About

David Simor

TCAT Director

David Simor is the Director of TCAT. An accomplished network builder, he has a wealth of experience bringing communities, researchers, and city staff together to co-create active transportation initiatives that support healthier, more equitable and more sustainable places. David has a decade of project management experience specific to sustainable mobility, workshop design and facilitation, community engagement, and inclusive public spaces. An experienced public speaker, David has spoken at numerous conferences around the world on equitable engagement practices, evaluation strategies for active transportation initiatives, and tactical urbanism. As a founding member of Open Streets TO, David played a key role in the creation of Canada’s largest free outdoor recreational program that temporarily opens streets to people by closing them to cars. David is excited to continue listening to communities on how we best build equitable active transportation infrastructure and initiatives.

Jennie Geleff

TCAT Project Manager

Jennie Geleff (she/her) is the Project Manager at TCAT. Prior to joining TCAT, Jennie worked as a writer and strategist at Architizer in NYC, where she empowered architects with the knowledge and tools to build better cities. Before Architizer, she worked at Jane’s Walk in Toronto – a grassroots organization that champions walking as a platform for community-led change. Jennie holds a B.A. in Urban Studies from McGill University.

Born and raised in Scarborough, Jennie is passionate about building equitable and environmentally just cities, and using her imagination to create new possibilities. She is most excited when harnessing her skills in community engagement, project management, and communications to catalyze impact-driven projects with sharp creative edges. In her free time, you can find her teaching barre classes, throwing pottery, or biking with her friends.

Mathew Varela

Program Coordinator

Mathew is the Bike Hub Coordinator for TCAT’s Newmarket Cycles project. He has been riding and working on bicycles since he was a child and has many years of experience in the cycling industry. He has volunteered at schools, hospices, cycling events, taught apprentices, and has spent years working specifically with electric bicycles. He enjoys spending his free time with his family; going for family bike rides, walks at the zoo, and playing games with his kids. Mathew is excited to spread the love of cycling and active transportation because he believes it will help enrich our lives in the present, and lead us to a more sustainable future.

Sarah Nguyen

Program Assistant and Bike Mechanic

Sarah Nguyen (she/her) is the Program Assistant and Bike Mechanic for The Centre for Active Transportation’s Newmarket Cycles project. Her responsibilities include running on-the-ground programming, bike mechanics, communications, and community outreach. She’s a graduate of York University’s Urban Studies program and is passionate about promoting the use of active transit, advocating for better safety and accessibility in her ward, and enriching public spaces through the arts. Before starting her role with TCAT, she worked at The Bentway Conservancy and co-organized Jane’s Walk Newmarket. In her free time, you can find Sarah riding her bike, learning Vietnamese recipes from her mom, or laughing at her TV.