Dr. Katrina Samson

Dr. Samson is the 13th Principal of Havergal College and a respected leader in girls’ education known for her commitment to empowering young women through transformative learning.

With more than two decades of experience in independent school leadership, she previously served as Head of School at Appleby College while also holding senior roles in student life and academic leadership and teaching English literature. Dr. Samson holds degrees from Queen’s University and University of Ottawa, as well as a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy from University of Toronto, grounding her work in both research and practice. Currently she also co-teaches the CAIS Advanced Leadership Diploma (LeAD). Beyond her work in education, Dr. Samson serves on the board of Armagh, a transitional housing program supporting women and children fleeing domestic violence.

Her dedication for the development of women’s equality and inclusion is evident in the sincerity she brings to all her endeavors. As a passionate advocate for the advancement of women and girls, Dr. Samson’s leadership reflects the core mission of Her Unmuted: creating spaces where young women are heard, empowered, and inspired to lead with authenticity and integrity.

Daisy Wai

Daisy Wai was elected as the Member of Provincial Parliament for Richmond Hill in June 2018 and has spent more than 25 years serving her community through business, public service, and volunteer leadership. A local business owner, she has held leadership roles on numerous boards, including York Regional Police Services, Mackenzie Health, and the Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce, contributing to economic development, healthcare, and community wellbeing.

She has also been deeply involved in community and religious-based service, supporting families, children, seniors, and individuals with special needs. In recognition of her dedication, she has received several honours, including the Civic Leadership Award, the Canada 150 Women of Distinction Award, and the Queen’s Jubilee Medals. A longtime resident of Richmond Hill, Daisy is a wife, mother of four, and grandmother of six, and continues to serve her community alongside her husband, Albert.

Her commitment to service and leadership reflects a shared mission with Her Unmuted: building communities where women feel supported, valued, and empowered to lead with confidence and purpose.

Nicole Cozier

Ms. Cozier is the Executive Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB) at Havergal College, where she works to deepen equity, foster belonging, and build inclusive communities within education. Her work focuses on creating spaces where students and educators can engage in meaningful conversations about identity, leadership, and social change.

Prior to joining Havergal in 2023, Ms. Cozier led diversity and inclusion initiatives at the Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization in the United States. Her career has centered on advancing equity for women and marginalized communities, with a strong emphasis on intersectionality, recognizing how identities such as gender, race, and sexuality shape people’s experiences and opportunities.

Ms. Cozier is also a Certified Diversity Executive and a certified facilitator of the Dare to Lead™ program, and she is trained in the Intercultural Development Continuum (IDI), a framework used to strengthen intercultural competence and understanding. Throughout her career, she has worked across education, advocacy, and nonprofit leadership to support initiatives that empower women and girls, particularly women of colour, to thrive and lead. In addition, Ms. Cozier is a published poet who uses storytelling and poetry as tools to foster empathy, reflection, and human connection.

Ella Soon-Shiong

Ella is a psychology student at McGill University and the founder of ACE Affirmations, a student-led magazine and community platform dedicated to creating a safe, relatable space for young people—especially women—to share their experiences, offer advice, and feel less alone. Through storytelling, creativity, and honest conversation, her work focuses on fostering connection and emotional well-being among youth.

As the founder, Ella leads editorial content, outreach, and community building, bringing together media, design, and personal narratives to amplify diverse voices. Her work sits at the intersection of creativity and advocacy, using storytelling as a tool to empower individuals and create meaningful dialogue around identity, mental health, and belonging.

Through ACE Affirmations, Ella is redefining how young people engage with media—centering authenticity, vulnerability, and inclusivity. Her growing platform continues to build a community rooted in support, connection, and shared experience.

Nicole Fontyn-Taylor

Nicole Fontyn-Taylor is the Program Director for capacity-building programs at WomenatthecentrE, where she works to advance community-led approaches to addressing gender-based violence and supporting survivors. With a strong foundation in social work, she focuses on community development, policy analysis, and advocacy across issues including gender-based violence, mental health and addictions, and homelessness.

Nicole completed her Master of Social Work (MSW) at Ryerson University, where she began her work with WomenatthecentrE through her practicum. Her career has been grounded in a deep commitment to women’s rights and community activism, with a focus on understanding and addressing the intersecting systems that impact women’s lived experiences.

In addition to her advocacy work, Nicole explores art as a tool for resistance and social change. She incorporates photography into her research, examining embodied representations of women’s resistance and strength within the context of gendered violence. Through her work, she emphasizes not only the importance of recognizing oppression, but also centering the ways women resist, reclaim power, and reshape narratives around violence.

Nicole’s work continues to highlight the strength, agency, and resilience of women, while pushing for systemic change that empowers survivors and transforms how society understands gender-based violence.