Human Rights Watch Canada Board of Directors

Deane Collinson, Chair

Deane joined the HRW Canada Committee in 2006 after attending a powerful HRW photo exhibit where Sr. Researcher, Anneke Van Woudenberg and photographer Marcus Bleasdale presented the report “The Curse of Gold in D.R Congo”. He was inspired by their courage and tenaciousness to not only get the facts of the atrocities, but to have met with and photographed the dangerous warlords surrounded by child soldiers carrying guns and machetes, often with severed limbs. From that point forward, Deane committed himself to HRW and its’ amazing people who are even willing to risk their lives to shine a light on and advocate for victims of human rights abuses. In 2016, Deane became even more involved, initiating and co-chairing the HRW Canada Children’s Rights Circle to focus on supporting and advocating in this area. At that time, he also became a member of the Executive Committee. In 2019, Deane joined the HRW Canada Board and was elected Chair in January 2022. Deane spent most of his business career as a senior executive in the retail food industry and continues to be involved with a number of other local charities. 

Ahmad Attia 

When Ahmad Attia's family learned that a loved one had been unlawfully arrested in Egypt, he was thrust into campaigning, media, and government advocacy. Ahmad initiated an international campaign to release his family member from solitary confinement and bring him back to Canada with the help of his family, friends, and thousands of Canadians. It was around this time that Ahmad met Human Rights Watch (HRW) for the first time. HRW researchers helped to uncover the human rights violations committed against his family member. 

Ultimately, it was in response to this experience that Ahmad formed the public relations and government affairs firm Incisive Strategy. In collaboration with HRW researchers, Inclusive Strategy has fought to uncover the truth and deliver justice to those who have been wrongfully imprisoned by authoritarian governments, armed conflict zones, and prosecute war crimes at the International Criminal Court. Ahmad has worked extensively with the Special Rapporteurs of the United Nations Human Rights Council to call attention to situations of human rights breaches all around the world. 

Ahmad's commitment for human rights activism has led him to serve on the Peel Police Services Board, where he is leading the charge to tackle systematic racism in policing using a human rights framework and to reform police responses to mental health issues. 

Ahmad’s high regard for HRW led him to expand the awareness and support for HRW Canada among many Canadians. Ahmad joined HRW’s International Justice Circle in 2021 and was invited to join the HRW Canada Board of Directors in early 2022. 

Hager Osman, Treasurer

Hager was most recently Director and Head of Real Assets at a Canadian multi-employer pension plan, where she led a global portfolio of private infrastructure and real estate fund investments. She has over two decades of experience in the Canadian capital markets, including roles in Sales and Trading and Investment Banking with the Big 5 Canadian banks, as well as earlier experience with PwC in Bermuda. Beyond her professional work, she has served as a member of the J.W. McConnell Foundation's Investment Advisory Committee and more recently, is active as a financial literacy educator to vulnerable youth. Hager is a Chartered Professional Accountant by training and holds a Hons. B.Comm (with Distinction) from Queen's University School of Business.

Working across capital markets, she gained a firsthand view of how social and ethical considerations are often overlooked in the pursuit of profit. This conflict became clearer as she took on greater responsibility and saw firsthand how large-scale investment decisions can affect communities, labour practices and human rights. With that came the personal weight of advocating for those decisions and a clearer understanding of the scale and reach of her choices. While strong leadership and a values-driven culture allowed her to decline financially attractive opportunities with questionable social impact, she recognizes that not all institutional investors operate in environments that support such discretion. This experience shaped her belief in the pivotal role institutional investors can play in advancing human rights and the importance of universally embedding human rights outcomes in financial risk and return.

Hager has been a member of the Board since September 2025, bringing experience in governance, strategy and disciplined decision-making shaped by her leadership in institutional investing.

Marusya Lazo

Marusya has spent the last 14 years in senior finance leadership roles for international not for profits and is currently the global Chief Financial Officer for HRW in the US. Prior to joining HRW Marusya was the Vice President for Finance at Population Services International, a global not for profit operating in over 40 countries across Africa, Asia and Central America where she led the global accounting, financial planning and analysis, and global procurement teams. She enjoys driving process and system improvements to improve financial management and oversight. Prior to joining Population Services International worked for Andersen LLP and Deloitte &Touche in both London and New York where she provided consulting services in business process improvements, financial controls, and risk management to global clients. Marusya is a Chartered Accountant of the Institute of Charted Accountants of England and Wales.

Canada Committee

The Canada Committee seeks to increase awareness of local and global human rights issues and enlist the public and governments to support basic rights for all. Committee members meet regularly to learn about human rights crises and policies and support Human Rights Watch through outreach, education and fundraising initiatives.

Membership in the Human Rights Watch Canada Committee provides an inside perspective on one of the most exciting and effective international organizations. Founded in 2002, the Canada Committee is composed of more than 50 opinion leaders from a variety of backgrounds. It was launched out of the belief that an informed and engaged constituency is essential for the defense of fundamental freedoms.

Canada Committee members have access to regular briefings by Human Rights Watch investigators, senior government officials, and informed observers. These sessions provide a unique and sophisticated perspective on breaking news and today’s most serious global problems. Canada Committee members strengthen Human Rights Watch and its global defense of essential liberties by contributing financially, attracting potential supporters, and promoting the organization’s message and concerns.

Co-Chairs: Susan Guichon and Michelle Meneley
Canada Senior Director: Carine Chehab
Finance and Operations Manager: Nassem Skeik
Development and Outreach Manager: Tatenda Mhaka
Senior Coordinator: Bianca Balut

Anis Ahmed
Suhana Ahmed
Khaled Al-Qazzaz
Jennifer Baichwal
Suresh Bhalla
Lindsay Blakely
Mark S. Bonham
Robert Brews
Kenneth Brown
Amanda Carling
Michael Charles
Deane Collinson
Judy Collinson
Kathryn Cottingham
Nick De Pencier
Brenda Dinnick, Founding Chair
Sarah Dinnick
Jennifer Fraser
Jacques Frémont
Nancy Hamm
Donna Ivey
Mary Johnston
Wendy Keys, Founding Member
Raja Khouri
Louise Levitt
Sheena Macdonald
Michael MacMillan
Margaret McCuaig-Johnston
Chris McDonald
Judy McLean
Tess McLean
Warda Shazadi Meighen
Errol Mendes
John Monahan
Vina Nadjibulla
John Packer
Andrew Park
Penelope Pepperell
Robert Peterson
Caitlin Sainsbury
Kim Samuel
Vinay Sarin
Donna Slaight
Heather Spinks
Helga Stephenson, Founding Chair

ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Sally Armstrong
Lloyd Axworthy
Atom Egoyan
Bernie Farber
Paul Heinbecker
Helen Kennedy
Stephen Lewis
Margaret MacMillan
Deepa Mehta
Allan Rock
Brian Stewart

Visit our Canada country page for more information on our work in Canada. See our Canada office for information on upcoming events and initiatives, and links to our social media channels.