The 2024 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!
The 2024 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!
Thank You!
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 provide 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.
Clinical Director, Primary Care and the Peter Gilgan Centre for Women’s Cancers
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.
Chair in Implementation Science, 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 focusses 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.
Vice President, Academics, Women’s College Hospital
Dr. Parekh leads the advancement of the hospital’s goal to build sustainable, world-class research, innovation and education. This includes leveraging the collective strengths of the Women’s College Research Institute (WCRI), Women’s College Hospital Institute for Health Systems Solutions and Virtual Care (WIHV), and the hospital’s interprofessional teaching and education scholarship to create a new portfolio integrating research, innovation and education and advancing Women’s College Hospital as a Learning Health System.
Dr. Rulan Parekh is a clinician-scientist, and an international leader in clinical epidemiology and translational research in kidney disease. Her work has revealed novel genetic risk factors leading to kidney disease and increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality for children and adults with kidney disease.
Director, Perioperative Services, Women’s College Hospital
Sandra Robinson is currently the Director, Perioperative Services. 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.
Vice President, Strategy, Quality, Risk and Privacy
Jack Woodman is the Vice President 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 Masters of Health Science in Health Administration, a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, and Bachelor of Science in kinesiology.
Jackie is an awarding-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!
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, 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.
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.
Meryl is an esteemed figure in the Black community and a strong advocate for diversity and inclusivity in corporate Canada. From 2019 to 2020, she served as the President of the Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals (CAUFP).
Karlyn is the founder of KDPM Consulting Group and Chief Equity Officer of KDPM Equity Institute, is a visionary leader and the creator of the pioneering L.E.A.P. to Equity, Ancestral Leadership, and Emotional Intelligence Coaching Program.
Karlyn’s work, rooted in ancestral wisdom and cultural equity-focused learning, redefines Human Equity, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, Inclusive Leadership and Anti-Racism Leadership training.
Through KDPM Equity Institute, she drives equitable change by helping women, leaders, and employees cultivate psychological safety and emotional intelligence skills to foster personal, purposeful, and career growth. Her approach emphasizes the importance of belonging and equity through lived experience wisdom, particularly for Black women, creating environments where our communities can thrive.
Karlyn’s efforts aim to foster a world where equity and belonging are fundamental, ensuring women feel psychologically safe and empowered to flourish and thrive.
With a thriving career as a sought-after brand collaborator, product developer, designer and podcast host, Sasha uses her platform and voice to inspire and motivate people to create positive change both for themselves and the circle that surrounds them. She is a retired elite athlete, who left a high level corporate job to create her own brand. Through her unique approach to fitness and wellness, Sasha has the ability to encourage just about anyone to not only move their body, but to take care of it from the inside out.
It is that expert knowledge, deep experience and sheer perseverance combined with her honest approach to sharing her journey that resonates with so many people as well as the brands she partners with. The Toronto native is a true pioneer in the digital space and has created award winning campaigns with like minded brands that share her commitment to supporting people's lives and lifting them up.
Sasha is a true pioneer in the digital space and lives every precious moment of every day by her credo, "You don't have to have it all to be good enough."