Marni Panas is a proud parent to two amazing boys.
Marni Panas is diversity and inclusion professional dedicated to creating safe and welcoming, and inclusive environments especially for the LGBTQ2S+ population in large public and private organizations, all levels of government and departments, health care, educational institutions, corrections and law enforcement. She was a member of the LGBTQ2S+ Apology Advisory Council which helped draft the apology Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Nov 28, 2017 to LGBTQ2S+ people in Canada who for discrimination and injustices faced by this community as a result of federal legislation, policies and programs.
She was also part of the work that led to Gender Identity and Gender Expression being added as protected grounds from discrimination to Alberta’s Human Right’s Act. She was part of an expert panel that assisted in developing guidelines to support school boards in Alberta in creating policies that would provide safe and welcoming environments for LGBTQ students, families and staff. She provided testimony to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs in support of Bill C-16 (And Act to amend Canada’s Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code of Canada) which received Royal Assent in July, 2017. The full video of her testimony can be viewed at:
http://www.cpac.ca/en/programs/in-committee-from-the-senate-of-canada/episodes/51110436/
Marni has holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Administration, a Canadian Certified Inclusion Professional (CCIP™) designation and serves as the Chair of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion Board of Directors.
Marni has been invited to share her experiences and expertise in community engagement, facilitation, patient & family centred care, bereavement and loss, and inclusive health and cultural safety for LGBTQ2S+ patients and their families locally, nationally and internationally. She provides lectures in universities throughout Alberta and beyond including Harvard Medical School . She has consulted with the various levels of government, law enforcement, universities, local school boards, community services organizations, health care professional colleges and societies, corrections facilities, corporations, and other institutions on public engagement and development of inclusive spaces and services for our diverse population. She often appears in local and national media discussing a variety of topics that affect the community in which she lives. Marni has also made appearances on CNN and The BBC.
As an engaged member of her community, Marni has been honoured with:
- Human Rights Award (John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights)
- Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal
- Global Woman of Vision (Global Edmonton)
- Alumnus of Distinction (Camrose Composite High School)
- Woman of Distinction – Nominee (Edmonton YWCA Woman of Distinction)
for her commitment to creating a community where diversity is not only accepted, but celebrated. A community that is safe for others to be their authentic selves.
Below are many of the organizations who have engaged with Marni’s services:
- Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission
- Alberta’s Office of the Child and Youth Advocate
- Association of Professional Executives of the Public Service of Canada (APEX)
- ATCO
- Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists – British Columbia
- Canadian Western Bank
- City of Calgary
- City of Edmonton
- Edmonton Catholic School Division
- Edmonton Police Service
- Edmonton Public Schools
- Explore Edmonton
- Harvard Medical School
- MacEwan University
- PCL Construction
- Sysco Systems
- The Canadian Human Rights Commission
- The Canadian Senate
- The Conference Board of Canada
- The Government of Alberta
- The Government of Canada
- The University of Alberta
- The University of Victoria
- The University of Lethbridge
- Yukon Government
Marni Panas Consulting 