Meg is a proven leader, effective collaborator, and human rights advocate with a deep commitment to social justice. Before joining the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) in 2020, Meg worked with UNICEF—the United Nations Children Fund—for 17 years. From 2018–2020, she was based in Geneva as the global lead for UNICEF’s Every Child ALIVE Campaign, focussing on newborn and maternal health and survival. She coordinated advocacy, fundraising and public engagement strategies across the organization to reach, engage and influence governments, businesses, and the public at global, regional, and national levels.

Before 2018, Meg was Chief Program Officer at UNICEF Canada. There she led communications and programmatic work, and advocacy efforts with the Government of Canada, including for the Muskoka Initiative, which resulted in a significant global investment in maternal and child health. Meg worked with the chief development officer to establish an innovative public/private partnership with a group of 60 Canadian women, and the Government of Canada. Through her leadership, UNICEF Canada also launched the One Youth Initiative which leverages design-thinking approaches, partnerships and data to improve child and youth well-being in Canada. Prior to joining UNICEF, Meg was a teacher in Canada and the Marshall Islands. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Trent University in Development Studies and Women’s Studies, and Bachelor and Master of Education degrees from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, specializing in International and Development Education.

Meg is an ardent advocate for women’s and children’s rights, including for families and communities affected by HIV and AIDS. As an early link to the SLF, she participated in the International AIDS Conference in Toronto in 2006, when the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign was launched.

Leah Teklemariam is the Director of Programs at the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF), based in Toronto, Canada. The SLF champions health and human rights with community-led partners responding to the HIV epidemic in Africa. As Director of Programs, Leah provides strategic direction to the SLF’s project portfolio of community-led initiatives in 14 African countries. Leah has well over 20 years of experience working in the struggle against HIV in Africa, and in pursuit of women’s rights globally. Leah has also worked internationally as an independent consultant with a wide range of NGOs, large-scale funding agencies, educational institutions and global leaders, including a secondment to assist the establishment of the Graça Machel Trust in Johannesburg, South Africa, an organization that promotes the rights of women and children and aims to strengthen systems of democracy and governance across the African region.

Michael Verticchio is the Director of Finance and Operations at the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF), based in Toronto, Canada. The SLF champions health and human rights with community-led partners responding to the HIV epidemic. As Director of Finance and Operations, Michael is responsible and accountable for the overall financial and operational leadership of the SLF and ensures organizational effectiveness through sound financial and operational practices, and accountability for office administration, information technology and human resources.

Before joining the SLF, Michael has over 20 years experience working in financial and operational leadership roles with various charitable and not-for-profit organizations including the TMU Students’ Union & Student Centre, FACS Niagara and Kinark Child and Family Services.