JURY

INTERNATIONAL PEACE AWARDS

Rosalind Lockyer

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & FOUNDER AT PARO CENTER FOR WOMEN'S ENTERPRISE

Working as a teacher, entrepreneur, and community developer, Rosalind became blatantly aware of the many systemic issues that kept women from achieving their life goals. In 1995, she founded PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise (PARO) channelling this experience, her passion, and determination to continue her work for positive change locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally. Today, PARO is recognised as the “largest peer lending network in North America’ supporting its unique form of women-centred social enterprise with 180+ PARO Circles located across Ontario.

Rosalind Lockyer has dedicated her lifetime toward supporting gender equality and building sustainable livelihoods for thousands of women ‘who need it the most’. Important to her role as Founder and CEO of PARO and co-founder of the national group, the Women’s Economic Council (WEC) is supporting women who are disadvantaged by the intersectionality of poverty, race, sexism, ageism, and disability.

LinkedIn

Brian G. Bachand

FOUNDER, EVOLUTION EVOLUTION, COACH & ADVISOR FOR LEADERS ON A MISSION IN THEIR WORK

His own journey from being a priest to then an executive in New York City, Toronto and now founder of his own company evolution evolution.
He inspires professional leaders and organizations to shift from a believe of “what is the work” to “what is the mission” before them. He engages with leaders who feel isolated to align fully with clarity. His expertise in team management and recruitment of top-tier talent brings a refined insight on how to build a conscious culture within organizations.
Brian served as Executive Director at both NYU Langone Health and University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine, raising millions from investors. As Partner in Executive Search his mandate was on global recruitment for VP – CEO roles within NFP and Private Sector. His own firm, evolution evolution unites it all.

LinkedIn

Lori Nikkel

CEO SECOND HARVEST

A champion of social and environmental justice issues related to food, Lori is CEO for Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization. Lori ensures that over 15 million pounds of nutrient dense surplus food is diverted to non-profit organizations every year. Lori’s latest innovation, FoodRescue.ca, is an online platform that allows food businesses to donate surplus food to social service agencies, schools, and food banks in their communities. Under Lori’s leadership, Second Harvest released The Avoidable Crisis of Food Waste, a world first evidence-based research project that identifies where, why, and how much food is lost and wasted across the supply chain.
In 2019 Lori was honored with the Clean 50 Award, which is presented annually to 50 leaders in sustainability from across Canada. In 2019, Second Harvest was awarded the Nature Inspiration Award from the Canadian Museum of Nature and the International Peace Award from the Gandhian Initiative for the Development of Support Services.

LinkedIn

Denny Young

FUNDRAISER, TEACHER, COACH, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR UOFT

Fundraiser, teacher, coach and a graduate of the University of Windsor (BA), Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Denny Young’s award-winning career includes roles in new and established, and small and large organizations, like the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the AIDS Committee of Toronto, Sherbourne Health Centre, and the National Ballet of Canada.
In late 2020, Denny was appointed Associate Director, Advancement, at the School of Continuing Studies, University of Toronto. For over 15 years, Denny has been a faculty member in Humber College’s Fundraising Management program, and Ryerson University’s Nonprofit Management program. Denny’s dedication to the profession was recognized in 2014 with the Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award of the Greater Toronto Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He has published numerous articles in various publications and is a frequent speaker at conferences in Canada and the United States.
He proudly serves on the Boards of graduate of the University of Windsor (BA), Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, the Maquila Solidarity Network, and volunteers with the Kensington Hospice.

Steve Matthews

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ADRA CANADA

A Professional Engineer, Project Management Professional and LEED Green Associate who has worked in the in the building industry since 2002. I have led the delivery of over $250 million worth of projects during his career, represented Miawpukek First Nation for delivery of a new all grades school. The school is funded through Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. The new building will be 30,000 sq. ft. housing a dental clinic and daycare to compliment the school. Steve is also member of various nonprofit organizations in Canada.

Jessica Dirom

REGIONAL DIRECTOR, CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY

Jessica Dirom is the Director, Leadership Giving, Prairies, with the Canadian Cancer Society. She is currently pursuing her MBA with the Australia Institute of Business (Marketing Specialization). She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and holds the professional designation of Certified Fund Raising Professional (CFRE). She is also a board member for I Can For kids. In 2018, Jessica was honoured with the Green Sparrow Women in Leadership award. she has successfully raised more than $10 million for health care projects and programs in the Prairies region.

Baldev Matta

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PUNJABI COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES

Baldev Mutta has been in the field of social work for the last 45+ years. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Punjabi Community Health Services (PCHS). PCHS is a health Service provider in the Central West and Mississauga Halton LHIN Geographic areas. An empathetic social worker and a dependable CEO, Baldev is tenaciously working to raise awareness around the issues of Substance Abuse, Mental Health, Gender Inequality and Toxic Masculinity, predominant within the community.
He has worked for the last 28 years developing an integrated holistic model to provide accessible and culturally appropriate services to the community.
He has received many community awards for his work on equity, community development and organizational change including the recent Ally Award at the 4th Annual Pink attitude Awards Gala.

Laurie Hepburn

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HALTON WOMEN'S PLACE

Laurie Hepburn is the Executive Director at Halton Women’s Place, an organization that provides information, education and support to women and children experiencing domestic violence. Laurie holds her BSW from Carleton and a Masters of Social Work from Dalhousie University. A Registered Social Worker, Laurie has extensive experience in residential and community based programs in the Violence Against Women and Child Welfare sectors, engaging with diverse groups of individuals and families experiencing homelessness, poverty and family violence. During her time at Halton Women’s Place, Laurie has focused on creating and nurturing strong relationships with community partners to work towards a more integrated and collaborative approach to services. Halton Women’s Place is committed to support all women and children move towards a life free from violence where they can feel safe and empowered.

Ravi Saxena

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IMMIGRANT & MULTICULTURAL SERVICES SOCIETY

MBA from University of Northern British Columbia, Ravi is Executive Director Immigrant & Multicultural Services. Ravi founded `The Unsung Heroes of Northern BC` to celebrate regular people who have made extraordinary contributions to their local Northern BC communities. Ravi is also teaching ‘Cross- cultural studies’ in the School of University Studies & Career Access at the College of New Caledonia. He has been member of RCMP Commanding Officer’s Cultural Diversity Inclusion Board, Board of Director at Interfaith Council Planning PG, UHNBC Physician Initiative Committee (UPIC) Northern Health and has been an active community leader helping hundreds of people in need.

Chris Studer

LGBTQ2S ACTIVIST & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 'GET THE REAL MOVEMENT'

Chris Studer is one of the Executive Directors of the non-profit organization Get REAL, whose mission is to combat 2SLGBTQ+ discrimination and bullying in schools, summer camps, and workplaces across Canada. Chris currently oversees fundraising, sponsorship, finances, legal, social media, web development, merchandise, new partnerships, events, the university chapter program, and is one of the lead speakers at the organization, having spoken everywhere from Ted X Youth, to Pepsi’s Ally Pledge Week, to 20,000 youth at We Day Toronto.

Dr Bob Ganguli

PROFESSOR, SCIENTIST & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NOBLE INSTITUTION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PEACE

Professor Biswajit (Bob) Ganguly is an Inventor Scientist. He created the concept of ‘Environmental Peace’ with his colleague Professor Roger I.C Hansell at the University of Toronto. As a Scientist and an Inventor, Professor Ganguly developed various applied technologies in the field of Environmental Pollution Control, to protect this Planet. He visited and lectured widely around the world in many Universities. Professor Ganguly is the Chancellor and CEO of ‘Noble International University’(NIU) USA, President and CEO of ‘Noble Institution for Environmental Peace’(NIEP) Canada as well as Chairman of ‘Planet for Environmental Peace’PEP) Canada to carry out and support education and research in environment, sustainable development, and peace processes throughout the world.

Daria Allan-Ebron

SERVICE DIRECTOR AT PEEL CHILDREN'S AID

Daria Allan-Ebron, RSW, with 25 years of experience with Peel CAS, spending the last 9 years as a Service Director and previously working as a clinical investigator for with the Office of the Children’s Lawyer for 12 years. Holds a Master of Social Work Degree from McMaster University. Daria is passionate about working together with children and families. Dedicated to practice that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion and positive outcomes for children, families and the community.