As an official chapter of the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB), our President will always be a visually-impaired individual. Also, official votes by our membership will always be weighted so that at least 60% of the deciding body is visually-impaired. This ensures that those with vision loss have a controlling interest in decisions affecting them at the chapter, divisional, and national levels.

The Hands of Fire executive team are closely involved with the day-to-day operations of our group. They also plan social events and interact on behalf of the group with other CCB chapters.

Nafisah Anif, President

Nafisah is a vision rehabilitation therapist specializing in helping individuals who are blind, partially sighted or deaf-blind to enhance the quality of life with vision/hearing loss. She has been a member of Hands of Fire since 2018 and became President in 2024.

Angie Li, Vice President

Angie is a Graphic Design student passionate about elevating voices through the medium of art and design. She has been a volunteer with Hands of Fire since 2019 and became their Social Media Coordinator in 2021. Angie became Vice President in 2024.

Lavinia Ford, Volunteer Coordinator

Lavinia is a reality tv connoisseur, avid runner, teacher and Cinema Studies graduate whose work focussed on accessibility, inclusion and representation in moving images and visual art. Lavinia began volunteering with Hands of Fire in 2023, and currently serves as Volunteer Coordinator.

Douglas Free, Lead Instructor

Douglas is a sculptor, jeweller, metalsmith and propmaker with a passion for disability justice. Having recently graduated from OCAD University, he is devoted to combining his passion for the arts with his dedication to supporting community mental health and wellbeing. He has been an instructor with Hands of Fire since its inception in 2013 and served as Vice-President from 2016–2023. Douglas currently serves as the Lead Instructor.