Who We Are
A Vibrant community of professionals dedicated to applying the principles, practice, and science of mindfulness and compassion across society.
Mission
We unite mindfulness-based professionals in Canada and worldwide to advance research, education, and practice. Through collaboration, mentorship, and innovation, we nurture collective resilience and wellbeing.
Vision
To be a trusted global mindfulness network that inspires compassion, connection, and knowledge sharing as forces that transform wellbeing in a fast-changing world.
Values
Compassion | Integrity | Collaboration | Innovation | Generosity | Gratitude
Leadership Team
Mindfulness Toronto is guided by a dedicated team of professionals who share a commitment to advancing mindfulness and compassion through collaboration, research, and community engagement.
Denise Paneduro, PhD
Chair
Denise is a faculty member at the University of Toronto and a leader in the development and evaluation of mindfulness-based programs that support well-being across diverse settings. As Chair of Mindfulness Toronto, she guides a professional community grounded in connection, collaboration, and shared wisdom.
Jasmine Tandan, MEd
Director of Community Engagement
Jasmine works at the intersection of education, mindfulness, and community well-being, with a focus on cultivating emotional awareness across diverse settings. As Director of Community Engagement at Mindfulness Toronto, she strengthens connection and relationships across the professional network.
Sonava Tadao, MEd Candidate
Director of Communications & Creative Strategy
Nava is a graduate student in Counselling Psychology at the University of Toronto. As Director of Communications & Creative Strategy at Mindfulness Toronto, she stewards the community’s digital presence and creative direction, ensuring communications are clear, accessible, and reflective of mindfulness and compassion in action.
Kareena Gurbaxani, BSc, RYT-200
Director of Programs
Kareena is a mindfulness practitioner, yoga teacher, and program development and evaluation specialist with experience spanning Indigenous wellness and land-based healing contexts. As Director of Programs at Mindfulness Toronto, she leads the coordination and development of programs and services that align with the community’s values of compassion, integrity, and wisdom.
Veronica Vuong, PhD Candidate
Director of Research
Veronica, PhD Candidate in Medical Science at the University of Toronto, is a researcher and musician. As Director of Research at Mindfulness Toronto, she advances the integration of contemplative science, practice, and dialogue across the professional network.
A Brief History
Mindfulness Toronto is the first Canadian mindfulness professional community network, established in March 2009 by a group of educators and health care professionals who were inspired by kindness, equanimity, warmth and compassion at the Center for Mindfulness Seventh Annual International Scientific Conference.
We were particularly struck by the novel experience of spending many days with such a large group of people, all of whom seemed to embody qualities of mindfulness. We thought it would be great to have the experience of such an ongoing community in our hometown of Toronto, and decided to invite other professionals to join us in monthly meetings to connect, practice together, network and share knowledge from our diverse disciplines.
Many personal and professional connections have been made through Mindfulness Toronto, and we are deeply grateful to the founders and members who have contributed their time and knowledge to advance our community.
Today, we are at the forefront of fostering local and global collaborations among mindfulness-based professionals and organizations, while continuously innovating and sharing culturally relevant, accessible resources and professional development opportunities.