Vice-Chair

Anna Forth has been a member of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) since 2006. She is an officer in the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (RCCS), based in the National Capital Region. 

Multilingual in French, Spanish and Czech, Anna holds a Bachelor of Arts w/Honours in French and Spanish Studies (University of Winnipeg), a Certificate in Women in Leadership (S.C. Johnson School of Business, Cornell University) and a Master of Arts in Global Leadership (Royal Roads University). Her greatest successes in the military have been her contributions to the training, education, and mentorship of others. Anna has deployed in support of domestic operations such as Op LENTUS, and also internationally as part of Op REASSURANCE in Latvia; a valuable opportunity to work together with NATO colleagues.

Anna believes in the power of compassionate leadership and is active in a number of organizations that promote women and 2SLGBTQI+ persons. Anna is supported in all of her endeavours by her best friend and partner.

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Secretary

Katryna is a seasoned International emergency response expert at Global Affairs Canada (GAC), currently serving as the Senior Advisor on Security and Emergency Management Strategy and Policy. Having amassed a diverse background across multiple positions within the Security and Emergency Management branch, Katryna recently took the helm as the lead on Women In Security within GAC, a role she embraces with deep honor and enthusiasm.

Throughout her tenure at GAC, Katryna has spearheaded numerous high-profile initiatives, including leading the largest COVID-19 repatriations in Canadian history, coordinating Afghanistan evacuations, and directing Lebanon response planning, among others. Her robust 20-year professional journey in Security and Emergency Management spans diverse terrains, from serving in the Royal Canadian Navy to providing specialized protective services at the Ottawa Hospital and battling forest fires across Canada.

Katryna has been focused on advancing equality and promoting the strength and capacity of women working in male dominated spaces through advocacy and mentorship. Outside of work, Katryna is a proud wife and mother to 3 children and is an avid curler and softball player.

Treasurer

Ellen is a passionate advocate for gender equity and intersectionality, with significant experience in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and international security. As Senior Human Resources Manager at 4th Canadian Division HQ, they lead personnel administration and initiatives to ensure CAF policies are inclusive and equitable, advising on Gender-Based Analysis (GBA+) and intersectionality.

Ellen’s experience extends internationally, having served as the Gender Advisor for Operation UNIFIER and the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Advisor for NATO in Kyiv, Ukraine, where she received the Ukrainian ‘Badge of Honour’ for advancing gender inclusivity. They have led efforts to align national security legislation with WPS policies and enhance gender integration within NATO’s framework. Ellen has also managed key operational tasks, including overseeing a multimillion-dollar budget and ensuring security and safety protocols.

She holds a Master’s in Interdisciplinary Studies, focusing on gendered human security, and has contributed to global WPS discourse through teaching and international representation.

Grants & Fundraising Lead

Rhonda has worked at the intersection of development, peace, and security for four decades, with 15 years in conflict zones across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. She began as head of Canadian aid and reconstruction in Kandahar and later led Canadian development cooperation in Pakistan. Rhonda has also worked with the World Bank, UNHCR, and UNDP, focusing on recovery, resilience, conflict response, forced displacement solutions, and peace support. She holds a Master's in Human Security and Peacebuilding and served as a political advisor on the Rohingya crisis with Canada's special envoy Bob Rae.

Rhonda's Canadian diplomatic roles include assignments in Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Ghana. She contributed to the development of the Elsie Initiative in Global Affairs Canada and developed programs with the UN Peacebuilding Fund. Her recent book highlights the importance of women’s empowerment in security policies. With extensive networks in the UN, NGOs, and academia, Rhonda is eager to contribute to advancing WIIS’ agenda.

Mentorship Lead & Strategic Planning

Sara holds a PhD in Political Studies from Queen’s University, where she taught as a Fellow before joining the Department of National Defence. She has held various roles, including Senior Policy Advisor to an External Review Board, Advisor to an Assistant Deputy Minister, and Assistant Professor at the Canadian Forces College. Currently, Sara is a Policy Analyst in Chief Military Personnel and a Research Collaborator with the Canadian Defence and Security Network. She is also an Executive Member of her local Canadian International Council branch.

Sara’s academic focus is on international relations, with research in great power competition, international security organizations, defence diplomacy, and gender and security. As a Policy Advisor and Gender Advisor, she has worked to identify barriers to the leadership of diverse women. Her work integrates Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Indigeneity, and Women, Peace and Security into academic and policy settings. Sara is committed to amplifying marginalized voices, applying evidence-based decision-making, and confronting biases and privilege.

Membership & Outreach Lead

Frieda Garcia Castellanos is an international security professional with expertise in gender integration, strategic outreach, and defense diplomacy across the Americas. Born and raised in El Salvador, her first hand experience with civil war and human security challenges shaped her mission to advance Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) in defense and security institutions.

As WPS Advisor at the Inter-American Defense College (IADC), she leads efforts to institutionalize gender perspectives in military education. With over a decade at IADC, Frieda has designed and facilitated high-level WPS workshops with NORTHCOM, SOUTHCOM, NATO, and the Organization of American States (OAS) reaching global security practitioners. She has expanded WPS outreach through multilingual podcasts, mentorship programs, and regional partnerships.

Frieda brings her communication skills and expertise in network-building, digital engagement, and event design to strengthen WIIS Canada’s impact. A Canadian Permanent Resident, she is committed to fostering inclusive leadership in security and defense.

Membership & Chapter Engagement

Colleen Bell is a faculty member in the Department of Politics at the University of Saskatchewan. Her research and teaching focus on international theories, and critical security and war studies. She is currently working on projects examining international policing, feminist foreign policy, and the role of public relations in military operations. She is excited to serve on the board of WIIS and looks forward to meeting more women in the field. She also hopes to promote and celebrate the work of (especially junior) scholars and to contribute to professional and career development events and initiatives. She is an editor of the journal Critical Studies on Security.

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Membership & Strategic Planning

Astrid Arzu is Counsel with the Department of Justice Canada, where she advises primarily in the area of administrative law and related national security issues.

After completing an undergraduate degree in political science and a J.D. from the University of Alberta, an LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., and participating in an exchange at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, Astrid has developed a growing interest in global perspectives on international security, international humanitarian law, and international human rights. Her appointment to the board of WIIS Canada marks a pivotal moment for her, offering an opportunity to contribute to advancing intersectionality and women's leadership within the realm of international security.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indegeneity Co-Lead

Udoka Owie is an Associate Professor of Law; and Senior Research Associate at the  Nathanson Centre on Transnational Human Rights, Crime and Security, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Canada and has also held the Distinguished Harry Arthurs Fellowship at Osgoode Hall Law School, York University. She obtained both her PhD in International Law and LLM (Distinction) in International Law from the London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom where she started her teaching career. She obtained her LL.B (Hons) law degree from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus and her B.L (First Class Hons) from the Nigerian Law School and has been called to the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, where she has been in active legal practice since 2003. She has authored many articles and papers in human rights and international law including in the areas of international peace and security, as well as women, peace and security.

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Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indegeneity Co-Lead

Venus Torabi is currently a Ph.D. Candidate at Brock University whose research concentrates on the phenomenon of “Ludic Terrorism”, or how videogames have potentially been exploited as cultural and ideological tools for propaganda and recruitment by ISIS and/or white supremacists/extremists. Her research has been funded by the “Ontario Trillium Scholarship” (OTS) and the Brock University Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) Scholarship for the excellence and novelty of research.

Venus’ research was featured in the National Post in 2017 as a life-sponsored article. She is a published novelist and a digital storyteller. Venus is an advocate for peace and democracy for Iran and the Middle East and is a member of Board of Directors in Canadians for Democracy in Iran (CDI), a not-for-profit organization in Toronto to advocate for democracy and peace.

Social Media & Communications Lead

Teanna has over three years of experience working at Global Affairs Canada, ranging  from managing Canada's relations with several European countries to advancing Canada's trade policy priorities in major multilateral fora. Building on her professional expertise, Teanna is currently pursuing a Masters of Advanced International Studies at the Vienna Diplomatic Academy. Teanna holds a B.A. with Distinction in French and Political Science from Simon Fraser University. 

Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Teanna is deeply committed to making a positive impact through her volunteer engagement. She actively supports initiatives that promote gender equality and empower women in the field of international security. As she continues to grow in her career, Teanna remains committed to making organisations stronger by breaking down systemic barriers and creating opportunities for underrepresented groups.

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Education & Training Lead

Isabela has made significant contributions to advancing WIIS’ goals in recent months. As a passionate researcher and advocate, her background in academia and nonprofit leadership equips her to make meaningful contributions. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Political Studies at Queen’s University, focusing on Nationalism, Ethnicity, Peace, and Conflict, with research on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) and preventing gender-based atrocity crimes. She has worked with Professor Stéphanie von Hlatky on gender integration in security policy through extensive literature reviews and data synthesis.

As the Founder and President of Bleed the North, Isabela led efforts to collect over 140,000 period products and influenced legislative initiatives, including the 2023 Federal Food Bank Pilot Project. She has also secured the MINDS Targeted Engagement Grant for research on organizational culture within the Canadian Armed Forces. Isabela’s dedication to social justice, policy development, and governance makes her an ideal candidate for the WIIS-C board, where she is eager to contribute her leadership and advocacy skills.

Member-at-Large

Christina brings over thirty years of strategic leadership and experience in the public service and private sector. She is a seasoned public service executive and foreign policy expert with extensive experience in responding to global crises and conflicts and advancing international development. Christina currently leads a team responsible for multilateral and thematic policy at the Foreign and Defence Policy Secretariat of the Privy Council Office. She is also President of the Board of Directors for Interval House Ottawa, which provides a safe place for women, their children, and pets to escape abuse.

Christina has worked in Ottawa and abroad to champion gender equality and leadership opportunities for women in international peace and security. She has received public service awards including an Operational Service Medal for her work in Afghanistan. 

Originally from Vancouver, Christina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Simon Fraser University and has taken graduate courses in law and international affairs. She lives in Ottawa with her husband and daughter, and enjoys painting in her spare time.

Member-at-Large

In her role as Senior Advisor to Canada’s Ambassador for Women, Peace, and Security at Global Affairs Canada, Melanie works to reduce barriers and amplify women’s voices in global security decisions. She believes a critical mass of women in this field can transform conflict anticipation, peacebuilding, and security for all.

Melanie’s experience includes working in conflict zones like Afghanistan and Ukraine, and shaping security policy and diplomatic processes. As Deputy Chair of the NATO Committee on Gender Perspectives, she gained valuable insight into advancing gender equality in security institutions. She holds a Master’s in Defence Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada and has received numerous honors, including the Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada in 2023.

At a time of growing challenges, Melanie is committed to collaborating with other women to safeguard and advance their influence in international security, ensuring their voices remain central to decision-making.

Member-at-Large

Germaine is a professional African-Canadian woman with 20 years of experience serving her community and encouraging newcomer women to engage in international peace initiatives. African women have limited representation in the Canadian international development sector, often due to a lack of exposure to policymaking. As a WIIS board member, Germaine aims to amplify African women's voices and empower them to increase their participation and leadership in international peace and security.

With a strong background in policy research and international development, Germaine has developed key relationships in both public and international arenas. She has worked at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels as a program manager and senior policy advisor. Currently, Germaine serves as Manager of Corporate Planning and Reporting at ISED in Ottawa. Her experience also includes roles with WPSN, Caritas Canada, and the Canada for Africa Group. She holds a PhD in Public and International Affairs and an MA in Social and Public Policy.

Member-at-Large

Brook is a PhD candidate at the University of York Law School and the Centre for Applied Human Rights (CAHR). Her research interests include the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, military gender advisors, NATO, and international human rights law. She earned her LLM (Distinction) in International Human Rights Law and Practices from the University of York and CAHR; additionally, she completed an MA (Hons) in Human Security and Peacebuilding at Royal Roads University and a BA at the Royal Military College of Canada.

Before moving to the UK to study, Brook served for over 25 years as a logistics officer in the Canadian Army, with postings in Edmonton, Montreal, Yellowknife, Ottawa, UK, Kingston, and Kenya (International Peace Support Training Centre). She has on-the-ground experience in complex operational environments supporting security sector reform and post-conflict reconstruction efforts. Her operational deployments include Op SCULPTURE (Sierra Leone), Op CALUMET (Egypt), and Op PROTEUS (Israel & Palestine).