Paulette Senior is President & CEO of the Canadian Women’s Foundation. She has devoted her career to empowering women and girls to overcome barriers and reach their full potential. Paulette started her career on the front lines of social service organizations in some of Toronto’s most underserved neighbourhoods. Her work and advocacy with shelters, as well as employment and housing programs, paved the way toward leadership roles at national organizations. She served as CEO of YWCA Canada for 10 years before joining the Canadian Women’s Foundation as CEO in 2016. Her work with the Foundation is guided by the vision of an inclusive, national movement toward gender equity that will strengthen all Canadians. Throughout her career, she has earned numerous awards and become one of the most respected women leaders and speakers in Canada. Paulette is a member of the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council, an advisory body that develops recommendations on gender equality issues across the G7 agenda. In 2021, she received an honorary doctorate of laws from the University of Lethbridge. She is featured in the book Inspiring Canadians: 40 Brilliant Canadians and Their Visions for the Nation.
Nneka MacGregor, LL.B., co-founder and Executive Director of WomenatthecentrE, a non-profit for gender-based violence survivors. She's an internationally recognized Black intersectional feminist, speaker, and trainer, advising the Canadian Femicide Observatory and serving on various boards. Nneka's research focuses on Black femicide, and she's received the 2019 PINK Concussions and 2020 YWCA Toronto Women of Distinction awards. She's the founder of Nneka & Co, a consulting firm promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion. Nneka excels in nurturing women's leadership, addressing gender, race, and ability intersections. With six years of board experience, she supports non-profits in governance and board culture development.
Julia Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children's Health (CanWaCH) Julia Anderson is the Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children's Health (CanWaCH). With over 15 years of senior-level experience in international development, non-profits, human rights, and gender equality, she collaborates with diverse stakeholders on global development policy matters. Julia played a pivotal role in shaping Canada's global health sector's renewed vision, resulting in a $14-billion, 10-year government investment in 2019. As CanWaCH CEO, she continues to advocate for innovative approaches to advancing women's and girls' health and rights worldwide. Julia holds a Master of Arts degree in Canadian and Indigenous Studies from Trent University and an Executive Certificate in Conflict Management from the University of Windsor Law School.
Dr. Farah M. Shroff is a Canadian public intellectual dedicated to global public health research and education. She passionately advocates for "Health for All on a Healthy Planet" and has served as a policy expert for various governments, both in Canada and abroad. Her research focuses on integrative health methods like Ayurveda and yoga and social and environmental justice from a feminist, anti-racism, and decolonial perspective. Fluent in French, Spanish, and English, she has contributed to academia and communities worldwide. Dr. Shroff is the founder of Maternal and Infant Health Canada, holds a mid-career fellowship from Harvard School of Public Health, and leads Darya Consulting. Additionally, she is a faculty member at the University of British Columbia, an advocate for mind-body activities such as yoga, dance, and meditation, and frequently featured in the media.
Mohini Datta-Ray, a dedicated advocate for social and reproductive justice, has held leadership positions across various progressive feminist domains. Since 2021, she has served as the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Toronto, focusing on culturally responsive youth healthcare and reproductive justice. Previously, Mohini led as the Executive Director of North York Women’s Shelter, overseeing the development of a $23 million trauma-informed, trans-inclusive gender-based violence shelter and community collective, prioritizing survivors' dignity, community, and child and pet well-being. She brings extensive experience in addressing HIV/AIDS, especially within racialized communities and women in Ontario.
Amanda P. Williams, MD, MPH, FACOG, is the Medical Director at Mahmee, a maternal healthcare company dedicated to health equity and comprehensive pregnancy and postpartum care. She is also the Clinical Innovation Advisor to the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) and an adjunct faculty member in the OBGYN Department at Stanford University School of Medicine. Before Mahmee, Dr. Williams directed maternity services at Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center and oversaw maternity care across Kaiser's Northern California centers. She has contributed to various state and national committees, including the California Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Committee and the National Quality Forum Maternal Morbidity and Mortality work group.
Dr. Joia A. Crear-Perry, M.D., FACOG, is a physician, policy expert, and transformational justice advocate committed to addressing health disparities rooted in racism. Her expertise as a sought-after speaker and trainer is recognized in national and international publications like Essence and Ms. magazines. Dr. Crear-Perry has championed human rights in maternal health by addressing the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights twice. She previously led Birthing Project USA, directed Women's and Children's Services at Jefferson Community Health Care Centers, and managed Clinical Services for the New Orleans Health Department. She's a recipient of the Congressional Black Caucus Healthcare Heroes award and serves on the boards of Community Catalyst, TapRoot and the UCSF Preterm Birth Initiative. Dr. Crear-Perry earned her medical degree at Louisiana State University and completed her obstetrics and gynecology residency at Tulane University School of Medicine. She also achieved recognition as a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Julia A. Slanina, Founder and CEO, Treehouse Julia Slanina is an entrepreneur, community builder, digital health innovator, and Treehouse's founder and CEO. A medical student turned tech entrepreneur with a passion for improving community healthcare for aspiring, expectant, and new families across Canada. She has dedicated her time to developing a care management and community platform designed to simplify the connection between family care providers and parents. Julia sits on numerous boards and advisory councils and has been featured in Forbes and The Logic.
king yaa is a genderqueer person of transmasculine experience, and their sexuality is queer AF. Their Blackness is their superpower! As an intersectional feminist, king yaa champions the well-being of queer, trans, and non-binary folx across life's spectrum, addressing grief, pleasure, and more. They also train health practitioners to provide safer, inclusive care for these communities. king yaa encourages people of all genders and orientations to boldly embrace self-compassion, asserting their presence unapologetically. Their mission involves decolonizing health, advancing reproductive justice, and fostering collective healing and liberation, particularly among BIPOC queer, trans, and non-binary folks.