Meet the Speakers: ACCUO 2025 Conference – Moving Forward, Never Backwards

Meet the ombuds and fairness leaders speaking at ACCUO’s 2025 Conference, Moving Forward, Never Backwards. Learn more about our keynote and session presenters who are advancing fairness, equity, and accountability in higher education and beyond.

Welcome to Our 2025 Speaker Lineup

The Association of Canadian College and University Ombudspersons (ACCUO) is excited to introduce the speakers for our 2025 Conference – “Moving Forward, Never Backwards.”

This year’s program brings together ombuds, fairness practitioners, scholars, and leaders from across Canada. They’ll share practical tools, case studies, and reflections on how ombuds offices can respond to rapidly changing environments while staying grounded in fairness, equity, and compassion.

Below, you’ll meet our keynote speaker, featured presenters, and panelists who will guide us through conversations on systemic change, emerging challenges, and the future of ombudsing.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER - JAY CHALKE

We are honoured to welcome Jay Chalke as our 2025 keynote speaker.

Jay Chalke has been the Ombudsperson of British Columbia since May 2015. In this role, he has led several wide-reaching systemic investigations, including the first referral of a matter to the Ombudsperson by a legislative committee, which resulted in the 2017 report Misfire: The 2012 Ministry of Health Employment Terminations and Related Matters, the most resource-intensive investigation in the 40-year history of the Ombudsperson’s Office in BC. Other public reports have covered a wide range of public administration issues including findings of unfairness into financial assistance arising from evacuations during extreme weather events, failure to protect rights of psychiatric patients, unfairness for vulnerable homeowners impacted by municipal tax sales and inadequate inspections of correctional facilities.

Jay has an extensive background in executive leadership, conducting fair and independent investigations and the use of modern approaches to dispute resolution. As Ombudsperson, he has led the development of a proactive fairness consultation and training service for public authorities and an initiative to improve the accessibility and effectiveness of ombuds services to Indigenous people.

Jay is a leader in the national parliamentary ombuds community. He is the course co-director of the leading ombuds certificate course in Canada, Essentials for Ombuds and is a contributor to Advanced Issues in Ombuds Practice, both offered by the Forum of Canadian Ombudsman and Osgoode Hall Law School Professional Development.

Jay is a member of the Law Society of British Columbia, and was appointed Queen’s Counsel (now King’s Counsel) in 2006.

Concurrent Sessions

CONCURRENT SESSION I

“AI, Integrity, and Institutional Response: Fairness in the Age of Generative Technologies”

Whitney Barrett, Ombudsperson, University of Waterloo

Session Overview

This session examines the implications of artificial intelligence for fairness, integrity, and administrative accountability. Whitney explores how ombuds offices can adapt to generative technologies while upholding ethical standards.

Bio

Whitney Barrett is the Ombudsperson at the University of Waterloo, where she supports students by promoting fairness in university practices and procedures. She holds an MBA from James Cook University (2021) and is currently completing her Master of Education at York University, expected in May 2026.

Her graduate research focuses on generative AI policy development across Ontario’s U6 universities, analyzing how institutions frame AI in relation to academic integrity and assessment.

Whitney’s work bridges institutional analysis and student advocacy, offering insight into how universities can ethically and equitably respond to emerging technologies in higher education.

CONCURRENT SESSION II

“Moving Forward: New Ombuds’ Perspectives, Experiences, and Possibilities”

Panelists: Laurel Wilkie, Elizabeth Garofalo, Sam Vandekerckhove, Stephanie McFarland

Session Overview

A roundtable conversation with new ombuds reflecting on their entry into the profession. Panelists discuss key learnings, challenges, and innovative approaches shaping the future of ombudsing.

Bios

Elizabeth Garofalo, Ombudsperson, Lakehead University (Thunder Bay)

Elizabeth has served as the Ombudsperson at Lakehead University’s Thunder Bay campus since May 2024 and has been an ACCUO member for nearly a year. She holds both an MA and a JD from Lakehead University. Previously, she worked as a Staff Lawyer at Kinna-aweya Legal Clinic, focusing on Landlord–Tenant and Social Benefits matters, and also worked as a Private Investigator conducting surveillance and open-source investigations. As a one-person office, Elizabeth is grateful for the ACCUO community’s support while navigating her role as a new ombudsperson.

Laurel Wilkie, Undergraduate Ombudsperson, University of Alberta

Laurel began her ombuds career with a year-long internship as Graduate Ombuds Intern at the University of Alberta before becoming the Undergraduate Ombudsperson in 2023.

Her background in student affairs, along with a Master’s in Educational Policy (Adult, Community & Higher Education), informs her interest in supporting both students and emerging practitioners. Laurel is eager to explore the experiences of new ombuds transitioning into the field and to strengthen supports for colleagues across Canada.

Sam Vandekerckhove, Assistant Ombudsperson, University of Waterloo

Sam supports fair and impartial resolution of student concerns, leads intake and early-resolution processes, conducts policy review, and advances outreach across campus.

With a strong background in student support and mental health advocacy, Sam brings a trauma-informed, empathetic approach to conflict resolution and systemic problem-solving. As a panelist, he brings frontline insight, a deep understanding of student mental health, and a commitment to accessibility and fairness in institutional decision-making.

Stephanie McFarland, ombudsman adjointe, Université de Sherbrooke

Stephanie is a social worker with a graduate diploma in Health Law and Policy. A dedicated professional, she joined the Ombuds Office team in the summer of 2023. With nearly twenty years of experience in the health and social services sector—including several years in mediation and conflict resolution—she brings a strong ability to mobilize individuals around shared goals and demonstrates creativity in developing solutions.

Stephanie is a valuable addition to the team. Her complementary skills help support the entire university community in fostering an environment that promotes student success.

CONCURRENT SESSION III

“Hot Topics in Higher Ed Ombudsing – Speed Round!”

Speakers: Edmun Natkunarajah, Shirley Nakata, Natalie Sharpe, Ryan Smith, Annette O’Hara

Session Overview

This rapid-fire discussion highlights trends shaping ombuds work across institutions—from accessibility and equity to systemic responses and resilience. Speakers share lessons learned and invite dialogue on what’s next for the profession.

Bios

Shirley Nakata, Ombudsperson, University of British Columbia

Shirley was called to the BC Bar in 1989 after earning a Bachelor of Arts and an LL.B. from the University of British Columbia. She practiced law at Russell & DuMoulin (now Fasken Martineau) before joining the Canadian Human Rights Commission as a Human Rights Officer. From 1996–2009, she served as Director of Professional Conduct at the BC College of Teachers, overseeing investigations and hearings.

Natalie Sharpe, Director, Office of the Student Ombuds, University of Alberta

Natalie brings 40 years of university ombuds experience, enriched by earlier work as a university instructor, Indigenous land claims research director, encyclopedia editor, and union leader. A former President of ACCUO/AOUCC and recipient of the CCCUO Pete Small Ombuds Award and the ACCUO Distinguished Service Award, Natalie is recognized nationally and internationally for her contributions to fairness and ombuds practice.

Ryan Smith, Assistant University Ombudsperson, Michigan State University

Ryan works with students and community members navigating conflict and complex issues, helping them explore resolution pathways. He holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education and an MA in International Development from the University of Denver.

Annette O’Hara, Ombudsperson, University Canada West

Annette holds a BA in Justice Studies (Mount Royal University) and an MA in Dispute Resolution (University of Victoria). Her ombuds career began in 2016 at the BC Ombudsperson’s Office, later leading her to the University of Victoria in 2018 and now to UCW, where she is engaged in reviewing decision-making practices and fostering fair, transparent processes at a growing institution.

Edmun Natkunarajah, Assistant Ombudsperson and Outreach Officer, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)

Edmun joined the Office of the Ombudsperson in 2023, bringing a background in Urban and Regional Planning, Policy and Communications. He applies his expertise in project leadership, community engagement, and administrative management to support the Office’s day-to-day operations. His responsibilities include managing intake processes, conducting detailed case assessments, coordinating follow-ups, and ensuring accurate case documentation. As the Assistant Ombudsperson and Outreach Officer, Edmun leads the creation and implementation of dynamic outreach strategies and communication initiatives that promote fairness, equity, and transparency across the university community.

CONCURRENT SESSION IV

Marketing & Communications: Equitable Design & Formatting

Speakers: Remonia Stoddart-Morrison, Tanny Marks

Session Overview

As advocates of fairness and equity, all aspects of our work must reflect this. Materials/platform that introduces and informs persons about our services thus, as best as possible, need to meet appropriate standards of equity, diversity & inclusion. The ACCUO Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Committee invites you to join us in practicing how to apply an equity lens to your marketing and communication materials/platforms for your offices. This interactive session will have participants evaluating existing promotional materials using the presented equity standards and considerations.

Bios

Remonia Stoddart-Morrison, Graduate Ombudsperson, University of Alberta

Remonia Stoddart-Morrison is a senior OSO staff member, completing her doctorate in the Faculty of Education; she supports the Director in a consulting role on various University committees. Remonia works collaboratively with GPS and the GSA to ensure policies and processes are in place to make graduate students and postdoctoral fellows academically and professionally successful. As a professional ombuds, Remonia delivers papers at national and international ombuds HE conferences. She also serves on the Association of Canadian College and University Ombudspersons (ACCUO/AOUCC) Executive as a Co-Treasurer, edits the ACCUO/AOUCC bulletin, as Co-Chair ACCUO Communications, and as an ACCUO EDI committee member.

Tanny Marks, Arbiter of Student Issues, Vancouver Community College

Tanny Marks is the Arbiter of Student Issues at Vancouver Community College (VCC), a position akin to an ombuds.  Having enjoyed a winding road throughout her career, Tanny has brushed-up against equity issues through both lived and work experience.  The privileges and the burdens that this brings continues to shape her, with her biggest asset being her willingness to be open to evolving information and realities regarding equity, and a commitment to viewpoint diversity in sorting through this rich and messy landscape. Tanny is passionate about the ideals of justice, and feels privileged to support and promote natural justice and procedural, relational and substantive fairness within the VCC community.

Lastly, the 2025 ACCUO Conference brings together a powerful community of ombuds, fairness practitioners, and leaders committed to advancing equity, transparency, and accountability across higher education. Our speakers reflect the depth, diversity, and forward-thinking spirit of our profession, and we’re excited to learn from their insights, experiences, and innovations.

Check out the full conference schedule here to explore sessions, plan your day, and make the most of your conference experience.