Black Women's Healthcare Summit Presented by Scotiabank

The 2025 Black Women’s Healthcare Summit has concluded. Thank you to everyone for an inpiring evening of action, education and allyship. Sign up for our mailing list and be the first to hear about future events!

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Committees

Executive Committee

DR. AISHA LOFTERS

Medical Director of the Peter Gilgan Centre for Women’s Cancers, Women’s College Hospital

Dr. Lofters is a scientist at the Women's College Research Institute (WCRI), adjunct senior scientist at IC/ES, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. She is the Medical Director at the Peter Gilgan Centre for Women’s Cancers at Women’s College Hospital in partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society. She also holds a CIHR Applied Public Health Chair in Advancing Health Equity in Cancer Prevention and Screening. Her research program focuses on improving quality of care in cancer screening and prevention, particularly for populations that experience marginalization, through a variety of methods including community-partnered approaches. 

DR. CINDY MAXWELL

Vice President, Medical Affairs & System Transformation and Lead Medical Executive, Women’s College Hospital

In her role as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, Dr. Maxwell guides the hospital’s team of medical leaders as they continue to deliver exceptional patient care as well as provides oversight of the hospital’s health system transformation strategies.

She is an accomplished physician, researcher and educator who has been recognized as a transformative health system leader. She is a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital and Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto. Her clinical and research interests are focused on disorders of pregnancy with an emphasis on pregnancies affected by obesity, malignancy, and gastrointestinal disorders.

ELAINE GOULBOURNE

Clinical Director, Primary Care and the Peter Gilgan Centre for Women’s Cancers, Women's College Hospital

Elaine Goulbourne has over 30 years of clinical, leadership, administrative, strategic planning and partnership development in health care, as well as cancer care and women and children’s health.

She has a master’s in health studies, from Athabasca University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Laurentian University. Elaine is a Canadian Health Executive member and holds an Adjunct Lecturer appointment with the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto.  

JACK WOODMAN

Vice President, Strategy, Quality, Risk and Privacy, Women's College Hospital

Jack Woodman is the Vice President of Strategy, Quality, Risk and Privacy at Women’s College Hospital. Jack has a passion for improving health and the care experience at individual, population and system levels. Since joining WCH in 2012, Jack has played an instrumental role in delivering on the Healthcare Revolutionized strategy and innovative solutions to meet unmet health care needs in communities facing barriers and inequities. Jack is accountable for corporate strategy and planning, quality, safety, patient experience, risk and privacy. They also oversee strategic communications and government relations.

Jack holds a Masters of Health Science in Health Administration, a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, and Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology.

SANDRA ROBINSON

Director, Perioperative Services, Women’s College Hospital

Sandra Robinson is currently the Director, Perioperative Services at Women's College Hospital. She is a nursing leader with over 30 years of experience in clinical, administrative, research and strategic planning.  In 2016, Sandra was elected as a Council member at the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) and was Council President from 2020 to 2022.

She has a Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner Degree from the University of Toronto and is an Adjunct Lecturer, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing – University of Toronto.

SANDRA SUALIM

President & CEO, Women’s College Hospital Foundation

Sandra Sualim is a fundraising professional who has raised millions of dollars in her career. She currently serves as President & CEO of Women’s College Hospital Foundation (WCHF) where she is responsible for fundraising leadership, operations, governance and strategic planning in support of the hospital’s goal of providing equitable, accessible, best-in-class healthcare. Prior to her role at WCHF, Sandra was the President & CEO of Humber River Hospital Foundation and has also held senior roles at BGC Canada Foundation, SickKids Foundation and Havergal College.

A passionate advocate for equitable healthcare access, Sandra is dedicated to ensuring that women and equity-deserving individuals receive the care they deserve. Her collaborative approach has established her as a respected partner among leaders and organizations committed to fostering growth and meaningful change. 

Sandra graduated from the University of Toronto with a Honours Bachelor of Arts and holds an advanced Diploma from the University of Victoria, British Columbia in Public Relations.

Committee

CHANILE VINES


Chanile Vines is an enthusiastic community builder with expertise in research, storytelling and process design. In the technology sector, she works as a research psychologist to create people-centric technology. She is also the founder of Vines Play, a wine club and importing firm. 

Chanile holds her wine accreditation from The Court of Master Sommelier and her Master of Science in Psychology.  Her multi-career success is fuelled by her ambition to give every dream life. 

Chanile’s ongoing study and practice of a multi-career life is an eye-opening discovery on what it means to be truly authentic. 

CHRISTINE LA FLEUR


As Director, Senior Corporate Counsel at Salesforce, Christine currently leads a team of legal professionals and specializes in transacting with global financial services clients. Known as a trusted business partner and strategic advisor, she brings extensive experience in providing pragmatic legal advice to executives and their teams, with a particular focus on the intersection of commercial law, technology and privacy. Prior to joining Salesforce, Christine held key legal roles at other major organizations, including Accenture Inc. and DuPont Canada Company. Notably, Christine was honoured by Lexpert with a Zenith Award for her work in in-house counsel practice innovation.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Christine is actively engaged in community initiatives. She currently serves on the Literary Circle Committee at the Toronto Public Library Foundation and is the co-chair of the Black In-House Counsel Network. Her past volunteer work includes serving on the Board of Directors for Book Clubs for Inmates and the Canadian National Exhibition Association ("The Ex"), where she was also a member of the Financial and Audit Committee.

JACKIE PORTER


Jackie is an award-winning certified financial planner, best-selling author and featured speaker who has helped thousands of clients grow their net worth, build a fortress around their finances and keep more of their cash in their pocket for 25 years and counting! Her focus is on empowering women towards financial independence.

Jackie has been featured in The Star, CBC, The Agenda with Steve Paikin, BBN, and is also a regular contributor to Investment Executive, Wealth Professional and the Globe and Mail. As Mackenzie female trailblazer of the year for 2019 and 2021, Jackie is a leading money expert and a powerful voice in the world of women’s financial empowerment.

With over 25 years working in the financial services industry, Jackie won the Equiton Award for Canadian Advisor of the Year 2023, on June 1 at the ninth annual Wealth Professional Awards, making her a  three-time recipient of a WP Award! 

KERI WALLACE


Keri Wallace is currently the Senior Legal Director at Uber Freight, where she works closely with product, engineering and business teams to develop new products, manage legal risks and support strategic growth. Keri leads legal efforts for key partnerships and alliances, manages legal matters in Canada, and provides strategic legal advice on marketing initiatives. Prior to working at Uber Freight, Keri was Head of Legal for a captive finance company and worked at a Bay Street law firm.

Keri is committed to diversity and community engagement. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for Sunnyside Garden Daycare, and previously served on the Board of Directors for Canadian Association of Black Lawyers. 

MERYL AFRIKA

 
Meryl Afrika is the General Manager of eBay Commerce Canada, overseeing the company’s Canadian payments entity. With over a decade in payments and financial services at CIBC, Scotiabank, Peoples Group and PwC, she combines deep regulatory expertise with a commitment to equity in finance.
 
Meryl previously served as President of the Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals (CAUFP), Canada’s largest network for Black financial professionals and currently sits on the Banking and Financial Services Committee of the Canadian Centre for Women’s Empowerment’s National Taskforce, advocating for victims of economic abuse. Meryl is also a frequent media contributor and has been featured on BNN Bloomberg, CBC Weekend Business Panel, CBC Radio, Wealth Professional Magazine, Impact Economist and more.

SOPHIE TAYLOR


Sophie Taylor is an award-winning Creative Director and Branding/Graphic Designer with 19 years of experience working with clients around the globe. She creates beautiful, impactful designs for brands, events and private clients and sells lifestyle products through her studio and shop, Castlefield®. Her clients include Nivea, Redken, Puma, Tiffany & Co., celebrities (professional athletes and singers), and small businesses and nonprofits. Her work and clients have been featured by Vogue, Forbes, Marie Claire, NBC, Essence, VH1, Condé Nast Brides, People, Munaluchi, WedLuxe and the Toronto Star. 

Sophie holds a BA from the University of California, Davis and an MA from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson). She leads the Toronto chapter of design organization Ladies, Wine & Design, and in May 2023 she started Creative Start™, a nonprofit that provides education and mentorship in design and the arts to diverse girls and young women.

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