Fateema Sayani, Chair – 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. 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. Prior to joining CPAC, Fateema worked as a senior editor for Ottawa Magazine, a columnist with the Ottawa Citizen, and a strategic communications manager at the Mental Health Commission of Canada. She has been with CAN since 2021 and also volunteers with Axé WorldFest, supporting women in music, and with Playful Mindset, supporting play-based therapy for children.

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.

Megan Stanley, Treasurer & Past Chair – Senior Director, Public Affairs and Government Relations, Proof Strategies

Megan has over twelve years 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, a leading strategic communications and public affairs firm, after over a decade leading government relations and advocacy for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, a national non-profit association. She is a recognized leader in Ottawa’s public affairs community and provides counsel to clients looking to influence all orders of government, effectively engage stakeholders, and design compelling narratives. Megan has been a dedicated volunteer with CAN since 2019 and was Chair of the Board from Directors from 2023-2026. 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.

Stacey Noronha – Senior Manager of Public Affairs & Partnerships, Build A Dream

Stacey Noronha serves as Build a Dream’s Senior Manager of Public Affairs and Partnerships 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.

Lori DeLuca, Communications Lead – Director, Communications at ChangeMakers

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 ChangeMakers, 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.

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.

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, serving as an Executive Committee Member for the Young Philanthropists’ Circle at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and currently the Societe des Arts technologiques. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from Dalhousie University.