Onome Ako is the CEO of Action Against Hunger Canada, a global organization that combats hunger and its underlying causes. She brings her passion for community-led approaches to address one of the most basic human rights—the right to food—through fighting hunger and malnutrition.

Ako holds several degrees including a B.A. in English from Obafemi Awolowo University Nigeria, an M.A. in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University Nigeria, and an M.Sc. in Management of NGOs and Social Policy from the London School of Economics. She is the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) and member of the advisory committee for the Centennial College International Development program.

Her achievements have garnered recognition, including receiving the 2021 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award, World Vision Canada’s prestigious “Voice of the Children” Award in 2022, and most recently the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award for her impact in Social Change. Ako's dedication and accomplishments continue to inspire and engage future leaders. Onome is also a Mom to an 8-year-old, and published author of a leadership book collaborative titled, “Embracing Ambition,” and children’s book, “My name is Cherished.”

Julia is the Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH). With a background in international development, non-profits and civil society, and a steadfast commitment to a world where women, children and their communities can thrive, Julia is driven by a firm belief in the power of collaboration. At CanWaCH’s helm, Julia passionately advocates for bold, innovative, even disruptive approaches to advance the health and rights of women and girls worldwide. She connects with stakeholders and decision makers at every level, forming new and unexpected partnerships, harnessing the strongest data, and sharing fresh ideas to co-create transformative solutions to global health issues. Julia earned her Master of Arts degree in Canadian and Indigenous Studies from Trent University, along with an Executive Certificate in Conflict Management from the University of Windsor Law School. As a visionary leader, she embodies the spirit and values of CanWaCH – shaping a future where every woman and child can realize their right to thrive in full health.

Kehkashan Basu, M.S.M. is an iconic global influencer, educator, environmentalist, champion of women and children’s rights, TEDx speaker, Climate Reality Mentor, author, musician, peace and sustainability campaigner.

She is the recipient of Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal and the only Canadian to win the International Children’s Peace Prize, a Forbes 30 Under 30, the first-ever winner of the Voices Youth Gorbachev-Schultz Legacy Award for her work on nuclear disarmament, a United Nations Human Rights Champion, a National Geographic Young Explorer, a UNCCD Land Hero, a UN Habitat Young City Champion, the Regional Organizing Partner for North America for the NGO Major Group and one of Canada’s Top 25 Women of Influence.

Kehkashan is the Founder-President of global social innovation enterprise Green Hope Foundation, that works at a grassroots level in 28 countries, empowering over 500,000 young people and women, especially those from vulnerable communities, in the sustainable development process.
She has spoken at over 500 United Nations and other global fora. She is the youngest Trustee of the Parliament of the World’s Religions, Co-Lead of UN Women Generation Equality Forum’s Action Coalition on Feminist Action for Climate Justice and a member of the World Humanitarian Forum Youth Council.

She is the recipient of several awards that include the Gold Stevie Award for Women in Business for Gender Equality, World Literacy Award for Significant Contribution to Literacy by a Young Person, Canada’s Global Energy Show Emerging Leader Award and the Pax Christi Toronto Teacher of Peace Award. Kehkashan was named as one of the Top 100 SDG Leaders in the world in 2019. She continues to work tirelessly to amplify the voices of young people, women and girls in decision-making processes.

She is currently an MBA Candidate at the Cornell University SC Johnson Graduate School of Management.

Kanahsohon Kevin Deer from Kahnawake Mohawk Territory. For the last 30 years involved in Mohawk Language retention and revitalization. He is also a Faithkeeper at the Mohawk Trail Longhouse which involves knowing sacred songs, dances and rituals. He enjoys discussing and presenting the Iroquoian world
views, history and philosophy. He was involved in the Kahnawake Police Commission from 2005 to 2015. In 1990 he was involved in the Oka Crisis using the power of peace to try to resolve that conflict. In May 1990 he participated in a ceremony calling for the return of the Peacemaker in Tyendineaga, Ontario. In 1994 he assisted in the establishment of the new Mohawk community at
Kanatsiohareke, New York. In 2003 he was part of a planning committee of the historic event that involved horses coming across the land from British Columbia to Six Nations to help wipe the tears of the 7 generations and heal the earth. In September 2015 he was deeply involved in the Bretton Woods IV convocation, performing a ceremony to help all participants who gathered to see, hear, and speak more clearly about matters of global financial concern from a Native, First Nation’s perspective. In February 2016, he made a presentation on Native spirituality at the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week in New York. In August 2016 he did a welcoming and healing ceremony for the World Forum on Theology and Liberation in Montreal. In November 2016 he traveled to Standing Rock to meet with spiritual leaders and elders.

Proudly Franco-Albertan, Dr. Chúk Odenigbo (PhD) is passionate about how the environment impacts human health and the issue of justice in our understanding of how our societies work. As a result of his passion, Chúk is very active in the networks for change in Canada and internationally. His formal training includes the environment, chemistry, public health and medical geography. In his work, he focuses on environmental and climate justice, and outside of his work, he is involved on a number of councils, committees, conferences and movements to re-imagine and recreate our systems for the well-being of all beings – human and non-human. He has just started as Consulting Director of Evaluating Impact at the Tamarack Institute Learning Centre.

Nobel Peace Prize-nominee Sheila Watt-Cloutier is in the business of transforming public opinion into public policy. Experienced in working with global decision makers for over a decade, she offers a new model for 21st century leadership.

In 2007, she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her advocacy work in showing the impact of global climate change on human rights — especially in the Arctic, where it is felt more immediately, and more dramatically, than anywhere else in the world. Watt-Cloutier is an Officer of the Order of Canada and the recipient of the Aboriginal Achievement Award; the UN Champion of the Earth Award; the Norwegian Sophie Prize; and the Right Livelihood Award, which is widely considered the "Nobel Alternative.