Secretary, Board Member
Tanya Elese is a dedicated sickle cell disease advocate, caregiver, and community leader based in Ottawa. She brings both lived experience and professional expertise to her advocacy work, contributing meaningfully to patient engagement, health system collaboration, and community-driven solutions.
Tanya plays an active role within the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario (SCAGO), supporting the Patient Advisory and Advocacy Council (PAAC) as the Secretary, contributing to initiatives focused on systemic change, patient experience, and equitable access to care.
Wearing many hats, she oversees the regional coordination in Southeastern Ontario, peer support initiatives, youth empowerment program, and bilingual (French–English) engagement efforts. She is also a regular speaker at sickle cell disease and community conferences, where she shares lived experience, patient perspectives, and insights on system-level advocacy. Additionally, she serves as Chair of the CHEO Parents and Patients Advisory Council (PFAC) for Sickle Cell Disease, helping to bridge community voices with hospital care teams.
Professionally, Tanya is an accomplished Human Resources and Project Management professional with the Library of Parliament and holds a Master’s degree in Project Management.
In recognition of her commitment and volunteer service, Tanya was awarded SCAGO’s Volunteer Award of Excellence in 2025.
