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.

Alicia Modeste, President

Alicia is an accomplished visually impaired artist and has been a member of Hands of Fire since its inception in 2013. She has many years of involvement with the Canadian Council of Blind, working with CCB Toronto Visionaries. She has been the Hands of Fire President since 2016.

Douglas Free, Vice-President

Douglas is a sculptor, jeweller, metalsmith and propmaker with a passion for disability justice. Currently studying at 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 he became Vice-President in 2016.

Noora Mahmoud, Secretary/Treasurer

Noora is a self-taught artist and social worker dedicated to creating safe, non-judgmental and anti-oppressive environments for artists and community members. She has been an instructor with Hands of Fire since 2014. In 2016 Noora began serving as Secretary/Treasurer.