Panellists

Aisha Jahangir | Municipal & Federal election candidate

I am a lifelong resident of Guelph committed to change for a more just society. I have been a registered nurse for over 23yrs and currently work full-time at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Center as a Mental Health Nurse. It is through my practice that I have come to realize that we must address the social inequities and access to care in our communities. I am passionate about mental health services and feel more must be done so that people can get the help they so desperately need. In the past, I have held positions of leadership within the Ontario Nurses Association (nurses union). I am currently an elected council member with the College of Nurses and take a lot of pride working with the regulatory nursing college protecting the public. I have run in the 2018 Municipal elections for school board trustee and 2019/2021 Federal elections. I look forward to sharing my experience with others in hopes to inspire women to run for office. 

Kate McNaughton | Councillor, Prince Edward County

PERSONAL BACKGROUND/FAMILY/JOB/HOBBIES: I’m a supply teacher and small-business operator in Picton. I live here, work here and play here. I have a wide range of interests that lead me in all sorts of directions including textile work, music, carving, gardening, reading, and volunteering as well as civic participation. I live in Picton with my daughter and a number of critters.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR THIS POSITION? There were so many reasons to run. Here are just a couple…
I love The County and love my town. I have been involved in municipal matters for years and I am alarmed at the lack of diversity on PEC’s council – for example, right now, it’s only 12% women. This year, I worked on a project to develop more broad and diverse interest in running for council. It had limited success so…here I am. Be the change, right? I want our local government to be an honest and approachable council of fellow residents. I also want it to better reflect our population. Diversity in government helps to enrich public dialogue always. I want my daughter to see diversity in leadership at all levels of government as her worldview expands. I want her and her cohort to know that they CAN have a seat at the table, not just a 12% share.

Elizabeth Quinto (Federal Candidate Oxford County, Liberal)

Elizabeth is committed to advocating for families, agriculture, small businesses, mental health services access, human rights, affordable housing, and climate change. She strongly believes in ensuring a safe and environmentally conscious future for our children and grandchildren.

Elizabeth is Filipina-Canadian lawyer, who holds a B.A. in Political Science Honours from the University of Waterloo, and a J.D. from Western Michigan University. She has been serving her community as a family law lawyer for the past decade. Elizabeth is committed to advocating for families, agriculture, small businesses, mental health services access, human rights, affordable housing, and climate change. She strongly believes in ensuring a safe and environmentally conscious future for our children and grandchildren. She knows affordable housing and climate change are some of the biggest concerns in our community right now, and plans on working alongside her federal, provincial, and municipal counterparts to ensure Oxford can continue to be a community where families can afford to live and thrive.

Karen Redman is the Regional Chair of the Waterloo Region

Karen has been dedicated to public service for more than 20 years. She has represented the community at several levels of government including federal, municipal and the board of education. Prior to being elected as Chair, she served on Regional Council as a representative for the City of Kitchener.

Karen has a Master’s degree in Political Science, as well as an Honour’s Bachelor’s degree in English.

Among her professional endeavours, Karen served as Chief Executive Officer at Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region from 2010 to 2018.

In other community activities, Karen has served as Chair of the Independent Living Centre of Waterloo Region, President of the Rotary Club of Kitchener 2014-2015 and a Board Member of Martin Lutheran University College (formerly Waterloo Lutheran Seminary).  Karen is also an elder at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian church in Kitchener. Karen is the recipient of the Queens Jubilee Medal and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal.

Karen Redman is a life-long resident of Waterloo Region. She currently resides in Kitchener and she and her husband Warren have four grown children.

Lindsay Wilson | Campaign School Oxford County Volunteer

Event MC | Lindsay began her career in community economic development in 2010 in Ingersoll, Ontario. Over the years, she has had the opportunity to lead several community projects including initiatives that serve youth, female entrepreneurs, tourism operators and non-profit organizations. 

Lindsay prides herself on helping others succeed in the community where she grew up and one that she knows extremely well- Oxford County. Over the last five years, she has focused on serving the business community where she has a special interest in supporting women entering entrepreneurship.

Lindsay enjoys being an active member of the community, volunteering on several boards and committees in the southwestern Ontario region. She is raising two young girls with her partner, Mike. 

Marva Wisdom | Principal/Founder, Wisdom Consulting

Panel Moderator | From growing up as a child in rural Jamaica, to moving to Stratford, Ontario as a high school student, to raising her family in Guelph, Ontario, Marva Wisdom has built a life on passion, social justice, and inclusivity. Marva Wisdom is a community leader who blends her personal and professional passions to help her clients and community build on the strengths of a strong and collaborative team. A highly respected and sought-after facilitator and speaker, Marva, through her company, Wisdom Consulting, provides clients with the tools and courage they need to facilitate meaningful growth through leadership, effective engagement, diversity and inclusivity.