The READ Magazine (Spring 2025)

Diving In

to make waves PAGE 20

Branksome alums like Nadia ALY’03 are finding fresh ways

A Branksome Moment

Out for Adventure

Every fall, Grades 7–11 students participate in Week Without Halls, travelling to Ontario camps for team-building and outdoor activities like high ropes, archery, polar bear plunges and, of course, canoeing! Here, this year’s Grade 7s experience the glee of making new memories out on the water with friends by their sides.

Editorial Committee

Cristina Coraggio

Grace McCallum

Liisa Stephenson

Karrie Weinstock

CONTRIBUTORS

Nadia ALY’03

Sarah Baumann

Danielle Bourgon

Katy Dockrill

Harold Feng

Jana JACKSON’07

Melanie CHANDLER Jackson’74

Diane Jermyn

Elizaveta KOZLOVA’15

Grace McCallum

Eloise McINTOSH’17

Jesse Milns

Kelsey Rolfe

Kiana ROMEO’17

Robert Rutkay

Alëna Skarina

Liisa Stephenson

Caley Taylor

Luisa Trisi

Amy VERNER’98

Karrie Weinstock

Neetu White

Berton Woodward

Alums, employees and friends of Branksome Hall

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

Michael Cherkas + Associates

Branksome Hall 10 Elm Avenue

Toronto, ON M4W 1N4 Tel: 416-920-9741 www.branksome.on.ca

CONTACT

Neetu White in Alum Relations nwhite@branksome.on.ca

SPRING 2025

Volume 64, Number 1

Canadian Publications Mail Agreement No.40010445

Features

14 From Grassroots to Global Influence

Four highly experienced Branksome community members talk about how to get women more involved in public life.

20 Making a Splash

Nadia ALY’03 has created an impressive global brand as an award-winning underwater photographer and conservationist.

26 Sisters by Design

Siobhan BARRY’91 and Olivia BARRY’93 each found related creative pursuits in life.

30 The Genteel Powerhouse

Catherine MICKELSON Bedford’89 has built a highly public career as one of the U.K.’s top divorce lawyers.

Photos this page: Jay Clue (top); Cari Newton (bottom). Opposite page: Caley Taylor (top left)

Editor’s Note

Spring in Our Step

It’s the perfect season to usher in the new, particularly as we welcome Principal Grace McCallum to the pages of The READ for the fi rst time. Branksome Hall is blossoming, and so is the magazine, with a freshened masthead on the cover (and fi rst selfie cover image!) and design tweaks throughout to showcase our community’s stories, imagery and creativity at their very best.

We are living in complex times, but Branksome alums, students, employees and community members continue to make a difference and create forward momentum, whether by getting involved in politics, advocating for ocean conservation, making life better through design, winning divorce cases with integrity or founding a company to bring comfort to cancer care.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we have putting it together, and, as always, welcome your feedback at alum@branksome.on.ca.

—Sarah Baumann

Vision

To be the pre-eminent educational community of globally minded learners and leaders.

Mission

Each day, we challenge and inspire girls to love learning and to shape a better world.

Values

Sense of Community, Inclusiveness, Creativity, Making a Diff erence

The Power of Relationships

In my first year, I have dedicated myself to listening and learning

By Grace McCallum, Principal

This past year has been a journey of deep listening, learning and connection. I have had the privilege of meeting one on one with more than 250 members of the Branksome community— students, parents, alums and colleagues—and what stands out above all else is the profound sense of belonging and the lifelong relationships forged here.

Our alums speak of friendships that have shaped their lives in the most meaningful ways—mentors to their children, unwavering support in times of loss and cherished companions in life’s biggest milestones. Our faculty and staff share similar sentiments—working at Branksome isn’t just a job, it’s a way of life, enriched by colleagues who become lifelong friends. And our students, too, recognize the power of the connections they are making, often wishing time could stand still so they could hold on to these formative years a little longer.

Th is affi rms my belief that relationships are at the core of everything we do—at school, in work and in life. Th is is why I have dedicated my fi rst year, and every year that follows, to fostering strong relationships and learning from those who have come before me.

PrincipalED: Amplifying Our Stories

One of the most exciting initiatives we launched this year is the PrincipalED podcast. Th rough my many conversations with our alums and broader community, I have heard incredible stories of resilience, courage and triumph that defi ne Branksome—stories that deserve to be shared with the world, and I am thrilled to highlight them through this new platform.

The iCAST Mindset

We are on the cusp of something extraordinary with the opening of the new Karen L. Jurjevich

“I have heard incredible stories of resilience, courage and triumph that define Branksome—stories that deserve to be shared with the world.”

Innovation Centre and Studio Theatre (iCAST). While the bricks and mortar are going up, it is not the building itself that will transform us—it’s the mindset we bring to it.

Some hear the word “innovation” and think only of technology and hard skills, but it is so much more. Yes, we must prepare our students for a rapidly evolving digital economy—one in which 90 per cent of jobs will require digital skills, yet only 54 per cent of workers currently have them. But innovation isn’t just about technology. It’s about adaptability, creativity and resilience.

AI is not a distant horizon; it is here. It is reshaping industries and redefining learning. Our challenge is not just to teach our students how to use AI, but also to empower them to shape, challenge and leverage it as a force for good.

Redefining Success

A conversation I had with one of our parents, a successful CEO, deeply resonated with me. She noted she no longer hires based on top grades alone, but rather seeks individuals who can navigate complex problems, collaborate effectively and embrace feedback without fear. She looks for those who have struggled, failed and learned from it—people who bring resilience, creativity and a global mindset to the table.

This is the successful future we must prepare our students for. In addition to technical skills, graduates also need the ability to think critically, communicate with clarity and work with diverse perspectives. It’s work that will take place in iCAST, which, as I’ve indicated, isn’t just a building, but an invitation to expand our vision of what’s possible in education, to push beyond our comfort zones and to build a culture of innovation together. The road ahead is exciting, and I can’t wait to take this journey with you. R

‘I Followed My Heart’

Our new Principal, New Brunswick-born Grace McCallum, opens up about herself to The READ

Why did you choose education as your career?

As a high school and university student, I worked with a program called Big Buddies and loved building relationships with young people. I never thought I’d be a teacher—in fact, I thought I would be a lawyer—but I kept coming back to the joy I found in working with students. In the end, I followed my heart, and education was the right fit.

Your last school was in Brazil. What led you to IB schools around the world?

After teaching in New Brunswick, an exchange program took me to China, where I had the chance to help introduce the IB. I knew immediately this was how learning should be: inquiry, agency and interdisciplinary connections—learning that truly mattered.

Living and working internationally also gave me opportunities I might not have had at home, especially as a female leader. My husband and I intentionally chose countries where we’d have to stretch ourselves, embrace discomfort and continue learning. That mindset has shaped not only my career, but also the way we’ve raised our two daughters. We’d still be in Brazil or overseas if my dream job at Branksome Hall had not become available!

How do you balance work and family life?

I think balance is a myth—it’s about seasons. Right now, my family needs me, my school is

new, my city is new and my focus shifts week to week. Some weeks I get it right, and others I don’t. What matters is setting realistic expectations and finding what works for you.

For me, the early morning hours are mine—for exercise, reading and journalling—so that by the time my family is up, I can be fully present. If I don’t get that time, I don’t feel successful during the rest of my day. I became a principal young, so I’ve had to learn and adapt, and I continue to do so.

What are you reading right now?

I’m a re-reader when a book really speaks to me. Right now, I’m revisiting Leadership in Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin and Lisa Damour’s Untangled, the newly released edition. I’m also reading Possible by William Ury, which explores how we can shift from conflict to collaboration in an increasingly divided world.

What’s one piece of advice that has stuck with you?

“It’s OK to lead like a woman.” Early in my career, I was told I wouldn’t be taken seriously if I leaned into my femininity as a leader—I even changed how I dressed to fit the mould. But a mentor at St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School in Oakville reminded me that leadership doesn’t have to mean abandoning who you are. There is power in leading with empathy, vulnerability and authenticity. I lead like a woman, and I also lead like myself. R

Branksome Buzz

News from around Branksome Hall

IMAGINING A BETTER PLACE

“The assignment was to create a work of street art on an issue that is important to me. I chose the word ‘Hope’ because I hope for the world to become a better place. The idea I was trying to express was to clean up all the trash in space, which is a huge problem. I did gradients with different shades of blue, which remind me of space, and added a drop shadow to represent space’s depth and how big it is.

Some of the skills and techniques I applied are 3D lettering, shading and sgraffito, which is when you scratch texture and patterns into your artwork.”

—Maya, Grade 6

PEDAL TO THE METAL Grade 9 student

Melisa learned to sew last year and has since created upcycled bandanas from old uniforms and pieces for the Lunar New Year celebration.

BUTTON UP

The button maker is frequently sought after by students for self-expression, allowing them to turn their artwork into shareable items or use them to promote clubs and events.

REALITY BENDING

Olivia, Grade 10, is a frequent iHub user. She learned to use Unity to create a VR experience for a personal project and is launching a new podcast.

THE CUTTING EDGE

Nora, Grade 11, is passionate about laser cutting, using it to bring her designs to life with precision and combining it with coding to create interactive, dynamic projects.

MEANINGFUL DECOR

Class of ’26 student Nora worked with

Kang to create this 10 Elm Avenue decoration for Branksome volunteers, using the laser cutter and advanced design techniques.

Explore This Space

Senior & Middle School iHub

An inviting place to play, create and tinker, the iHub welcomes Grades 7 to 12 students and Branksome employees to workshops where they can learn new skills and bring their ideas to life. Curriculum Innovation and Technology Coordinator Yoon Kang and Innovation Lab Technicians Crow Peters and Devlin Macpherson facilitate the space.

Ms.

Robert Rutkay

Athletics

Moving Fast

Women’s sports are making history, with the Professional Women’s Hockey League setting attendance records, the NHL welcoming its fi rst female head coach and Serena Williams joining the ownership group of the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo. The Highlanders had standout fall and winter seasons, and even unveiled a fierce new logo at the school’s annual Hockey Day.

1

2

4

5

The Senior Flag Football Team won silver at the CISAA Championships in what is only their second year.

Thank you to the U14 Basketball team’s amazing teacher-coaches, like Paddy Watson.

3 Employees Vanessa Gagné, Denise SMITH’94 and Evita Strobele with their daughters at a U14 Field Hockey game.

Branksome hosted all of the CISAA U12–U14 fall swim meets.

2024–25 was the U10 Soccer team’s first year.

Student Profile

A Passion for the Environment

The two student leaders of Branksome’s Sustainability Council are all about reducing impact

They are championing environmental change, sparking conversations about sustainability and inspiring action across the school community. Meet the dynamic duo leading this year’s Sustainability Council—Grade 12 student Ellen and Grade 11 student Poppy. Not only are they raising awareness, they are taking concrete steps to reduce the environmental impact of the school.

The Sustainability Council’s mission is clear: to foster a more sustainable future at Branksome Hall while encouraging students and staff to make mindful, environmentally friendly decisions. The student-run club meets every other Monday during lunchtime, gathering a passionate group that is dedicated to making a difference.

“We’re a space for students to come together and discuss climate change and sustainability,” says Poppy, who has been part of the council since Grade 10. “It’s an outlet where we can talk about things that matter to us.”

The Sustainability Council’s contributions to the Branksome Hall community include both hands-on projects and educational events. Founded about 10 years ago, the club leads initiatives such as park cleanups and Earth Week events, including a pop-up oncampus thrift shop where students buy second-hand clothes to support a not-for-profit organization. In the future, club members hope to start annual drives like pop-tab collection and battery recycling.

Lily, Branksome Hall’s sustainability mascot, is often featured at the Junior School, where the curriculum includes

sustainability units and students help plant trees in the Woodlot. Ellen and Poppy both fondly remember her from their Junior School days. “She was always a fun reminder to think about sustainability in everything we do,” says Ellen, who also joined the council in Grade 10.

Both leaders took part in ecosystem units in Grade 9 science and note that the solar

panels on the roof of the Senior School Gym have saved 5.5 tonnes of CO2 since they were installed in 2009. “It’s exciting to be part of a school where sustainability is taken seriously and is part of the curriculum,” says Ellen.

The pair are deeply motivated by a sense of personal responsibility to the environment. For Ellen, a lifelong love for animals and the environment has fuelled her

passion for sustainability. “I’ve always loved animals and nature, and I wanted to find a way to make real change at school,” she says.

For Poppy, it’s a topic close to home. “My dad has always been passionate about sustainability, so it’s something that’s always been top of mind in our household,” she says. Her early exposure to sustainability initiatives in the Junior School, like reducing plastic waste,

The Sustainability Council’s mission is clear: to foster a more sustainable future at Branksome Hall while encouraging students and staff to make mindful, environmentally friendly decisions.

inspired her to take action in the Senior & Middle School. “The service aspect of the club is important to me. It’s about making a difference in tangible ways.”

And they are indeed making a difference. With dedicated student leaders like Ellen and Poppy at the helm, the sustainability movement at Branksome Hall will continue to have an impact for years to come. R

The Sustainability Council and friends clean up Craigleigh Gardens.

The Power of Words

Branksome’s Debate and Public Speaking Society is celebrating 60 years of skilful talk

By Kiana ROMEO’17

BSPEAKING THROUGH THE DECADES

Students debating in 1983 (top); Karrie Weinstock and students host Chrystia Freeland at Worlds in 2019; Debate Coach Grace Nolan with Annie DENG’24 at a Branksome Clubs Fair.

ranksome Hall has produced generations of trailblazing leaders, with many alums developing their skills in the school’s Debate and Public Speaking Society. What began in 1965 as a small club founded by Meredith CLARK Tone’67, and fostered by the dedication of visionary coaches Aija Zommers and Nora McRae, has evolved into an impressive program with more than 80 students and numerous awards. Now, celebrating its 60th anniversary, the program continues to thrive, equipping young women with the confidence, eloquence and ability to challenge the world around them in their lives post-Branksome.

Natalia PAYNE’99 never planned to join the Society—it found her. Encouraged by drama teacher Judith FRIEND’75 and history teacher and debate coach Aija Zommers, she entered the

60 YEARS OF DEBATE AT BRANKSOME

1965

Club founded by Meredith CLARK Tone’67

1980

Branksome is the first school for girls to host the Fulford Debate Tournament

1998

Nora McRae Public Speaking Tournament founded and named after former BH English teacher

2003

2010

Zeenia FRAMROZE’11 is the first Branksome student to win Worlds (in Lithuania)

Partnership begins between Branksome and the Get Ahead Project School in Queenstown, South Africa

2011

2019

Branksome Hall is the first Canadian School to host Worlds, with then foreign aff airs minister Chrystia Freeland as keynote speaker

Elizabeth STRATTON’11 is the first BH student selected to the Canadian national debate team

2022

2023

Nora McRae Public Speaking Tournament and won fi rst place in the Junior Division. From that moment, she was hooked. Debate taught her how to remain composed under pressure, argue with conviction and listen with an open mind—skills she now applies as an actor. “When I’m playing a role, I’m arguing my character’s position—seeing the world through their eyes and fighting in their corner,” she reflects.

When Anna Lisa LOWENSTEIN’17 joined the Society in Grade 7, she had no idea it would shape her future. Her fi rst debate was daunting—she even cried— but she persevered, learning to trust herself despite her nerves. That resilience took her from her role as 2016–17 Head Prefect to becoming a political staffer in the federal government. “Debate teaches you that you deserve

Annie DENG’24 and Sobée DANSEREAU’24 win the French National Debate Championships (in Canada)

Re:Solved, the world’s first global online debate competition, is launched in partnership with the Munk Debates

2023

2024

Anna GAGE’24 wins Worlds (in Australia)

Branksome’s public speakers are invited to perform at the Magnum Opus Showcase at Carnegie Hall

2025

Helen ZIOMECKI’25 wins Worlds (in Malaysia). BH becomes one of four schools to win back to back

a platform, that people should listen when you speak,” she says. “It did wonders for my self-worth growing up.”

In a program known for go-getters, it’s no surprise that Sonia MAHAJAN’15 emailed the coaches for an entire year to secure her spot. Despite her eagerness, debate and public speaking didn’t come easy to her—she spent countless hours rehearsing and perfecting her craft . But that dedication and perseverance became important skills, paying off in her everyday life and future career as principal designer of her own business in New York City, Teak & Crane.

Grace Nolan introduced her to in Grade 10. A natural public speaker, Anna became the overall champion of the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships in 2024, making her the second Branksome student to achieve the top honour. Now studying at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a prestigious Morehead-Cain Scholar, Anna credits her love of learning in new environments to the lessons she learned as a Branksome debater.

Futures

STEAM-ing Ahead

Did you know that 40 per cent of Branksome grads chose fields of study in STEM and the Fine Arts in 2024?

“Debate helps you build confidence in yourself, find your voice and defend your ideas. These are attributes that young women need in their careers and life.”

Tracy DALGLISH’81, a beloved Branksome history teacher and debate coach, has a long history with the Society. She found her love of debate after joining and winning a competition in her fi rst year. Now, Tracy’s greatest thrill is seeing Branksome students fulfi l their dreams and become accomplished young women. “Debate helps you build confidence in yourself, fi nd your voice and defend your ideas,” she says. “These are attributes that young women need in their careers and life.”

Recent graduate Anna GAGE’24 has a deep fondness for the Society, which coach

From humble beginnings where students met and prepared their cases in the Senior School library to a Branksome powerhouse that now meets in the AWC Dining Hall, the Debate and Public Speaking Society is not slowing down. In fall 2024, Branksome was named Top Canadian School at the International Independent Schools’ Public Speaking Competition, and in spring 2025, Grade 12 student Helen Ziomecki won Worlds in Kuala Lumpur. Branksome also spreads its belief in the power of debate and public speaking through global initiatives such as its partnership with the Get Ahead Project School in South Africa and Re:Solved worldwide online debate and public speaking competition, led by coach Nolan and generously supported by Anne GREGOR’66.

As Karrie Weinstock, who has been involved with the program for more than 40 years, notes, “Branksome’s deep commitment to debate and public speaking is made possible by outstanding coaches who inspire and support our students to research meticulously, think critically and excel in the clash of ideas and power of words. Not for the faint-hearted, debate and public speaking teaches courage, collaboration and leadership—a Branksome tradition we proudly continue.” R

University admissions continue to take notice of Branksome students’ strength in STEAM. Here’s where just a few of the Class of 2025 will be next year. Class of 2025 Valedictorian Sylvia Zhang will attend Cornell for computer science. Lucy Bickley will study both political science and jazz drums at Brown University. Amy Zou is heading to Barnard College, Columbia University, to study astrophysics. Yujin Ge is off to the Rhode Island School of Design for illustration.

Style

Branksome’s Fashion ‘Roots’

Branksome Hall has launched an exclusive collection in collaboration with Roots Canada, blending the school’s spirit with iconic Canadian style. Many items of the collection, which features the Branksome Varsity Jacket, Pullover Kanga Hoodie and 1/4 Zip Stein, sold out within the fi rst few weeks of release. Special thanks to Ava, Megan and Miranda for modelling in a special photo campaign.

Photo

FROM GRASSROOTS TO GLOBAL INFLUENCE

Four highly experienced Branksome community members talk about how to get women more involved in public life

By

Diane Jermyn Illustration by Alëna Skarina

When it comes to politics, mind the gap—the gender gap.

The chasm between men’s and women’s involvement in Canadian politics is still wide, but don’t despair. Some accomplished members of the Branksome community have insightful advice on positive ways of narrowing it, whether in running for elective office or just getting involved. And at a crucial time for democracy, there is plenty of gap to make up. The UN Commission on the Status of Women notes that 107 countries have never had a female head of state, and that in 2024, a year full of elections around the world, women held only 27 per cent of seats in national parliaments. The push for more female involvement is not just a matter of gender justice. As the commission notes in a September 10, 2024 explainer, “Having more women in policymaking has shown to help advance legislation on crucial issues, such as health, education, childcare, infrastructure and ending violence against women, and to serve as an inspiration for girls to pursue higher education and career opportunities.”

Last November, the loss for a second time by a female candidate for president in the U.S. left many wondering if that country will ever elect a woman leader. While there were multiple factors in Kamala Harris’s defeat, the gender bias is real. Research shows that voters hold women to a higher standard than men, despite female candidates having similar or higher levels of qualifications for political office.

Th ings may or may not be different in Canada (we’ve had a female prime minister), but with the federal election this spring, it’s worth reflecting on the role gender plays. In the last parliament, 31 per cent of MPs were women. That’s an increase over 1997, when just 20.6 per cent were women. But if that sounds progressive, consider that Canada sits 68th globally when ranked by the number of women in national parliaments. In our history, we’ve had three female deputy prime ministers— but still no publicly elected female PM (Kim Campbell lost at the polls).

There’s room to do better—and at times we have. Of the six candidates who originally ran for the Liberal Party leadership recently, three were female. A female MP ran for the federal Conservative leadership in 2022, and the NDP and the Greens have each had two women at the top. Women frequently run and succeed at the provincial level, most recently premiers Susan Holt in New Brunswick and Danielle Smith in Alberta.

It’s encouraging to see more women in these high-level positions, but there’s clearly far to go. Four Branksome community members with direct political experience have a lot to say about stepping up to some form of public life and how to do it—whether it’s volunteering your time or running for MP.

The four are former campaign strategist Joanne COOK’73, political staffer Caroline WILLIAMS’13, school board chair Sarah PASHAGUMSKUM’89 and Canadian senator Donna Dasko, a past parent. For all of them, politics in some form has dominated their lives.

Involvement can start early.

Joanne Cook

began by watching her parents and neighbours organize to fight against developers trying to “blockbust” their Davisville neighbourhood in Toronto to build high rises. By age nine, she was already stuffing flyers into people’s mailboxes and sitting in on community meetings held in her family room.

Recently retired from a career as a political strategist, Joanne worked as the overall organizer for federal election campaigns in 12 federal ridings in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, played a leading role on the campaign team that swept the first NDP government into power in Nova Scotia, and acted as a senior political and policy advisor to Nova Scotia’s NDP government. She says there’s still a huge cultural assumption that politics is a boys’ game.

“One of the big challenges is that you’re constantly underestimated,” Joanne says. “But it can also be a strength because they may not

see you coming. Don’t assume you don’t have the skills, or shut off roads for yourself that nobody’s put a barrier across.”

Passionate about many causes, Joanne has also worked in the non-profit sector and environmental consulting. “My main thing was public consultation—getting people together in a room and trying to find something everyone could agree on,” she says. “Politics at its best is like that too. At its worst, it’s nasty, dirty, backstabbing—but at its best, it’s figuring out a way forward. And I really liked being in those rooms.

“The women I’ve seen be really good at politics aren’t playing a character from The West Wing ,” she says. “They’re the ones who are thoughtful and pay attention to what people are actually saying—and not just because that’s the role they think they must play.”

Above all, don’t underestimate the power you may have. In 2024, Joanne was part of a team of women who helped Lina Hamid, a 35-year-old Sudanese Canadian, win an election to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly by mobilizing a last-minute grassroots campaign on a shoestring budget. Joanne credits the win—by 419 votes—to the mostly women volunteers from 18 to 75 years old who came together to support Hamid’s campaign.

“MY MAIN THING WAS PUBLIC CONSULTATION—GETTING PEOPLE TOGETHER IN A ROOM AND TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING EVERYONE COULD AGREE ON.”

JOANNE COOK’73

“Find your tribe,” says Joanne. “If you want to get involved in politics, just walk into a campaign office and ask, ‘Is there something I can do?’ If you’re fortunate, skilled enough and in the right place at the right time, you can actually have an impact on what’s happening, even as a backroom staffer.”

Some 40 years or so after Joanne first got involved, that’s exactly what Caroline Williams did—she walked into a Liberal candidate’s office

in 2015 saying, “Hi, how can I help?” She had always taken an interest in politics but wasn’t sure what to do with it. Becoming fed up with Prime Minister Stephen Harper was her tipping point.

“Elections are a great opportunity to join politics, because everybody’s looking for volunteers,” says Caroline, who spent that election summer clipboard in hand. “Knocking on doors to talk to strangers takes a lot of courage, especially when you’re 19 at the time, but it’s the best way to do democratic engagement. Political parties are really built off the backs of volunteers, more than anything else.

“You tend to work with the party you’re most aligned with because politics is values-based. At the end of the day, you do it because you’re passionate about changing the world, changing the country and making it a better place.”

After graduating from the University of Edinburgh (where she also got involved in Scottish politics), Caroline started as a legis-

“AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU DO IT BECAUSE YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT CHANGING THE WORLD, CHANGING THE COUNTRY AND MAKING IT A BETTER PLACE.”

CAROLINE WILLIAMS’13

lative assistant to Brampton Liberal MP Ruby Sahota in 2018. She then spent the next several years in various roles as a political staffer in the federal government. Most recently, she served as director of issues management in the office of then public safety minister Dominic LeBlanc.

“Absolutely, women are underrepresented in politics, and that has an impact,” says Caroline. “You’re going to notice differences with how your male colleagues are treated versus you, but this is far from exclusive to politics. It’s also important to recognize that different women will have different experiences and frankly, in many cases, harder challenges getting into politics than others.

“As a white woman, I shouldn’t walk into a boardroom and assume that because I’m speaking, I’m speaking for all women. It’s important to look around the table and see all the different diverse perspectives. That’s how you build the strongest policies, because you’re building federal policies for Canada, not just for a few people.”

If you’re thinking about running for office, Caroline suggests having conversations with people who’ve been politicians, because there are practical aspects to sort out. For instance, the impact on your career and on your family—what compromises you’re willing to

make and if you’ve got the support network to handle it.

Moreover, notes Caroline, political office is not the only way to get involved. “Advocacy groups are a great way to start,” she says. “They’re not aligned with a political party, but their job is to speak to government and advance perspectives. There’s a huge space for people who care about a specific issue, whether it’s the environment, public safety, or just whether or not you want jets at Billy Bishop airport. You can advocate for a specific issue in a nonpartisan way and effect a lot of change.”

Running for office was a challenge that Sarah Pashagumskum was willing to take.

Growing up in the Cree community of Eeyou Istchee in northern Quebec, she recalls becoming aware of news events early, including that political positions such as prime minister weren’t typically held by women. So when Violet Pachanos was elected as the fi rst wom-

an chief in their community, it was a pivotal moment.

“Seeing her example as a potential for my own future was empowering,” says Sarah, who was 16 at the time. “I really believe women taking on leadership roles is so necessary, not only for the unique perspectives that we bring, but to ensure there are role models for career paths and opportunities laid out for younger women who are looking for that particular challenge.”

Sarah has run and twice been elected to her community band council and twice been elected as chairperson of the Cree School Board— once in 2018 and again in 2021. In 2024, she was re-elected by acclamation for a third term. Additionally, she has been executive director at Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute in Oujé-Bougoumou since 2015 and has served on the board of the Canadian Museums Association.

Sarah’s parents, both teachers, were a major influence on her choices. Despite the trauma of being a residential school survivor, her father went on to graduate from university and become a school principal, turning education into a source of empowerment that enabled him to give back to his community.

“Witnessing that inspired me to follow the same type of path—to empower myself through education,” says Sarah, who holds a PhD in educational success for First Nations students. “Branksome was part of that, with so many role models of strong women within the school, and ensured that I engaged in postsecondary education so I was well placed to give back and work for my nation.

“I decided to throw my hat in the ring and run for the role of chairperson, knowing that because of my own background and my belief in the power of education, I had something really substantial to contribute.

“EVERY SINGLE THING THAT I DO, WORKING WITH MY COLLEAGUES, MY COUNCIL AND THE CREE SCHOOL BOARD IN OUR COMMUNITIES, IS TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF HISTORY AND PUT US ON A PATH OF EMPOWERMENT INTO THE FUTURE.”

SARAH PASHAGUMSKUM’89

“Every single thing that I do, working with my colleagues, my council and the Cree School Board in our communities, is to change the course of history and put us on a path of empowerment into the future. That really is the inspiration for what I do as a woman.”

Donna Dasko understands the power of empowerment— and advocacy. A passionate believer in women’s representation in politics,

she was appointed as a Canadian senator by then prime minister Justin Trudeau in 2018. She’s also been a national pollster and the co-founder of Equal Voice, a non-partisan organization aimed at electing more women in Canada.

In her job as senator, she meets many women advocates. “There’s lots of action in the area of violence against women, in social policy, health and social services—many groups that put forward ideas and proposals,” says Donna. “We just got a child-care policy in Canada that’s the result of years of activism by women. When you look at the gun-control community, there are huge numbers of women who are advocates there. It’s about getting involved and using your knowledge, experience and expertise to help organizations in the community in some way.”

Donna views advocacy as a springboard for women to enter politics, as this kind of hands-

on experience is invaluable to help build a strong support network and the skills needed to be an effective political leader.

“You learn about how to get things done at the local or the community level,” she says. “This will take many women into the realm of active elected politics—at the municipal, provincial and federal level. Whatever your career is, whatever your job is, try to do something else as a volunteer. There are so many important causes and they all need good people to help run them, be on the boards and act as advisors.”

As a senator, what she’s found most satisfying is the ability to contribute to legislation. “The very fi rst bill I worked on was the Divorce Act and I did some very important work to do with explicitly recognizing the role of violence in a relationship, and how it has to be taken into account for child custody,” she says. “You need to have the woman’s perspective.”

A key area of her earlier work was studying the gender gap in politics, beginning in the 1980s. Donna is a former senior vice-president of Environics Research Group Ltd. who helped build the fi rm from a small consultancy into one of Canada’s leading research fi rms. Her research and analysis on the differing per-

spectives and voting patterns between men and women was groundbreaking and attracted major media attention.

“That was a big topic of interest for me that nobody else was doing, so I really ran with it,” she says. “Polling was the perfect profession for a political junkie. I’m a data analyst, so I know how to look at data and try to interpret what it means.

“For instance, when people say they can’t fi nd women who are willing to step up and run, it means they haven’t looked hard enough. In 2022, Equal Voice commissioned a national survey asking men and women if they had ever been approached to run for office. The result was 14 per cent of men said yes and only seven per cent of women said yes. So let’s not blame the women.

“I think women are willing to step up. We can see the number of women who were nominated in the last federal election is significant. But the political parties haven’t approached them the same way they’ve approached men. We can do better.”

And hopefully we will. With these Branksome women as inspiring role models for the country, the gap is sure to narrow. R

“THERE ARE SO MANY IMPORTANT CAUSES AND THEY ALL NEED GOOD PEOPLE TO HELP RUN THEM, BE ON THE BOARDS AND ACT AS ADVISORS.”

DONNA DASKO

Nadia ALY’03 has created an impressive global brand as an award-winning underwater photographer and conservationist

By Luisa Trisi |

Photography by Nadia ALY’03

Nadia glides through the deep blue, surrounded by a pod of 12 majestic orcas during her annual orca expedition in Mexico.

Nadia ALY’03 took her first assisted breath underwater at age 12 on a family trip to Jamaica. Though her parents are not swimmers, they nurtured their daughter’s fascination with all things aquatic, arranging for her to join snorkelling expeditions with other vacationing families. Since then, Nadia has charted an astonishing course exploring the world’s oceans and establishing a high-profi le reputation as a deep-sea entrepreneur from her home base in Los Altos, California.

Combining her natural creativity and love of the outdoors with rigorous drive and innate fearlessness, Nadia has built an impressive multi-platform brand comprising her underwater photography and videography work, her ocean conservation advocacy and her popular Scuba Diver Life diving expeditions in the South Pacific, South Africa, Mexico and the Caribbean. She’s a trailblazer paving

the way for women in the professional underwater realm—still largely a boys’ club—and her confidence and enthusiasm shine in every video she posts.

Nadia’s breathtaking images reveal an array of spectacular sea creatures ranging from hammerhead sharks and orcas to hairy frogfi sh, mantis shrimp and bobtail squid. Her photos have been published in National Geographic, the Sony World Photography Awards and the Sierra Club magazine Sierra, among others, and in 2020, she was named Ocean Photographer of the Year by Oceanographic magazine. Her photograph of a mass of swirling mobula rays—described as “perfectly exposed, compellingly dramatic and deeply intriguing”— wowed judges.

As a Middle School student at Branksome in the late 1990s, Nadia was already experimenting with video editing, website creation and photography. “I was really shy,” she says. “We set up a digital media lab where I started editing fun stuff, like a video with a bunch of girls jumping into the pool in their uniforms.”

Photo: Goh

Iromoto

Nadia’s videos would occasionally be shown during school assemblies, and her editing services were in demand by students submitting digital content with their university applications. “Working on all those videos at Branksome really brought me into who I am,” she says. “Those final years at high school, you’re trying to figure out who you are, what you want to do and what you want to study.”

Following Branksome, the tea leaves pointed towards a career in technology and digital media. Armed with a degree in fi ne arts from the University of Victoria and a master’s degree from the Centre for Digital Media in Vancouver, she landed a job at Microsoft. Nadia continued to create videos in her spare time, one of which won a contest she entered on a whim in 2010. First prize was a two-week scuba diving trip to Fiji that would prove to be a major turning point in her life.

Within a week of returning from Fiji, Nadia launched ScubaDiverLife.com, an online portal for diving enthusiasts. What had started as a hobby became more of an obsession as she

“I was working at Google and started to think, what am I doing here? I’m not interested in climbing the corporate ladder. But I have this burning passion to dive the oceans of the world.”

Nadia’s photograph of a mass of swirling mobula rays—described as “perfectly exposed, compellingly dramatic and deeply intriguing”—wowed judges.

“My definition of success is being fulfilled and happy. So my advice to young women is to follow your heart. You can figure it out, and if you want something badly enough, you can make it happen.”

poured time and resources into spreading the word about the aquatic lifestyle.

The death of her close friend’s brother in 2012 was another major catalyst that pulled her away from intense pressure to succeed in the tech world. “I call David’s death my awakening—it shook me hard,” she says. “By then, I was working at Google and started to think, what am I doing here? I’m not interested in climbing the corporate ladder. But I have this burning passion to dive the oceans of the world.”

Within a few months, Nadia left the corporate sector to immerse herself in the world of scuba diving and wildlife photography. She invested in underwater photographic equipment, obtained her PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) instructor certification, and joined an expedition to Bonaire, one of the Caribbean’s premier dive sites.

Although her fi rst underwater photography efforts were disappointing, her skills evolved through sheer determination and hundreds of hours of practice. Between 2012 and 2017, Nadia spent more time underwater than on land, averaging more than 300 water days per year in places like the Falkland Islands, Tonga, South Africa, Indonesia and the Philippines in her quest to refi ne her deepwater photography chops.

Along the way, she discovered she was happiest when in close, eye-to-eye contact with the astonishing creatures she was photographing. Diving up to five times a day, Nadia also experienced her fair share of close calls, like the

time she had to fend off a mob of reef sharks in the Bahamas.

Over the past 15 years, Nadia has built an extraordinary online presence. Today, her massive following includes more than two million Facebook fans, almost 200,000 YouTube subscribers and more than half a million Instagram followers.

Highly sought after in the tech industry for her insights on applying technology to underwater photography and scuba diving, Nadia was featured in 2022 in Apple’s keynote video for the launch of new products. She was one of three prominent trailblazers whose stories served as a source of inspiration for the new Apple Watch Ultra, designed specifically for exploration and adventure.

Nadia acknowledges the challenges of being one of only a handful of women—not to mention a woman of colour—in a male-dominated field. “Being a girl in the ocean space and photography space is really hard. I think women are offered a lot fewer opportunities,” she says. “At the end of the day, it comes down to how you defi ne success. My defi nition of success is being fulfi lled and happy. So my advice to young women is to follow your heart. You can figure it out, and if you want something badly enough, you can make it happen.”

Nadia continues to advocate for conservation while underlining the threats posed by rising ocean temperatures. What started out as a desire to make engaging content has taken on an almost missionary zeal. “I’m using content to educate people about the depletion of our oceans. Right now, stony coral disease is killing all the coral in the Caribbean and Hawaii. You’ve also got noise pollution because of an increase in ocean container ship traffic—the vibrations throw the whales off course. Add to that the overfishing, the melting ice caps, and the plastic, garbage and methane gas. If this keeps up, our oceans will look very different in just 10 years.”

Diving expeditions are another opportunity for Nadia to share her passion for the ocean with an average of 600 annual customers, who stud their reviews for her blue water safaris with superlatives. “Without a doubt, one of the most awe-inspiring and magical experiences of my life!” reads one.

Even after many years as an ocean nomad, none of this feels routine for Nadia. In a thoughtful video, she describes her playful interactions with humpback and sperm whales during dives that last 30 minutes or more. “Sensing their souls, looking them in the eye when you hang out with them … it brings you to another level and melts your heart. It makes me feel so connected to another species, and that helps me understand my place in the universe. It’s divine.”

Truly, Nadia has made a splash. R

BARRY’91 and Olivia BARRY’93 each found related creative pursuits in life

By Amy VERNER’98

Siobhan

Photos Elizaveta KOZLOVA’15 (portraits); John Muggenborg (left)

(left) Siobhan oversees major hospitality projects as a design director and principal at Gensler, one of the world’s leading architecture and design firms.

(right) Olivia conceives award-winning industrial light designs and abstract “ceramic paintings” in her home studio in Tarrytown, New York.

“I’M GOING TO SAY THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A MINUTE ON THIS earth that Olivia wasn’t creating something,” says Siobhan BARRY’91 of her younger sister by 18 months, Olivia BARRY’93, before adding, “Well, both of us, but I think we have different areas.”

Call it hyperbole born from admiration—and from knowing someone as long as these highly accomplished, creative women have known each other. Like typical siblings, Siobhan and Olivia can relate to and laugh over shared experiences, which include a variety of vivid memories from their years at Branksome before the family moved to Toledo, Ohio, in 1987. Art classes taught by Judith Phelan remain crystal clear; ditto heading home together via ferry, since they lived on the Toronto Islands.

Today, they lead distinct lives that overlap through their creative ambitions. Th roughout an animated joint interview via video, their respective backdrops reveal how their everyday environments diverge. Siobhan, who oversees major hospitality projects as a design director and

principal at Gensler, among the world’s leading architecture and design fi rms, appears in a standard meeting room in Manhattan. Olivia, who conceives award-winning industrial light designs and abstract “ceramic paintings,” connects from her home in Tarrytown, New York, which includes an adjacent studio.

They are in “Shuv” and “Liv” mode—their sisterly sobriquets—as they reminisce over the fashion catalogues they made as young girls, fuelled more by their imaginations than television, and collaged fabric tote bags they assembled as young women sharing a loft in New York City’s East Village.

While they were at Branksome, their father, Christopher, worked as a mechanical engineer; his expertise was architectural glass (hence the move to Toledo, known as the “Glass City”). Their mother, Elizabeth, primarily looked aft er the family but also spent around 10 years as the office manager for the late renowned architect George Baird and would collaborate on cookbooks with his wife, also named Elizabeth,

who has authored several. They describe her creative capacities with wonderment. “Before there was Martha Stewart, our mom was in that vein of entertaining. Just put creativity into everything,” says Siobhan. They credit both parents for encouraging their individual creative potential (even their older brother Keith ended up an artist and illustrator) at different moments in their lives. While at the University of Guelph, initially thinking she would study fi ne art, Siobhan had a phone call with her mother during which Siobhan ran down a list of other studies and landed on landscape architecture. “She was like, ‘You’ve never liked plants in your whole life and Olivia loves plants. Wrong daughter!’ But then she said, ‘What about architecture?’” Siobhan eventually transferred to the University of Waterloo, known for its architecture program.

OLIVIA NOTES THAT SHE NEVER ASPIRED TO BE AN ENGINEER LIKE her father but took an interest in how he could assemble things mechanically; she wanted to explore this alongside her interest in art. Only when she moved to New York aft er art school did she rule out industrial design. She reached out to Eva Zeisel, the renowned “grand dame of ceramics,” and ended up working with her for 13 years. And since she could also freelance, Olivia worked with designer Isaac Mizrahi’s studio during the peak era of Target—affectionately referred to by fans as “Tar-zhay,” said in a French accent—introducing chic, ultraaffordable fashion and home décor.

“Olivia kind of bent my trajectory with the whole New York thing,”

explains Siobhan, who went to visit her sister aft er graduating from architecture school and ended up moving in. The way they tell it, this was a period when they dove into scrappy creative projects together while also forging their own skills. It sounds like they also had a lot of fun.

“If we wanted to go out clubbing one night, we would walk to the fabric store and buy something, go home and make something to wear,” says Siobhan, marvelling at the memory. “We had these stations around our loft for all our projects; and one time, I brought a guy home and he said in a way that was not complimentary, ‘Do you guys make everything?’ And we were like, ‘Yes, actually we do.’ And I love that.”

Not that they were able to live off these hustles. About their line of bags, cleverly named Take.Out, Olivia muses, “Well, the sales end of our business was not our specialty, but we carried them everywhere and people would see us with them and then maybe commission us.”

Gradually, however, their careers began to take shape. Siobhan teamed up with one of her University of Waterloo friends who was launching an architecture fi rm that specialized in nightclubs, a lucrative niche in New York as the 1990s rolled into the early 2000s. The business expanded—and expanded to strip clubs, a detail she wasn’t sure should be included here but that makes for a lively twist, especially when she got around to telling her mother. Her reply? “Oh wow. Exciting!”

There were, in fact, some valuable learnings. Siobhan says she began to realize, especially once she joined Gensler in 2018, that the elements that go into engaging people in their environments could be applied to a broader range of experiences—including spas, airline lounges and blockbuster-style restaurants such as STK. Considerations such as light

American Airlines / British Airways lounge at New York’s JFK Airport.

Musician Jon Batiste’s Jazz Club at Baha Mar in the Bahamas.

Photos this page: Gensler (left); Baha Mar (right). Opposite page: John Muggenborg

and music may vary, but the effectiveness of these spaces can often be distilled down to how they make people feel. “I want to do a TED Talk one day on the design of strip clubs and cancer hospitals,” she says with a laugh.

Olivia, meanwhile, moved to Tarrytown in 2018 and two years later launched her own studio, Olivia Barry / By Hand (available at Hollace Cluny in Toronto). Whether in the form of folded leaves or curving scrolls, her sconces meld sculptural simplicity with soft, ambient illumination. She also creates paintings in glazed clay that nod to the Renaissance tondo, or circular canvas, while introducing gestural brushwork with the glazes. Her Mirror Moon series, which received a 2024 NYCxDesign Award (her second), is at once visually arresting and poetic owing to the backlit bronze with a metallic ceramic surface.

THE DESIGN IS ALSO AN EXAMPLE OF THE SISTERS’ CREATIVE worlds converging in a more current context. Anyone who visits the Gensler-renovated American Airlines / British Airways first-class lounge in Terminal 8 at JFK will fi nd 17 Moons by Olivia adorning the walls, thanks to Siobhan’s direction.

Siobhan recently completed another substantial project: the Ra Ra Room, an Art Deco–inspired supper club run by the Mario Carbone’s Major Food Group within the Phoenix sports and entertainment arena. “It took me back to the night club days where things went very fast, but this time we’re doing it at a $20-million scale,” she says. “And it was just

such a delight getting to experience the opening.” And in January, she celebrated the star-studded unveiling of musician Jon Batiste’s Jazz Club at Baha Mar in the Bahamas.

Despite their busy lives, the Barry sisters say they never feel far apart (they also regularly visit their mother, who still lives in Toronto). Olivia, who is married to architectural photographer John Muggenborg, has kept her Brooklyn apartment because it may prove useful if her 10-yearold daughter eventually decides to have her own New York experience. Siobhan lives nearby with her husband, James Thomas, who worked as a fashion designer and now makes vibrant contemporary art.

Given their respective successes, one might wonder whether the sisters encountered challenges as women in their fields. Siobhan notes how the world-renowned architect Brigitte Shim set a positive example early on, as she was part of George’s Baird’s practice. Plus, she says, “the culture of design is, generally, a place where ideas lead. I’m an architect working in the interior design industry, which has had generations of female leaders.”

Olivia has noticed the gender gap flattening. “When I was studying industrial design, there were only two other women in my year, and one female professor, who taught alongside her husband,” she says. “Nowadays there are equal numbers of women in these programs, if not more, so it’s very satisfying to observe that shift.”

Whatever lies ahead in their careers, the sisters have stayed true to their creative instincts, positively impacting—and brightening— people’s environments along the way. R

Whether in the form of folded leaves or curving scrolls, Olivia’s sconces meld sculptural simplicity with soft, ambient illumination. Left to right: Her Illuminated Leaf wall sconce, an example from the award-winning Mirror Moon series, and Scroll Luminaires wall sconces.

Catherine MICKELSON Bedford’89 has built a highly public career as one of the U.K.’s top divorce lawyers

By Kelsey Rolfe

Photography by Jana JACKSON’07

Most lawyers, when they’re up for senior partner, will trot out their performance statistics to explain why they are worthy of that status.

But that’s not the style of Catherine MICKELSON Bedford’89. Instead, when Catherine stood in front of the senior partners at the prestigious U.K. law fi rm Harbottle & Lewis in early 2024, she talked about how she built the fi rm’s family law team from the ground up: with a commitment to the values of open communication, respect and trust. After spending her early career toiling in an industry full of shocking hostility and nastiness that made her lose faith in the profession, Catherine has been working to change it for the next generation of lawyers.

“People want to work in an environment where there’s trust, integrity and decency. Those things really matter,” she says. “Why are we winning our cases and getting the best work? It’s got to be because of this. Good conduct and genuine teamwork ultimately affect the client in a positive way.”

No surprise, Catherine was elected senior partner—the first woman to reach the fi rm’s highest ranks in its nearly 70-year history. It’s a feather in the cap of an already distinguished career: Catherine has become widely recognized as one of the top family lawyers in the U.K., and

litigated the largest and possibly most complex and controversial divorce case in British history (between her client, the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Jordanian princess Haya Bint Al-Hussain). In the last year she was a semi-regular feature in the British tabloids, photographed and mentioned alongside high-profi le clients such as Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner.

Big reputations, lots of money, assets in multiple countries, the watchful eyes of the paparazzi: working in the world of divorce at this level can involve “terribly high stakes,” Catherine says. To do it well requires a huge amount of resilience, calm under pressure and strategic thinking. But while professional detachment is helpful, the other key factor is that “you do still need to care. You can’t lose the clinical approach, but you have to care. That means you’re going to go that extra mile.” She describes her role as serving others, doing “everything humanly possible” to protect her clients’ best interests. Perhaps it’s understandable that the tabloids have taken to calling her a pitbull lawyer.

Before all that, Catherine was a Branksome Hall boarder from Thunder Bay (and, despite the light British lilt picked up after over three decades across the pond, she’s still a Northern

Ontario girl at heart, speaking wistfully about the shores of Lake Superior and returning there every summer). You wouldn’t expect someone with her resumé to describe herself as fairly average. But, she says, “I was not the frontrunner at Branksome. I developed over time.”

The school gave her the space and support for self-discovery. Now a trustee of a mental health charity for children and youth—and a mother to two young women— Catherine says she’s keenly aware of how valuable this work is, given the pressure young

people face. “All of society is suffering from that uber-intensity and pressure around achievement and being the best at everything. I don’t see how this helps young people. I have always tried to give the simple message to my daughters that they are more than good enough just as they are.”

To hear Catherine tell it, her career was to some extent the product of happy accidents. She attended McGill University after Branksome, knowing she wanted to study law. After receiving a scholarship to spend a year in the U.K., she applied to the University of Oxford “as a bit of a laugh.” Then, “frankly miraculously,” in her opinion, she got accepted. She hadn’t intended to stay in the country long-term, but then met her husband. Despite qualifying as a trust and tax lawyer, she ended up in family law after taking on the caseload of a sick colleague.

As a young lawyer, the work environment was a horrible shock, with backstabbing and bullying that made her question whether to continue her law career. It was her now-famous combination of cool-headedness and fierce advocacy for her clients that saved her, netting a string of client wins and referrals that built her career. When she had moved on to another fi rm and was in the position to develop her own team, collegiality and respect were non-negotiable, something she carried over to Harbottle.

“I’ve got one rule: we spend a lot of time together, we’re not always going to get along, but if you have a problem, go out for a coffee and sort it out. What I want to know is you’re decent and you treat people respectfully,” she says. “Th is has attracted the best people. If you prioritize these values and don’t accept anything less, the performance comes next.” R

Big reputations, lots of money, assets in multiple countries, the watchful eyes of the paparazzi: working in the world of divorce at this level can involve “terribly high stakes,” Catherine says.

Alums gathered in September to meet Principal Grace McCallum and hear all about the Branksome Hall Alumnae Association’s plans for the year at the annual AGM. It was an evening full of reconnecting with old friends and building new relationships.

Alum Life

Photo: Harold Feng Photography

AlumLife Winning Women

Nadine LEVIN’64

2024 Allison Roach Alumna Award

Kindness in Adversity

By Melanie CHANDLER Jackson’74

“Vibrant,” declares Laurie LAMBE Wallace’64. “Nadine’s energy served her in good stead in her career, and in giving her all at school and throughout her life to friends and family.”

Shelley and Laurie, who nominated Nadine for the Allison Roach Alumna Award, credit Branksome with nurturing Nadine’s confidence—a sentiment Nadine echoed in her acceptance message at Reunion 2024 in June (Nadine passed just a few months later, in November).

“The school motto, ‘Keep Well the Road,’ was the beacon that inspired me—you should always try to strive beyond what you think you are capable of, always try your best and be kind to one another,” she said.

Whenever a class reunion was coming up, Nadine LEVIN’64 delighted in choosing and wrapping gift s for everyone. That was Nadine (1945–2024), her friends agree: fun, caring and conscientious.

But Nadine’s giving nature wasn’t confi ned to her personal life. Via her career in the federal civil service, she gave a better future to all Canadians. For example, as a senior policy officer, Nadine had a seminal role in developing compliance and enforcement policies for the

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, and pollution prevention provisions for the federal Fisheries Act.

Usually civil servants labour behind the scenes, uncredited. However, Nadine’s accomplishments were so significant that in 2021 she won Canada’s Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal.

Asked to describe Nadine in one word, Shelley VARLEY Tidy’64 says, “Selfless! Before our last class reunion, when Nadine was widowed and dealing with serious illness, she still sent gift s for all 20 of us who attended.”

For Dr. Frances SHEPHERD’64, Nadine’s unfailing kindness in the face of adversity showed outstanding character. Not only did Nadine lovingly care for two family members with health challenges, her deep compassion extended to others. Frances recalls Nadine regularly visiting a former nanny in

Illustrations by Katy Dockrill

an elder-care facility, “always looking out for ‘Nursie,’ as we called her, making sure she was properly cared for.”

Nadine retired from government in 2007—but not from giving. She stepped up her already active volunteer work to include painting sets for community theatre groups, joining the board of directors of Ottawa’s Centre Pauline-Charron for francophones over age 50, and helping organize the 100th anniversary celebration for the city’s Overbrook neighbourhood.

All of which came as no surprise to her friends. “Nadine’s focus was always on humanity, on caring,” says Frances.

No surprise, either, that sharpeyed Branksome Hall Principal Edith Read spotted the future alum award-winner’s capable, responsible nature early on. As Frances relates, Nadine’s mom had just brought the five-year-old in for a kindergarten-placement interview. The ever-insightful Miss Read exclaimed, “Kindergarten?! Th is child belongs in grade one!” R

“The school motto, ‘Keep Well the Road,’ was the beacon that inspired me—you should always try to strive beyond what you think you are capable of, always try your best and be kind to one another.”

Making Our Planet Safer

By Melanie CHANDLER Jackson’74

The goal of achieving global net-zero emissions by 2050 is daunting—not unlike committing to get up early on near-freezing mornings to row on Lake Ontario. Rebecca

SINGER’14 attributes four years on Branksome’s rowing team for giving her the “dedication and grit” to work toward that vital 2050 goal.

“The early mornings, the long race days, the 2,000-metre erg tests were a very formative experience,” says Rebecca. (For nonrowers, an ergometer is a rowing machine.) In tandem with that experience, she adds, “Branksome’s demanding curriculum gave me many opportunities to challenge myself and taught me that

with hard work I can overcome obstacles. This helped me gain the confidence to contribute toward tackling one of the world’s greatest challenges: climate change.”

As vice-president with Decarbonization Partners in New York City, Rebecca is an integral part of the initiative to make our planet environmentally safer. “Over the next several decades I’m excited to see widespread adoption of technology that is both better for the environment and simply makes sense,” she says.

Like any world-changing move, the conversion to new tech takes time and effort, as does convincing industries of why they should join in. “Scaling up a new technology from lab to pilot

“The scale-up journey is not a straight line and there will be bumps along the way. At the same time, new clean technologies are essential to address climate change.”

to full commercial scale is hard,” Rebecca explains. “The scale-up journey is not a straight line, and there will be bumps along the way. At the same time, new clean technologies are essential to address climate change. Despite the challenges of scaling up a new technology, the imperative to do so is clear, and with the right mix of skill and luck, many will succeed.”

One example of the new tech Decarbonization Partners is supporting: “a novel component for electric vehicles batteries that extends vehicle range and speeds up charging time,” says Rebecca. Developed by a leading battery materials innovator, the component will facilitate range

and charge time, currently “two of the greatest barriers that push people away from buying an electric vehicle. By alleviating those challenges, this company will accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles globally.”

In working with other companies to adapt to change, Rebecca draws on another strength that Branksome nurtured: teamwork. Again, being on the rowing team was pivotal. “A rowing shell moves fastest when all of its rowers are moving in sync with one another. Head Coach Scott Fleming was an important mentor who showed me how to be loyal, keep my chin up and put others ahead of myself.” R

Rebecca SINGER’14

2024 Young Alum Achievement Award

‘A VERY SPECIAL EVENT’

Photography by Caley Taylor

OVER REUNION WEEKEND, we welcomed more than 300 alums for celebrations and reliving memories. The weekend included Reunion Cocktails and Dinner, where we honoured classes ending in 4 and 9. At Decades Lunch, alums who graduated more than 40 years ago enjoyed lunch, tours and a bench ceremony dedicated to Head Girl Nancy ADAMS MacDonnell’62 and classmates from 1962.

“A delightful, happy occasion! I enjoyed it thoroughly. It was wonderful to see 17 alums from my year, 1959! I hope to make it to our 70th in five years.”

1964

1959

1959

“I loved seeing so many old friends who I had not seen for several years. It truly was a very special event.”

“What

a wonderful event for alums; congratulations to all concerned with the arrngements.”

Class Notes

Follow us on our social channels and read the latest news of interest to alums. Some updates have been edited from emails, letters and social media posts.

1948

Luci DECK Shaw has published her latest poetry collection—and 40th book—Reversing Entropy Her writing reflects the inspiration Luci, at age 95, continues to find in nature and human nature.

1960

Wendy BATEMAN Loly, a past president of the Canadian Company of Pilgrims, received the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Civil Merit in March 2024, in recognition of her work promoting Camino de Santiago routes. The Spanish government bestows the honour in recognition of extraordinary service for the benefit of Spain made by individuals beyond its borders.

1970

Barbara DUNLOP Mohammad married William John Ross on December 14, 2024, at the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto. Her sister, Ruth DUNLOP Adams’63, was her

matron of honour and read Philippians 4:8 in acknowledgement of their many years at Branksome.

1973

Barbara ZIMMERMAN Rios was invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada in recognition of her work as a biodiversity conservationist and champion of climate change mitigation as the director of the Kayapo Project. Over three decades, she has worked in community with the Amazon’s Kayapo people to support their development of conservation-based enterprise and territorial sovereignty.

1979

Written by Class Rep Carolyn HELBRONNER

The Class of ’79 kicked off their 45th Reunion weekend with the Decades

Lunch on May 31, 2024. Billie BROUSE (who we haven’t seen for four decades!) flew in from NYC; others from the U.S., England and across Canada also joined. A Friday night Fun Fest and potluck was held at Carolyn HELBRONNER’s home—the whooping of 30-plus women was probably heard all the way to Elm Avenue! The fun continued on Saturday with the Alum Reception,

a student-led school tour, Cocktail Reception and Reunion Dinner, hosted by the BH Alumnae Association. Keep up the great work, ladies—64(ish) looks good on us! See you all at our 50th Reunion in 2029.

Carolyn CAMPBELL is happily retired from her oncology practice in Kitchener-Waterloo. Her husband, Bob, is also retired and makes for an excellent outdoor activity buddy. Carolyn is grateful for family; her three “kids” are working and living in Toronto or KitchenerWaterloo. Meanwhile, her Special Olympics track-andfield, snowshoeing and curling athletes continue to inspire her.

In September 2024, Pat CHRISTIE Planques was among those who gathered to celebrate the marriage of Judy GARAY’s son, Travis, in Toronto. Pat’s on the move again, leaving Muskoka for St. Jacobs, Ontario.

Barbara ZIMMERMAN Rios’73 with Mary Simon, governor general of Canada.

Carolyn CAMPBELL’79 with her Special Olympics team.

Barbara DUNLOP Mohammad’70 married William John Ross on December 14, 2024.

She’s looking forward to being in her new home, closer to family. She welcomes hearing from anyone from the Class of ’79 who’s in the Waterloo/St. Jacobs area.

Cynthia DUNCAN Lumsden retired from teaching six years ago. She enjoys gardening, DIY projects (we hear she’s a pro with the nail gun!), reading, painting, baking and spending time with her cats and husband. Having visited Colombia, Ireland and Norway last year, they plan to drive this spring through Normandy and Belgium, ending in the Netherlands for an

80th-anniversary Liberation ceremony, to honour John’s late father. Cynthia stays in touch with Class of ’79 classmates, especially Carolyn HELBRONNER and Gabbie WALLACE Laberge.

Class Notes

Kary FIRSTBROOK Trusler enjoyed recent trips to Mexico with her granddaughters and to Haida Gwaii, B.C., for kayaking. An avid skier and snowshoer, she’ll spend this winter in Rossland, B.C., and the summer at Go Home Bay, Ontario. In June 2024, she visited with her BH Boarders group—Ann DUNCAN Birch, Janet McBRIDE Boates, Sharon CORNELL Carruthers and Pam PEPPER Zimmerman at Sharon’s place in Muskoka. While still adjusting to the loss of her mother, Lorna KEENE Firstbrook’51, and long-time mate Geordie Trusler, she is embracing this

new chapter of life. Come visit the Kootenays, she says!

Judy GARAY welcomed her new daughter-in-law to the family at her son’s wedding on September 7, 2024. In attendance were Melissa GRACEY, Carol PIERCE, Pat CHRISTIE Planques and Kim HARTILL Stanley. She has a new role as athletic director for the BSS Junior School, and is also developing a high-performance athlete program for senior students. And, yes, she is still Masters swimming—and hoping to compete soon. Go break some records, Judy!

Janet GILBERT Kincaid is excited to be “Gran Jan” for

the first time! This will entail visits to her daughter in Singapore, where in August Jan will swim in the Masters Worlds. Her son completed his master’s degree in Australia, and the family visited him there last Christmas. When she’s not travelling, Jan spends her time golfing, volunteering and being active in her two board roles.

Melissa GRACEY sold her business in March 2022 and is loving retirement. Playing golf, tennis and pickleball, gardening, and taking cooking courses at George Brown College keep her busy. In the winter, she

The Class of ’79 celebrate their 45th Reunion.

Kim HARTILL Stanley, Pat CHRISTIE Planques, Carol PIERCE and Melissa GRACEY at the wedding reception for Judy GARAY’s son.

Cynthia in Geiranger, Norway.

Kary FIRSTBROOK Trusler with Pam, Sharon, Janet and Ann in Muskoka.

Judy and her son, Travis.

Former MacGregor

Chieftain Melissa at Reunion.

Friends for 60 years! Carolyn HELBRONNER, Cynthia DUNCAN Lumsden and Judy GARAY.

travels with her husband to warmer climes. They became grandparents in September and are “expecting” again in July.

Janet HALL has retired from a career in IT in the capital markets sector. Living in Toronto, she’s finding that retirement is all it’s cracked up to be: golfing at every opportunity, writing about family history and the city (recently learning that Branksome had two locations before its current one on Mount Pleasant!) and goofing around with family at the cottage.

At age 50, after teaching kindergarten for 12 years, Carolyn HAYES made a life switch: she earned a personal training certificate. She now does private sessions with seniors, helping them with balance, strength and flexibility. “I’m

your girl!” she says, welcoming new patients.

Carolyn HELBRONNER continues to enjoy her busy legal practice. Th is year saw numerous joyous family weddings—that of her son and of her husband’s two daughters. These events took them to the rocky landscape of Muskoka, England’s countryside and Italy’s Tuscan coast. While attending Jenny’s wedding in England, Carolyn had a wonderful visit with

Following a move to Ottawa to be near her adult children, Kathleen LAMB continues her career in landscape design, consultation and arboriculture, with projects that take her across Ontario and Quebec. She puts her passion for photography to use in both her work and travels.

Becca McCORMACK

Scarratt’s Rimouski, Quebec, physiotherapy clinic is going strong. Becca also finds time to sing in a choir, which will perform Brahms’ Requiem in May. She paints, does yoga and Pilates, takes daily walks, swims, cross-country skis and—her latest hobby— makes environmentally friendly car trash bags. She recently purchased with her husband a Beneteau 343 sailboat—all set for retirement in Nova Scotia in five years!

Mary Jane MORRIS Tomashewski is retiring from the Toronto District School Board (her third career) after eight years, the last three spent at Bloordale Middle School in Etobicoke. She’s looking forward to spending time with friends and family—especially her granddaughter—travelling and simply relaxing.

When Theresa NORRIS Narduzzi is not working on casual status at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre as a nurse and lactation

consultant, she spends her time with her husband and their two golden retrievers. Swimming, yoga and walking also fill her days. In

June 2024, she travelled to England with her sister to scatter their father’s ashes among the fossils in Lyme Regis, to honour him and his geologist/paleontologist career.

Mirabel PALMER Elliott is retiring to Coldstream, B.C. She and her husband plan to enjoy outdoor activities and vistas while their children assume the family business.

“We’ll have three guestrooms,” says Mirabel. “Come join us for skiing or wine touring!” BH friend Carolyn

Marianne REYNOLDS Highwood.

Ginny CAMPBELL, Janet HALL, Pam PEPPER Zimmerman and Beth WOODCOCK.

Theresa NORRIS Narduzzi and her grandchildren (6, 8 and 10 years).

Becca McCORMACK Scarratt at a Christmas craft fair with the bags and also greeting cards made from handpressed flowers from her garden.

Marianne REYNOLDS

Highwood and Carolyn HELBRONNER enjoy a visit.

Mirabel and Lavita on a fall hike in Denver.

Ann ‘Annabel’ YARNELL

April 5, 1960–August 26, 2024

Tributes from the Class of ’79

I can still hear Annabel’s bubbly laugh in the locker rooms. Later, when we met through Branksome Reunions, our conversations flowed to ones of creativity and beauty as they related to her love for colour, flowers and flower arranging. A creative soul we will all miss. – Jenny TIMBRELL Judge

I fancied myself a developing gardener and proudly sent Annabel a photo of a pretty pink flowering plant that grew beneath my office window. “Is it phlox?” I asked. Annabel’s response? “Weeds, my pet.” All kidding aside, Annabel generously shared her wisdom of gardening and green things. She not only created beautiful gardens at her place, but inspired others far and wide to grow them. – Mirabel PALMER Elliott

Annabel was a talented florist who loved colour. What a wonderful touch it was to have colour at her memorial. – Wendy AIRD

Annabel was a vibrant and positive person whose love of colour showed through every aspect of her life. – Suzanne SHAMIE

She was so full of life and beautiful loving energy, and so connected not just to her family but also to nature and the nurture layer of life. – Christine RUKAS Kasperavicius

Annabel and I reconnected after our 30th class reunion. She took particular interest in my daughter, who has an intellectual disability. When Christie graduated from high school, Annabel generously made a beautiful bouquet for her, which Christie proudly carried throughout her graduation. Christie was happy to say Annabel was her friend and enjoyed visits with her. I was so touched by Annabel’s kindness. – Pat CHRISTIE Planques

May her life be celebrated amongst a sea of colours. – Theresa NORRIS Narduzzi

I hold in my heart an image of Ann surrounded by flowers—her most happy place. – Ginny CAMPBELL

Annabel and I often met by happenstance at our neighbourhood Metro when she lived in Leaside. I can still hear her calls of “Cynthia, darling!” across the produce aisle. She was always so positive and thoughtful. When Lesley ADAMSON Skelly died in 2021, Annabel donated her time and talents to create a stunning floral arrangement filled with vibrant spring flowers, on behalf of the Class of ’79. She also lent her expertise about the commemorative red oak we bought for Lesley. She cared deeply about the natural world and its inherent beauty. I will miss her creative spark, dry wit and generous personality. – Cynthia DUNCAN Lumsden

COULTER lives nearby, and in October, Mirabel visited Lavita NADKARNI in Denver. The two keep in touch with Wendy AIRD, Ginny CAMPBELL, Carolyn HELBRONNER and Theresa NORRIS Narduzzi via WhatsApp, and recently visited Wendy in the Maritimes.

Retiring from her fourdecade nursing career a year ago, Pam PEPPER Zimmerman can be found playing pickleball and spending time with her two grandsons. In June 2024, she celebrated her 40th wedding anniversary. (Remember

Danny from the 1977 Rout?!) After a trip to Sicily, Pam headed to Muskoka for a laughter-filled visit with BH roommate Sharon CORNELL Carruthers, and her Boarding friends Ann DUNCAN Birch, Janet McBRIDE Boates and Kary FIRSTBROOK Trusler.

Marianne REYNOLDS

Highwood is excited about her imminent retirement from Canterbury Christ Church University at the end of 2025. Last summer, Carolyn HELBRONNER and her husband visited, enjoying lunch outside (a big deal in

Pam PEPPER Zimmerman and the BH Boarders.

Pam’s “Rout date” and their grandchildren.

Photos left to right: Annabel with BH friends; 30th reunion in Annabel’s backyard; a creative soul.

Kim HARTILL Stanley, Judy GARAY and Jenny TIMBRELL Judge.

Jenny TIMBRELL Judge exhibited her art installation Phase Transition at the Craft Council of B.C. in fall 2023. The work is featured in the spring/summer 2024 issue of Studio magazine, which explores its aspects of “beauty, grief, and memory.” It is included in the fall 2024 issue of Corning Museum of Glass’s New Glass Review, a print exhibition featuring timely, innovative projects.

England, we’re told!) and a walk around the farm.

Marianne remains grateful for family and friendships.

“Our door is always open,” she says.

Gabbie WALLACE Laberge had a successful hip replacement at the end of 2023, allowing her to travel to the Caribbean, visit with family at summer cottages, and attain along with her husband, Raynald, personal goals of cycling over 1,700 kilometres!

1982

Dana BETT married longtime partner Clare Muckle on October 17, 2024, at Arundel Town Hall in

Sussex, U.K., alongside family and close friends, including sister Darcy BETT Macleod’84 and Branksome friends Vicki CRAMER Blair, Patty O’CONNOR Ward and Sandra JARVIS’83.

1994

Leigh ELLIOTT McGowan has, for the last few years, used her PoliticsGirl online platform to share information about democracy and U.S. politics. In fall 2024, she released her first book, A

1984 Alison TASKER pictured at a recent Alum Reception at Branksome Hall alongside the names of both her mother, Mary CRAIG Tasker’47, who was a Prefect and former Branksome staff member, and her grandmother, Grace MORRIS Craig’1909, who was House Prefect.

Return to Common Sense, now a New York Times bestseller.

2003

1986 Nancy ROSS and Rosamond PRICE Minson’94 had dinner with former Principal Karen Jurjevich in London, U.K., in October.

Kendra FITZRANDOLPH Barkman met her husband, Andrew, when they were both 18 and attending McGill University in Montreal. Their wedding, planned for 2020, was delayed by the COVID pandemic and then the arrival of two babies—Harry Hollis Peter Barkman (now two years old) and Imogen Sue Alice Barkman (now nine months). On May 18, 2024, they had an intimate ceremony in Rome.

Michelle THOMAS celebrated her 10-year wedding anniversary to Brian Chu by returning to the Fairmont Royal York hotel in Toronto

Liz OUGHTRED Perth, Gabbie WALLACE Laberge, Alison ROSS Williams and Kathleen LAMB in May 2024.

1985 Friends from the Class of ’85 gathered for a festive holiday dinner party at Susan HORE Raymond’s house: Kathy LYONS’86, Patricia AZIZ Haines, Debbie FARQUHARSON, Wendy SPENCER, Carrie CAMERON Degroote, Catherine NEEDHAM, Cari BURROWS Cummings, Janet MOLLENHAUER Omstead, Laurie NICHOLS, Megan LONG, Susan HORE Raymond, Jill DINGLE Donald, and Hilary SHAW Adamson.

on September 27, 2024. Together, they have shared a decade of travel, video games and working for competing telecom companies!

Michelle THOMAS and Brian Chu celebrate their 10-year wedding anniversary.

2005

Kelly RADKE and James Hunter welcomed their daughter Gwen Kerr Hunter on June 25, 2024.

Nicole STAVRO-LEANOFF is pleased to announce the

birth of her daughter, Mila Marie Stavro Best, on January 15, 2024.

2009

Marina GHABBOUR Louis is now the proud mother to Abigail Amal Louis, born June 5, 2024.

2011

Meghan HOLLAND married Eli Gomez on October 26, 2024, in Vaughan, Ontario. Sisters Kelly and Heather were in the wedding party,

2013 Maisie BROWN and Hillary Young celebrated their wedding at Propeller Coffee in Toronto, on September 28, 2024. Maisie BROWN (front row centre); Back row left to right: Kimmie GREEN, Janeva FAIRCLOTH, Rosie ELPHICK, Keara BROWN’11, and Carol DRUMM.

while Fergus Finlay Gomez the dog was the ring bearer.

Mackenzie KNOWLES

married Ryan McMorrow on October 5, 2024, at the OslerBrook Golf & Country Club. She shared that it

meant the world to celebrate alongside her girlfriends, many of whom have stayed close friends since Grade 7

Mid Div or Rowing at Branksome Hall.

Congratulations to Ariella MINDEN, who completed her PhD in art history at the

University of Toronto in June 2024.

2021

Sophie Jinhong RIOUX was featured in Dezeen magazine as a part of the University of Waterloo’s School of Architecture student showcase for her design of Camp Glenn, a lodge intended as a space for bereaved youth to learn coping skills, fi nd solace and support, and commemorate loved ones. Sophie reflected on the project, “Architecture for grief requires adaptability and variability.”

Branksome grads celebrate at Mackenzie KNOWLES wedding. From left to right: Adrienne ARCHIBALD, Kirsten MORSON, Andrea TRACOGNA, Nicole ABERNETHY, Mackenzie KNOWLES, Maxine ZENTIL Faucher, Lindsay CALDARONE, Madison SAIN-Miller, Patricia FACY, and Kathleen KNOWLES’06.

Passages

IN MEMORIAM

as of January 17, 2025

Notices and In Memoriams have been edited from emails and published obituaries.

1939

Ellen WEST Ayer, on October 29, 2024, at age 101. After graduating from Mount Allison University, she married her high school sweetheart and worked as a technician for the Dominion Laboratory of Hygiene, in Ottawa, while Jim, an RCAF pilot, was overseas. Upon his return, they started a family. Ellen enjoyed curling and singing in the church choir, and playing bridge. Her retirement years involved travelling, sailing and family visits at their New Brunswick cottage.

1941

Elizabeth WELLS Davis, on July 4, 2024, at age 103. Sister to Shirley WELLS Allen’41, aunt of Martha ALLEN Stigler’71, Judy ALLEN’76 and Janet ALLEN Newlands’73; great-aunt to Allison NEWLANDS’96. “Bet,” as she was known at Branksome, had a pet aversion to boys without cars (according to Slogan) and was often powdering her nose!

1943

Francesca HARRISON

Fullerton, on May 14, 2024, at age 99. Boarding at Branksome as an English war guest, “Frankie” embraced BH life, acting as a day sub-Prefect and a Form VA president. After graduating from U of T, she was a teaching dietitian at Montreal’s Royal Victoria Hospital, where she met her husband, James.

Later she founded Share Info, in Cobourg, Ontario, and was the county’s law librarian. Francesca liked to read and walk on the beach.

Eleanor COATSWORTH

Kerfoot, on April 1, 2024, at age 99. Mother to Constance KERFOOT Dickson’67, Elizabeth KERFOOT Goodfellow’69 and Mary Eleanor KERFOOT’72. A past Alumnae Association executive member, Eleanor taught for the Muskoka District Board of Education and was board chair for the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital. Her volunteerism and support around youth probation, Meals on Wheels, 999 Queen Street (now CAMH) and Out of the Cold programs speak to Eleanor’s deep caring for the well-being of others.

Flavia ELLIOTT Redelmeier, on July 26, 2024, at age 99. Predeceased by sister-in-law Margaret WINANS Elliott’49 and stepsister Elizabeth WILSON’55. Slogan editor, assistant librarian and music rep of the Symphony Junior Council, Flavia continued to be active in many organizations over the years, often in a leadership role. Horticulture was a particular interest. In 2013, she received the Distinguished Service Award from the Royal Ontario Museum, the highest honour it can bestow on a volunteer for “extraordinary and meritorious service.”

1944

Meribeth STOBIE Coyne, on April 6, 2024, at age 96. Grandmother to Jessica RILEY’95 and Meghan RILEY’97; predeceased by sister Jean STOBIE Osler’39.

A Boarder, Meribeth was Beta Kappa secretary and a library rep. She earned a BA at McGill. The death of her husband, Sanford Riley, left her a widow at age 28 with three young children. Later she married James Coyne, then Bank of Canada governor; they had two children. In 1966, the family moved to Winnipeg, where Meribeth taught at Balmoral Hall School. Her subsequent fine arts degree kick-started her five decades as a visual artist.

Nancy HIGGINBOTTOM

Robinson, on May 17, 2024, at age 98. Predeceased by sister Mary HIGGINBOTTOM Roberts’48. Nancy attended U of T, then served as a Wren during the Second World War. Her long-time volunteerism with Girl Guides led to travels around the world. She also volunteered at the U of T Art Centre and University College Book Room. A lifelong reader, she enjoyed all the arts, from the symphony, ballet and theatre to museums and galleries.

1946

Carol HENDERSON Beattie, on December 8, 2024, at age 96. Carol was on Slogan’s advertising committee and was secretary/treasurer for Form IVA. A dedicated member of the United Church of Canada, she served in many roles, including as Simcoe Presbytery chair and president of a London, Ontario, United Church Women group. She enjoyed the outdoors, especially boating with her husband, Robert. Devoted to her family, she had an independent spirit and lively sense of humour.

Mary Elizabeth WHITE McNair, on November 7, 2024, at age 97. Predeceased by sisters Dorothy WHITE Davis’34 and Helen WHITE’36. Liz formed life-long friendships at Branksome, where she had a reputation as a letter writer. She married Bill in 1950, eventually settling in Toronto to raise three children. Liz and Bill retired to Caledon, Ontario, but spent their winters in Florida. Liz will be remembered for her gentle spirit.

1947

Nancy WEBSTER Matheson, on July 5, 2024, at age 95. Sister to Peggie WEBSTER Burke’51. The girl with the “indescribable giggle,” according to Slogan, was a McAlpine Chieftain and eager basketball player. Nancy’s creativity was evident in her knitting, sewing and iPad drawings. With her husband, Robin, she enjoyed family, their terriers, travelling and Scottish country dancing. Always younger than her years, Nancy lived independently until suffering a stroke a few years ago.

1948

Naomi INGLIS MacDonald, on September 8, 2024, at age 94. A 2003 Reunion rep, “Ne” was Maclean Chieftain and on the basketball and swim teams. She explored the world before clerking for Canada Permanent and raising a family. Later she clerked for a multilingual news service. Whether playing a game of bridge or sharing a bottle of wine, Naomi cherished friends and family. In later years she bravely battled Alzheimer’s. She will be remembered for her infectious laugh and love of adventure.

1951

Lorna KEENE Firstbrook on March 19, 2024, at age 90. Sister to Kathryn KEENE McAllister’48, mother to Kathryn FIRSTBROOK Trusler’79; predeceased by sister Joan KEENE Quattlander’45. Beta Kappa committee member and an award winner in interior decoration, Lorna was an enthusiast of both art and the gym (often seen flinging herself on its apparatus). A swimming instructor to handicapped children, Lorna was also an ardent watercolourist, gardener and volunteer. With her husband, Bill, she sailed and travelled the world.

Diana KING Hore, on November 19, 2024, at age 92. Mother to Celia HORE Milne’78. A former Alumnae Association executive member, and member of the Slogan editorial committee and Drama Club, Diana attended Queen’s University. After marrying John in 1958, she worked in the CBC’s costumes and props departments and raised three children. Later she sewed costumes for Toronto’s Arts & Letters Club. She was also the social director of Georgian Peaks Ski Club and a member of the Badminton and Racquet Club.

1953

Barbara ROSS McMurrich, on December 24, 2024, at age 91. Despite her pet aversion to early mornings, Barb participated in many sports at BH, from swimming, gymnastics and badminton to skiing and skating, in later years coaching school swim teams. After graduating from Branksome, Barb studied

home economics, marrying the love of her life, James, in 1957. Two of her favourite pastimes were hiking and skiing.

Lee McGILLIVRAY Till, on October 4, 2024, at age 89. Predeceased by mother Sheila LEE McGillivray’27. On Slogan’s advertising committee and VP of the Opheleo Society and Choir, Lee was a 2018 Reunion rep. She loved her morning rows on Georgian Bay, and sailing and travelling with her husband, Ron. She was involved with Girl Guides and Big Sisters, and taught children diving and boating skills. Her Canada Blooms flower arrangements were award-winning. Lee was also an accomplished landscape artist.

Janice FAIRBAIRN Wiseman, on October 6, 2024, at age 89. The Form IV History Award winner for 1953, she studied English and history at Bishop’s University. Later, with her then-husband Henry, she raised two daughters. A playwright, author and teacher, Janice was deeply involved in Guelph’s theatre community and children’s theatre. She loved to garden and visit farmers’ markets, libraries, museums and galleries.

1954

Joan ENGHOLM Farano, on June 22, 2024, at age 87. Survived by niece Janet ENGHOLM Taylor’76; predeceased by mother Peggy DOHERTY Engholm’33. Beta Kappa VP, Slogan sports editor, active in basketball, golf and swimming, a Prefect and dean of Amateur Photographers. Studying at Parsons School of Design in New York City,

Joan developed a keen sense of design. She was a longtime supporter of the arts, involved with the Ontario Craft Council, National Ballet of Canada and causes she believed in. She loved organizing events and was often the life of the party.

1955

Dr. Janet CHISHOLM

Forstner, on June 25, 2024, at age 86. Slogan sports editor, Beta Kappa committee member, Service Award winner, Scott Chieftain, Janet was busy at BH! Winner of the 2000 Allison Roach Alumna Award, Jan, a pioneering paediatrician and leading medical researcher, co-founded the Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute at Toronto’s SickKids Hospital and co-led the team that isolated the CF gene. She also co-founded the Canadian Association for Women in Science. In retirement, she remained committed to community, friends and family.

1956

Susan PHIN Gilbert, on April 4, 2024, at age 86. Comradeship Award winner and Form IVB Officer, Sue went on to attend Boston’s Chamberlain School of Retailing. In 1960, back in Toronto, she married Barry and devoted herself to raising their children. In 1982, Sue and Barry settled in Dallas, Texas, where Sue was active in medical organizations and the Noname Book Club. Summers were spent in B.C., boating with friends.

1957

Donna BOOKER Hoffman, on February 11, 2024, at age 87. Predeceased by sister Mary Belle BOOKER Lautsch’49. An accomplished

figure skater when at BH, often teaching others, she skated well into her 60s. Swimming, skiing, camping (Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan, held a special place in her heart), travelling with her husband and sons, and walking with her chihuahua were also high on her agenda. In later years, Donna’s strength and determination were evident as she battled cancer.

Kathleen KERR Stehno, on May 21, 2024, at age 86. Survived by sister Barbara KERR Wesley’61. House Prefect, Choir and Opheleo committee member and Form IV Award winner, Kathleen earned a master’s degree at the University of Michigan before teaching high school math. A volunteer with Youth for Christ and Episcopal Church Women, she was a skilled seamstress and quilter, and travelled the world with her husband. Having lost her parents and brother at age 11, Kathleen will be remembered for her resilience and strength.

1958

Connie GARROW Curry, on December 3, 2024, at age 84. Beta Kappa committee member and Clan basketball player, she also enjoyed skating and skiing. Connie pursued her passion for the arts at the Ontario College of Art. She lived a life guided by her principles and curiosity. Her strength was evident in her brave battle against cancer, which she overcame twice. For Connie, family was her greatest joy.

1959

Jane McCONNELL Hanson, on August 4, 2024, at age 83. Jane loved spending summers at the cottage or farm, boating

and horseback riding. Trained as a nurse at Women’s College Hospital, she married Robert in 1962, living in various places before ultimately moving to Petawawa, Ontario. She enjoyed skiing, camping, quilting and singing—often travelling to Europe for choir competitions. Ever active in the Anglican Church, her faith was unwavering.

1961

Isabel MILLER Pitfield, on September 6, 2024, at age 81. A BH Prefect, Opheleo president and graduate of Queen’s University, “Ebie” worked at the National Library in Ottawa and served as acting executive director of the Canadian Library Association. Upon moving to Vancouver with husband, Ian, Ebie worked at the UBC Library, directed the city’s writers festival and actively supported youth literacy. A lover of hiking and fl y-fishing, Ebie fought a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s.

1963

Ruth PASCOE Dacosta, on July 23, 2024, at age 80. Form IC VP, Ruth spoke at an alum career presentation to Senior students in 1995. Ruth was a life-long advocate for child welfare, leading Covenant House Toronto for 22 years. She expanded youth programs, established Covenant House Vancouver and served on boards, including that of St. Michael’s Hospital. Ruth held a master’s degree from Harvard and honorary doctorates from U of T and Ryerson (now TMU). Her legacy of compassion and dedication will continue to inspire.

Jennifer MILSOM Stephenson, on November 22, 2024, at age 80. She was a BH Prefect, MacGregor Chieftain and Opheleo president, a member of various sports teams and the UN Delegation, as well as class rep, area liaison and on the 100th Anniversary Events and Plaid Tidings committees. Studying at Boston’s Chamberlain College led to a career in advertising, marketing and management. Moving to Collingwood, Ontario, several years ago, Jennifer involved herself in community life and volunteered for the Humane Society.

1964

Nadine LEVIN, on November 29, 2024. Beta Kappa VP, Drama Club VP art director, team sports player and Reunion rep, “Nady” studied languages at university, then worked as a policy analyst of federal laws. She was also a translator. In retirement she volunteered extensively, painting sets for local theatre and helping refugees. In 2021, she was awarded Canada’s Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, and in 2024 the Allison Roach Alumna Award . (See page 34.)

Patricia THOMAS Simpson, on April 19, 2024, at age 78. She was an Opheleo and Choir committee member and president of the Inter-School Christian Fellowship. At Dalhousie, she led Red Cross blood drives, helped launch a women’s hockey team and met her husband, David. Her career as an educator spanned Canada, Australia and the U.S. She loved skiing, reading (including medical journals!), writing poetry, knitting and

being a mother. A world traveller, she cherished her roots in Newfoundland and Cape Breton, returning each year.

1967

Martha McDONIC Carr, on December 24, 2024, at age 76. Predeceased by sister Jane McDONIC Coon’62. A Beta Kappa member, Prefect and Slogan staffer, Martha pursued a career in special education in England after graduating from U of T. She returned to earn an MEd, then moved to Prince Edward County to raise her children. A head teacher at Hugh MacMillan Medical Centre and lecturer at McMaster and York universities, Martha also served Belleville Community Living for 34 years.

1970

Ann WILTON, on June 12, 2024, at age 72. Mother to Catherine MORGAN’06, sister to Carol WILTON’69. Deeply involved in debating while at Branksome, Ann was a 2005 Reunion rep and in the Parents’ Association. After earning an LLB at the University of Ottawa, she worked as a research lawyer at MacDonald & Partners, published on family law and volunteered at U of T, receiving an Arbor Award in 2023. Ever social, Ann enjoyed literature, politics, history and family life. She died of ALS, which she faced courageously.

1972

Katherine HOUSTON Chana, on November 22, 2024, at age 71. Sister to Ginny HOUSTON Benbow’75, predeceased by mother Kally McFARREN Houston’47. A VP of the UN Club, “Katy” was involved in swimming, debating and drama, and on

the Beta Kappa, Musicmakers and Slogan committees. Known during her Branksome years for getting herself into ultra-embarrassing situations (our lips are sealed), Katherine was a neonatal nurse, world traveller and avid reader.

1973

Alberta “Lili” POS, on September 6, 2024, at age 69. Sister to Nina Annelise POS Price’71. On the BH basketball, volleyball and tennis teams. Alberta was a Soma practitioner before becoming associate professor of clinical psychology at York University and a sought-after expert in psychotherapy. Alberta’s drive and passion for her work were evident to the many students she trained, as was her bold spirit.

1974

Caroline GUTHRIE, on October 10, 2024, at age 68. Sister to Barbara GUTHRIE’76. An editor-in-chief of Slogan and 1986 BH Installation speaker, “Gay” passed away a month after a cancer diagnosis. An art history graduate of Queen’s University, her work took her far afield, to Bangkok. Later settling in Orillia, she was director of Sir Sam Steele Art Gallery, owner of housewares store Sixty-One, volunteer coordinator at Couchiching Conservancy and board member for various organizations. She was also a published lecturer on art, antiques and collecting.

1979

Ann “Annabel” YARNELL, on August 26, 2024, at age 64. Mother of Emily McMAHAN’06 and aunt to Sacha POWELL Ward’91, Catherine POWELL’06

and Nicola POWELL’08. A devoted teacher, passionate gardener and proud Chelsea Flower Show Medallist, Annabel was known for her sparkle and creative spirit and her fierce love for her friends, family and pets. In lieu of flowers, Annabel’s children would appreciate donations in their mother’s name to the Alumnae Association Endowed Bursary Fund.

(See page 42.)

1988

Stephanie GILBERT Flynn, on July 26, 2024, at age 55. Sister to Lisa GILBERT Keable’92. Opheleo member and Prefect, Stephanie attended Western University before working at the National Ballet, University Health Network and U of T. Moving to London, Ontario, as a single mother, she started a successful jewellery design business. In 2019, she returned to corporate development, at Western. She will be remembered as a devoted mother and skilful problem solver.

Former Staff

Laraine Church, on December 21, 2024, at age 81. An early adopter of IT in education, Laraine taught math and computer science at Branksome Hall. She earned her BSc at the University of Windsor before starting her career at INCO Sheridan Park, where she met Alan, marrying him in 1970. Laraine loved music, reading, gardening and visiting family, and in retirement enjoyed playing clarinet. She was always known as a good listener, unflaggingly supportive.

Faculty

A Computer Pioneer

Heather Jean (Mitchell) Hockin May 19, 1943–October 24, 2024

Heather Hockin spent 15 years leading Branksome Hall’s Computer program and coaching U14 Softball, always with patience and dedication.

Born in London, Ontario, Heather excelled at London Central, where she demonstrated exceptional academic abilities and a talent for baton and tap dancing. A proud graduate of Western University’s Ivey Business School, Heather was one of only two women in her class. It was there she met her lifelong love, David.

Upon graduation, Heather embarked on a trailblazing career as London Life’s first computer programmer, where she worked with early vacuum tube computers and brought home the first generation of SuperPET personal computers. Her passion for technology led her to establish the computer program at Blythwood Junior Public School, and later, to Branksome Hall.

Heather died peacefully on October 24, 2024, in Huntsville, Ontario, at age 81, surrounded by her family. She was predeceased by husband David and her sister, Gladys. Heather will be deeply missed by her children, John and Carrie HOCKIN Watt’90; granddaughters, Haley, Annie, Audrey, Meredith, Emily and Sophie; and her many nephews and nieces.

Comfort from the Uncomfortable

A teenage battle with cancer led me to co-create the Good Hood Club, combining philanthropy and loungewear fashion

By Eloise McINTOSH’17

My entrepreneurial journey started long before I ever considered it as a path—it began at age 14 when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Just weeks before my 15th birthday and the start of my Grade 10 year at Branksome, I found myself facing the unimaginable: a battle with cancer.

Throughout my battle I found courage in symbols of comfort— whether it be hospital visits from my family and friends or the ordinary act of walking through the Branksome halls. Even dragging myself out of bed to go to math class became a great escape, providing me a glimpse of normalcy in a life that felt anything but.

There were also physical symbols of comfort: my oversized hoodies, sweatpants and UGGs, and most importantly, beanies to cover my bald head. These became more than just clothes and accessories; they were my armour, representing security and comfort during the most uncomfortable times.

After graduating from Branksome, I headed to Queen’s University to study commerce at the Smith School of Business. It was during my third year that my entrepreneurial journey formally began. As part of a marketing class project, I co-founded the Good Hood Club, a venture that blends philanthropy and retail by creating loungewear that champions childhood cancer care. Our main goal: do GOOD through HOODs. And while it started as a simple school project, it quickly amounted to more—a career.

The Good Hood Club raises funds and awareness for childhood cancer, channelling the same comfort that I sought during my own battle into a brand that provides physical warmth and emotional comfort for members of this vulnerable community. Seeing people wear our hoodies and hearing the stories of the patients, survivors and families who feel seen and supported is a constant reminder of the importance of this work.

The Good Hood Club has grown into a thriving hoodie empire. I have learned lessons that no business textbook could ever have taught me—from the logistics of fulfi lment and customer service to the creativity behind our designs and marketing campaigns. Every element is part of something bigger, and every day presents new, often unexpected challenges and lessons.

The most rewarding part? Without a doubt, it’s the incredible people we’ve met along the way. Patients, survivors, families, doctors, nurses—everyone has a story. My days are shaped by these incredible individuals. One of my most meaningful experiences

“Seeing people wear our hoodies and hearing the stories of the patients, survivors and families who feel seen and supported is a constant reminder of the importance of this work.”

at the Good Hood Club was working with Hunter Chamberlain, a cousin of mine who was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour at nine years old. Hunter and I shared a unique bond and mission: to create a community where kids don’t have to be scared—they can comfortably be kids. And together, we worked to achieve that. We created the Hunter Collection, giving her a platform to share her story, leaving behind a beautiful legacy before her battle with cancer took her. It is an experience I am incredibly proud of, both professionally and personally.

Every day looks different. Some days are spent at factories, sourcing fabrics for our next launch; other days, I’m building out content calendars; many days, I’m knee-deep in Canva, draft ing newsletters and marketing materials. But no matter what, all days share the same mission: to use the comfort of a hoodie to help others feel a little less alone. R

Photo courtesy

Eloise MCINTOSH’17