Executive Director
Candice Shaw, MS, PhD (c)
Candice Shaw joined the EVA Canada in 2024 as Executive Director, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to advancing gender justice and intersectional advocacy. Previously, as Executive Director of the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre, Candice revitalized the 50-year-old organization, expanding it into a fully operational team that now supports thousands of survivors annually with crisis support, counseling, and advocacy services. Her leadership strengthened the organization’s strategic position and long-term sustainability, ensuring its essential services remain available to the community.
Prior to her role at the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre, Candice served as Policy Director for Violence Prevention & MMIWG2S+ at the Native Women’s Association of Canada. There, she contributed to the National Action Plan for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People and the Gender-Based Violence National Action Plan. Her work fostered collaborative partnerships and advanced promising practices in supporting Indigenous rights, gender justice, and reconciliation.
Honored as a 2023 recipient of Ottawa's 40 Under 40 and the Businesswomen of the Year Award for the National Capital Region, Candice is also a doctoral candidate in Sociology at McGill University. With Indigenous, immigrant, and settler heritage, she centers lived experiences in her work, focusing on the intersections of sexism, racism, and colonization impacting marginalized communities.
Prior to her role at the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre, Candice served as Policy Director for Violence Prevention & MMIWG2S+ at the Native Women’s Association of Canada. There, she contributed to the National Action Plan for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People and the Gender-Based Violence National Action Plan. Her work fostered collaborative partnerships and advanced promising practices in supporting Indigenous rights, gender justice, and reconciliation.
Honored as a 2023 recipient of Ottawa's 40 Under 40 and the Businesswomen of the Year Award for the National Capital Region, Candice is also a doctoral candidate in Sociology at McGill University. With Indigenous, immigrant, and settler heritage, she centers lived experiences in her work, focusing on the intersections of sexism, racism, and colonization impacting marginalized communities.
Project Manager
Samantha Fernandes, MSW, RSW
Samantha Fernandes began working with EVA Canada in May 2022 as a Project Manager. She is a Registered Social Worker with an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Windsor.
Samantha spent 16 years working in community-based, non-profit settings, and comes with expertise in the areas of family violence, mental health, psychotherapy, children and youth, violence against women, and human sex trafficking.
Starting her career as a frontline worker with survivors of gender-based violence, Samantha moved into roles that involved management, program development and cross-sectoral collaborative work which has furthered her passion for creating change and supporting survivors of violence.
Samantha spent 16 years working in community-based, non-profit settings, and comes with expertise in the areas of family violence, mental health, psychotherapy, children and youth, violence against women, and human sex trafficking.
Starting her career as a frontline worker with survivors of gender-based violence, Samantha moved into roles that involved management, program development and cross-sectoral collaborative work which has furthered her passion for creating change and supporting survivors of violence.
Stakeholder Engagement
& Advocacy Coordinator
Valérie Auger-Voyer, MSc, MACP, RP (Qualifying)
Before joining EVA Canada in 2021, Valérie worked as a Counselor with survivors of gender-based violence for several years. She was also involved within the community sector in Ottawa as a Board Member and Vice-Chair of the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women (OCTEVAW). Valérie is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) and holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Yorkville University as well as Master of Science in Sociology from the University of Amsterdam and has published ethnographic research on the experiences of undocumented migrant youth in Spain. Having previously lived in many countries and worked with several international aid organizations, Valérie has over 15 years of experience working for non- profits committed to social justice.
Research Coordinator
Stephanie Lanthier, M.Ed., PhD(c)
Stephanie joined the EVA Canada team in September 2022 with over fifteen years experience in the non-profit and education sectors, including work with Women’s College Research Institute, Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres, the Woman Abuse Council of Toronto, and Women’s Place at Malvern Family Resource Centre. She is also a PhD candidate in Social and Behavioural Health Sciences at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto and with the Violence and Health Research program at Women’s College Research Institute. She holds a Master of Education (Cultural and Policy Studies) from Queen’s University.
Stephanie’s graduate research focuses on sexual violence, but she has also worked in the areas of intimate partner violence, sex trafficking, elder abuse, and workplace violence. She has authored and co-authored academic publications, applied research reports and evidence-informed curricula, as well as conducted numerous conference and community presentations and workshops.
Stephanie’s graduate research focuses on sexual violence, but she has also worked in the areas of intimate partner violence, sex trafficking, elder abuse, and workplace violence. She has authored and co-authored academic publications, applied research reports and evidence-informed curricula, as well as conducted numerous conference and community presentations and workshops.
Knowledge Exchange and
Communications Coordinator
Somiya Tabassum
Somiya joined EVA Canada in 2024, bringing extensive expertise in her role as a Knowledge Exchange and Communications Coordinator. She is a community nurturer and educational changemaker, deeply invested in advancing gender-based violence prevention and awareness. Her work is rooted in sexual violence research and community engagement, with a dedication to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion.
With an academic foundation spanning Psychology, Criminology, and Law, Somiya seeks to weave connections across diverse fields, transforming complex concepts into engaging conversations and practical solutions. Her lived experience as a woman of color and growing up in several countries, has fostered a profound respect for diverse cultural perspectives and a strong commitment to meeting people where they are.
She views knowledge mobilization not just as information sharing but as a collaborative journey—one built on trust, mutual understanding, and shared purpose. Approaching each interaction with openness and curiosity, Somiya believes that true community engagement unfolds through sustained relationships and meaningful collaboration. In her role, she aims to drive positive social change, amplify community voices, and help cultivate the collective power needed to address sexual violence coast to coast to coast.
With an academic foundation spanning Psychology, Criminology, and Law, Somiya seeks to weave connections across diverse fields, transforming complex concepts into engaging conversations and practical solutions. Her lived experience as a woman of color and growing up in several countries, has fostered a profound respect for diverse cultural perspectives and a strong commitment to meeting people where they are.
She views knowledge mobilization not just as information sharing but as a collaborative journey—one built on trust, mutual understanding, and shared purpose. Approaching each interaction with openness and curiosity, Somiya believes that true community engagement unfolds through sustained relationships and meaningful collaboration. In her role, she aims to drive positive social change, amplify community voices, and help cultivate the collective power needed to address sexual violence coast to coast to coast.
Researcher & Policy Analyst
Shannon Orchard-Young, MSc.
Shannon joined the Ending Violence Association of Canada in March 2024 as a Researcher and Policy Analyst, focusing on initiatives to drive institutional culture change in addressing sexual violence. Her research bridges social, political, and gender-justice issues, with a strong emphasis on data-driven approaches to prevent sexual and gender-based violence, particularly in underrepresented communities. Shannon's previous work includes developing policies and programs for sexual violence prevention and creating trauma-informed educational resources for service providers and community organizations that support survivors.
In addition, she has extensive experience in the fields of domestic sex trafficking prevention, youth empowerment, educational programming, and online safety. Most recently, Shannon has developed e-courses and training modules to address sexual violence in Canadian communities and to enhance military cultural competency among civilian service providers. She holds an MSc in Global Health from Queen Margaret University’s Institute for Global Health and Development, specializing in sexual and reproductive health.
In addition, she has extensive experience in the fields of domestic sex trafficking prevention, youth empowerment, educational programming, and online safety. Most recently, Shannon has developed e-courses and training modules to address sexual violence in Canadian communities and to enhance military cultural competency among civilian service providers. She holds an MSc in Global Health from Queen Margaret University’s Institute for Global Health and Development, specializing in sexual and reproductive health.
Our Board of Directors
| Name | Organization | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Jenn Richard | Sexual Violence New Brunswick | Chair |
| Aja Mason | Yukon Status of Women Council | Treasurer |
| Ninu Kang | Ending Violence Association of BC | Member at Large |
| Corinne Ofstie | Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services | Member at Large |
| Kerrie Isaac | Sexual Assault Services of Saskatchewan | Member at Large |
| Alexandra Ages | Community Member | Member at Large |
| Rahul Sapra | Community Member | Member at Large |
| Sarah Rodiman | Avalon Sexual Assault Centre | Member at Large |
| Kelly Peck | PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Centre | Member at Large |
| Mary Walsh | Ending Sexual Violence Newfoundland | Member at Large |