The Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy

Progressive Dialogue and Policy for a Better Canada

Pearson Centre Announces New Members of the Board of Directors

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Pearson Centre Announces New Members of the Board of Directors

Today the Pearson Centre, a multi-partisan institute, announced new members who have joined its Board of Directors. “These individuals bring a diversity of experience and expertise to our Board, and we are excited to have them join the leadership team at our organization”, said Kevin Bosch, Chair of the Pearson Centre.

New Members joining the Board are:

  • Michael Pearson: Michael is the grandson of former Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Lester B. Pearson and is a resident of Ottawa. Mr. Pearson served in five federal departments throughout his public service career, where he managed international affairs portfolios and led Canada-U.S. bilateral and multilateral negotiations on files such as fisheries and the COVID-19 public health response. He is a respected commentator and contributor to non-partisan public policy discussion in Canada
  • Zita Astravas: Zita is a public affairs professional with over 15 years serving in senior government and media relations roles at both the federal and provincial levels. She served in a number of senior leadership roles in government, including as Director of Issues Management and senior Advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Chief of Staff to the President of the King’s Privy Council and Minister of Emergency Preparedness, the Minister of Public Safety, and the Minister of National Defence. She also served in numerous leadership roles under former Liberal Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne. Zita currently resides in Vancouver working with Wellington Advocacy;
  • Kate Dalgleish: Kate is the Director of Public Affairs at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), the advocacy agent of the Jewish Federations across Canada. Kate has a legal background and has also worked as a government relations professional focused on political strategy, communications, and regulatory compliance;
  • Chief Jeffrey Copenance: Chief Copenance is Anishinaabe from the Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation where he was elected Chief in August of 2021. Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation is an Ojibwe First Nation located in Kenora District, near Nestor Falls, Ontario. Chief Copenance is a former advisor to Canadian Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Paul Martin and a former Deputy Chief of Staff to Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo;
  • Michael Hatch: Michael is originally from Newfoundland and Labrador, and he has a degree in Economics from the University of Toronto. He is currently the Vice President of Government Relations at the Canadian Credit Union Association. Prior to joining CCUA in 2018, Michael spent a decade at a government relations consulting firm working primarily for national associations. During that time, he also served as chief economist to a large retail trade association, and was their national media spokesperson as well, conducting well over 2,000 media interviews in all formats over ten years. Michael also worked on Parliament Hill for three years as an economic policy advisor.

The Board, with Kevin Bosch as Chair, is currently comprised of Dr. Karen Mock, Immediate Past President; Vice-Chairs Indira Naidoo-Harris and Jonathan Calof; Secretary-Treasurer Carl Nicholson; and Members Russell Gibson, Kathryn Kotris and Louis-Alexandre Lanthier.

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