Courtney Atlee received a Social Service Worker Diploma at Mohawk College before attending McMaster University to complete a BA in Political Science, a Bachelor of Social Work, and a Minor in Indigenous Studies. After graduating she worked for six years in the child welfare system as an Indigenous Family Service, Intake, and After-Hours Emergency Service Worker. After experiencing burnout caused by her workplace environment and culture, Courtney started engaging with her union, where she became Vice President of CUPE Local 181. Over time, she recognized that she needed further knowledge to support her social work practice and is nearing completion of the MSW: Critical Leadership program at McMaster University. Courtney recognized that labour unions can be a tool for transformative change and completed her MSW placement with CUPE 2316 where she worked with Aubrey Gonsalves to develop the 4C’s of critical social work leadership.

Aubrey Gonsalves has been president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 2316 since 2008, representing bargaining unit workers at the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto. Aubrey received his B.A. and B.S.W from York University and began working at the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto as a Family Service Worker. Aubrey also serve on the Executive Boards of both CUPE Ontario as the 2nd Vice President for CUPE Ontario and CUPE National as the Diversity Vice-President representing Black and Racialized Worker.
Prior to the Children’s Aid Society, Aubrey worked voluntarily with youth in several forums, from facilitating workshops at the Mimico Correctional Centre to working directly with youth gangs in Toronto, with a focus on preventing violence in the community, by resolving disputes through mediation. He is a passionate advocate for working together, regardless of differences, to achieve more as a people and society.

Tor Laine is a PhD Student, McMaster University. Tor’s doctor research explores social worker/police collaborations and the effects of work design on social workers experiences of practice. She has worked as a policy analyst for the Government of Canada and as a Crisis Social Worker in Ontario’s northern region.

Erica Maloney is an Assistant Professor Chatham University Pittsburg PA. Erica’s work focuses on addressing social justice issues: racial justice; poverty (special focus on distressed inner-ring suburbs), and health equity. She worked for many years as an anti-poverty community organizer, grant writer, and intensive service case manager. As a case manager, she worked with program participants to address barriers they are facing, such as helping people with disabilities access accommodations and assisting with applying for benefits such as SSI/D, supporting drug/alcohol treatment, served formerly incarcerated people as they reintegrate into society. She has practiced in the area of mental/behavioral health delivering clinical services to children, adolescents, and young adults. She has extensive experience in program evaluation and worked as an evaluator for a number of nonprofit organizations in Pittsburgh.

Anne O’Connell Anne B. O’Connell is an Associate Professor, York University. Anne’s research focuses on contemporary and historical analysis of poverty, colonialism, race and empire, critical race theory and theories of whiteness.

Tara La Rose is an Associate Professor, School of Social Work, McMaster University. Tara’s research considers social workers’ experiences of social policy as expressed in work design. Her scholarship also considers practices of resistance though social media and digital technology; as part of this research she considers process of digital literacy at the community level as resources that enhance digital access. Tara served as a researcher with the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (2000-2002) and served as the principle researcher on the Caseload Overload Project which explored changes in provincial social welfare policy on members of the social work/civil service local (Local One).