Claire’s experience spans the private and charity sectors, beginning with a 12 year career at KPMG in Toronto and the UK in audit and human resources. For over twenty years Claire’s professional training as an accountant has provided her with the opportunity to work, in a voluntary capacity, with a variety of charities and not-for-profits, in both Toronto and the UK across a variety of sectors including education, health, social services and the arts. Claire’s passion for working with these organizations led her to obtain her Masters in Charity Accounting and Financial Management at Cass Business School in London. Claire has returned to the Board of People for Education after 6 years living in the U.K. and continues to support the ongoing work and expanding reach of the organization and it’s mandate to ensure that public education is a pillar of Canadian society.

Vincent joined the Board in 2017 and did so because he has personally experienced the impact, necessity, and holistic value of public education, with a particular passion for practical pedagogy being implemented into the provincial curriculum. Vincent is an entrepreneur, speaker, and project manager in the education sector with a deep passion for helping students. Vincent is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Don’t Freak Out! (DFO), a company that teaches thousands of Ontario high school students, parents, and educators about financial literacy, and conducts national formal research on outlying gaps in education. Vincent is also the Special Projects Lead for the Student Life Network, where he executes national digital marketing and engagement campaigns, leads innovation pilot projects for future campaigns, and consults on sales and partnership strategy. Vincent believes firmly in the importance of passion over ambition, and frequently speaks to student and corporate groups across Ontario on this topic.

Of her own experience with our schools, Nada Darwiche says, “When I look at the opportunities that my children have received in the public system to enable them to develop into fully rounded individuals, I realize how much we must protect and push forward public education.” Nada believes that a strong public education system is the foundation of a healthy society. Her interest in education focuses on a holistic approach which combines a robust academic curriculum with a strong extracurricular offering in the arts and sports. Nada joined the People for Education board in 2011 because she believes that giving back to an organization that has a direct impact on the day to day lives of future generations is critical. Nada is a management consultant and Director with Bottomline Group.

Yvonne Harding says, “we are privileged to have a strong public education system in Ontario and have a responsibility to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of our students today and in the future. People for Education is committed to supporting publicly funded education that prepares Ontario’s children to reach their full potential through a well-rounded and diverse curriculum.”Yvonne has volunteered with People for Education since 2010 and became a Board member in 2015. She spent several years in Advertising and Marketing Research before focusing her time and energy in her local schools and sporting community.

Carlana started her career in education as a teacher and principal with the Lakehead Board of Education. In 1990 she joined the Ontario Ministry of Education and served as an Education Officer and Regional Manager for the Thunder Bay Regional Office. In 2008, she was invited by The Right Honourable Paul Martin to be the Education Program Director for the newly-established Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative were she leads projects to improve academic success for Aboriginal students across Canada. From 2008 to 2014, she was a member of the Ontario Special Education (English) Tribunal, and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada’s National Selection Committee for First Nations Student Success Programs and Education Partnerships Programs. In 2009, Carlana received a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Ontario Government for the depth and quality of service provided to students, families and communities across Ontario.

Mirka Macalik says, “We are fortunate to have an independent organization working not only to guide Ontario parents through the issues in the public system, but also one who’s research on education is internationally recognized. Students need a strong foundation, People for Education is helping build it.” Mirka has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2014‎. After several years working in Capital Markets for various financial institutions she has been actively involved in her local community schools and more recently with People for Education.

Rhonda McEwen is a Canada Research Chair in Tactile Interfaces, Communication and Cognition. She is an associate professor at the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology and at the iSchool, at the University of Toronto. She holds an MBA in IT from City University in London, England, an MSc in Telecommunications from the University of Colorado, and a PhD in Information from University of Toronto. Dr. McEwen has worked and researched digital communication media for 15 years, both in companies providing services and in management consulting to those companies. Her research and teaching centre around information practices involving new media technologies – with an emphasis on mobile and tablet communication, new media, social networks, and sensory information processing. CBS 60 Minutes journalists covered McEwen’s research in 2012 & 2013, and she has recent publications in Information, Communication & Society, Computers and Education, Learning & Instruction, New Media and Society, and Library and Information Science Research journals.

Scott Nowlan joined the Board in 2015 and did so because he believed that “the work that PFE is doing is critical. As a strong and independent voice that provides invaluable research and priorities for policy makers and citizens, PFE must continue to be a strong advocate for public education – it is a much needed and valued voice for everyone who believes that public education is one of the pillars of our community”. Scott has three children in the public system. He has been a volunteer with other community organizations for many years. He is currently a Vice President with Bank and Vogue Ltd, a family-based international business based in Ottawa.

Carol Rak has been a member of People for Education’s Board of Directors since 2011. She is a Chartered Accountant, and she previously worked as a forensic accountant with KPMG in Toronto and London, England. She is committed to supporting a strong public education system, and spent 6 years as a staff member of People for Education.

Celia Rhea says that, “In Ontario we have the privilege of a strong tradition of public education. People for Education honours that history by engaging Ontarians to make our public education system everything it can be.” Celia has been a member of People for Education’s Board of Directors since 2012. She is a partner at Goodmans LLP, a frequent speaker at industry conferences, and is recognized as a leading lawyer by various legal publications. She completed her LL.B. at McGill University.

Alexis is Director of Health and Human Services for Sidewalk Labs and is based in the Toronto office. Most recently, Alexis worked at MaRS, North America’s largest urban innovation hub, where she lead the Centre for Impact Investing’s health practice and supported the Health Systems Innovation team.

Born and raised in Toronto, Alexis is an experienced management consultant. Alexis has first-hand experience as an entrepreneur in her role as co-founder of a Canadian employee support and education company. Alexis has also worked as a civil servant in the role of Pricing Strategy Lead for Monitor, the regulators for the National Health Service in England.

Alexis is a graduate of the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and completed her MBA at London Business School, both with distinction. She is also a proud mother to three awesome kids. In her free time, Alexis enjoys downhill skiing, yoga, and exploring new places and cities.