About MAX Ottawa
Our Team
Our team is made up of passionate and engaged community members who are dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of our friends, family, lovers, and neighbours.
Adam Awad
Over the past 15 years, Adam has worked on dozens of campaigns to mobilize communities and effect change. Most recently, he was the Manager of Communications at the Gay Men's Sexual Health Alliance (GMSH), where he helped anchor the public health response on mpox in Ontario and developed media and educational resources on sexual health for queer and trans men.
He has also served as the National Chairperson for the Canadian Federation of Students, as a director on the Boards for both the Centretown Community Health Centre and the Alliance for Healthier Communities, and has worked on political campaigns at all three levels of government.
Equally comfortable at the boardroom table, at the barricades, or at the baths, Adam brings his life experience to MAX's work. In his downtime, he’s typically tending to houseplants, at the pool, or at the circus gym.
ExecDirector@maxottawa.ca
613-701-6555
Adam Awad
Executive Director
Adam Awad
Over the past 15 years, Adam has worked on dozens of campaigns to mobilize communities and effect change. Most recently, he was the Manager of Communications at the Gay Men's Sexual Health Alliance (GMSH), where he helped anchor the public health response on mpox in Ontario and developed media and educational resources on sexual health for queer and trans men.
He has also served as the National Chairperson for the Canadian Federation of Students, as a director on the Boards for both the Centretown Community Health Centre and the Alliance for Healthier Communities, and has worked on political campaigns at all three levels of government.
Equally comfortable at the boardroom table, at the barricades, or at the baths, Adam brings his life experience to MAX's work. In his downtime, he’s typically tending to houseplants, at the pool, or at the circus gym.
ExecDirector@maxottawa.ca
613-701-6555
Ahmed Muslimani
Ahmed (they/them) is the Manager of Partnerships and Strategic Development. They will be supporting the building of community partnerships and fundraising strategies. Ahmed began their career in community work nearly 12 years ago after arriving in Canada as a refugee claimant. Their work has largely focused on newcomers and queer communities, anti-oppression, and sexual health education.
a.muslimani@maxottawa.ca
613-701-6555
Ahmed Muslimani
Director of Community Programs
Ahmed Muslimani
Ahmed (they/them) is the Manager of Partnerships and Strategic Development. They will be supporting the building of community partnerships and fundraising strategies. Ahmed began their career in community work nearly 12 years ago after arriving in Canada as a refugee claimant. Their work has largely focused on newcomers and queer communities, anti-oppression, and sexual health education.
a.muslimani@maxottawa.ca
613-701-6555
Dorita Lewis
Director of People and Culture
Dorita Lewis
Dorita Lewis (she / they) has a diverse professional background spanning roles in the service industry, retail, and the not-for-profit sector. They bring expertise in operational management, financial oversight, event planning, and policy administration. With a commitment to fostering equitable and inclusive work environments, Dorita empowers teams to think creatively and strive for meaningful community impact. Outside of work, Dorita enjoys reading, experimenting in the kitchen, dancing ballet, and long walks with the family dog.
Brenna Egan
Brenna (they/them) is the events and outreach coordinator for MAX. Originally from the GTA, they spent many years in Vancouver for their undergrad before moving to Ottawa to pursue their master’s in Women and Gender Studies at Carleton. Since then, they have become heavily involved in Ottawa’s queer nightlife scenes and believe that bringing queer people together is a powerful way to recognize, celebrate, and encourage the wide range of identities that compose the 2SLGBTQ community in Ottawa. When not at work, Brenna can be found cuddling with their dog, over-caffeinating at a local cafe, or checking out new nightlife scenes around the city.
Brenna Egan
Events and Outreach Coordinator
Brenna Egan
Brenna (they/them) is the events and outreach coordinator for MAX. Originally from the GTA, they spent many years in Vancouver for their undergrad before moving to Ottawa to pursue their master’s in Women and Gender Studies at Carleton. Since then, they have become heavily involved in Ottawa’s queer nightlife scenes and believe that bringing queer people together is a powerful way to recognize, celebrate, and encourage the wide range of identities that compose the 2SLGBTQ community in Ottawa. When not at work, Brenna can be found cuddling with their dog, over-caffeinating at a local cafe, or checking out new nightlife scenes around the city.
Jas (She/They)
Jas has been with MAX since 2019. Starting off as the Strategy Support Coordinator for sex workers. With her lived experience, colorful resume, and with over a decade of experience as one of Ottawa's local Drag Queen's and Miss Capital Pride 2015, she brings a unique and intimate peer perspective to her new role as MAX's Harm Reduction Distribution Officer.
Jas / J.
Harm Reduction Distribution
Jas (She/They)
Jas has been with MAX since 2019. Starting off as the Strategy Support Coordinator for sex workers. With her lived experience, colorful resume, and with over a decade of experience as one of Ottawa's local Drag Queen's and Miss Capital Pride 2015, she brings a unique and intimate peer perspective to her new role as MAX's Harm Reduction Distribution Officer.
Antonio Wilson
(He/Him)
'Peace, Love & Prosperity', are the three pillars of my life.
I take life one day at a time, because why are we rushing? Currently, I wear multiple hats; 'Logistics Specialist', 'Team Lead - BGMN: Ottawa' and 'Peer Facilitator'. Sounds like a lot, and yes it is but rest is always prioritized.
Among other things, I enjoy being adventurous, exploring nature or new cities, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Favourite Quote: "Be the change that you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
Antonio Wilson
Community Programs Coordinator
Antonio Wilson
(He/Him)
'Peace, Love & Prosperity', are the three pillars of my life.
I take life one day at a time, because why are we rushing? Currently, I wear multiple hats; 'Logistics Specialist', 'Team Lead - BGMN: Ottawa' and 'Peer Facilitator'. Sounds like a lot, and yes it is but rest is always prioritized.
Among other things, I enjoy being adventurous, exploring nature or new cities, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Favourite Quote: "Be the change that you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
Xiaojian Wang
Xiaojian Wang (he/him) is the Queerspora Peer Facilitator. Xiaojian moved to Ottawa, Canada from Beijing, China in the summer of 2022. As a newcomer, he went back to school to complete the Master of Public Health degree while navigating his new journey in Ottawa. Prior to moving to Canada, Xiaojian worked as a TV journalist/director in China. Xiaojian has a particular interest in sexual health issues. He brings to this role his passion about public health, his experience of settling down in a new environment, and his skills in facilitating conversations. In his leisure time, he spends time playing volleyball, biking and binge-watching tv dramas.
Xiaojian Wang
Peer Facilitator - Queerspora
Xiaojian Wang
Xiaojian Wang (he/him) is the Queerspora Peer Facilitator. Xiaojian moved to Ottawa, Canada from Beijing, China in the summer of 2022. As a newcomer, he went back to school to complete the Master of Public Health degree while navigating his new journey in Ottawa. Prior to moving to Canada, Xiaojian worked as a TV journalist/director in China. Xiaojian has a particular interest in sexual health issues. He brings to this role his passion about public health, his experience of settling down in a new environment, and his skills in facilitating conversations. In his leisure time, he spends time playing volleyball, biking and binge-watching tv dramas.
Maticus Adams
Maticus Adams (he/him) is the Resource Development Officer. He moved to Ottawa for school in 2009 to study Animation. He has been volunteering with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community since he was a teenager and has experiencing working in queer sexualized spaces, customer service and event organizing. In his free time, he is a visual artist, writer and costume maker, and is an avid fan of horror, pop culture and a variety of nerdoms.
Maticus Adams
Resource Development Officer
Maticus Adams
Maticus Adams (he/him) is the Resource Development Officer. He moved to Ottawa for school in 2009 to study Animation. He has been volunteering with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community since he was a teenager and has experiencing working in queer sexualized spaces, customer service and event organizing. In his free time, he is a visual artist, writer and costume maker, and is an avid fan of horror, pop culture and a variety of nerdoms.
Massimo Lunardon
Massimo (he/him), originally from Toronto, came to Ottawa in order to study linguistics and world history. While completing his degree, Massimo started working in a local drag bar, gaining a profound appreciation for the local queer scene. With ambitions to work more within the community, Massimo began working for Capital Pride where he oversaw the organization's communications and translation for over two years, a task which lent itself to better understanding the groups he served. Now in the role of Executive Assistant, Massimo hopes to support the team at MAX so that the best services possible can be provided. When he's not working, you'll find Massimo in the front row of a drag show, at the gym, or watching animes.
Massimo Brunelli
Executive Assistant
Massimo Lunardon
Massimo (he/him), originally from Toronto, came to Ottawa in order to study linguistics and world history. While completing his degree, Massimo started working in a local drag bar, gaining a profound appreciation for the Ottawa queer scene. With ambitions to work more within the community, Massimo began working for Capital Pride where he oversaw the organization's communications and translation for over two years, a task which lent itself to better understanding the groups he served. Now in the role of Executive Assistant, Massimo hopes to support the team at MAX so that the best services possible can be provided. When he's not working, you'll find Massimo in the front row of a drag show, at the gym, or watching anime.
Mathieu L'Heureux
Health Services Coordinator
Mathieu L'Heureux
Mat (He/Him) is the Health Services Coordinator. He moved to Ottawa 20 years ago, and has been active in social causes from the very beginning. First as a student leader at both the University of Ottawa and Algonquin College, where he championed creating inclusive spaces and the launch of a student food bank.He would eventually move on to working in harm reduction with street involved populations in Ottawa's OASIS program. From there he became a Support Worker for the AIDs Committee of Ottawa, helping those impacted by HIV navigate systems of care. Additionally he has worked for the Shepherds of Good Hope, and the Mental Health Commission of Canada. When he’s not working Mat can usually be found with his nose in a book or arguing about which Star Trek series is the best one (It’s Deep Space Nine)
Manuel Murillo
Navigation and Training Coordinator
Manuel Murillo
Manuel (he/him) is a health equity and human rights advocate with over 8 years of experience in healthcare and nonprofits. Passionate about fighting HIV, he’s worked with organizations like the AIDS Committee of Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo & Area and Island Health, using both professional expertise and lived experience to support others and break down barriers.
As a Mexican-born refugee claimant (yep, he’s got stories), Manuel is all about building inclusive communities where everyone belongs. When he’s not working, he’s probably painting murals, adding color to the world, drinking way too much coffee, or “going to the gym” (air quotes absolutely necessary).
Hannah Wanamaker
Communications Assistant
Hannah Wanamaker
Hannah (she/her) works in communications part time while completing her final year of Journalism and Humanities at Carleton. She’s spent the last several years reporting on Ottawa’s queer community and exploring the evolution of language and queerness throughout time, as well as the role they play today. Since starting at MAX in the fall of 2024, she’s become keenly aware of most queer happenings and services across the region from her work on the List and other research endeavours.
Though retired from several years in the service industry, Hannah can still be found whipping up a dinner spread for friends and family, crafting a variety of coffees, or batching food to share with colleagues and neighbours. She also almost always has music playing in the background and typically has several books on the go.
Naddir Abboud
Health Navigator
Naddir Abboud
Naddir Abboud (he/him) is a Health Navigator at MAX Ottawa with a background in political science and a deep passion for peer-led support and community health. , Nad spent nearly a decade working in journalism and advocacy before moving to Canada. After settling in, he decided to go back to school and completed the Addiction and Community Worker program to better support his community.
At MAX, Nad supports 2SLGBTQ+ folks, one-on-one health navigation. He brings a warm, grounded, and culturally inclusive approach to his work, and believes in the healing power of conversation, connection, and community care.
Outside of work, you can find Nad experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, sipping ginger lemon tea, or rewatching episodes of The 100. He brings curiosity, compassion, and lived experience to everything he does.
Chris Tinker
Co-Pilots Program Coordinator
Chris Tinker
Chris is MAX Ottawa’s Co-Pilot Program Coordinator. Her role focuses on building specially trained volunteer teams to provide harm reduction support and supplies at events. She also trains community members to confidently manage diverse clientele and customer interactions with the goal of reducing potential harm related to substance use and STBBI’s.
Her diverse background includes over 20 years in hospitality and event planning, harm reduction research and work in the Public Service of Canada. Chris is an avid world traveler and has worked with several International organizations including Solimar International, TIES, USAID, Regeneracion Internationale, Soil Not Oil Coalition and the Government of Canada with special focus on sustainable community development, capacity building and regenerative agriculture.
In her spare time, Chris is a queer Artist, sex educator and workshop facilitator focused on the cultural and political climate surrounding to the censorship of femme bodies and human sexuality at the intersection of Sex & Art.
Haojun Guo
Health Navigator
Haojun Guo
Haojun (he/him) is a dedicated advocate for health equity and LGBTQ+ rights, with years of experience supporting queer communities through volunteer and advocacy work. He began his journey as an intern with the Greater Boston PFLAG, where he helped foster safer and more inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals and their friends and families. Later, he volunteered with several social organizations in China, focusing on queer health and wellness, further deepening his commitment to community care and accessibility.
Since moving to Ottawa in September 2024, Haojun has been volunteering with MAX Ottawa and the AIDS Committee of Ottawa, continuing his work in promoting inclusion, equity, and access to essential health resources. Passionate about creating a society where everyone can thrive, he believes in the power of community-driven efforts to drive meaningful changes. When he’s not at work, you’ll likely find him on the tennis or volleyball court, playing piano, belting out tunes at karaoke, or enjoying time out with friends.
Rémi Samson
Rémi Samson (he/him) worked for 22 years as a lawyer with the Supreme Court of Canada. He studied law, queer theory, and language, and taught at the University of Ottawa. Over the last six years of his career at the Court, he took on leadership and executive roles in the chambers of the Chief Justice of Canada. With roots in Northern Ontario, Rémi grew up in Québec City, and has called Ottawa home since 1999. He is fluent in French and English, and passionate about the ways law, language and power intersect.
Rémi Samson
Chairperson
Rémi Samson
Rémi Samson (he/him) worked for 22 years as a lawyer with the Supreme Court of Canada. He studied law, queer theory, and language, and taught at the University of Ottawa. Over the last six years of his career at the Court, he took on leadership and executive roles in the chambers of the Chief Justice of Canada. With roots in Northern Ontario, Rémi grew up in Québec City, and has called Ottawa home since 1999. He is fluent in French and English, and passionate about the ways law, language and power intersect.
Teilhard Paradela
Ty (they/them) is a cultural historian, policy analyst, community archivist, and social dramaturge. They hold a PhD in History from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and are actively engaged in LGBTQI+ advocacy, HIV/AIDS prevention, and community organizing and archiving in both the Philippines and the Filipinx/a/o diaspora in Canada. Currently, they are editing a book on the history of the Philippine LGBTQI+ movement. In their free time, they enjoy reading, jogging, watching television, and traveling the world.
Teilhard Paradela
Teilhard Paradela
Ty (they/them) is a cultural historian, policy analyst, community archivist, and social dramaturge. They hold a PhD in History from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and are actively engaged in LGBTQI+ advocacy, HIV/AIDS prevention, and community organizing and archiving in both the Philippines and the Filipinx/a/o diaspora in Canada. Currently, they are editing a book on the history of the Philippine LGBTQI+ movement. In their free time, they enjoy reading, jogging, watching television, and traveling the world.
Curtis Fillier
Curtis Fillier (he/him) is currently a Real Estate Broker and Team Lead for YOW Home Team. With his extensive education in Business and Accounting coupled with professional experience managing several corporations including one of Canada’s largest privately owned, Curtis is well versed in all areas of business.
Curtis is an avid volunteer and always eager to put himself forward to further a worthwhile cause. Extremely comfortable around a Board room table, Curtis is the 2023/2024 President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. He has also been a member of and chaired numerous committees and tasks forces within various non-profit organizations.
An avid traveller, Curtis has a passion to see the world and experience other cultures and travels as often as his schedule allows. In his downtime, Curtis can be found at the gym, participating in a number of 2SLGBTQ+ sports leagues, working on home renovations or hanging with his dog Bowser.
Curtis Fillier
Treasurer
Curtis Fillier
Curtis Fillier (he/him) is currently a Real Estate Broker and Team Lead for YOW Home Team. With his extensive education in Business and Accounting coupled with professional experience managing several corporations including one of Canada’s largest privately owned, Curtis is well versed in all areas of business.
Curtis is an avid volunteer and always eager to put himself forward to further a worthwhile cause. Extremely comfortable around a Board room table, Curtis is the 2023/2024 President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. He has also been a member of and chaired numerous committees and tasks forces within various non-profit organizations.
An avid traveller, Curtis has a passion to see the world and experience other cultures and travels as often as his schedule allows. In his downtime, Curtis can be found at the gym, participating in a number of 2SLGBTQ+ sports leagues, working on home renovations or hanging with his dog Bowser.
Yannick Galipeau
Yannick Galipeau
Yannick Galipeau
Yannick Galipeau (he/him) is originally from a rural francophone community in eastern Ontario. He moved to Ottawa 8 years ago to pursue studies in Biochemistry and is now a senior PhD candidate in Microbiology and Immunology. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he developed tools to quantify and understand the immune response to this new virus and subsequent vaccination, setting the building blocks for what is now the second-largest high-throughput serology platform in Canada. He is an active researcher in the fields of vaccine development, space immunology, autoimmunity, and epidemiology, among others. Yannick is involved in various student-led initiatives and is the Co-editor-in-chief of the University of Ottawa Journal of Medicine. He is committed to contributing and supporting important and impactful community initiatives.
Austin Zygmunt
Austin (he/him) is a family doctor and public health physician in Ottawa. His professional work focuses on providing scientific and technical expertise to address sexually transmitted and blood borne infections. His leadership experience includes serving on various boards, committees, and working groups for both community and medical organizations. In his spare time he enjoys running, cycling, and cross-country skiing on the many great paths and trails found in the Ottawa region.
Austin Zygmunt
Austin Zygmunt
Austin (he/him) is a family doctor and public health physician in Ottawa. His professional work focuses on providing scientific and technical expertise to address sexually transmitted and blood borne infections. His leadership experience includes serving on various boards, committees, and working groups for both community and medical organizations. In his spare time he enjoys running, cycling, and cross-country skiing on the many great paths and trails found in the Ottawa region.
Theo Hug
Theo Hug
Theo Hug
Theo (he/him) is a passionate advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion, bringing over 15 years of leadership in community initiatives and social policy. Theo currently works as a Policy Analyst at Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, focusing on homelessness policy.
A gay, trans man, Theo brings his experience supporting queer and trans communities to the MAX Ottawa Board, having served as Co-Chair of the Ontario Public Service's Trans Support Network and as a member of the Carleton University’s Graduate Students’ Association working to create a more trans-inclusive campus. Theo also volunteers for Circles of Support and Accountability supporting community reintegration for formerly incarcerated people.
Theo is an avid cyclist, animal lover, and a book enthusiast. He holds a Masters in Political Economy (2017) and a Honours B.A. in Political Science (2013) from Carleton University.
Yannick Galipeau
Joseph Flores
Joseph Flores
Joseph Flores (he/him) was born and raised in Toronto after his family settled there due to the Salvadoran Civil War. Recognizing the injustices that affected his own family, Joseph pursued a career in international affairs, which has led him to work in Ecuador, Ghana, Spain, and France. Before moving to Ottawa in 2023, he earned his Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs from UBC, where he focused on the queer dimensions of human rights and sustainability. He has also collaborated with the Community-Based Research Centre, supporting research and advocacy for improved 2SLGBTQI+ health policies in Canada. Currently, Joseph works as a policy analyst in the Gender Equality division of Global Affairs Canada. As a member of MAX’s Board of Directors, he is eager to work with and support the needs of Ottawa’s queer community.
Strategic Direction
We’re in the process of developing our next strategic plan to direct MAX’s work in the coming years. In the meantime, we’ve adopted the following priorities, which reflect the needs of our community and the organization at this time.
- Empower queer men and trans and non-binary people to navigate health and wellness pathways across their lifecourse
- Foster and support community leaders
- Establish a network of high quality healthcare services for queer men and trans and non-binary people
- Solidify our organisational foundation
- Lay the groundwork for an integrated health and wellness center in Ottawa
Get more familiar with MAX’s 5 Strategic Priorities laid out in this booklet:
Retrospective
We are happy to share with you our retrospective which documents our activities and accomplishments from 2019 to 2022:
max's work
| Since 2002, we have been dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of our community. We do this in two main ways: working with individual community members to educate and empower them to make the choices that work for their lives; and working with healthcare and other service providers to improve the quality of care available in the city. Today, we offer a variety of psychosocial support programs that help build community and provide space for important discussions on health with people who face similar challenges and share similar life experiences. We distribute harm reduction supplies—from condoms, lube, and dental dams, to fisting kits, pipes, and syringes—to make sure everyone has access to the tools they need to help reduce the transmission of HIV and other infections. And we offer training, resources, and consulting to health service providers to support inclusive and appropriate care for members of our community. |
Our Mission
To champion the health and wellbeing of queer men and trans and non-binary people in the National Capital Region through building awareness and improving system responsiveness within a dynamic network and partnership model.
We envision a community of self-affirming queer men, trans and non-binary people caring for ourselves, caring for each other and enjoying complete health equity.
Our History
The Ottawa Gay Men’s Wellness Initiative (OGMWI) was born in 2002, fuelled by passionate community advocates dedicated to a holistic approach to gay men’s health. Partnering with public health agencies and a range of stakeholders, OGMWI crafted and executed cutting-edge health promotion strategies tailored for men who have sex with men.
One standout success was the launch of Gay Zone in 2008, a collaborative effort with Ottawa Public Health (OPH), Centretown Community Health Centre (CCHC), the AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO), and other community organizations and leaders. Gay Zone offered a welcoming, judgement-free space where queer men, trans and non-binary people could access sexual health testing and treatment, along with an array of health promotion activities and events. The organization hired its first staff members in 2016 and rebranded as MAX in 2017, and began to expand its services to the community. In 2018, MAX proudly achieved registered charity status.
In 2020, substance use harm reduction services were created to meet a growing need within the community—including peer support programs and the Tea2Go supply distribution service. MAX also broadened its programming designed to support sex workers, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer newcomers, gay men over the age of 55, and more.