Who We Are
Our goal is to to bring awareness and empower gender equality by balancing the economic, political, social and employment conditions for gender equality in Canada.
Empower
Gender
Equality
About Us
The Coalition to Empower Gender Equality (CEGE) is a non-sectarian, non-profit, and non-partisan organization that works to empower all genders to achieve gender justice in our society. We provide a connection for individuals, organizations, businesses and government to discuss issues of inequality and create solutions. Through this process we provide a training ground for developing gender equality in a safe and supportive environment. This enables members to build skills, networks and create an equal society free from discrimination.
The Coalition to Empower Gender Equality (CEGE) was founded in 2019, by the Canadian Federation of University Women – London, through funding by the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality Canada. Our mission, vision, values and goals guide us to our ultimate goal which is to achieve a gender equal society.
Linda Davis
Executive Director – Programming
Linda Davis is President of the Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW) and currently sits on the Board, the Canadian Federation of University Women London (CFUW). In addition, Linda is also a member of the Ontario Equal Pay Coalition and the National Council of Women Canada (NCWC).
BPW, CFUW and NCWC are all non-sectarian, non-profit, non-partisan NGO organizations which promote the interests of women in our society. They each have Consultative Status with the United Nations ECOSOC. Since joining BPW in 1993, Linda has been working to improve the status of women and gender equality.
In April of 2015 Linda was appointed by Order-in-Council as an External Advisors to the Ontario Government’s Gender Wage Gap Strategy Steering Committee. After holding consultations around the province to hear from Ontarians about closing the gender wage gap, the committee submitted their final report and recommendations to the Ontario Minister of Labour and Minister of the Status of Women in late May of 2016.
Dani Bartlett
Executive Director – Advocacy
Activist, Advocate & Mom
Dani Bartlett is a tireless activist and has been fighting for the rights of others since 1994.
Dani was trained as a women’s advocate dealing with violence against women for her union. She found her voice fighting for workers rights. She was an elected Trustee, Women’s Committee Chair and Co-Chair for the Human Rights Committee.
She is Co Chair for London Coordinating Committee to End Women Abuse, a steering committee member on the Central Planning Table for the Local Employment planning council, a member of All Our Sisters steering committee and she sits on both London and District and St Thomas and District Labour Council.
Advocacy is an important part of Dani’s life, from lobbying to direct actions to creating equitable policy, she believes in fighting for Gender Equality.
Our Working Group
The Coalition to Empower Gender Equality engaged a diverse group of London and area residents, who came together to develop the Terms of Reference and Policies that will guide the Coalition going forward. This devoted group met from January until June of 2020 and completed the tasks as requested. Our heartfelt thanks goes to this group of dedicated and informed individuals for their months of hard work.
Aiden Buchanan-St. Gelais
Alexander Pershai
(He/They) Ph.D. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Researcher at Fanshawe College. Educator, activist and agent of change.
What Gender Justice means to me: I believe gender justice enhances opportunities for vulnerable groups and reduces gender-based violence.
If I could be anyone (real or not) I would be: Cheshire Cat.
Dr. Amanda Zavitz
(She/Her) Professor of Sociology, feminist, equality advocate, Marxist, change maker.
What Gender Justice means to me: For me, gender justice means equality for all humanity.
If I could be anyone (real or not) I would be: I would be the leader of the fourth wave of feminism.
Corinne Walsh
Dani Bartlett
(She/Her) Executive Director of Advocacy, Mom, Activist, Advocate
What Gender Justice means to me: Gender Justice to me is about ending the labels and inequalities between genders that are created in our communities.
If I could be anyone (real or not) I would be: I would be Wonder Woman! Strong, Defender of Justice, Seeker of truth, unapologetically feminine.
David BIllson
(He/Him) Co-Founder rTraction & RHA, Husband, Father
What Gender Justice means to me: Gender Justice to me means equity. A fair and just society should value contributions from its members equally without prejudice to gender.
If I could be anyone (real or not) I would be: I would be a more patient, tolerant and kind version of myself.
Kinga Kolton
(She/Her)
What Gender Justice means to me: To me gender justice means a society where everyone is treated equitably, and empowerment for everyone to be whoever they want to.
If I could be anyone (real or not) I would be: I would still be me. I’ve worked hard to get to where I am and I am not done just yet.
Linda Davis
(She/Her) Executive Director of Programs, Equality Advocate, Innovative Thinker, Dreamer.
What Gender Justice means to me: Strength, balance and opportunity.
If I could be anyone (real or not) I would be: I would be Hermione Granger/Emma Watson, smart, fearless and a kick a** witch not to mention the great work Emma has done as UN Ambassador and HeForShe advocate.
Maly Bun-Lebert
Matthew Sereda
(He/Him) Equity and Inclusive Education Learning Coordinator – Thames Valley District School Board
What Gender Justice means to me: To me it means confronting the systemic issues. Audre Lorde said it best in her quote, “The true focus of revolutionary change is never merely the oppressive situations which we seek to escape, but that piece of the oppressor which is planted deep within each of us.”
If I could be anyone (real or not) I would be: I am lucky to be a dad to four amazing kids and wouldn’t change that for the world.
Philip Shearer
Rachel Berdan
(She/Her) Social Enterprise Program Manager & Coach. Inclusive economy champion. Global leadership student. Heart-centred leader, family and community contributor, storyteller, and changemaker.
What Gender Justice means to me: Gender Justice, to me, means safety, agency, and participation how, where, and when one wants (in the economy, in community, in politics, etc.) without ever wondering whether gender was a factor.
If I could be anyone (real or not) I would be: I would keep being me. I’ve worked hard to learn how to operate this being that I am and use my position to hold space for others where they need it, build bridges, and shine a light on necessary change… and I still have more work to do.
Ramona Robichaud
(She/Her) SoRN MBA. Feminist, Activist, Sailor.
What Gender Justice means to me: To me Gender Justice means growing the potential of all people for the betterment of all.
If I could be anyone (real or not) I would be: I’d love to be Jacinda Ardern, the current Prime Minister of New Zealand. She’s empathetic and strong, and she’s rocking it!
Rumina Morris
(She/Her) Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Consultant, Social Justice Advocate, Lifelong Learner
What Gender Justice means to me: Gender Justice to me means honouring the inherent human rights of all people.
If I could be anyone (real or not) I would be: If I could be anyone, I would still be me!
Communications Team
Jaclyn Swinkels
Lakeside Web – Webmaster & Editor
Jaclyn is the current webmaster for the Coalition to Empower Gender Equality (CEGE). She has been creating and maintaining websites for over a decade. In early 2019 she started her own web development company, Lakeside Web. This allows her to have a closer affiliation with her clients and their projects. She loves working in this industry as she has many opportunities to work with a variety of interesting organizations like CEGE.
Sarah Walker
Sarah Walker Designs – Graphic Designer & Publications Editor
Sarah is a graduate of Fanshawe College with an advanced diploma in Graphic Design. She currently works as the Graphic Designer and Communications Coordinator at United Way Elgin Middlesex, and when she’s not on the clock, spends time freelance designing for local businesses and organizations such as the London Coordinating Committee to End Women Abuse whose new brand will be revealed in January 2020 to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Sarah is passionate about exploring creativity and advocating for her community. When she’s not in front of the computer, she can be found behind a camera or at the lake.
Dakota Halfpenny
Social Media Designer – Social Media Master & Editor
Dakota is originally from Goderich, Ontario. She graduated from Fanshawe College in 2016 with an Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design. Currently, Dakota works for the United Way Elgin Middlesex as Digital Design and Administration Coordinator. Dakota’s design focus is mostly digital but she also enjoys advertising and print design. Dakota is extremely passionate about the issues in her community, particularly human rights, mental health, and poverty. When Dakota isn’t working or building her portfolio with freelance design projects, you can find her in Goderich, enjoying the lake or on the trails with the family dog.
This project has been supported by Women and Gender Equality Canada.
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