BC Women in Politics Pecha Kucha Night

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Our Presenters:

Sherry Barad Firestone. Leader.

Sherry Barad Firestone is a Vancouverite, now living in Toronto – gevalt! – but couldn’t resist the opportunity to present on a topic she is passionate about (Jewish community) in a Canadian city she feels so connected with.

Sherry brings a plethora of leadership experience, and unbounding energy, to Canadian Jewish community. She currently volunteers as the Chair of CJPAC’s (Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee) National Board of Directors and with the Toronto Chapter of Canadian Friends of Hebrew University.

Sherry was the Chair of the Toronto UJA Federation Campaign (2010) and sat on its Board of Directors for six years. She has also volunteered as Executive Committee Member of the Koffler Centre of the Arts, Director of the United Synagogue Day School, and Member of Beth Tzedec Synagogue’s Fundraising Committee – all while working as a Principal of Monterra Capital Corporation, a Commercial Real Estate Manager and Developer.

Her husband, Jay, and their two sons, Chaz and Ross and daughter-in-law Rebecca Theise will be cheering Sherry on virtually as they follow “Women in Politics” on CJPAC’s Facebook and Twitter feeds.

Carey Brown. Rabbi.

Rabbi Carey Brown is a native of Minneapolis, Minn. and a graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. She was ordained from the New York school of Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in 2005 and served for six years as Assistant and Associate Rabbi of Temple Isaiah in Lexington, Mass.

Carey is particularly passionate about adult and youth education, social justice, and teen engagement. In her free time, Rabbi Brown loves exploring the outdoors – especially via canoe or kayak – and feels extraordinarily lucky to be living in Vancouver. Carey is married to Gregg Gardner, who serves as the Diamond Chair of Jewish Law and Ethics at UBC. Together they are the proud parents of Yael and Jonah.

Rakeea Gordis. Volunteer.

Rakeea Gordis is a twelfth grader at King David High School. She has been passionately involved in politics for years, volunteering for political campaigns and speaking at rallies. She has recently had the honour of becoming an EF Canadian Youth Ambassador which has offered her many great opportunities including being mentored by MPs and senators, and taking trips all over the world. She spends her free time rock climbing, playing guitar, and hiking in the beautiful BC wilderness.

Dr. Moira Stilwell. Politician.

Dr. Moira Stilwell was elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in 2009 to represent the riding of Vancouver-Langara until 2017. She served as Minister of Social Development, Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development, Parliamentary Secretary for Industry, Research and Innovation and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health with a focus on Health Innovation. She has also served as vice chair of the Cabinet Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth.

Moira is a radiologist and nuclear medicine physician. Prior to being elected, she was Head of Nuclear Medicine at St. Paul’s Hospital, Surrey Memorial Hospital and Abbottsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Clinic. She was also the Co-Chair of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation 2020 Task Force. She previously worked at BC Women’s Hospital where she was co-medical director of the Breast Health Program. She was also a Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Radiology in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. She is the past chair of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – BC Yukon Chapter, and has served on the Board of the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance and the BC Women’s Hospital Foundation Board.