LEAF is pleased to welcome Megan Stephens as its next Executive Director & General Counsel. As of June 3, 2019, Megan is leading LEAF as it works to advance the equality rights of women and girls through litigation, law reform, and public education using the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
“I am honoured to assume the position of Executive Director & General Counsel at LEAF. I have long admired the work done by LEAF in seeking meaningful social change for women and girls,” says Megan. “I look forward to building on LEAF’s legacy and continuing to advocate for the substantive equality of all women and girls, including, in particular, those from marginalized communities whose voices too often go unheard. I am excited to work with the excellent staff team, experienced Board, and dedicated donors and volunteers as we continue to address systemic discrimination in Canada.”
Megan holds a Master’s degree in Sociology and law degrees from McGill and Columbia. She clerked first at the Ontario Court of Appeal and for Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin at the Supreme Court of Canada. She was called to the Ontario bar in 2003 and spent more than a decade as Crown Counsel, with special expertise in appellate cases involving sex work, human trafficking, and sexual assault. Since the fall of 2017, Megan has been Commission Counsel to The Public Inquiry into the Safety and Security of Residents in the Long-term Care Home System.
LEAF extends its sincere gratitude to Dr. Elizabeth Shilton who stepped into the role of interim Executive Director after Justice Shaun O’Brien was appointed to the Superior Court of Justice in January 2019. Elizabeth’s wisdom and experience have been invaluable to all in the LEAF community during this period of transition.
The Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) works to advance the substantive equality rights of women and girls through litigation, law reform, and public education. Since 1985, we have intervened in landmark cases that have advanced equality in Canada—helping to prevent violence, eliminate discrimination in the workplace, provide better maternity benefits, ensure a right to pay equity, and allow access to reproductive freedoms. For more information, please visit www.leaf.ca.
For inquiries, please contact:
Megan Stephens
Executive Director & General Counsel
416.595.7170 x2002
[email protected]
