BOARD OF DIRECTOR MEMBER
CANADIAN CENTER FOR WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
Tracy Best is a vastly experienced financial services executive with over 30 years of leadership and management expertise and a track record of building high performing teams. Since finishing her Bachelor of Commerce from McGill followed by her MBA from Concordia, Tracy has built an outstanding career, highlighted by her tenure of over 23 years at CIBC, the last ten as a senior executive. She is an experienced director having served on the boards for CIBC business units Investor Services and World Markets. In addition, Tracy has served as Executive Sponsor to CIBC’s Women’s Network and One for Change.
Nitika Rewari possesses a depth of leadership experience in the not-for-profit sector. Currently, she serves as the Executive Director of Frayme, which is a national and international network of over 400 organizations that builds connections and reduce duplication in an under-resourced and under-serviced youth mental health and substance use system. Her current role is a secondment via her permanent position as a Director at the Mental Health Commission of Canada, where she has worked since 2013. Nitika has completed her Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto, a MSc from Northwestern University and a graduate diploma in Public Policy and Program Evaluation from Carleton University. She is also a Professional in Project Management (PMP) and a Certified Healthcare Executive (CHE).
Jacqueline Beckles is a lawyer and advocate with over twenty years of experience. Her litigation experience includes complex civil and criminal matters and she is adept at steering comprehensive legal analyses of legislation and regulations. Jacqueline has spent the last 14 years with the Department of Justice Canada, serving as General Counsel since 2021. Her academic achievements are numerous; she completed her Bachelor of Arts from Concordia, her Bachelor of Laws from the University of Ottawa, was called to the Bar in 2003, and more recently acquired her designation from Governance Professionals of Canada. Additionally, Jacqueline remains active with multiple professional and community organizations including the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers, Law Society of Upper Canada, and both the Canadian and Ontario Bar Associations.
As a successful entrepreneur and communications expert, Cathy believes passionately in the importance of helping women realize their potential. Before joining CCFWE’s Board in 2022, she proudly volunteered on its National Task Force and communications committee for two years, helping to establish national awareness for CCFWE and economic abuse.
Cathy began her career rising through the ranks at nonprofits and international PR agencies in Toronto, where she honed her strategy, management and communications skills. In 2002, she founded the national public relations firm Cowan & Company Communications (C&C). For nearly 20 years, Cathy led C&C in creating award-winning marketing communications programs for many of Canada’s top brands and organizations. Now focusing her experience, skills and passion on achieving transformational social impact, she is currently the Senior Director of Communications for the Canadian Mental Health Association York Region South Simcoe.
Cathy holds a BA in Political Science from Western University and an MBA from the University of Leicester Management Centre in England.
William Cornet is a chartered mediator and lecturer in the theory and practice of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), especially mediation, conciliation, negotiations, and meeting facilitation. He has an extensive background in ADR training and delivers conflict management system design.
William has conducted thousands of mediations, facilitations and other ADR events for governments, the private sector, NGOs, and individuals. His expertise includes family mediation, workplace conflict, personal injury, human rights, intercultural mediation, and community relations.
He holds several academic degrees, including a Master of Laws (ADR) from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University (Toronto), a Master of Arts (Intercultural Mediation) from Sherbrooke University (Québec) and a Baccalaureate in philosophy and ethics in addition to several ADR certificates. He teaches ADR courses at St. Paul University’s School of Conflict Studies in Ottawa, Canada, where he has lectured for several years.
He is a member of Family Mediation Canada (FMC), the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario (ADRIO) as well as the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Canada (ADRIC). He is an accredited family mediator and is on the mediator roster for the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
Cristina is a highly dedicated and resourceful senior leader with extensive experience fundraising in the non-profit and charitable sectors. Cristina is currently the Director of Development at Villa Charities Foundation, a Toronto-based non-profit that supports long-term care, senior care, cultural programming, and scholarships and youth services.
Cristina has a proven track record in fund development, having successfully raised funds through a variety of programs such as events, capital campaigns, grants, direct response, and major gifts. Cristina’s experience spans all aspects of fund development, including donor relations and acknowledgement programs, stewardship and cultivation, sponsorships, and proposals/gift fulfillment.
Cristina is a past Board Member of the Alzheimer Society of Toronto and past Chair of the Community Engagement Committee. Cristina is excited to bring her knowledge and expertise to CCFWE, hoping to help further the organization’s mission.
Lara is an experienced senior executive, business strategist, board director, and ESG professional. She brings over 25 years of experience in financial stewardship and risk management and prioritizes ESG in decision-making to achieve long-term, sustainable outcomes.
Lara is currently the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of digital transformation catalyst Architech, a mid-size global technology company. Lara has over 15 years of experience serving on boards. She is currently on the Advisory Board of Pride At Work Canada and Harvard Business Review. Previously, she was the Chair of the Blyth Academy Foundation and Treasurer of the LGBT Youth Line. Her board committee experience includes being Chair of the Finance Committee and Board Recruitment Committee and being a member of the Policy Committee, Fundraising Committee and Technology Strategy Committee.
Lara holds a Global Competent Boards Designation focused on Environmental, Social, Governance strategy and risk management, with expertise in equity and inclusion. She holds a Bachelor of Administrative and Commercial Studies from The University of Western Ontario and is a Chartered Professional Accountant in Ontario. In 2021, Lara was recognized on INvolve’s global list of LGBTQ+ Executive Role Models.
Lara’s purpose and work are driven towards the empowerment and equity of women and marginalized populations. She is the Founder & Executive Sponsor of Architech’s Inclusion Council, Architech’s Build a Better Future Program, Pride & Allies Committee, Newcomer’s Committee and the Womxn@Architech Network. Lara is an active mentor with the Chartered Professional Accountants program, Black Professionals In Tech Network and INvolve’s global mentoring program.
LinkedIn Lara Shewchuk, GCB.D,CPA,CA
I’m a leader, a coach, a benevolent, a daughter, a sister, a wife, a friend, a swimmer, an influencer, a teacher, a preacher, a nature lover, a traveler, an adventurer.
I pride myself on a nearly 15-year professional career in banking. I have worked in multinational financial institutions in Canada (Scotiabank) and France (Société Générale), where I held several leadership roles.
My educational background includes a Master of Science (MSc) from Toulouse Business School in Toulouse, France, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
My passion for charitable organizations can be traced back to my teenage years in middle/high school when I started volunteering in local community centers during weekends, school breaks, and summer holidays. Choosing to be in service to others, advocating for others, and amplifying the voice of others became at the forefront of my goals as I evolved in my career, advanced in my education, and moved cities and/or countries.
Similarly, I held several roles while serving in multiple international not-for-profit organizations overseas, such as Amnesty International, Rotary International, Caritas International, and Lions Club International.
Lindsay Royston has over 15 years of finance experience working with Canadian charities and not-for-profit organizations. She is well-versed in all aspects of financial management, tax, audit, and optimal internal controls, especially for entities with a small administration footprint.
Lindsay earned her Chartered Accounting designation in Ontario in 2010 and also holds a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University and a Diploma of Accounting from the University of British Columbia. She is currently the Director of Finance and Administration for the Canadian Association of Broadcasters in Ottawa after previously holding a similar role at Nature Canada.
Lindsay joined the CCFWE board to provide her financial guidance as CCFWE aspires to expand the reach of its passionate staff and volunteers as they support women facing structural financial obstacles.
David Cooper is Senior Vice President and Chief Talent Officer of goeasy Ltd. He possesses nearly two decades of human resources experience at successful, high-growth and multi-national financial services corporations, including extensive exposure to corporate boards. David holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Employment Relations from the University of Toronto and holds the professional designation of Certified Human Resources Leader. He is also a member of Big Brothers of Canada since 2022.
