Experience

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  Goldblatt partners llp

  Sept 2004 - Jul 2005

  Student-at-law

   Articled with firm specializing in union-side labour law, employment law, and human rights law. Responsibilities included: legal research, writing legal memoranda, drafting of correspondence and submissions, assisting lawyers with preparation of cases, and independently managing case files for workers’ compensation, small claims and human rights matters.

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  International labour organization

  Sept 2005 - Mar 2006

  Junior legal advisor

   Engaged in legal research, analysis and writing related to the responsibilities of multinationals operating in developing countries, voluntary corporate initiatives, and monitoring of corporate labour practices.

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  Action canada for sexual health and rights

  Mar 2006 - Jul 2020

   Served as leader of Canada’s national sexual and reproductive rights organization – and one of its predecessor organizations – focused on advancing and upholding these rights in Canada and globally through advocacy and health promotion. Provided strategic leadership for organization’s development and growth to become a strong national voice on sexual and reproductive rights issues. Led development and execution of programs and advocacy, including extensive national and global campaigns work. Ensured organization’s financial health through management of funds and leading institutional fundraising and major donor stewardship. Responsible for representing Action Canada to government, media and key stakeholders. Provided support and regular reporting to Board of Directors, including leading recruitment of new Board members. Supervised and worked collaboratively with organization’s Management Team and its members.  Enhanced cross-team collaboration, worked to build a positive and cohesive team environment and to ensure organization was an employer of choice. Conceived and implemented organizational restructuring to accommodate new size and to encourage leadership development amongst staff. Led multiple strategic planning processes ensuring engagement of Board, staff, partners and donors. Led development and nurturing of partnerships in Canada and globally with a large range of civil society organizations, Indigenous peoples’ organizations and key networks. Ensured Action Canada’s accountability to rights-holders, diverse social movements, partners, donors, funders and the public. Show less  Responsible for leading the organization’s engagement at United Nations human rights bodies, including: development of goals, positions and strategies consistent with organizational mission and adapted to the UN political context; development of policy proposals, position papers and fact sheets; direct advocacy with government delegates and independent human rights experts to exchange information and to persuade them to adopt specific policy positions and proposals; and providing technical assistance to government representatives on issues related to sexuality, gender equality and reproductive rights. Supported and led global coalition work to advance gender equality issues and sexual and reproductive rights. Conducted workshops for human rights defenders on numerous topics and supported their engagement with the UN human rights system. Contributed to other areas of organization’s work including providing substantive support in the development of the organization’s emerging focus on migrants’ rights and other portfolios. Show less

  • Executive Director

    Jan 2011 - Jul 2020

  • Director of International Human Rights Advocacy

    Mar 2006 - Dec 2010
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  National association of women and the law | l’association nationale femmes et droit (nawl | anfd)

  Oct 2020 - Jul 2022

  Senior advisor / interim director

   Provided strategic leadership, planning, governance, programmatic and fund development advice and guidance to leadership and board of a domestic feminist organization engaged in a significant executive transition. Successfully led organization’s first strategic planning process in over 10 years. Led organization in an interim capacity and assisted in recruiting and onboarding organization’s new executive director.

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  Canadian bar association

  Aug 2022 - Dec 2023

  Director, strategic and international initiatives
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  International development research centre (idrc)

  Jan 2024 - now

  Corporate secretary