Tharwat Awamleh

Tharwat Awamleh is a Canadian Muslim Activist for social justice.  She has worked for decades in international development and in the not-for-profit sector in different capacities. She is a Chevening Scholar Award winner and holds a master's degree in International Development/ Development Policies and Planning from the University of Wales. She also received Awards for her contribution for social justice and cross-cultural understanding in Canada and Internationally. Working in cross cultural understanding showed her just how important food was to culture, to family, to community. In 2015, she left her career to focus on the food system, food security, food justice and spreading her passion for food full time. She has had the distinct pleasure of cooking with amazing Chefs and cooks all over the world. In 2020, Tharwat received the Silver Plate Award in the Canadian Culinary Olympics from the World Association of Master Chef. In 2021, she also received the Gold Award of Italian Dining Culture (formerly IDS) Masterchef-FoodPrint challenge for sustainable cooking.

Randall Baran-Chong (he/him)

Randall Baran-Chong, CPA, CA is a technology entrepreneur, trusted advisor, and humanitarian. Randall has spent his career using technology to tackle some of society’s greatest challenges - from digital transformation of healthcare, where he was formerly KPMG’s Founder and Global Director of Digital Health Strategy and Ecosystems of the Digital Health Hub, built and exited MyBubble, an award-winning COVID behavioural app, and is currently the Founder and CEO of BizBridge, which is spanning across generations of business ownership between new owners, employees, and community capital. Randall has also been an active leader in the non-profit sector, as Executive Director of HanVoice, a North Korean human rights and refugee organization - creating the first internship of a North Korean refugee in Parliament, former Co-President of the Chinese-Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter, and as the current Founder and Executive Director of Pathfinders for Ukraine, a frontline organization that supported emergency visas, flights, and government policy and advocacy, including the building of Where2goCanada.ca, a jobs-data led city selection tool for war-displaced Ukrainians.

May Lui (she/her)

May Lui is a Canadian-born mixed-race Chinese-Jewish white-presenting ciswoman and is a writer, educator and consultant. She has a Master of Education from University of Toronto/OISE in Adult Education, anti-oppression and anti-racism education. May worked in the non-profit sector for many years and has been teaching adults for 25 years about understanding and dismantling oppression and privilege in individuals, institutions and systems. She is a feminist, anti-racist activist, and supporter of liberation and colonial resistance. Her website is www.maylui.com

Jennifer Chan (she/her)

Jennifer Chan is a highly accomplished digital technology leader in Canada with over 20 years of industry experience. Having supported organizations like The Globe and Mail, Bell Media, and Yellow Pages, Jennifer has also shaped industry policy and standards in Canada as a key member and former chair of IAB Canada’s Ad Ops Committee. Currently based in Toronto as Director, Digital Ad Operations at Rogers Sports & Media, she leads a world-class team of nearly 100 across traditional & digital TV, audio, and display media platforms serving millions of Canadians. She is the recipient of Women in Communications and Technology's 2022 Leadership Excellence Awards for Mentor and continues her coaching journey in work and in life.

 Evis Chirowanhangu (she/her)

Evis Chirowamhangu is the owner and food experimentalist at Mnandi Pies, a company that produces Zimbabwean Style Pies in Toronto. Born and raised in Nyanga, Zimbabwe, Evis moved to Toronto where she immediately recognized the lack of “anything that looked like a Zimbabwean Pie on the Toronto Market. Through a series of food experiments, she finally nailed the “Zimbabwean Pie”. Evis has been featured on CBC’s Here and Now, CBC Metro Morning, The Pay Chen Show, Toronto Star, Now Magazine and BlogTO and she is on a mission to feed Canadians with unique and authentic foods inspired by the Southern African Cuisine.