Board of Directors

Patricia Blocksom, QC
Family Law Lawyer, Mediator and Arbitrator
Calgary, Alberta

Pat is a prominent family lawyer who specializes in mediating and arbitrating complex divorce cases. She has a keen interest in equality and human rights issues and was a member of the National Canadian Bar Association Task Force on Gender Equality in the Legal Profession. In addition to working with Flora and Future Generations Canada to improve the conditions in Afghanistan, she also travels to Ethiopia to assist in aid work there.

Michel de Salaberry
Canadian Special Envoy to Kandahar Province, Afghanistan
Ottawa, Ontario

As a member of the Canadian foreign service, Michel served in Algeria, Israel and Palestine, Jordan, Iran, Egypt and Afghanistan. Since retirement, he has been teaching for part of the year in a community centre in the suburbs of Cairo. He is also active in L'Arche, the association of residential communities of the intellectually handicapped.

Dr. Elizabeth Parr-Johnston
Former President of Mt. St. Vincent University and The University of New Brunswick
Chester Basin, Nova Scotia

Elizabeth served as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of New Brunswick from 1996 to 2002 and of Mount Saint Vincent University (1991 to 1996). Her distinguished career has included academic appointments at universities across Canada and the US and federal government positions at Statistics Canada and the Department of Regional Economic Expansion (DREE). Senior positions in industry included serving as Director of Government Affairs for INCO Ltd and various positions at Shell Canada. She is a Member of the Order of Canada and a recipient of the Canadian 125th Anniversary Medal and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal.

Kathryn Kruivitsky
Chartered Accountant
Ottawa, Ontario

Kathy is primarily involved in client relations and business development activities with Watson Di Primio Steel (WDS) Investment Management Ltd., and is one of its portfolio managers. She has over 15 years of investment management experience, including positions with two mutual fund dealers and, prior to WDS, a privately-owned introducing broker. She received her Chartered Accountant (CA) designation in 1982 and holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen’s University (1980).

The Honourable Flora MacDonald
Humanitarian
Ottawa, Ontario

The Honourable Flora MacDonald served as Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands from 1972 until 1988, holding three cabinet posts including Secretary of State for External Affairs, Minister of Employment and Immigration, Minister of Communications and Culture. Since leaving the elected political scene, Flora has become of of Canada’s most respected and passionate humanitarians, serving as Chair for International Development Research Centre (IDRC), HelpAge International, Shastri Indo-Canada Advisory Council, Partnership Africa-Canada and Future Generations International. She serves on the Board or Advisory Council of many humanitarian and international development organizations including Future Generations Canada. She was named Officer of the Order of Canada in 1993 and Companion of the Order of Canada in 1999.

Ronnalee McMahon
Organizational Development Specialist
Calgary, Alberta

Ronnalee is an organizational development consultant specializing in program development to enhance communication, foster collegiality, strengthen organizational resilience and ability to recruit and retain top talent in the workplace. Ronnalee’s interest in human rights issues stems from her early years as a consultant developing and implementing formal mentoring programs for internationally educated women. Her work is focused on the advancement, equality and well- being of women in the legal profession. She is a 2004 graduate of Leadership Calgary.

Mirwais Nahzat
Founder, Afghanistan Peace Ambassadors
Staff Member, WUSC

Mirwais has led and supported numerous major initiatives on rebuilding Afghanistan since 1995. A media commentator and public speaker, Mirwais is the Founder and President of Centre for Afghanistan Progress. He is also a Program Officer with World University Service of Canada and serves as a Subject Matter Expert on Afghanistan with Canadian Foreign Service Institute. In 2008, Mirwais represented the Canadian civil society at the International Civil Society and Private Sector Forum in Support of Afghanistan held in Paris, France. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including City of Ottawa’s Distinguished Award for Humanitarianism. Mirwais is a graduate of the University of Ottawa, specializing in Public Policy and Governance.

Enid Marion
Lawyer
Vancouver, BC

Enid is currently a Member of the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal. She was formerly a partner with the firm of Harris & Co. practicing labour, employment and human rights law. She has served on the boards of numerous not-for-profit organizations, serving as Chair for Pivot Legal Foundation and as a Board Member of Partners in the Horn of Africa.

Wafa Kadri
Manager of Community Investment
Calgary, Alberta

Wafa is responsible for the overall management of RBC’s sponsorship marketing and philanthropic efforts in the Alberta and Territories region. She has a passion for helping to develop people through education, both in Canada and around the world. Wafa currently Chairs the board of directors of the Calgary Educational Partnership Foundation and sits on several local and international advisory committees.

Maclin Williams
Toronto

Maclin is a senior marketing professional who works with major global corporations on marketing campaign strategy, She is an award winner in the area of innovation in interactive digital marketing and an expert in brand development. She is also a professor and is inspired by working with and mentoring students.