Board Governance and Accountability
The Women Work & Wealth Institute (WWWI) Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, governance, and financial stewardship of the organization. The Board sets and monitors strategic priorities, approves budgets and policies, provides oversight of organizational risk, and supports the sustainability and integrity of WWWI’s mission.
As a governance body, the Board provides leadership and accountability. Directors act in the best interests of the organization, ensuring that WWWI’s programs, partnerships, and activities align with its purpose to advance economic security, equity, and well-being across women’s working lives.
The Board of Directors is composed of individuals with diverse lived experiences and professional backgrounds, including community leadership, policy, finance, research, governance, and systems change. Board members bring a range of perspectives that strengthen decision making and reflect the communities WWWI serves. The Board meets regularly to review progress, address emerging issues, and guide the organization’s long-term direction.
WWWI is committed to accountability through transparency and strong fiduciary responsibility. A priority of the Board is ensuring that members and stakeholders have timely access to information and a clear understanding of the organization’s work, governance structure, and strategic direction.
The Board recognizes that certain strategic discussions and materials must remain confidential during their formative and deliberative stages. Confidentiality is respected on a case-by-case basis, particularly in matters involving contracts, personnel, legal considerations, or other sensitive issues where disclosure could compromise the organization’s interests or legal obligations.
To support its commitment to transparency, the Board communicates key actions, decisions, programs, and initiatives to members and stakeholders and seeks input where appropriate. WWWI’s governing documents, including its Bylaws, policies, strategic priorities, and board nomination processes, are made available to members to support trust, accountability, and informed engagement.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We bring different perspectives to the table, but we’re united by a love for purposeful work, thoughtful curation, and real connection.
Audrey Parkes
Founder & Executive Lead
Audrey is a senior leader, community builder, and economic development practitioner with over 30 years of experience in the non-profit sector. Her work sits at the intersection of community service delivery, economic justice, and systems-informed practice, with a strong focus on income security, pay equity, workforce sustainability, and entrepreneurship.
She served as Board Chair of the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce, providing strategic leadership, governance oversight, and fiduciary stewardship while strengthening national partnerships in support of Black entrepreneurs. As Founder and Executive Lead of Women Work & Wealth Institute, Audrey provides strategic and operational leadership, advancing inclusive, scalable programming that responds to the changing realities of women’s working lives.
Ashley-Lalita Naraine
Board Member
Ashley-Lalita Naraine is a business associate dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and small businesses grow with intention, clarity, and confidence. She works alongside individuals at various stages of their journey, supporting practical strategies that strengthen sustainability, resilience, and long-term success.
She believes entrepreneurship transcends age and gender, and that with passion and purpose, anyone can build a successful side hustle and create lasting economic opportunity. Her work is grounded in the belief that access, guidance, and intentional action are key to turning ideas into meaningful impact.
Ann Pottinger
Board Member
Ann (she/her), RN, MN, PhD Student (Health Policy & Equity) is an educator and registered nurse with extensive experience providing care to diverse clients and families affected by mental illness and addiction in both hospital and community settings. Her practice focuses on care approaches that honour the values and preferences of diverse individuals and groups.
Ann has held various clinical and leadership positions, including Staff Nurse, Advanced Practice Nurse, Director of Quality, and Clinical Director. She has co-designed curricula in mental health, cultural competence, and health equity. In her healthcare leadership roles, she has worked closely with hospital boards and gained significant governance experience. She has also served as Vice President and President of the board of the Ontario Psychiatric Association (OPGA), a former non-profit organization.
Ann is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, at York University in Toronto, Canada.
Diane Hector
Board Member
Diane is a Chartered Professional Accountant, CPA and Certified Internal Auditor, CIA with an undergraduate degree in Economics and past Board Treasurer of the CBCC. She is committed to lifelong learning and recently completed her Master of Business Administration, MBA through Niagara University.
Diane has more than 20 years of people leadership experience in the Broader Public Sector and held progressively senior roles with several provincial ministries and municipal government. She has led teams of finance professionals; envisioned and transformed business units and managed budget cycles for portfolios ranging from $70 million to $1 billion. Beyond financial controllership, Diane enjoys getting to know people, mentoring staff and demonstrating/promoting inclusivity and equity in the workplace.
Outside of work Diane enjoys spending time with family, travelling and staying active throughout the changing seasons.
Theresa Burtnick
Board Member
With more than 33 years of distinguished service in education, Theresa Burtnick has built a reputation as a transformative leader within the Catholic school community. For the past 14 years as an elementary principal with the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, Theresa has led schoolwide initiatives that have strengthened academic excellence, deepened faith formation, and enhanced the overall school climate. Through visionary leadership, Theresa has successfully advanced school improvement plans, elevated student achievement, and fostered a culture rooted in respect, collaboration, and belonging.
A strong instructional leader, Theresa has implemented curriculum enhancements, expanded teacher professional learning, and introduced evidence-based practices that support both student growth and staff development. Administratively, Theresa has demonstrated exceptional skill in financial management, operational oversight, and guiding the school improvement plan to ensure a safe, well-organized, and forward-moving environment.
Equally committed to partnership, Theresa has strengthened community engagement by building meaningful relationships with parents, parish partners, and local stakeholders. These efforts have enriched school life, expanded opportunities for students, and helped reinforce teaching, leading, and learning across the school community.
Recognized for integrity, strategic insight, and unwavering dedication, Theresa continues to champion initiatives that uplift the entire school community.
Join Our Board
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Join Our Board 〰️
Call for Board Nominations
Women Work & Wealth Institute (WWWI) is inviting nominations for individuals to join our Board of Directors.
WWWI is committed to advancing economic security, equity, and wellbeing across women’s working lives. As part of this commitment, we are intentionally seeking board members whose lived experience, perspectives, and knowledge reflect the communities most impacted by economic inequality and structural barriers.
We welcome nominations of individuals who identify as women and who bring diverse lived experiences related to work, caregiving, income insecurity, entrepreneurship, disability, migration, racialization, or non-traditional career pathways.
Our Equity Commitment:
We recognize that leadership pathways have not been equally accessible to everyone. WWWI believes that lived experience, community leadership, and systems awareness are as valuable as formal credentials. We actively encourage nominations from individuals who may not have previously served on a board but who bring insight, integrity, and a commitment to equity.
Who We Are Seeking:
Nominees may bring experience or interest in areas such as:
Governance or organizational leadership
Finance, accounting, or risk oversight
Policy, advocacy, or systems change
Research, evaluation, or data informed decision making
Community based leadership or service delivery
Technology, communications, or digital strategy
Board members are expected to contribute to strategic oversight, participate in meetings and committees, and uphold fiduciary responsibilities in the best interests of WWWI.
Eligibility and Expectations:
Board service at WWWI is a governance role, not an operational or advisory position. Directors must be able to:
Act independently and in the best interests of the organization
Commit time for meetings, preparation, and committee work
Engage respectfully in collective decision making
Uphold WWWI’s values, policies, and code of conduct
Employers and employer affiliated organizations are not eligible for board positions.
How to Nominate:
Individuals may self nominate or nominate someone else. Nominations should include:
A brief statement of interest
A summary of relevant experience or lived perspective
Confirmation that the nominee is willing to serve if selected
Nominations can be submitted to info@womenworkwealth.org
Our Commitment to Fair Process:
WWWI is committed to a transparent and equitable nomination and selection process. All nominations will be reviewed with attention to diversity, skills balance, and organizational needs.
We thank all nominees for their interest in contributing to leadership that reflects equity, accountability, and shared responsibility.