MARIA PANEZI

Maria Panezi, Research Fellow, 

International Law Research Program, 

Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)

Maria holds law degrees from Greece, New York and a Ph.D. in Law from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, where she was a Nathanson Fellow and a Comparative Law and Political Economy Fellow. She has been an adjunct professor at Osgoode and has taught ethical lawyering in a global community as well as law and economics, for which she was honoured with a Teaching Excellence award. She has also been a visiting scholar at Harvard Law School and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Maria has played a pivotal role in innovative CIGI initiatives on women’s economic empowerment, including a conference at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

WENDY CUKIER

Founder/Director, Ryerson University’s Diversity Institute

MA, MBA, PhD, DU (HC), LLD (HC), MSC

Professor Information Technology Management

Dr. Wendy Cukier is one of Canada's leading experts in disruptive technologies, innovation processes and diversity. She is coauthor of the bestseller “Innovation Nation: Canadian Leadership from Java to Jurassic Park,” and is the founder of Ryerson University’s Diversity Institute. She has dedicated her work to leading projects aimed at promoting the participation and advancement of underrepresented groups. She was selected in 2013 as one of Canada’s Top 25 Women of Influence and in 2010 as one of 25 Transformational Canadians by The Globe and Mail, La Presse and CTV.

SUSAN BAKA

President, Bay Communications & Marketing Inc

Founder and VP, International of OWIT-Toronto

An advocate for women exporters, Susan is an authority on international trade, women’s entrepreneurship and diversity. She is a prolific writer and speaker on women’s economic empowerment, most recently presenting at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva. She is a senior consultant with Grow Trade Consulting and is also the Ontario rep for TFO (Trade Facilitation Office) Canada. She served on the Minister of International Trade’s SME Advisory Board (2008-11) and provides stakeholder input for OWIT in consultations on free trade agreements, including the NAFTA renegotiation. She has been honoured with international awards, including the TIAW World of Difference 100 Award which recognizes 100 women worldwide for contributing to women’s economic empowerment.