Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Fund

Jennifer Mak is a Human Rights and Equity Strategist specializing in occupational health and safety. Jennifer holds a Master of Arts in Labour Studies with a research specialization in the workplace harassment of precarious employees. 

Informed by her 15 years of experience in various capacities from policy implementation to conflict management, Jennifer uses a human rights- and equity-informed approach to help organizations systemically address, manage, and prevent workplace discrimination, harassment, and violence. The focus areas of Jennifer’s consultancy include discrimination, harassment, and violence prevention-related education, conflict coaching, and workplace investigations.

Currently, a faculty member in the Department of Equity Studies at York University. Merle served as Nurse Manager in Mental Health at North York Branson Hospital and practiced as a psychotherapist. Her training includes group psychotherapy, stress management, life skills, patient and family education, ethnocultural psychiatry, grief counselling, disordered eating and trauma, and anger management. As co‑principal investigator on a Canadian Race Relations Foundation grant, Merle contributed to a 2005 report on employment equity for racial minorities and Aboriginal people, which identified patterns of setup and backlash in the workplace. At York University, she held leadership roles across Equity Studies, faculty governance, Senate, union, and community boards.

Laura Casimiro is a public service leader with extensive experience in communications, engagement, and change driven work across the Government of Canada. Since 2009, she has held a range of roles focused on supporting people, driving action, and advancing organizational change through strategic, creative, and digital approaches.

Laura is currently on a full-time assignment as National Chairperson of the Black Professionals Network at Public Services and Procurement Canada. She holds an educational background in communications and sociology, in addition to event and meeting management, and is a certified Change Management Practitioner.

Keith S. Jeffers is President and Principal Consultant of Employment Matters Consulting. A former Assistant Deputy Minister in British Columbia, he brings more than 25 years of senior executive experience in employment equity compliance, anti-racism, diversity and inclusion, change management, and strategic human resources. Since founding EMC in 2001, Keith has led employment systems reviews, policy analyses, and in-depth workforce interviews addressing discrimination, harassment, exclusion, accessibility, and unsafe or inequitable workplace practices across public and private sectors. His work includes federal compliance engagements and IDEAA strategy development for organizations such as the Ontario Public Service and University Health Network. Recently, Keith has agreed to join the Research Advisory Board for Signal49 Research’s (formerly The Conference Board of Canada) DEI Survey Series Toolkit and DEI Outlook projects.

Daniel Wong is Chair of the Employment & Labour Practice Group at WeirFoulds LLP, with a practice focused on employment and labour relations. He regularly advises employers on complex workplace issues, including harassment and violence complaints, human rights matters, occupational health and safety investigations, employee privacy, and policy development. Daniel represents employers before courts, administrative tribunals, and labour arbitrators on wrongful dismissal, human rights, employment standards, OHS matters, and union grievances. He also conducts HR and employment audits to ensure legal compliance and best practices. Daniel previously practised at leading management-side firms and worked in-house as Employment Counsel and Privacy Manager, giving him a practical, employer-focused perspective.