Patricia DeGuire (Selection Committee Chair, non-voting member)
Patricia DeGuire is a Black woman who pushes boundaries to ensure access to justice, equality and equity. Before being appointed Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission in August 2021, Patricia served as a Deputy Judge with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, on various tribunals and boards, and is known as an impactful mediator. She has played a leading role in many equity organizations, particularly related to racism, in particular anti-Black racism, gender equality and equity, and the wellbeing of youths. She is a constitutional law scholar, and an avid mentor and coach for young people and adults in the legal, medical, and other professions. Patricia is the recipient of many awards for her mentorship and public service.
Donette Chin-Loy Chang, LL.D (Honoris Causa)
Donette Chin-Loy Chang is a distinguished communications leader and accomplished public affairs strategist. She and her late husband, G. Raymond Chang, OC, OJ., are amongst Canada’s and the Caribbean’s most prolific philanthropists, extending their giving worldwide. Donette Chin-Loy Chang is the newly appointed Chancellor of Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). A proud TMU alumna, she received honorary degrees from TMU and the University of the West Indies. She sits on the boards of the BlackNorth Initiative and serves on the Onyx Initiative and the Anti-Asian Racism advisory boards, of which TMU is a member.
Sharon Ffolkes Abrahams
Sharon Ffolkes Abrahams, a distinguished lawyer in both Jamaica and Canada, completed her first law degree at the University of the West Indies and later in Canada where she was called to the Ontario Bar in 1985. She has served as legal counsel for numerous organizations and received a masters degree in Administrative Law from Osgoode Hall Law School. Specializing in human rights law, Sharon was legal counsel for the Ontario Human Rights Commission for over 18 years, following which she was a member of the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal.
Rose Anguiano Hurst
Rose Anguiano Hurst serves as the Executive Director of Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST) in Windsor, Ontario. Her mission is to foster a more inclusive and equitable society by enhancing the skills and confidence of women and girls facing employment barriers through a collaborative community approach. With extensive experience in non-profit program management and administration, Rose has honed her expertise at WEST and other similar organizations.
Stephen Mensah
Stephen Mensah serves as the Executive Director of the Toronto Youth Cabinet (TYC), advocating tirelessly for a more equitable and youth-friendly city, representing over 623,000 young Torontonians. Under his leadership, the TYC has led initiatives addressing community safety and youth unemployment, securing an additional $15 million for youth programs, and establishing 5 new youth hubs in Toronto. Stephen's dedication to social justice extends beyond city borders, influencing various policy changes impacting Ontario's two million students, including ensuring free menstrual products in schools. Recognized as one of Toronto's Rising Stars by Toronto Life Magazine, Stephen continues to inspire change for a more youth-friendly society.
Alicia Smith
Alicia Smith is the Executive Director of Dyslexia Canada and the past president of the International Dyslexia Association Ontario. In her role at IDA Ontario, Alicia helped to create the Ontario Literacy Alliance, worked closely with the Ministry of Education, released the report ‘Lifting the Curtain on EQAO Scores,' and organized a multitude of webinars and workshops focused on bringing teachers together to learn how they can improve equity for students through evidence-based reading instruction and assessment. At Dyslexia Canada, Alicia works with grassroots groups, educators, and governments across Canada to ensure that all children realize their right to read.
Maurice Switzer
Maurice Switzer is a citizen of the Mississaugas of Alderville First Nation and a member of the Sons of Jacob congregation in North Bay. At various times, he has been an editor and publisher at five Canadian daily newspapers, communications director for the Assembly of First Nations and Union of Ontario Indians, adjunct professor of Indigenous and communications studies on the Laurentian University campus, and appointee to the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC). He currently serves as a member of the OHRC Indigenous Reconciliation Working Group.
Grant Wedge
Grant Wedge has over 45 years of experience working as a lawyer, senior executive, mediator, facilitator and consultant for governments, Indigenous communities, and public and private sector-based organizations in Ontario and across Canada. He served as Ontario’s Deputy Minister of Native Affairs 1994/95. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1988. He was on the founding board of Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto in 1990 and served on the board of Community Legal Education Ontario. He lives in Toronto with his husband, and they have three children and five grandchildren.