial Advisor at Scotiabank specializing in comprehensive financial planning, retirement strategies, and mortgage solutions. With a focus on understanding each client’s unique goals, He helps individuals and families build secure financial futures.
Diana Elkin
Director
Diana is a career intelligence and security professional and the founder of Method Intelligence, a threat intelligence and strategic security analysis organization. Previously, she has occupied a variety of positions throughout her career and has worked with the Department of National Defense, Halton Regional Police Service, and Research in Motion. Diana has always been passionate about promoting literacy and seeks to apply her project management and fundraising experience to help others. She regularly provides resume building services in the community in order to help individuals obtain gainful employment. In her spare time, Diana enjoys arts and writing.
Rahul Desai
Director
Rahul is an undergraduate, Health Science student at the University of Waterloo. Rahul is an aspiring physician who has a passion for improving the lives of others. He advocates for better access to care and for reducing inequalities that exist in the healthcare system. Furthermore, Rahul is involved in learning the different aspects of care through his co-ops and volunteering experience at University Health Network, Sunnybrook Health Science Center and Scarborough Health Network. He believes that through his experience in patient care, he would be able to help those who were not given the same opportunities to read and write. He is particularly interested in health literacy and education to empower individuals to make healthier choices for their health. Besides his passion for learning and helping others, Rahul loves connecting with nature by visiting trails, parks and open spaces throughout the city, province and country.
Rick Shanahan
Officer. Treasurer
Rick is a retired CPA who has been a volunteer tutor with us since 2018 . In addition to assisting TLG learners achieve their goals , Rick is also an active member of KW’s Oldtimers Hockey league and an occasional golfer .