** Announcement from the Chair
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It is with mixed emotions that I announce Megan Stephens’ resignation from her position as Executive Director and General Counsel of the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF). Megan has informed us that while she is very proud of everything she has accomplished at LEAF, she has missed being directly involved in litigation and would like to take her career in a direction that will allow her to spend more time in the courtroom advocating for the rights of the vulnerable and marginalized.
While the Board is very sorry to see Megan go, we are grateful to her for everything she has accomplished during her tenure with LEAF. Megan has been a conscientious leader and a strong, passionate advocate for gender equality. During the past 18 months, Megan’s leadership has had a significant impact on LEAF’s work in litigation, law reform, and public education. She spearheaded LEAF’s work on several groundbreaking interventions including Fraser v. Canada (Attorney General) and R. v. Slatter, and acted as counsel in LEAF’s intervention in R. v. Sullivan/R. v. Chan. She solidified LEAF’s community relationships and partnerships and was instrumental in developing LEAF’s new strategic plan, which charts its goals and priorities over the next five years.
In addition, Megan has managed significant levels of renewal among LEAF’s Board, staff and Board Committees, coordinated the establishment of LEAF’s new branches in Quebec and Kingston, and guided LEAF’s rebranding process and the development of its about-to-launch new website. She has also been a careful financial steward and leaves LEAF in a stable fiscal position – a tremendous achievement given the ongoing global pandemic. Overall, Megan leaves a strengthened and revitalized organization that is well-placed to continue its vigorous pursuit of gender equality in Canada.
In the coming weeks, the Board will launch its search for a new Executive Director and General Counsel to take over from Megan and lead LEAF into the future. Thanks to Megan’s work spearheading the development and approval of the new strategic plan, her successor will inherit a clear roadmap of LEAF’s priorities over the next five years. We are extremely grateful to her for all her dedication and hard work, and for leaving the organization so well positioned to transition to its next leader. Megan will remain in her position into the new year and is committed to supporting LEAF’s continuing operations and ensuring a smooth transition to her successor.
We will continue to keep the LEAF community informed of our plans and of upcoming opportunities to recognize Megan’s work.
On behalf of the entire Board, I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to Megan for her leadership and commitment to LEAF and its goals. We wish her all the very best in her future endeavors.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Gillian Hnatiw
Chair, Board of Directors
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