Executive Director, Dress for Success Vancouver

Amy is the Executive Director of Dress for Success Vancouver; A community of economic first responders helping women in need with gender intelligent pre-employment and job retention programs.

Amy is a regular and bilingual media commentator on gender equality, economic inclusion and women in politics. She serves on the Women’s Advisory Committee for the City of Vancouver, is an Advisor for Speech and Debate Canada, and assumed the role of Board Chair of the Dress for Success Canada Foundation in September 2021.

Amy and her husband have lived all over Canada but now happily and humbly call the unceded, ancestral and traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and Sel̓íl̓witulh Nations home, along with their pets and overgrown library.

Her passion for practical ways to generate equality, create economic inclusion, opportunity and prosperity for all inform everything she does.

Brenda Saunders/Todd is founder and CEO of The Social Boutique (a non-profit, social enterprise that financially supports Dress for Success Halifax) and continues to move women forward by serving as CEO of Dress for Success Halifax. Brenda currently serves on Dress for Success Worldwide’s Board of Directors, as well as, founding board member of the Dress for Success Canada Foundation. Additionally, Brenda serves on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters Halifax – the largest on the Atlantic coast. Brenda graduated with distinction from the Canadian Women’s Foundation Leadership Institute at St. Francis Xavier University and is an International Award-Winning Speaker.

Michele C. Meyer-Shipp began her new role as CEO, Dress for Success Worldwide on February 16, 2022. Previously, Michele served as Chief People & Culture Officer with Major League Baseball. While at MLB, Michele led the human resources, diversity and inclusion, and office operations functions for the League Office with an emphasis on launching new programs and policies to recruit and develop talent, advancing diversity and inclusion efforts, and enhancing workplace culture. She also served as a senior advisor to the Commissioner as well as leaders across 30 major league baseball teams and multiple Minor League teams.

Prior to MLB, Michele served as Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at KPMG LLP, where she led initiatives relating to talent recruitment, development and retention, supported the efforts of leaders across KPMG’s 85+ national offices, and managed a portfolio of external strategic partnerships. Previously, she served as Global Chief Diversity Officer for both Prudential Financial and the law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. Michele spent the first decade of her career practicing employment law in both the private and public sectors, where she advised clients on optimizing talent and implementing equitable workplace initiatives. Meyer-Shipp is a graduate of Rutgers University and Seton Hall University School of Law.

Marlene leads Microsoft’s corporate affairs, public policy and advocacy efforts in Canada. Prior to joining Microsoft, Marlene was responsible for the execution of national stakeholder engagement and outreach campaigns while serving as the Director of Operations and Outreach to the Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau in the lead up to the 2015 federal election. Marlene has previously worked as a partner in a government and public affairs firm and has served as an advisor to Prime Ministers and several federal Ministers on a diverse range of public policy matters. An avid volunteer, Marlene sits on several national and community boards and is the founder of Dress for Success Ottawa. For her career and community achievements Marlene has been a recipient of a Forty Under 40 award, Y Women of Distinction award and a Leading Women Building Communities award from the province of Ontario.

Rachel Mielke is the founder and CEO of Hillberg & Berk jewellery, an iconically Canadian company that was founded at her kitchen table in 2007.

Through grit, determination, and vision Rachel grew her one-woman brand to a multi-million dollar enterprise that now has corporately owned stores across Western Canada and adorns customers globally. Rachel’s vision for Hillberg & Berk has always been more than just creating beautiful jewellery, she has used her company as a tool for social good focusing on combating gender-specific issues women face through philanthropy, campaigns, and organizing her business around a social enterprise model.

Hillberg & Berk has proudly supported hundreds of organizations across the globe that uplift women and has contributed over $10 million dollars in cash and product to these organizations.

Rachel is an Honorary Captain of the Royal Canadian Navy, honorary Chair of Women Leading Philanthropy, and sits on various other boards and committees which support the economic development of women. By far her proudest accomplishments are being a mom to 3 beautiful children and having been married to her best friend, Zlatan for over a decade.

Catherine Curtis joined Dress for Success Canada Foundation in April 2021. A contagious and inspiring non-profit professional, Catherine brings 28 years of experience, a proven record of leadership success, and exemplary interpersonal skills to her role. Catherine is a passionate advocate of helping women move forward from a position of surviving to thriving, and looks forward to offering leadership centered in collaboration, creativity and connection. Responsible for oversight of fundraising, building and maintaining internal and external relationships, and advising on the strategic plan of the organization, Catherine is excited to lead the Foundation forward, expanding revenue and awareness to support the work of Dress for Success affiliates across Canada.