Board of Directors

Dr. Jonathan Afilalo (Herzliah Class of 1997) is a cardiologist at the Jewish General Hospital and the founding director of the Geriatric Cardiology Training Program at McGill University. After completing his fellowship in advanced cardiovascular imaging at Harvard University, Jonathan established a cutting-edge clinical research laboratory specializing in artificial intelligence. His innovative work focuses on developing technologies to improve care for older adults with heart disease.

Beyond his medical and research achievements, Jonathan has a creative side. He is an avid basketball player and a DJ, blending his passions for sports and music. A dedicated Herzliah alumnus, Jonathan was named Coach of the Year in 2001 for his impactful leadership of the Herzliah basketball team.

Jonathan and his wife Alexia are the proud parents of four children: Nathaniel (15) and Olivia (13), both current students at Herzliah, along with Zoë (8) and Sasha (3). Their family’s deep connection to Herzliah continues to inspire Jonathan’s commitment to the school and its community.

Emmanuelle Amselem Ouellette is a practicing lawyer and serves as Head of Legal Affairs – Operations at Le Groupe Maurice, a leader in the development and management of private seniors' residences in Quebec. In this role, she guides operational teams through legal challenges related to operations, regulatory compliance, risk management, and government relations, with a consistent focus on practical and human-centered solutions.  

A member of the Barreau du Québec, Emmanuelle is deeply passionate about issues affecting seniors. She chairs the Elder Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association and is currently pursuing a certificate in gerontology at the Université de Montréal. Her professional commitment is closely tied to her desire to contribute to the enhancement of services and living environments for older adults.  

Highly engaged in her community, Emmanuelle has served on the board of directors of the Regroupement québécois des résidences pour aînés (RQRA) for over three years. She also co-chairs the CSUQ leadership program for the next generation of community leaders, where she helps develop and mentor future engaged leaders. Additionally, she is a past president of the board of directors of a CPE, reflecting her dedication to educational settings and youth development.  

As an involved mother of two children at UTT, she places a high value on education and parental involvement in school life. Her background reflects a sustained commitment to her community and a strong desire to make a tangible contribution to governance boards.

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Born and raised in Vancouver, BC, Samantha relocated to Montreal with her husband in 2011. They are proud parents of two daughters currently enrolled at Herzliah.

Samantha has been practicing law for over 20 years. She began her career in the financial services group of a national law firm and has spent the past seven years working in the public sector. Her experience across both private practice and public service brings valuable insight and perspective to her role on the Board.

Leveraging her legal experience and commitment to community service, Samantha looks forward to making a meaningful contribution to the school and supporting its continued growth and success.

As of September 2026, Dahlia Gaiptman and her husband, Michel Hakim, will have four children enrolled at Talmud Torah and Herzliah. When she registered her fourth child for kindergarten, she decided it was time to step up her involvement within our extraordinary school community.

A lawyer by training, Dahlia currently serves as Director of the Criminal Law Office at Legal Aid, whose mission is to ensure access to justice for financially eligible individuals to help them vindicate their rights. As a defense attorney since 2008, Dahlia has represented the interests of her clients before the Court of Appeal, the criminal division of the Superior Court, the criminal division of the Court of Quebec, the Youth Tribunal in criminal law and youth protection matters, and the Municipal Court of Montreal.

Born in Montreal, Dahlia completed her elementary and high school education at JPPS and Bialik, followed by a year of CEGEP at Dawson College. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Political Science from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. She then obtained her law degree from the Université de Montréal, and recently completed a certification in Leadership and Management Skills from the Institut de leadership.

Since her youth, her connection to the Montreal Jewish community has been an integral part of her life. She is thrilled to see her children educated and supported by the same community that welcomed her mother as a teenage Lebanese immigrant and supported her Montreal-born father of Ashkenazi descent.

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Audrey Hadida Wald is the Vice-President of Finance and Administration at the Jewish General Hospital Foundation, bringing over 20 years of experience in both the private and non-profit sectors. She began her career in Audit & Assurance at PSP Boisjoli before transitioning to the non-profit world in 2013, where she served as Senior Advisor for Planning and Allocation and Director of Finance at Federation CJA. In her current role, Audrey applies her expertise to strengthen the financial stewardship of the Jewish General Hospital Foundation.

A dedicated community volunteer, Audrey has contributed her time and skills to numerous organizations, showcasing her unwavering commitment to giving back.

Audrey and her husband, Danny, are proud parents of a son currently in Secondary 1 at Herzliah. Her professional experience and passion for community engagement make Audrey a valuable addition to the Board.

Stephane Perez, a proud alumnus of Talmud Torah ('90) and Herzliah ('95), was born and raised in Montreal. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Math and Computer Science from McGill University.

With over two decades of experience as a technology leader and entrepreneur, Stephane has developed a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of the impact evolving technology can have on both daily life and children's education. His expertise positions him to contribute valuable insights into the intersection of technology and learning.

Stephane and his wife, Lindsay, are the proud parents of two boys currently enrolled at Talmud Torah and Herzliah, with a third son set to join the school in a year. Stephane’s background in technology and his commitment to education make him a valuable asset to the Board.

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Didier Serero is a proud Herzliah alumnus who later attended Marianopolis College in Health Sciences before being accepted into the Pre-Med program at McGill University’s Faculty of Medicine. He is currently a full-time ER physician at the Jewish General Hospital’s Emergency Department, where he is dedicated to providing compassionate and exceptional care to all of his patients.

Outside of his medical career, Didier was an elite athlete, excelling in both soccer and hockey. His commitment to sports taught him the value of hard work, perseverance, and teamwork. As captain of the U-18 AAA Laval soccer team, Didier led the team to a provincial championship and represented Quebec at the national level in 1990. Despite receiving an invitation to try out for a professional soccer team in Italy, Didier chose to pursue his studies at McGill University, where he became a starter for the McGill Redmen soccer team and earned the Academic All-Canadian award during his medical school years (1993-1997).

Didier and his wife, Stacey—also a Herzliah alumnus and lawyer—have three children: two currently enrolled at Herzliah and one recent graduate. Didier’s leadership, commitment to excellence, and passion for community make him a valuable addition to the Board.

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Melissa is a dedicated parent and active member of the school community.

She and her husband have three children, two of whom currently attend UTT in Grade 2 and Kindergarten, with their youngest set to join the UTT family in the coming years.

Melissa holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resources. She currently works as Team Lead for a nonprofit organization that helps individuals with disabilities get back into the workforce. Her professional background also includes executive recruitment.

Beyond her career, Melissa is deeply involved in the community. She volunteers through Federation CJA, serving as Co-Chair of TOV, sits on the Hebrew Day School Board of Directors, and is an active member of the JFK Stroll committee.

She is excited to bring her experience in leadership, governance, and community engagement to the UTT Board and looks forward to supporting the school's continued growth and success.

Dr. Axel Tosikyan was born in Istanbul and immigrated to Canada with his family in 1981 at the age of six. He completed his secondary education in the French system at Collège Notre-Dame, followed by John Abbott College, before pursuing medical studies at McGill University, specializing in hematology and medical oncology. In 2004, Dr. Tosikyan earned a Master’s degree in Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Since 2006, Dr. Tosikyan has been practicing at the Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, where he serves as a clinician, associate professor, and principal investigator for several oncology research protocols. He is a member of both the pharmacology and clinical research committees at the hospital and actively contributes to the education of his peers by organizing scientific meetings.

Outside of his professional accomplishments, Dr. Tosikyan is a proud father to Sasha, a sixth-grade student at Talmud Torah, and Leah, a secondary 2 student at Herzliah. His extensive expertise in healthcare, research, and education adds a unique and valuable perspective to the Board.

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