Gatineau, July 13, 2023— The Canadian Parents for French (CPF) Network ratified the election of three Directors (one incumbent and two newly elected) to the CPF National Board of Directors, as well as the reelection of Derrek Bentley (Winnipeg, MB) as CPF National President and the election of Dr. Kate Ashley (Kentville, NS) as CPF National Vice-President during the 47th Annual General Meeting held on July 7 in Gatineau, Québec.
The incumbent director, Diane Tijman (Richmond, BC) returns for a third term. The Board also named returning director Salma Al-Saquaf (Calgary, AB) as Treasurer of the CPF National Board. Two new directors join the CPF National Board for a two-year term:
- Isabelle LeVert-Chiasson (Ottawa, ON) – Ms. LeVert-Chiasson is a proud Acadian and currently lives in the National Capital Region. She has more than 15 years of experience managing national and international projects, she currently is the Education Program Officer for the Canadian Commission of UNESCO. She also has extensive experience collaborating and building relationships with Indigenous organizations in Canada and with school, university and community associations. As a parent of two, she is passionate about the French language and education opportunities.
- Kate Ashley (Kentville, NS) – As the former president of the CPF Nova Scotia Branch Board of Directors, Dr. Ashley brings more than 18 years of experience in community and CPF Branch service as well as a remarkable academic history, with a PhD in French literature, a Master of Philosophy in European Literature and a Master of English and French translation, and more recently a Juris Doctor degree. She currently is the Assistant Dean of Arts and Assistant Professor at Acadia University (NS). Dr. Ashley will serve as National Vice-President for 2023-2024.
The CPF National AGM kicked off the annual CPF Leaders’ Networking Event program with topics related to Network governance and strategic planning. This year’s theme was Reimagining CPF 2.0, with important discussions about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Decolonization; Official and Indigenous Languages Education in Canada.
“We are looking forward to continuing efforts in achieving our vision of a strong, equitable and resilient Network focused on building shared leadership to support the delivery of the CPF Network’s mandate. I would like to welcome our new and returning Board Directors. We are all very excited to see the realization of the reimagined CPF 2.0. I am confident that our diligent Network volunteers and staff leaders will continue to contribute to these important and common goals for the whole organization. I am excited to see how we may optimize Network collaborations in the year ahead,” added Mr. Bentley, CPF National President.
Sincere thanks were extended to Dr. Wendy Carr (BC), Kate Peters (AB) and Larry Vaters (NL) who completed their respective terms on the CPF National Board.
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Canadian Parents for French is a nationwide, research-informed, volunteer organization that promotes and creates opportunities to learn and use French for all those who call Canada home.
For more information, please contact:
Marcos Salaiza, Communications Manager
Tel: 613.235.1481 x222 Email: msalaiza@cpf.ca