About Egale Canada

Bennett Jensen is an accomplished human rights lawyer and leader. A graduate of the McGill Faculty of Law, Bennett began his career as a litigator at a leading global law firm based in New York City, before becoming the deputy head of the firm’s award-winning pro bono practice and leading responses to national rights violations like the Muslim travel ban and the family separation crisis. Bennett has been recognized as a Rising Star by the American Bar Association and as one of the LGBTQ+ Bar Association’s Best 40 Lawyers under 40 for his work with and on behalf of 2SLGBTI and immigrant communities. Prior to joining Egale, he served as a policy advisor and then as Director of Litigation to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada where he supported the passage of the criminal ban against conversion “therapy”. Bennett clerked for Chief Justice Allan Lutfy and Justice Mary Gleason, then of the Federal Court.

Brittany is a French-Polish settler living and working on Epekwitk, the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. Brittany has multi-sectoral experience in government, non-profit, higher education teaching, and academic research. They completed their doctoral degree in 2019 from the University of PEI, where they were a SSHRC-funded scholar and investigated the identity development of PEI queer youth. They are a qualitative (and sometimes mixed methods) researcher with an interest in the systemic, political, and social experiences of 2SLGBTQI people.

For over a decade, Jennifer has been an exceptional leader in the non-profit and charitable sector and a champion of human rights and equality. Currently working as the Director of Communications at Egale, Canada’s leading 2SLGBTQI organization, she has held positions at a number of reputable organizations including the United Nation’s Population Fund, Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health and WE Charity. She also proudly serves as the Co-Chair of the Board of Directors at It Gets Better Canada.

Jennifer has led many noteworthy communications initiatives, from the federal apology to 2SLGBTQI victims of the purge to overseeing the launch of the inaugural Pride House at ‘Women Deliver’ in 2019. Jennifer believes in advancing human rights by driving forward powerful communications initiatives that aim to build widespread awareness and engage the public in meaningful dialogue on the most pressing issues in our society.

Kendall is Egale’s Director of Project Management and has been a member of the Egale team since 2011. They identify as a queer afro-latino artivist, born and raised in Iëre (Trinidad) and currently residing on the sacred lands of Tkaronto. Over the last decade, they have successfully led an expansive project portfolio of social impact initiatives for 2SLGBTQI communities in Canada and works to realize Egale’s strategic objectives through project implementation. Kendall is globally recognized as a Project Management Professional (PMP) through the Project Management Institute and holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering from Queen’s University. 

They are grounded in their commitment to social justice and has worked effectively across multiple sectors including education, IT, social work, research, housing, construction, refugee and immigration services, and the arts.

Kim was the Executive Director of ARC International for 17 years, retiring in 2020. ARC International is an NGO geared to advancing human rights for LGBTI persons across the globe. They have played a key role in the application of international human rights law in relation to sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics, as well as providing support to NGO’s working in countries around the world to ensure that the records of all UN States on LGBTI issues are subjected to international scrutiny. She has been invited as a global expert to contribute research and advice to the political, expert, and agency bodies within the United Nations. 

She has received the Pride Community Service Award in her province, secured the first Registered Domestic Partnership in Canada, and was a successful litigant in one of the Canadian court challenges to secure equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.

Mackenzie is passionate about working in 2SLGBTQI advocacy and education. Her previous role was as the Manager of Program Innovation at Big Brothers Big Sisters, co-developing Manitoba’s first Queer Lens Mental Health Training and overseeing their 2SLGBTQI department and staff. In addition, Mackenzie has worked with The Get REAL Movement for six years as their MB Program Coordinator and as a Team Lead Speaker, reaching over 150,000 students, educators, parents/guardians, and corporate businesses across the country. Through this, Mackenzie has a deep understanding of 2SLGBTQI curriculum and how to integrate inclusivity and diversity into a variety of spaces. As a Queer woman, Mackenzie is dedicated to working in collaboration with communities to build innovative programming and curriculum to address intersectional challenges. Mackenzie was awarded CBC’s Proud to Shine award in 2020 and 2021 to honour her work in advocacy and was named in the “Top 100 Fascinating Manitobans” in 2022. Mackenzie is thrilled to be continuing this work on the Egale team.

Mark has been working in fundraising and non-profit government relations since 2005. Since joining Egale Canada in 2016, he has overseen major fundraising initiatives and campaigns, helped to diversify revenue streams including partnerships with workplace inclusion training clients, and helped to close out Egale’s $15M+ capital campaign to build one of Canada’s first transitional and emergency housing facilities dedicated to homeless 2SLGBTQI youth in Toronto (now Friends of Ruby Home).

Mark became a Certified Fundraising Executive in 2021, and as an out gay man he is proud to lead Egale’s fund development efforts to support important research, education, awareness, and legal advocacy efforts in order to shift the culture of inclusion and improve the lives of all 2SLGBTQI people.

Robyn is a Red River Métis woman living in Treaty 1 Territory and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline and Nehethowuk Nations, the Homeland of the Red River Métis and the northern Manitoba ancestral lands of the Inuit.

She is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources with over a decade of experience working within all areas of Human Resources, specializing in Employee and Labour Relations. Developing strong relationships and working cohesively is important in both her personal and professional life. Robyn has worked in not-for-profit for most of her career. As an open-minded Human Resources professional, she is very familiar with human rights legislation and 2SLGBTQI-specific issues.

Robyn is also a passionate advocate for MMIWG2S and has been for many years. Outside of work, Robyn enjoys spending time with her children and pets. She is also an artist and creates paintings and takes photographs of MMIWG2S matters in order to raise awareness and educate others. 

Valentyna joined Egale in 2013 and has over 20 years experience in non-profit organizations. She loves accounting and working with the 2SLGBTQI community. She immigrated to Canada in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree and has actively pursued her designation through the School of Continuing Studies at University of Toronto and Charted Professional Accounts of Ontario. Over the last ten years, Valentyna has worked passionately with key stakeholders in successfully leading accounting and finance efforts.

AJ Adams (he/him) is Egale Canada’s Manager of Communications where he
oversees Egale’s team responsible for communications, marketing, graphic design, government relations and advocacy. AJ embodies a passionate commitment to
social change and strategic communications. With a Diploma in Public Relations
and a Bachelor of Arts in Community Leadership and Equity, Diversity & Human
Rights, AJ blends academic expertise with practical experience. Hailing from a
small rural town in Ontario, AJ’s upbringing provides a unique perspective, enabling him to authentically represent rural and small-town voices at the
intersection with 2SLGBTQI issues.

AJ’s advocacy journey gained momentum through a research study on The Importance of Pride in Small Towns and Rural Communities, propelling him into
leadership roles within the 2SLGBTQI movement. As a presenter at various
national, provincial, and local conferences, AJ shares insights garnered from his grassroots activism and advocacy. His impactful contributions extend beyond Egale Canada, including serving as the former president of Stratford-Perth Pride and former director of non-profit organizations like the Rural Ontario Institute,
Stratford/Perth ShelterLink and more. Furthermore, AJ’s involvement in political
campaigns and his creative prowess in branding and marketing campaigns for
2SLGBTQI organizations underscore his multifaceted dedication to advancing
2SLGBTQI rights and social justice.

Amanda is a Project Management Professional (PMP) and an avid behind-the-scenes community organizer. Since 2013, they have developed a vast portfolio of community-driven organizational experience in local and international videogame collectives through The Hand Eye Society, Level Up Showcase, Different Games Collective, Pixelles, and Dames Making Games.

They are passionate in improving processes and procedures in all sectors she’s worked in, including videogames, IT, arts, transportation, education, and non-profits, and ensuring that each industry continues their commitment to fostering safer spaces for all marginalized individuals. She also is a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), graduated with a Master’s in Communications and Culture from Toronto Metropolitan University, and a Bachelor’s in Women and Gender Studies from University of Toronto.

Arsen is an accomplished partnerships specialist and former international civil servant with over a decade of expertise in developing, managing, and institutionalizing relationships with public, private, and multilateral stakeholders to advance the work of international and not-for-profit organizations and mobilize resources for key programs. Since joining Egale in 2018, Arsen has spearheaded the organization’s fee-for-service corporate workplace inclusion training program strategically engaging major government and business partners and gradually growing unrestricted revenue for underfunded areas. He has also played a key role in securing funds from Global Affairs Canada and the World Bank for Egale’s international projects in different parts of the world and most notably in Ukraine and Western Balkans. In his previous capacity, Arsen served at the United Nations World Food Programme, the world’s largest humanitarian organization, where he helped define the partnership engagement strategy and led its ground-level execution mobilizing US$300M+ for operations in Myanmar. Arsen is an avid traveller and aviation enthusiast having visited more than 60 countries.

Chett is a distance learning specialist with over 15 years’ experience developing ongoing learning programs for both professional and general adult learners. A leader in education management in the not-for-profit sector, Chett has developed and managed online and in-person learning programs for emerging and established professionals across the health care, engineering, corporate, and public service sectors. He has advised on the development of advanced professional certifications and scientific peer-review processes. Chett holds a Master’s degree in Education and a Certificate in Instructional Design. His areas of professional and research interest include informal learning, museum education, program evaluation, and professional expertise development.