Backgrounder – 2025 Recipients of the Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case

The Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case recognize Canadians who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of gender equality.

The 2025 Award recipients are:

Damineh Akhavan, FEC, P.Eng., MBA

Damineh is an award-winning engineer, advocate, and community leader with nearly two decades of experience breaking barriers in the aerospace industry. As a Professional Engineer at De Havilland Aircraft of Canada and a Fellow of Engineers Canada, she combines technical excellence with a passion for change. 

Damineh is the founder and CEO of Global Women in STEM, dedicated to advancing women’s human rights and increasing access to education for girls through advocacy, mentorship, and action.

Throughout her career, Damineh has driven justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion across every level, from local communities to global forums. She has spearheaded initiatives in women’s health, youth empowerment, STEM, and human rights, earning leadership and advisory roles within influential organizations.

As Chair of the West Vancouver Police Board, she uses her own lived experience as an immigrant woman of colour to challenge systemic discrimination and inspire lasting change.

Damineh actively champions women in leadership, equal representation in decision-making, and the efforts to end gender-based violence. She was invited by the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, to represent Canada at the United Nations for UNCSW67 and UNCSW69, and by the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs as an expert participant and advisor to the 2023 UNOOSA Expert Meeting on Space for Women project. 

Above all, Damineh’s voice and actions are devoted to ensuring every woman and girl can learn, lead, and thrive.

Dr. Sandra DeLaronde, MA LT, LL.D (h.c.)

Dr. Sandra DeLaronde, MA LT, LL.D (h.c.), is a respected matriarch, Knowledge Keeper, and advocate dedicated to empowering Indigenous women, girls, and gender diverse people in Manitoba and beyond. Her work is fundamentally driven by the urgent need to implement the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG2S+). Dr. DeLaronde’s advocacy is not abstract; it is direct, persistent, and grounded in the lived realities of MMIWG2S+ families and survivors.

As Project Lead of Giganawenimaanaanig, the MMIWG2S+ Implementation Committee, she stands as a powerful voice for Indigenous women and their families, working to end violence and ensure their experiences shape policy and action at all levels.

At the University of Winnipeg, Dr. DeLaronde’s course “231 Calls for Justice” guides students through crucial discussions about the National Inquiry Into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls. Her teachings provide an opportunity to develop Indigenous and community- based responses to the implementation of the Calls for Justice.

Throughout her career, Dr. DeLaronde has shown what ethical leadership can accomplish, building systems that honour Indigenous ways of knowing. Her life’s work stands as a testament to visionary thinking, cultural humility, and unwavering resilience, laying the foundation for a safer, more equitable future for generations to come.

Marjolaine Étienne

With 15 years of experience in social and community services and two decades in political leadership, Marjolaine is a powerful voice for Indigenous women and a driving force for positive change across Quebec and Canada and around the world. 

As President of Quebec Native Women (QNW), she defends the interests of Indigenous women across Quebec with the goal of improving their living conditions through equality, justice, non-violence, education, health, and economic and social security. Her executive roles in media, regional development, and community organizations have seen her forge strong, lasting partnerships with First Nations, governments, and organizations at every level.

Marjolaine’s leadership is defined by concrete actions: she has founded vocational training centres, established influential women’s councils, and organized summits that unite and inspire. Her legacy includes co-founding the Mashteuiatsh Puakuteu Women’s Committee and launching the First Nations Executive Education – HEC Montréal / Women and Leadership Program, helping Indigenous women strengthen their skills and expand their networks. She is also a member of Women and Gender Equality Canada’s Indigenous Women’s Circle that brings together Indigenous women leaders and subject matter experts from the public and private sectors to discuss the challenges they face and their priorities for advancing gender equality in Canada.  

Internationally, Marjolaine is an advisor for the Unites Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples, allowing her to support Indigenous Peoples who take part in UN processes. She has also contributed to the conception of the General Recommendation No. 39 on the Rights of Indigenous Women and Girls of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, which represents an important milestone in the recognition of their rights worldwide. 

Recognized as a finalist for both the Thérèse-Casgrain Equality Award and the YWCA Women of Distinction Award, as well as a recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal of Quebec, First Nations category, Marjolaine is celebrated for her unwavering integrity, her bold leadership, and her unfailing commitment to justice, inclusion, and the empowerment of Indigenous women.

Shianne Gordon

Shianne “Shi” Gordon is a proud Two-Spirit, Indigenous, African-Nova Scotian leader whose life and work are dedicated to building a safer, more equal Canada for women and girls. Shi began her career on the front lines as a Violence Interrupter in Halifax, where she intervened in and de-escalated instances of gun violence. Her compassion and commitment soon led her to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Halifax, where she created supportive, culturally meaningful spaces and educational programs for girls facing exploitation and family violence.

Shi went on to work with the Department of Community Services, co-creating training for those supporting survivors of sex trafficking, grounding her work in intersectionality and a survivor-first approach. Today, Shi makes a difference as Community Navigator at Avalon Sexual Assault Centre, helping African Nova Scotian and Indigenous women and girls who have survived sexual violence connect to essential services across the Halifax area.

Shi’s expertise was key in shaping Avalon’s advice to the federal Mass Casualty Commission, ensuring the unique challenges faced by racialized women and girls in rural areas were heard. A powerful advocate and steadfast ally, Shianne truly lives her values, demonstrating what it means to lead with courage, care, and purpose.

Meseret Haileyesus

Meseret Haileyesus is a trailblazer and multi-award-winning economic justice advocate, social entrepreneur, recognized as the first woman in Canada to bring economic abuse into the national spotlight. A champion for women’s and children’s health since 2000, she has worked to drive change nationally and globally. Her lived experience and bold vision led her to found the Canadian Centre for Women’s Empowerment (CCFWE), Canada’s only national organisation dedicated to ending economic abuse.

CCFWE has introduced new evidence and groundbreaking solutions by launching Canada’s first economic abuse prevention mobile app, developing innovative screening tools, resources and tech safety solutions. She has also led award-winning national policy initiatives, including the creation of the National Economic Harm Policy Scorecard, Safe Payment Reform for E-Transfers, #HelpUseRise2025 annual campaign, which empowers Canadian governments, financial institutions, hotel and tourism sector to measure progress and drive meaningful policy and legislative reform.

In addition, Meseret led the establishment of November 26 as Economic Abuse Awareness Day, which is now officially recognized by the House of Commons and more than 100 municipalities  and now expanded across five countries. Her programs, “Financial Resilience and Economic Justice”, has helped countless survivors rebuild their lives. To advance this work, she established the Canadian Institute for Research on Economic Justice, dedicated to generating data and evidence. She was invited multiple times to testify at the House of Commons and the Ontario Legislative Assembly.

A passionate leader, Meseret has transformed the conversation around economic justice, not just in Canada, but internationally. In 2022, she mobilized international organizations and submitted a call to action to the UN to recognize economic abuse and spoke at UNCSW68. In 2024, she co-founded the International Coalition Against Economic Abuse. Her work has earned national recognition, including Canada's Top 25 Women of Influence, 2020 L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth Award, 2021 Women of Inspiration, Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada, and being featured in various media, including Forbes.

Her pioneering work, legacy, and tireless commitment have empowered thousands and paved the way for greater justice and economic safety for all vulnerable women. Above all, Meseret takes great pride in being the loving mother of her beautiful daughter, Nathania.

Rochelle Prasad, MEd, BEd (Youth Recipient)

Rochelle Prasad is a leader, educator, and advocate for gender equality. As a young woman of Fijian descent and the first in her family to graduate from university, Rochelle knows what it is like to face barriers and how important it is to open doors for others. 

When she was just 14 years old, she co-founded SPARK Foundation to help girls build confidence, learn life skills, and find their voices. Thanks to her vision, SPARK has supported more than 500,000 young people, many from marginalized backgrounds nationwide.

Rochelle’s passion for equality reaches beyond Canada. She has spoken at the United Nations and the World Bank, sharing the simple but powerful message that when girls are educated and empowered, the world changes for the better.

Today, Rochelle teaches at University Canada West where she shares her experience and knowledge with over 1,500 students. She designs courses that reflect real-life experiences of women and girls, helping her students see what’s possible.

Whether speaking in a classroom or on the world stage, Rochelle lifts others up, showing that real change starts with community, courage, and giving everyone equal opportunities to learn and lead.