Biography:Roxanne Joyal

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Roxanne Joyal
Born1977 (age 46–47)
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
CitizenshipCanadian
EducationUniversity of Oxford (LLB), Stanford University
OccupationSocial entrepreneur
Known forCEO of ME to WE
Spouse(s)Marc Kielburger
Children2
RelativesCraig Kielburger (Brother-in-law)
AwardsOrder Of Canada 2017

Roxanne Joyal (born 1977) is a Canadian social entrepreneur, author, recognized leader in sustainable development, and a women's empowerment advocate. She is the CEO of ME to WE, a social enterprise that supports the sustainable development projects of its charitable partner, WE Charity. For her work in social entrepreneurship and advancement of social justice, Joyal was named a Member of the Order of Canada by the Governor General of Canada in 2017.[1] She is also a winner of the Women’s Executive Network’s “Top 100: Canada’s Most Powerful Women”.[2]

Early life and education

Roxanne Joyal was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba.[3]

She attended École/Collège régional Gabrielle-Roy, a French-language high school in Île-des-Chênes, Manitoba.[4] She attended York University as well as the University of Ottawa[5] and worked in Ottawa as a parliamentary page in the Canadian House of Commons.[6]

Joyal then attended Stanford University and graduated with distinction after completing a degree in international relations.[5][6]

In 2001, she earned a coveted Rhodes Scholarship, the first graduate of her high school to do so and went on to receive a law degree at the University of Oxford.[7]

In 2012, Joyal received an honorary doctorate from Nipissing University in recognition of her work in education and human rights.[8] In 2013, she was the keynote speaker for the convocation of Sault College School of Applied Arts and Technology’s graduating class, where she also received an honorary diploma.[9]

Activism and Social Entrepreneurship

At Stanford, Joyal intended to focus her studies on rural development and social change in Africa. She enrolled in courses that reflected her desire to improve the status of women and children in developing countries.[5] At 17, she spent 6 months in the Khlong Toei slums of Bangkok, Thailand, caring for mothers and children afflicted with AIDS.[6] She also interned at the World Bank in Harare, Zimbabwe and spent several months volunteering in Kenya, where she helped to establish a cooperative that aimed to improve the social and economic status of women.[5]

In 2004, Joyal led the establishment of Bogani Cottages and Tented Camps, a first-of-its-kind facility designed as a rejuvenating home base for groups volunteering in Kenya. Joyal has since expanded this venture with facilities in Rajasthan, India and the Ecuadorian Amazon.[10]

Joyal began her career with Free the Children (now WE Charity) after returning to Canada from Thailand and went on to become the CEO of ME to WE in 2010, after founding their Artisans programming in 2007.[10] Through ME to WE’s Artisans program, Joyal empowered more than 1,200 women in Kenya’s Maasai Mara region with the opportunity to earn a sustainable income.[11][12]

As of 2018, ME to WE products were sold in 12,000 locations[13] across the continent through partnerships with companies such as Walgreens, Nordstrom, PacSun,[14] and Call It Spring.[15]

In 2016, Joyal led collaborations with ME to WE’s celebrity partners to produce custom designs for ME to WE’s jewelry series. Canadian YouTuber Lilly Singh designed and promoted a line of “#GirlLove” Rafiki bracelets as part of her campaign to bring about an end to “girl-on-girl hate.”[16]

In 2017, she received the Order of Canada for her work in social entrepreneurship and advancement of social justice.[1]

In 2017, Joyal spearheaded the launch of ME to WE Chocolate and in 2019, she led the launch of ME to WE Coffee That Changes Lives.[17][18]

Recognition and Awards

Year Recognition Type Awarding body
2001 100 Outstanding Young Canadians[3][2] Award Maclean's
2001 Bachelor of Arts, International Relations, with distinction[5] Degree Stanford University
2001 Bachelor of Laws[19] Degree University of Oxford
2004/2005 Action Canada Fellowship[19] Fellowship Action Canada
2005 Future Leaders: Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women[2] Award Women’s Executive Network
2012 Honorary Doctorate of Letters[8] Honorary degree Nipissing University
2013 Honorary Diploma in Peace and Conflict Studies[9] Honorary degree Sault College
2017 Order of Canada[1] National order Governor General of Canada
2018 CIBC Trailblazers and Trendsetters[13] Award Women’s Executive Network

Personal Life

Joyal is married to Marc Kielburger.[7] They have two daughters.[20]

Publications

Further reading

  • Cameron, Paulina (2017). "Roxanne Joyal". Canada 150 Women: Conversations with Leaders, Champions, and Luminaries. EVOKE Press. ISBN 9780995959125. 

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Governor General Announces 99 New Appointments to the Order of Canada". Governor General of Canada. June 30, 2017. https://www.gg.ca/en/media/news/2017/new-appointments-order-canada-0. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 El Akkad, Omar (April 22, 2018). "A new generation of powerful women". https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/a-new-generation-of-powerful-women/article18245809/. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Passages". Maclean's: 9. January 15, 2001. http://archive.macleans.ca/article/2001/1/15/passages. Retrieved November 17, 2019. 
  4. ↑ Reynolds, Lindor (October 30, 2012). "Eyes opened, life changed". https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/columnists/Eyes-opened-life-changed-176472411.html. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Stanford student Roxanne Joyal named Rhodes Scholar: 12/00". https://news.stanford.edu/pr/00/rhodesscholar1213.html. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Roxanne Joyal Profile". The Rhodes Project. 2013. http://rhodesproject.com/roxanne-joyal-profile. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Turnbull, Barbara (March 9, 2009). "Their love is built on helping others". https://www.thestar.com/life/2009/03/09/their_love_is_built_on_helping_others.html. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Nipissing unveils Honorary Degrees for 2012". Nipissing University. June 1, 2012. https://www.nipissingu.ca/news/2012/nipissing-unveils-honorary-degrees-2012-0. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Sault College Annual Report 2013-2014". Sault College. 2014. p. 20. https://www.saultcollege.ca/AboutUs/PDF/Reports/SaultCollegeAnnualReport1314sm_000.pdf. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Sylvestre-Williams, Renee (September 28, 2015). "Significant developments in Free The Children’s history". https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/giving/significant-developments-in-free-the-childrens-history/article26540786/. 
  11. ↑ Castello, Simone (October 1, 2014). "ME to WE Artisans: Stories from a Kenyan Maasai Mama". Canadian Living. https://www.canadianliving.com/life-and-relationships/culture-and-entertainment/article/me-to-we-artisans-stories-from-a-kenyan-maasai-mama. 
  12. ↑ "DHL Express Canada, Me to We Artisans highlight health and education opportunities in Africa". May 6, 2014. https://www.canadianshipper.com/sustainability/dhl-express-canada-me-to-we-artisans-partner-on-mothers-day-event-to-highlight-health-and-education/1003049244/. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Executive; Women, Executive (2018-11-21). "SponsoredContent:CIBC Trailblazers & Trendsetters Awards Recognizing women who are first in their field andhave made a great contribution to Canadian society | Financial Post" (in en-CA). https://business.financialpost.com/executive/executive-women/cibc-trailblazers-trendsetters-awards. 
  14. ↑ "Shay Mitchell And Nina Dobrev Join Me To We #WEAreStrongerTogether Campaign". December 23, 2015. https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/12/23/shay-mitchell-nina-dobrev-free-the-children_n_8868922.html. 
  15. ↑ Harris, Aleesha (April 10, 2018). "Call It Spring X ME to WE collaboration boasts big benefits, style". https://vancouversun.com/life/fashion-beauty/call-it-spring-x-me-to-we-collaboration-boasts-big-benefits-style. 
  16. ↑ Bhagat, Rahil (September 21, 2016). "YouTuber Lilly Singh Is Hoping To Use The Platform To Help Women Around The World". Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/rahilbhagat/2016/09/21/how-one-of-youtubes-biggest-stars-is-using-online-content-to-help-women-in-need/. 
  17. ↑ Israelson, David (September 25, 2017). "Chocolate venture a sweet idea for helping others". https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/chocolate-venture-a-sweet-idea-for-helping-others/article36352634/. 
  18. ↑ Johne, Marjo (September 13, 2018). "Doing good can be good business, too". https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article-doing-good-can-be-good-business-too/. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "2004/2005 Fellows". 2005. http://www.actioncanada.ca/people/fellows/20042005-fellows/. 
  20. ↑ Kielburger, Marc (June 13, 2017). "Moving From I To We As A Family". https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/marc-kielburger/from-i-to-we-as-a-family_b_16688866.html. 

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