Wayne Joudrie served nearly fifty years in public education, including as Director of Education for both the Halton District School Board and the Grand Erie District School Board. Throughout his career, he focused on driving measurable improvements in student achievement and system performance, bringing a strong system-level perspective.

Since retiring, Wayne has continued to contribute his leadership and governance expertise. His roles have included Executive Director of the Public Council of Ontario Directors of Education, Executive Consultant with the Ontario Education Services Corporation, President of the Mohawk College Foundation, and Special Advisor to the Minister of Education.

Lisa Klimkowski is the President of ETFO Halton, representing approximately 2900 elementary educators across the Halton District School Board. With years of experience as a classroom teacher and union leader, she brings a frontline perspective on the impacts of chronic underfunding, governance changes, and policy decisions on student learning, achievement, and well-being. Lisa is a strong advocate for publicly funded education, democratic school board governance, and equitable learning conditions for all students. Her work focuses on supporting educators, strengthening public confidence in the education system, and speaking out about how government decisions affect access, stability, and opportunity for learners and families.

Cindy Gage currently serves as the President for the Halton OSSTF Teachers’ Bargaining Unit and First Vice-President of the Oakville & District Labour Council. She is an active voice in the Oakville community, representing many educators who live and work in the constituency. She is a longtime educator and union leader with over 20 years in publicly funded education, beginning her career as an educational assistant before becoming a teacher and active member of OSSTF District 20 (Halton). She has held numerous leadership roles, organized rallies, led campaigns, and worked with educators and community partners to advocate for better education funding and oppose cuts impacting students and staff.

Andréa Grebenc is an education leader, former Chair of the Halton District School Board, and a long-time advocate for publicly funded education. She served as an elected school board trustee from 2014 to 2022, including as Chair from 2017 to 2021, bringing both governance and community perspectives to education leadership. With over two decades of experience in teaching, instructional design, and system-level leadership, she taught for more than 20 years in McMaster University’s Web Design and Development program and has led learning and development initiatives across the private and post-secondary sectors through her consulting work. Her advocacy focuses on supporting effective governance and democracy, strengthening public education, and ensuring students and families have access to high-quality, equitable learning environments.

Lee is MPP from Etobicoke-Lakeshore where she proudly defeated a PC incumbent in Doug Ford’s backyard. She is the Ontario Liberal Party critic for Hospitals, Homelessness, Addictions and Mental Health and sits on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, where she holds government to account for its management of public funds.
Throughout life, Lee has been driven by a strong belief in public service – to help make life better for people and communities. Born and raised in a small town in rural Southwestern Ontario, where her mom was a teacher and her dad was an engineer, the values of responsibility and teamwork were instilled in her early.
Her career has been dedicated to improving others’ lives – starting as a radiation therapist caring for cancer patients at Princess Margaret Hospital to executive roles at hospitals, including as the President of St. Mary’s General Hospital in Kitchener where she led the hospital and served the community through the pandemic crisis.
Lee’s experiences in competitive sports have shaped her leadership. She was a varsity swimmer and a founding member of McMaster University’s first Women’s Rugby Club. Lee represented our country at the Women’s World Cup of Rugby as a member of Canada’s National Women’s Rugby Team and knows that a strong, determined team, working with integrity and purpose can accomplish anything.
She has lived in Etobicoke-Lakeshore for 25 years with her husband where they are raising two sons.