Board Members
Dedicated professionals shaping the future of healthcare and community empowerment. Champions of equity, advocacy, and excellence.
Collins Tagnigou
President
Georges Collins Tagnigou is a Registered Nurse, educator, and community builder. As the founding President of the Black Nurses Association Of Nunavut (BNAN), he is passionate about creating spaces where Black health professionals can grow, lead, and feel a true sense of belonging in Nunavut.
With a Bachelor of Nursing and a Master’s in Community Health focused on Health Promotion, Collins combines clinical expertise with a deep commitment to equity and community well-being. Over the past two decades, he has worked across Canada in areas like harm reduction, health education, and culturally responsive care. His work includes contributing to the development of the monitoring system for Montreal’s supervised drug injection site — an experience that shaped his ongoing commitment to health advocacy.
Jalane Manderson
Vice-President
Jalane Manderson, I am a Licensed Practical Nurse who has been proudly nursing in the North since 2011, with a strong foundation in paediatric care. Relocating to Iqaluit was a life-changing experience that deepened both my professional skills and personal growth. I’ve had the privilege of working on the community nursing team as well as in a specialist clinic alongside 26 different specialty physicians. I am passionate about healthcare in the North and continue to learn through meaningful cultural experiences, which I hold close to my heart. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, doing puzzles, and exploring the rich flavors of ethnic cuisines from around the world.
Aman Marley
Secretary
Aman graduated from George Brown College as a Registered Practical Nurse in 2007. For more than a decade after graduating Aman worked in the field of Geriatrics in Ontario with half that time as a Nurse Supervisor. As a supervisor, assisted residents and their families navigate resources such as private care providers and government run programs essential to residents transitioning from independent living to a Retirement Living facility.
In 2021 moved to the beautiful city of Iqaluit where he was able to continue providing care to patients in different setting such as Home Care and Hospital. The vibrant people, culture and open space of Iqaluit has re-energized Aman to connect with nature and continue to grow as well rounded person.
Lauryn Fato
Student Representative
Lauryn is a dedicated nursing student and passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare. As a Student Representative for the BNAN, she serve as a bridge between student voices and professional leadership, working to empower future Black nurses through mentorship, advocacy, and community engagement. With a strong commitment to academic excellence and social justice, Lauryn aims to promote culturally competent care and inspire positive change within the nursing profession.
Fadzai Cruz
Program Coordinator
Fadzai Cruz is a Registered Nurse with over 12 years of professional experience spanning diverse areas of healthcare. She currently serves as a Board Member and Program Coordinator for the Black Nurses Association of Nunavut (BNAN). For the past year, Fadzai has been practicing as a Mental Health Nurse in Nunavut, where she is dedicated to advancing culturally safe, equitable, and community-focused healthcare initiatives. Through her leadership role at BNAN, she is committed to empowering Black nurses and enhancing health outcomes across the territory.