Donna Cardoza strongly believes that equitable access, opportunity and treatment is essential to an individual's emotional, social, physical, and economical well-being.  It is anThese are essential ingredients into an individual's ability to fully participate in the broader society and to engage inin all aspects of active citizenship.  

Donna is passionate about creating excellence through equity, and making equity in education a reality in schools. For the past ten years Donna Cardoza has been instrumental in developing and launching The Nubian Book Club. The goal of the book club is to use literacy as a tool by which students can become empowered to become community leaders and to improve student success and achievement among students of African Caribbean heritage. Donna is committed to building bridges between the home, school and community. community and education. Donna's passion can best be described as a motivator to create excellence with equity a reality in education.

Donna has been a resident of Markham for the past 29 years. As a parent of two children who are products of the York Region District School Board (YRDSB),, Donna, for the past 25 years has been actively involved with YRDSB through a variety of community initiatives and committees for the past 25 years, including: listed below.

-Named as one of the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women in 2016
Donna's participation in the community includes:
- Chair of the York Region District School BoardYRDSB Equity and Inclusivity Advisory Committee, Chair (April, 2012-2015)
- Member of tThe Alliance of Educators for Black Students (2006-present)
- Member of the York Region Equity Council (2010)
- Member of the YRDSB Race Relations Advisory Committee - (2007-2011) (York Region District School Board)
- Nubian Excellence Club in (Milliken Mills High School, YRDSB (2007-2011))
- Founder and Coordinator of The Nubian Book Club (2011-present) (Founder and coordinator)

The community has recognized Donna Cardoza’s commitment and passion for equity and education. Donna Cardoza was the recipient of an award for the Markham Black History Month (2009), for her contribution in the community. She was also the recipient of , the recipient of the 2009 YMCA Peace Medallion, and the recipient of the 2011 Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship Award.

Donna is employed by the Toronto District School Board, in a position as a Community Support Worker. She was and also the recipient of the 2012 recipient of the Herbert H. Carnegie Future Aces Award, for demonstrating her commitment and dedication as a caring and responsible citizen in working with her colleagues and community with the Toronto District School Board. Donna is employed by the Toronto District School Board in a position working with students in a Diagnostic Kindergarten class.

Donna believes that tThe denial of equitable and inclusive treatment is a denial of all of the above, limits the life choices, opportunities and well-being of students and closes the to the fullest range of socioeconomic opportunity. She has dedicated her life to promoting door sto students’ fullest range of self-expression in the world. and combating inequitable treatment and for ensuring that equity and inclusiveness are foundational principles and realities in the education al system..