Women in Urbanism Canada Welcomes Executive Director
In the summer of 2024, Women in Urbanism Canada (WIUC) received funding that allowed us to hire an Executive Director (and more staff!). After years of being an entirely volunteer-run organization, powered by a dedicated Board of Directors, we are thrilled to be able to scale our operations in such a significant way!
The Board of Directors received applications from many talented women and gender-diverse people for this position. Thank you to all those who applied - we reviewed each and every application with care - and there were many outstanding applicants.
After a competitive selection process, the Board is thrilled to announce Michelle Bilek as our new Executive Director!
“I am truly honoured and excited for this opportunity as Women in Urbanism Canada's inaugural Executive Director and to actualize the founding board members’ vision for cities that are equitable, affordable, accessible, sustainable, and centred in feminist urban models of community care” - Michelle Bilek
Learn about Michelle below:
Michelle Bilek (she/her) - Mississauga, ON -
Executive Director
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Michelle is a long-standing supporter of democracy, human rights, justice, equity, anti-racism, anti-oppressive values and mindset, taking meaningful actions for reconciliation, and the protection of our environment. As an advocate against intersectional forms of violence, homelessness and poverty, she has been driven to challenge the status quo and make a difference in the lives of community members. Michelle continues to work tirelessly for those who feel they do not have a voice, and she honours all people who are placed at the margins of society.
Prior to joining Women in Urbanism Canada, Michelle worked for the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness as the National Organizer. In this role she provided policy, advocacy, and research for organizations and communities by amplifying the needs, voices, and solutions to end various intersectional forms of homelessness and poverty. Michelle’s experience with working to end homelessness started locally, where she collaborated with community stakeholders to form the Peel Alliance to End Homelessness, which has had tremendous impact in local policies and system wide coordination efforts.
Michelle has also previously worked as a High School Teacher in Toronto, and as a FAST (Families and Schools Together) Facilitator at various grade schools in Peel Region. As an educator, she has developed productive and trustworthy relationships between our schools, educators, students, and families. Michelle continues to provide education support to students of all ages, including ESL adults as a tutor.
Michelle has been on the Board of Directors for The Regional Diversity Roundtable of Peel, where she supported programing and development in DEI leadership within Peel Region. As a Peel Diversity Champion, she contributed to the creation of the landmark document, The Diversity and Inclusion Charter of Peel. Michelle continues to sit on the Community Advisory Board of Reaching Home (formally the Homelessness Strategy Partnership) for Peel Region, and as Board Co-Char for MOYO Health and Community Services, where she supports BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ+ community members with programs, services and for those living with HIV and AIDS.
Michelle has contributed to the Peel’s Food Security Taskforce and to the creation of the Food Security Charter of Peel. As a member of the Peel Poverty Reduction Strategy, Michelle supported the Strategy’s 10-year Poverty Reduction Strategy creation and refresh. Michelle is a 20 year member of Peel Poverty Action Group and Editor of its Tough Times News. She previously held the position of Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services (SAVIS) and she spent two years as a Victim Witness Court Wacher in the Ontario sexual assault and violence court system. Michelle continues to volunteer at Eden Food For Change, by providing service support, and fresh food with dignity to those who are experiencing food insecurity in Peel. Michelle is also a “Diversity on Boards” mentor for FORA, where she supports the journey of young women and gender-diverse youth to leadership roles on Boards of Directors. She is a long-time member of the Council of Canadians, Inter Pares, Broadbent Institute, Fair Vote Canada, and others. Michelle is a frequent host on ‘Sauga News Talk 960am radio show “Peel Matters”, the “905er” podcast and UTM’s “Radical Reverend” radio show, and has been a guest editor with Canadian Women’s Studies Magazine and a member and participant of Habitat for Humanity, Make Poverty History and Equal Voice Canada.
Michelle has also been a political organizer and past Federal candidate in 2008, 2011 and the fall of 2015. She was a Provincial candidate in the October 2011, and the June 2013 elections. She also ran for Trustee in Mississauga in 2010 and Councillor in 2022. Michelle’s campaigns have forced public debate on an alternative view for society, based on social justice, and radical empathy.
Michelle’s values and contributions come from her upbringing and education. Michelle has received an education in Psychology & Sociology from McMaster University and has subsequently studied and received a Masters in Women’s Studies & Gender Studies from York University. Michelle believes that racist, oppressive systems and the ongoing practice of capitalistic wealth over lives, is the core cause of poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness. Michelle believes there is a renewed sense of urgency for equitable and sustainable communities where all can live safely and thrive. When local communities are armed with knowledge, the solutions of our most critical and overlooked issues have socio-economic benefits for everyone.
Michelle believes a better way can be achieved by creating a society based on inclusion, equity and justice, and by approaching our communities with empathy, compassion, understanding, caring and sustainability is all just a matter of choice.
“It is time that cities across Canada design and imbed equitable and sustainable infrastructure and the policies that shape them, and in doing so, we must prioritize our most vulnerable and marginalized community members. I resolutely believe our cities can thrive only if we centre the needs of everyone. It's time for feminist cities." - Michelle Bilek
Future job postings will be made available on our careers page (we’re currently hiring a Project Coordinator!), and we are always accepting applications to volunteer and join our board. If you’d like to stay up to date on our activities, we encourage you to become a member and subscribe to our newsletter.
