The Board
As a non-profit, Astrology Toronto is run by a generous board of hard working volunteers.
The board meets once a month, September-June each year to plan monthly workshops and special events. If you’re curious about joining the board, click here to learn more.
Jennifer Fukushima
Immediate Past President
(she/they)
Jennifer Fukushima is a registered psychotherapist and has been a student of astrology since 2004. She studied under Julie Simmons, earned her NCGR-PAA Level 2 and has a MISPA Diploma in Psychological Astrology. Jennifer is currently pursuing an honours bachelor of science, double specialist in neuroscience and psychology at U of T, with hopes of conducting research into the neuropsychology of spiritual experiences. She joined the ATI board as secretary in 2018 and served as president from 2019-2025. She looks forward to continuing her work in the astrological community. Jenn likes birds, cycling, music, vintage and going to the beach.
Taylor Benjamin Burgess
Co-President & Speaker Coordinator
(he/him)
Taylor Benjamin Burgess has studied the occult for over a dozen years, but he has been intensely studying astrology for the last seven. He also has keen interests in philosophy, psychogeography, and (especially) music. He has previously worked as an arts & culture writer and editor, and he continues to make music and to DJ. He has been taking his weirdly encyclopedic knowledge of album release dates and applying it to planetary conjunctions and ingresses. He has been a part of the Astrology Toronto community for the past few years and serves on its board.
Beth Scannell
Co-President & Speaker Coordinator
(she/her)
Beth Scannell is a graduate of Astrology University’s four-year diploma program and was one of the first people to earn an extended certificate in AstroMapping from Kepler College. She has also studied Evolutionary Astrology with Steven Forrest. Beth began her astrology and tarot practice in 2021 and enjoys helping people navigate through significant life cycles, turning points, and tricky life passages. An eager student, Beth is currently pursuing an MA degree in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology with the University of Wales Trinity St. David. In her free time, she loves sailing and has a keen interest in historical navigation techniques.
Elena Piliegi
Treasurer & Librarian
Elena Piliegi is an aspiring astrology student since 2016. She joined ATI and the board in 2017, first serving as member at large and then as a librarian and the treasurer. She also enjoys composing short poems. Here is one:
Astrology is such an amazing tool
I believe it should be taught at every school
If only people learned how to read their charts
There would be much less grief and broken hearts
The life would be more satisfying and great
As many calamities would be explained
I’m so fortunate to learn this amazing art
I love Astrology from the deep of my heart!
Leandro Diaz-Matus
Vice President
(he/him/they)
Leandro Diaz-Matus is a Social Media Specialist with a background in Journalism, Anthropology and Digital Marketing. With over five years of practicing Astrology personally, and over two years of reading natal charts and transits for family and friends, Leandro seeks to mythbust Astrology in hopes of having others use it as a tool for overcoming obstacles and reaching their utmost potential. With a passion for self-improvement, accessibility, and inclusion as a guiding principle, Leandro uses Astrology as a tool to improve the underpinnings of one's lifestyle with a social-cultural lens to attain a fulfilling life.
Sam Boem
Secretary
(she/her)
Sam Boem was introduced to astrology in 2020 and began formally studying in 2021, taking courses with Kelly Surtees and Kirah Tabourn. Sam mainly practises traditional Hellenistic astrology, however she also incorporates modern techniques into her approach. Sam has recently launched an astrology practice, and aims to begin a podcast about astrology. Her favourite things to do are try to guess the birth charts of fictional characters, and research astrological transits alongside historical events.
Outside of astrology, Sam is a local gardener and loves working with plants. She enjoys podcasts and watching YouTube videos, especially while she’s crocheting.
Rei Hino
Member-at-Large
(she/her)
A lifelong stargazer, Rei began her formal study of the heavens in 2018 and soon found her niche in traditional astrology. Her main areas of focus include horary, electional, and remediative astrology, and her research interests lie in the correlations between mundane transits and social movements. Combining her passion for solving a good mystery with her love of interpretive analysis, Rei aims to make astrology both philosophically and practically relevant to the modern hero’s journey.
Patrice James
Member-at-Large
The founder of Astrology 101 Zone, a Facebook community of 6,000 members worldwide. A space curated for those skeptical of astrology, just getting into it, novice or seasoned readers to name a few. I have grown the group from a small light-hearted Astro chit-chat group to a community where members learn from each other, help each other and teach each other on their journeys through the astrology world.
I currently operate a cleaning business (tasks include bookkeeping, scheduling, marketing, customer outreach).
Another thing I would bring to the table is being a bridge from AT to the desired people we would want as members. Me having a Toronto based astrology group means there’s a lot of folks who may not know about Astrology Toronto and I would love to get more folks in the city as members so we can grow.
Nicole Morizio
Member-at-Large
(she/her)
As a community clinical herbalist, reiki master and astrology student I have been involved within the wellness and alternative healing space for just shy of a decade. Throughout my career and education I have managed a herbal clinic, organized national wellness events and held marketing meetings within the same space. As a professional member of the Ontario Herbalists Association and Bursary Committee member, I believe my natural inclinations and talents would create positive momentum and productive insights to Astrology Toronto’s mission to promote education, research and community to the masses.
Vanessa Delzingaro
Member-at-Large
(she/her)
Vanessa Ann is a Ritual Arts Facilitator, Astrologer, Spiritual Educator, and Folk Herbalist. She began her journey into Astrology and Tarot in the early 2000s with Toronto astrologer Julia Wawrzyniak-Beyer. In 2022, she felt called to study with astrologer Tyler Penor at the School of Living Astrology, and since 2023 has been continuing her studies with Renee Sills at Embodied Astrology.
As a lifelong student of the occult arts, Vanessa has a deep love for astrology and draws inspiration from the works of Demetra George, Donna Cunningham, Stephen Arroyo, and Nicholas Culpeper. For her, astrology is a lived practice that nurtures connection, healing, and personal insight, and she delights in helping others explore their self-understanding and spiritual growth.
Vanessa has been part of Astrology Toronto for a couple of years and joined its board in 2024. She feels grateful to contribute to such a warm and inspiring community of astrologers and seekers. In her free time, she enjoys forest bathing, foraging and growing herbal medicines.
Shivam Sharma
Member-at-Large
(he/him)
Shivam Sharma wears many hats - an artist, a communication designer, an astrologer, and above all, a lifelong student of the universe's profound mysteries. Since his teenage years, an insatiable curiosity about the enigmas of existence has fuelled his exploration of the esoteric and metaphysical realms. Seven years ago, Shivam embarked on his astrological journey through the lens of tropical astrology. However, two years into this pursuit, he felt an irresistible call to return to his roots, finding his true calling in the ancient wisdom of Vedic astrology, or Jyotish. For Shivam, astrology holds the power to guide lost souls, offering them a chance to authentically connect with their innermost selves. His lifelong aspiration is to witness astrology gain widespread social acceptance and understanding, conveyed through simple yet profound principles. As a Vedic astrologer, he specializes in unraveling karmic debts, providing predictive readings, and assisting individuals in their spiritual realignment.
As a member of Astrology Toronto, I am passionate about fostering a thriving community of like-minded individuals. I envision initiating community-building exercises, expanding the member base, and contributing my skills to organizing and marketing events.
Hal White
Member-at-Large
(he/him)
Hal White was one of the founders of the first organized astrology group in Toronto, set up after the first astrology conference here, arranged by Robin Armstrong in 1974. Hal was the first Chairperson of the Toronto Guild, a group that functioned for over ten years before morphing into Astrology Toronto. The Guild, during this period, featured speakers such as Robert Hand, Charles Harvey, and Baldur Ebertin. A student of Philosophy (B.A. Princeton U.), Hal has sought to link astrology to mainstream academic areas such as philosophy and psychology. He has spent many years studying these adjacent fields, and was one of the first few Toronto astrologers (Priscilla Costello, Julie Simmons) to get an advanced degree in a related area; for Hal, counselling (M. Ed. U f T). He spoke at some of the earliest conferences put on by such organizations as NCGR.
Madeline Tang
Member-at-Large
(she/her)
Madeline has an active interest in all things related to astrology, divination and magical practices. Her enthusiasm for these topics has led her to enrol at UWTSD for a Master’s degree in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology. She primarily uses Vedic astrology but also enjoys learning Hellenistic astrology and modern Western astrology. Her favourite topics to study are elections and planetary remediation as they allow her to conspire with the universe to bring about the most positive manifestations in one’s natal chart. Outside of astrology, Madeline enjoys reading tarot, hiking and walking around the city.
Regan Hayward
Member-at-Large
(she/her)
Coming Soon
In Memory of Joan Bennell
Former president, current board member and forever leader, Joan was instrumental in carrying Astrology Toronto through a difficult period and building the organization to be what it is today. We wouldn't be here without her hard work and generous contributions. Joan will be missed very much.
Joan revived the ATI organization in 2007, which had been put on hold in 2006, and served as President until 2015. Under her watch the Annual featured speaker event was initiated, the Astrology Basics Workshop, the AGM/BBQ and many other initiatives, still in place today.
Watercolour portraits by Elena Piliegi.