Maureen is a recognized expert in international human rights, justice systems and conflict management/resolution, a recipient of the Order of British Columbia and the current chair of the BC Public Health Services Authority board. She was a professor in the School of Public Policy at SFU and previously the Chair in Law and Public Policy and Director of the Institute for Dispute Resolution at the University of Victoria. This followed her work as Deputy Minister to the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General of British Columbia. Before assuming these positions, Professor Maloney was the first woman Dean of Law in British Columbia.
Ms. Maloney has published and lectured extensively and been actively involved in international governance, dispute resolution and human rights projects in South-East Asia, Iraq, China, Brazil, Guatemala and South Africa. She has been a board member of the International Commission of Jurists (Canadian Section) and a member of the Education and Training Committee of the Foundation for International Commercial Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (The Hague). She previously served on the boards of the Canadian Human Rights Foundation and the International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy.
Evelyne brings over 25 years of experience working with International Non-Governmental Organizations. She held executive roles at CARE Canada, Cuso International, Nutrition International, Right to Play, UNICEF Canada and Women Deliver, and lectured at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. She served as a strategic advisor to the board and leadership of FIGO. She has worked on a wide range of issues including sexual and reproductive health and rights; gender justice; nutrition; food security, environment, health, and humanitarian assistance. She built and executed strategic global evidence-based advocacy efforts that mobilized significant sector wide investments. She is also currently the Chair of the board at Results Canada.
Jackie Porter is an award-winning Certified Financial Planner and financial advisor in Canada who has served thousands of families, established businesses and professionals through the financial industry for over 24 years. She co-authored Single by Choice or Chance, the Smart Woman’s Guide to Living Longer Better to help single women better prepare for their financial future. Jackie’s advice and financial strategies have been featured in top financial publications such as The Globe and Mail, Forum, Wealth Professional and Investment Executive. As well, she has appeared on TVO’s The Agenda, been a source for The Toronto Star, CBC, Sun News and BNN, and been interviewed on radio programs and podcasts. In 2019 and 2021, Jackie was awarded the Mackenzie Investments Award for ‘Female Trailblazer of the Year’ Wealth Professionals award.
Tara Weber is well-versed in the opportunities and challenges facing Canada’s journalists. She worked in the media industry for more than two decades, in many roles and cities across the country, most recently as the former Western Bureau Chief for BNN Bloomberg based in Calgary where she covered the natural resources sector and economic impacts from Western Canada. Tara also sits on the board of two not-for-profit organizations that assist vulnerable populations in the city of Calgary. She’s a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, Calgary’s Top 40 under 40 class of 2018, Haskayne Alumni’s Rising Star Award in 2020, and is an alumna of the Banff Forum 2024 and the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference of 2022. Tara holds an MBA in Global Energy Management and Sustainable Development as well as degrees in Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia.
Leslie Quinton is currently Vice President, Public Relations and Communications at La Caisse (Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec). She has extensive expertise in culture and leadership, and has held senior roles in global strategic communications, stakeholder relations, corporate social responsibility, internal communications, CSR and issues, and crisis and brand management. Leslie taught communications and PR at McGill University for eight years and at the Université de Sherbrooke in their Master’s program. She was formerly the Vice-President Corporate Communications at BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) and at Air Canada, and was Senior Vice-President at SNC-Lavalin. She also spent seven years in global PR agencies where she advised several Fortune 500 clients such as IBM, Dyson, Home Depot, and Marriott, among others. Leslie is involved in several non-profit organizations as a board member and as a volunteer. She is currently Chair of the Board for MedicAlert Canada and Past President of IABC (International Association of Business Communicators) Montreal and the International Women’s Forum, Canada. Leslie has won multiple awards for communications and philanthropic leadership, and studied humanities at Concordia University.
