Harmy holds a MA from Ryerson University and has more than 16 years of experience in the anti-violence against women field.
Harmy has more than 16 years of experience in the anti-violence against women field and a respected credible voice. Harmy earns a seat at the table wherever she serves. Harmy has led WomanACT through a series of crucial changes, including becoming a charitable organization and the envisioning, planning and creation of the WomanACT’s Soul of a Warrior Awards. Harmy holds a MA from Ryerson University.
Priya has a decade of work experience in the anti-violence against women sector in various systems and communities, including in Nunavut and the U.K.
Priya has a decade of work experience in the anti- violence against women sector in various systems and communities, including in Nunavut and the U.K. Her work experiences include front-line delivery in shelters, community outreach, program management, research and strategic coordination. Priya has an M.Sc. in Mental Health & Population Health Research. Prior to joining us, Priya was a Regional Development Officer for Women’s Aid in the U.K. and worked as part of a Sustainability Partnership supporting VAW services.
Jessica Pratezina has a Master’s degree in Child, Youth, Family and Community Studies from the University of Victoria where she has been a researcher and sessional instructor. She has over a decade of experience in frontline social service work.
Jessica Pratezina has a master’s degree in Child, Youth, Family and Community Studies from the University of Victoria where she has been a researcher and sessional instructor. She has over a decade of experience in frontline social service work. Her areas of interest are gender-based violence in religious contexts, decolonizing and response based practice, gender equity, and reproductive rights.
Aakanksha has experience working in the not-for-profit sector as a Policy Analyst and Consultant, and holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Toronto.
Aakanksha holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, and a B.A in International Development Studies and Communication Studies (with Honours) from McGill University. Having worked in the not-for-profit sector as a Policy Analyst and Consultant, Aakanksha has supported scaling-up early childhood interventions in low-middle income settings while maintaining program fidelity, and has spearheaded knowledge mobilization initiatives addressing the impacts on gender-based violence on newcomers and their health in Canada. Aakanksha is interested in the evolution of essentialized gender identities through an intersectional lens in post-colonial contexts, and the intersection between immigration policy and gender-based violence and equity.
Premila has worked in the violence against women sector in multiple jurisdictions and projects and has a MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Premila has worked in the violence against women sector in multiple jurisdictions and projects, including in the criminal justice and legal sector, shelter services, and crisis and community services. Prior to WomanACT, Premila coordinated a program offering family court support to women experiencing intimate partner violence. She has an MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice and an interest in intersectional gender-based violence research.
Arantza has worked in research and policy analysis in the public sector and in the government, supporting marginalized communities, and holds a dual Master’s in Global/International Affairs from the Hertie School in Berlin and the University of Toronto.
Arantza holds a dual Master’s degree in Global/International Affairs from the Hertie School in Berlin and the University of Toronto, with specializations in International Security, Development, and Innovation. She also holds a B.A. in Political Science with minors in Economics and Sociology from McGill University. Arantza has experience in research, policy analysis, and program development, with a focus on social justice and human rights. Prior to joining WomanACT, she worked in various organizations, including Right to Play and the Consulate General of Mexico in Montreal, where she contributed to projects supporting marginalized communities. She is passionate about the intersection of migration, gender equity, and violence prevention.
Anita is a transformation expert who has led organizational growth and change across a wide range of industries for 15+ years.
Anita is a transformation expert who has led organizational growth and change across a wide range of industries for 15+ years. Having spent much of her career as an executive in corporate Canada leading large scale transformation in organizations such as TD, BMO, Rogers, and American Express, she honed her ability to create movements that inspire change, enabling organizations to innovate effectively and meaningfully – making big visions real is her passion.
As the CEO of Bridjr, a global transformation consultancy, she is on a mission to empower leaders and organizations to achieve their growth goals by creating unrivalled experiences that delight customers, inspire employees, and increases loyalty.
Amninder has more than 15 years of experience in personal and commercial banking, capital markets, finance, corporate planning, client acquisition and management.
Amninder has more than 15 years of experience in personal and commercial banking, capital markets, finance, corporate planning, client acquisition and management. He has held senior positions, including Vice President – Insurance and Investments for a boutique wealth management firm, and Principal Consultant in the area of capital resource management.
Amninder has a BA from the University of Toronto in International Development Studies, with a specialization in Development Economics. Amninder has also furthered his studies and met licensing requirements through the Canadian Securities Institute and Financial Services Commission of Ontario. He is currently pursuing a specialized degree in psychology and mental health from the University of Toronto.
Dr. Natalie Snow currently works as an Assistant Professor in the department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Niagara University in Ontario. Her research focuses on gender based violence, sexual violence and system response to female criminalization.
Dr. Natalie Snow currently works as an Assistant Professor in the department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Niagara University in Ontario. Her research focuses on gender based violence, sexual violence and system response to female criminalization. She has published in several academic journals including International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology , Women and Criminal Justice and Sociology Compass. Natalie is a member of a number of professional organizations such as the Canadian Sociological Association, Canadian Criminal Justice Association and the American Society of Criminology.
Natalie holds a Bachelor of Social Science- Criminal Justice from Humber College, a Master of Science from Niagara University and a PhD from the University of Arkansas Little Rock. In her spare time, Natalie enjoys swimming and golf.
Ramona graduated with a MSW in Romania and previously worked in foster care and international adoptions.
Ramona graduated with an MSW in Romania and previously worked in foster care and international adoptions. She participated in developing the first foster-care project in Romania. Since immigrating to Canada in 2002, Ramona has worked in the child welfare field, with a special interest in woman abuse and trauma-informed practice and a focus on partnering with community agencies and stakeholders to deliver excellent services that lead to better outcomes for children and families. Ramona is currently the Director of Intake at the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto.
Usma is a public policy professional with 10+ years of experience in research, political analysis and program development
Usma is a public policy professional with 10 (+) years of experience in research, political analysis and program development. She is deeply committed to anti-oppression, gender equality and social inclusion. During her time with the province of Ontario she has developed and implemented strategies and initiatives that address Gender-Based Violence, racial inequity and marginalized youth.
Prior to joining the province, Usma served as the National Projects Manager for the Canadian Council of Muslim Women and a Project Executive Officer at the Lokahi Foundation where she worked on community projects related to youth engagement, religious accommodation, violence against women and community cohesion.
Brooke is the Vice President, Enterprise Crisis and Business Continuity Management, for Scotiabank, with responsibility for ensuring the Bank is prepared across its footprint for all potential disasters and crises.
Brooke is the Vice President, Enterprise Crisis and Business Continuity Management, for Scotiabank, with responsibility for ensuring the Bank is prepared across its footprint for all potential disasters and crises.
Joining the Bank in 2016, Brooke has held progressive roles both in HR and in Communications. Before 2016, Brooke spent 4 years in the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada first as Communications Officer and then as Lead Advance where she led the creation, planning, and execution of several Prime Minister events and international tours.
Kristen is a corporate lawyer who has spent the better part of her legal career to date as in-house counsel at Loblaw where she is currently responsible for supporting the Loblaw Digital line of business.
Kristen is a corporate lawyer who has spent the better part of her legal career to date as in-house counsel at Loblaw where she is currently responsible for supporting the Loblaw Digital line of business.
Prior to beginning her legal career, Kristen pursued Graduate studies in New York City where she completed research in inter-organizational communication affecting responses to human trafficking and where she first began grappling with human rights issues as an intern at Human Rights Watch. Outside of work, Kristen is a mother of two young kids, an avid runner and aspiring travel photographer.
Hero is a real estate leader with over 23 years of experience in the multi-residential asset class across institutional, private, and public sectors. She specializes in strategic planning, acquisitions, development, operations, and leasing & marketing.
Hero is a real estate leader with over 23 years of experience in the multi-residential asset class across institutional, private, and public sectors. She specializes in strategic planning, acquisitions, development, operations, and leasing & marketing. As Vice President of Residential Operations & Asset Management at Dream, she oversees a national multi-family portfolio, driving growth and creating inclusive communities. Her work spans Canada and the U.S., with expertise in Purpose-Built Rentals (PBRs) and Value Add properties. A champion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, she has co-chaired DEI initiatives and actively volunteers in the Kurdish community, serving on multiple community boards.
Suchita holds a Master of Digital Product Management (MDPM) from Queen’s University. She is a proven digital transformation leader with experience across various industries including Banking, e-commerce, AI and machine learning; digital analytics.
Suchita holds a Master of Digital Product Management (MDPM) from Queen’s University. She is a proven digital transformation leader with experience across various industries including Banking, e-commerce, AI and machine learning; digital analytics.
Sydney Piggott (she/her) is a social impact leader and advocate for gender equity on a global scale. She is the Director of Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives at Mentor Canada, a national organization with a mission to accelerate world-class mentoring.
Sydney Piggott (she/her) is a social impact leader and advocate for gender equity on a global scale. She is the Director of Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives at Mentor Canada, a national organization with a mission to accelerate world-class mentoring. Previously, she led social impact at Shopify and held leadership positions at Elevate and YWCA Canada. She is a member of the Reach Alliance Advisory Council and previously served on the Equal Futures Network Advisory Committee. Sydney has been a subject matter expert in several international forums including the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and Women Deliver. She brings an intersectional feminist lens to all her work informed by her proud Afro-Caribbean heritage.
Yolanda B’Dacy was a French Immersion teacher with the Toronto District School Board for 20 years; her best years being spent in Kindergarten. She served as an organizer, Executive Officer and Vice President of the Elementary Teachers of Toronto, the teachers’ union; Canada’s largest teacher local.
Yolanda B’Dacy was a French Immersion teacher with the Toronto District School Board for 20 years; her best years being spent in Kindergarten.
She served as an organizer, Executive Officer and Vice President of the Elementary Teachers of Toronto, the teachers’ union; Canada’s largest teacher local.
Yolanda now works as the Director of Human of Rights and Equity at the Ontario Federation of Labour.
She is a trained parliamentarian chairing many unions, and private organizations.
Her greatest accomplishment and biggest honour is being the single-mother of a daughter in medical school and a creative director son studying marine biology.