Inspiring Keynote - Marni Panas

Marni Panas is diversity and inclusion professional dedicated to creating safe and welcoming, and inclusive environments especially for the LGBTQ2S+ population in large public and private organizations, all levels of government and departments, health care, educational institutions, corrections and law enforcement.  She was a member of the LGBTQ2S+ Apology Advisory Council which helped draft the apology Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Nov 28, 2017 to LGBTQ2S+ people in Canada who for discrimination and injustices faced by this community as a result of federal legislation, policies and programs.

She was also part of the work that led to Gender Identity and Gender Expression being added as protected grounds from discrimination to Alberta’s Human Right’s Act.  She was part of an expert panel that assisted in developing guidelines to support school boards in Alberta in creating policies that would provide safe and welcoming environments for LGBTQ students, families and staff.  She provided testimony to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs in support of Bill C-16 (And Act to amend Canada’s Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code of Canada) which received Royal Assent in July, 2017

As an engaged member of her community, Marni has been honoured with:

• Human Rights Award (John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights)
• Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal
• Global Woman of Vision (Global Edmonton)
• Alumnus of Distinction (Camrose Composite High School)
• Woman of Distinction – Nominee (Edmonton YWCA Woman of Distinction)

Panels and presentations from John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, Women Building Futures,

Interactive Allyship in Action activity