Valeri Batten, BSW
Director
Valeri has been with EBM since 2008. She began as a summer student and in 2010, after completing her bachelor’s degree in social work at McGill, she became EBM’s Volunteer Coordinator. As EBM’s team grew, Valeri was promoted to Volunteer Supervisor. In 2022, Valeri became EBM’s Director. She is responsible for the successful leadership and management of the organization according to the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors. Valeri hires and manages staff, oversees strategic planning, direction and reporting, supports the Board of Directors to achieve the organization’s mission, leads and manages fund development activities as well as fostering cohesion and cooperation among local support groups.Tristan Arsenault
Administration and Communications Coordinator
Tristan Arsenault has a background in community work, education, and nonprofit administration. With experience in program coordination among diverse and vulnerable populations, Tristan hopes to bring that knowledge to carry on the work of Brenda who formerly took charge of this role while bringing in experience in graphic design and grant-writing to the team.Services Coordinators
The Services Coordinators oversee all aspects of service delivery for EBM clients, including recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers. They respond to clients’ needs through regular follow-ups and interventions, research resources for issues beyond the scope of the EBM mandate, and collaborate with social workers and nurses in the Support Program for the Autonomy of Seniors (SAPA) at the CLSC Metro.
Rhiana Warawa
Rhiana (they/she) joined EBM in late 2022. She graduated from McGill in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Gender, Sexuality, Feminist and Social Justice Studies and Sociology. She hopes to pursue further education in social work, but is greatly enjoying the break from being a student and the opportunity to gain on-the-ground experience.
Rhiana also has a strong peer-support background in the mental health and addiction space, having volunteered since 2019 with the Recovery Transition Program (RTP), formerly part of the MUHC Mental Health Mission. In addition to mentoring, they developed and facilitated Rainbow Chat, an LGBTQ discussion group, to create a space to address the unique challenges LGBTQ individuals face in mental health and addiction.
Today, Rhiana is a member of the RTP Working Group, collaborating with Dunham House, an addiction center in Dunham, Quebec, to help establish its own RTP. In addition to her role as a lead on the project planning team, she continues to serve as a mentor.
Finally, in their off time, Rhiana is an avid runner, with a great interest in biking (especially as a bike commuter) and otherwise not sitting still. They also enjoy tending to their plants and snuggling with their cat.
Judy Batal
Judy joined EBM in January 2025 after graduating from Concordia University where she majored in Psychology and minored in Human Relations. She has a strong background in fostering inclusion, facilitating workshops that inspire self-expression, resolve conflicts, and promote a positive, empathetic environment.
Judy has worked to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, advocating for the inclusion of marginalized groups. With her experience and passion for community engagement, we are confident that Judy’s expertise will play a pivotal role in helping seniors thrive within our community.
Board of Directors
Entraide Bénévole Métro’s Board of Directors provide the support needed to reflect and maintain our mission, goals, objectives and financial management. The administrators define EBM’s programs and services, develop and monitor a strategic plan, hire, support and evaluate the Director. The Board monitors the budget, troubleshoots problems and handles the unexpected. EBM is fortunate to have this highly motivated Board who will work to ensure EBM continues to offer quality services and emotional support to seniors, enabling them to maintain their dignity and quality of life while remaining autonomous in their community.
Governance
EBM’s Board of Directors
Samra Alavi, MBA, PMP, President
Director of Business Process Optimization and Strategic Projects for Indirect Procurement, Bombardier
Lawyer/Civil Mediator
Retired Accountant
Retired McGill University Professor
Artist
Mariko Imanaka, Administrator
Longstanding volunteer
