Megan Stanley, Chair – Director, Public Affairs and Government Relations, Proof Strategies

Megan has more than a decade of experience designing and executing innovative issue-based advocacy campaigns, managing strategic communications, and crafting winning government relations strategies impacting all orders of government. Megan joined Proof Strategies, a leading strategic communications and public affairs firm, after heading up advocacy and member relations for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), where she worked to amplify the voices of more than 2,000 municipalities of all sizes across Canada on the national stage. With this experience, Megan brings a truly unique and in-depth understanding of the realities faced by urban, rural, mid-size and Northern communities and their residents, and how to build common ground to achieve ambitious goals.

Megan’s leadership resulted in billions of dollars of new funding for Canadian communities, from new public transit and affordable housing deals to more reliable rural broadband and timely climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. Her ability to navigate governments, build strategic relationships, create winning coalitions, and relentlessly drive a compelling narrative has created tangible change for Canadians and has directly influenced the growing prominence of municipal leaders in Canadian politics and policy-making.

Megan holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in Political Studies from Queen’s University and a Master of Political Management Degree from Carleton University. 

Kristina Martin, Past Chair – Founder & CEO, Kit Public Relations Inc.

Kristina is a nationally recognized government relations and communications leader with over 15 years’ experience working in politics, government relations, and communications. She’s a natural connector who’s driven by breaking down barriers and building trust between the public and private sector.

Kristina has advised clients across sectors including science and technology, skilled trades, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, public safety and more. In addition to consulting, Kristina has served as Director of Communications and Public Affairs for Canada’s largest science and technology skills training organization, Actua. Her career path was inspired by her first job in politics, working in a federal party leader’s office, and for a Member of Parliament. 

Kristina has helped secure millions of dollars in federal and provincial funding for her clients. She understands the intricate structures of government, including what levers need to be pulled to accomplish her client’s goals. She is considered a go-to organizer of political engagement events that make a mark.

Kristina is also a former President of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Ottawa Board of Directors. 

Kristina holds a B.A. in Political Science, an MSc. Strategic Public Relations and Communication Management, as well as a Master’s in Political Management.

Stacey Noronha, Vice Chair – Manager of Public Affairs, Build A Dream

Stacey Noronha serves as Build a Dream’s Manager of Public Affairs where she brings a wealth of experience in public affairs, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement, honed over nearly a decade in the Federal Public Service.

Notable accomplishments include national campaigns to advance Canada’s first Feminist International Assistance Policy, a digital recruitment campaign that targeted under-represented groups within the energy sector’s workforce, and the launch of the 2 Billion Trees program. Stacey was the recipient of a Government of Canada Award for her role in facilitating the recruitment and retention of a representative public service.

A graduate of the University of Windsor and Ottawa’s own Carleton University, Stacey’s passion for empowering marginalized groups is driven by her experiences as a woman, a member of a racialized community, and an immigrant. As Chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee at Dress for Success Ottawa, she works to create spaces that embrace diversity and equity. From her role at the Senate of Canada to her involvement with federal party politics and Equal Voice, she is also committed to facilitating women’s access to the political sphere.

Stacey believes that together, we can build a better, more equitable Canada.

Lori DeLuca, Communications Lead – Director, Communications & Stakeholder Relations, Invest Alberta

Lori is a senior communications and engagement leader with nearly 20 years of experience as a trusted strategic advisor to Provincial Ministers, executive leaders, and board members. She has held positions stewarding reputation and advancing strategic decision-making in communications and stakeholder engagement leadership roles with Invest Alberta, Calgary Airport Authority, Calgary Police Commission, the Government of Alberta, and the B.C. government.

Lori brings experience in community engagement, advocacy, partnering with government officials and media, managing issues, and developing policy. She is a continuous learner with a graduate certificate in change management from Royal Roads University, a degree in political science from University of Alberta, and training in public relations, board governance, and public engagement methods.

With a passion for social justice and inclusion, Lori is also on the board of directors of Immigrant Services Calgary.

Fateema Sayani, Treasurer – Director of Development and Public Affairs, CPAC

Fateema Sayani works at the intersection of editorial, public policy, and social impact. With a background spanning journalism, nonprofit leadership, and philanthropy, she brings a systems-wide perspective to drive meaningful change.

She researches nonprofit news models and works to amplify underrepresented voices, helping put the tools of creation in the hands of those often excluded from public discourse.

Fateema holds a Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit leadership and a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University, as well as certificates in French-language writing from McGill University and public policy development from the Max Bell Public Policy Training Institute. She is a past recipient of the Joan Gullen Award for Media Excellence.

Prior to joining CPAC, Fateema worked as a senior editor forOttawa Magazine, a columnist with the Ottawa Citizen, and a strategic communications manager at the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

At CPAC, Fateema leads public affairs and communications efforts to increase CPAC’s visibility and to build partnerships with those who share in CPAC’s mission to support democracy, civic engagement, and education.

Hardave Birk – Director, Government Relations, Rogers Communications Inc.

Hardave Birk leads federal government relations for Rogers Communications. Prior to joining Rogers, Hardave worked in government relations for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities after three years as a staffer on Parliament Hill. Hardave also serves as a volunteer board member for both the Government Relations Institute of Canada and the Canadian Advocacy Network. He is president of the Political Management chapter of the Carleton University Alumni Association.

Jarett Lalonde – Director, Government and Public Affairs, FPX Nickel Corp

Jarett Lalonde is currently Director, Government & Public Affairs at FPX Nickel Corp. He is a highly regarded public affairs leader with over 20 years’ experience in the natural resources, technology, and regulated products sectors. In a past role as Global Head of Product Policy at Shopify, he was instrumental in crafting compelling public affairs narratives for the company’s diverse product offerings and spearheading engagement with policy makers across North America and Europe. 

Before joining Shopify, he worked with Global Public Affairs, a leading government relations and strategic communications firm, where he performed advisory work for numerous companies advancing large-scale natural resource projects in British Columbia and across Canada. 

Jarett previously served as Chief of Staff to the Attorney General & Minister of Justice for the province of British Columbia, and as Policy Advisor to the Minister of Natural Resources Canada.

Gwendolyn Moncrieff-Gould – Policy Lead, Child Health Policy Accelerator, SickKids

Gwendolyn Moncrieff-Gould is the inaugural Policy Lead for Child Health Policy Accelerator at SickKids. Previously, she worked as the Director, Public Policy and Engagement with BGC Canada (formerly the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada), and in a variety of roles with Universities Canada. She has also worked in policy development for the water sector with the MacEachen Institute at Dalhousie University. Originally from Toronto, Gwendolyn also holds a Combined Honours Degree in Political Science and Contemporary Studies from the University of King’s College and a Masters of Political Management from Carleton University.

Gwendolyn has been involved with election campaigns in two provinces, and at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels.

Nicholas Schiavo – Director of Government and Stakeholder Relations, Canadian Media Producers Association

Nicholas Schiavo is the Director of Government and Stakeholder Relations with the Canadian Media Producers Association where he leads national advocacy on behalf of Canada’s independent TV and film producers. 

From 2018-2024, Nicholas served as the Executive Director of No Conversion Canada, a national, grassroots, nonprofit coalition he founded to ban conversion “therapy” practices in Canada. In December 2021, No Conversion Canada and partners successfully passed Bill C-4, officially outlawing conversion “therapy” practices in Canada.

Previously, Nicholas worked as a Director of Federal Affairs with the Council of Canadian Innovators, Director of Policy and Government Relations with Impact Public Affairs, a Policy Analyst with Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the G7 Task Force, as an Ontario Global Edge Fellow in Nairobi, Kenya and with the Green Party of Canada during the 2015 federal election. Over the years Nicholas has been fortunate to work with a number of global institutions as a delegate, including the Commonwealth, the World Bank Group and the United Nations.

From 2017-2019, Nicholas served as the Program Director of the Young Diplomats of Canada where he met with Cabinet and the Prime Minister to develop a national, youth agenda. In 2018, he was selected as a Future Leaders Connect Fellow by the British Council to develop a long term policy action plan on LGBTQ2+ rights with the University of Cambridge. 

Nicholas has been named one of “Canada’s Future Foreign Policymakers” by Open Canada and an “Emerging Leader in Politics and Government” by the Peak. Nicholas is passionate about community organizing and currently serves on the Board of It Gets Better Canada as well as the Canadian Advocacy Network. 

Nicholas holds a Bachelor of Arts, Honours Specialization in International Relations from Western University and a Master of Political Management as part of the Clayton H. Riddell Graduate Program from Carleton University.

Patil Angaladian – External Affairs & Marketing Director, 3dverse

Patil Angaladian is a bilingual communications and public affairs leader with over a decade of experience across the tech, AI, and real estate sectors, spanning startups, SMEs, and large enterprises. She has a proven track record in delivering strategic counsel to executive leadership and boards, developing high-impact public affairs campaigns, and navigating complex regulatory environments.

As External Affairs & Marketing Director at 3dverse, Patil provides strategic guidance and regulatory counsel, focusing on cutting-edge technology communications and enhancing corporate reputation. Her prior role as Public Relations & Marketing Specialist at Cinesite involved leveraging regulatory expertise and leading PR for major motion picture movies, including the development and implementation of communication initiatives.

Patil is deeply involved in community work, currently also serving as an Executive Committee Member for the Young Philanthropists’ Circle at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from Dalhousie University.