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 Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario 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 Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario 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 Board of Directors
Dr. Amanda Zavitz
Leadership chair
(She/Her) Professor of Sociology, feminist, equality advocate, Marxist, change maker.
What Gender Justice means to me: What Gender Justice means to me: For me, gender justice means equality for all humanity.
M.Tracey Whiteye, BSW., MSW
Leadership Vice chair
(She/Her) Educator, Wholistic Indigenous Researcher, Wholistic Practitioner, activist and advocator. I am currently working at N’Amerind Friendship Centre as Ceremony and Transition Coordinator in Cultural based approaches to Violence Prevention.
What Gender Justice means to me: “That all human beings are valued and treated equally. And, that all human beings have the freedom of choice in developing their own personal abilities and wholistic well-being without limitations caused by stereotypes and gender roles”.
Cindy Marks
Advocacy Chair Board Member
Engineer, Mother of 3 female engineers, advocate and mentor.
What Gender Justice means to me: representation, inclusiveness and strength.
Amanda Topping
Program Chair
(She/Her) Leadership Committee Chair of Programs, Mother, Social Worker, Community Advocate, Systems Navigator.
What Gender Justice means to me: safety, equal opportunity, dismantling systems of oppression.
Christina Bacara
Membership Chair
(She/Her)
What Gender Justice means to me: “Gender justice to me is the ability of every person to access services, participate in the community, in a fair and equitable manner. Gender justice can be achieved once inequalities are removed.”
Melissa Parker
Communications Chair
(She/Her) Co-chair Communications, Cat Mom, Activist, Advocate, Planner
What Gender Justice means to me: It’s about making sure the starting line is the same for everyone
Jeanette Novak
Finance Chair
Mom, Activist, Advocate, Ally
What Gender Justice means to me: ensuring that every human being regardless of gender, sexuality or race has equality and equity.
Jordyn O’Connor
Secretary
(She/Her) Public Relations Professional, Recent Graduate, Intersectional Feminist.
What Gender Justice means to me: It’s about creating a better world without oppression or inequality as well as advocating for a more just society where all are free to live their fullest lives, supported by the community.
Melissa Milligan
Community Representative Youth
(She/Her) Student, Daughter, and Leader.
What Gender Justice means to me: access, opportunities, and equity.
Aiden Buchanan-St. Gelais
(He/Him/They/Them)
What Gender Justice means to me: It means a world where gender is only an expression and gender roles would be a thing from the past.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
Communications Team
Jaclyn Swinkels
Lakeside Web – Webmaster & Editor
Jaclyn is the current webmaster for the Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario. 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 the Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario.
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.
© 2021 The Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario - Privacy Policy