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Board of directors
Meet the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is a team of women lawyers who direct the organization. Each Director fulfills a specific role and manages the responsibilities associated with her portfolio. The Directors work together to put on exciting events and other activities to further YWL’s mission statement. Interested in joining the Board of Directors? Check the website for updates about upcoming applications!
Molly McCarthyPresident
Leah BurlockDirector of Events
Leah Burlock is an associate at Strigberger Brown Armstrong LLP, where her practice focuses on the defence of tort claims and statutory accident benefits. Leah earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of Western Ontario and obtained her J.D. from the University of Windsor. While at law school, Leah served as a Business Associate for the Windsor Review of Legal and Social Issues and was the Head Chair of Windsor Law’s ‘AskLaw’ Committee. Marisa LauIndependent Director
Marisa Lau is legal counsel at Hydro One practicing corporate-commercial law. Marisa received her Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia with a specialization in Transportation and Logistics in 2010. Thereafter, she obtained her J.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School of York University in 2013. In the past, Marisa has volunteered with Pro Bono Students Canada,Osgoode Women's Network, Osgoode Asian Law Students Association and various Osgoode clinics. Lori KhaouliDirector of Events
Lori completed her articles at a boutique civil litigation firm, where she regularly appeared before both the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice, developing her skills as a litigator and gaining practical experience in the courtroom. Outside of work, Lori is deeply committed to supporting her community and helping others. She is passionate about mentoring young professionals and supporting women's empowerment initiatives. In her free time, Lori enjoys staying active, traveling, and exploring new cuisines. Madiha VallaniDirector of Marketing & Communications
Madiha (Madi) is currently a Senior Lawyer and Senior Manager at KPMG Law Canada, advising clients on a range of sustainability, environmental, and regulatory matters. Previously, she was In-House Counsel to one of Canada's largest banks, advising the bank's various business functions on opportunities and risks relating to ESG topics, and assisting the bank to fulfill its ESG strategy. She also has experience as an environmental litigator, supporting clients from start-to-finish through the litigation process and representing clients before Ontario courts and tribunals. Her passion for environmental issues and law earned her three degrees—a Bachelor of Environmental Studies (University of Waterloo), Juris Doctor (uOttawa), and a Master of Laws (Western University). Outside of work, she is inspired by serving her community, women's leadership, and health and wellness. She is a certified yoga and Pilates instructor and uses her skills to create resources on how to integrate mindfulness and movement into a busy corporate lifestyle. As a certified yoga instructor (and having completed over 500 hours of professional yoga teacher training), she designs, leads, and facilitates public yoga classes at local studios in Toronto, and private yoga classes for corporate clients and events. She also teaches heavy bag boxing classes and enjoys empowering people through this form of movement. | Sahar TalebiVice Presidentstalebi@youngwomeninlaw.com
During law school, Sahar was focused on various advocacy and access to justice initiatives. She also volunteered at Pro Bono Students Canada: Windsor Law Chapter, the Windsor Refugee Sponsorship Support Program, as well as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Legal Clinic in Detroit, Michigan. Sandra BuhainDirector of Marketing & Communications
Victoria PileggiDirector of Events
Bianca SaliveTreasurer
Bianca obtained her Bachelors degree in Environment and Business from the University of Waterloo and her JD from the University of Ottawa. During law school, she volunteered with "Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights" and the "University of Ottawa Association of Women and the Law". Throughout her education, Bianca participated in exchange programs in Australia and the Netherlands. Bianca has served as a Board Member for YWL since 2022.
Rutendo MuchinguriCorporate Secretaryrmuchinguri@youngwomeninlaw.com
Rutendo completed her Bachelor of Laws (with Distinction) and Master of Laws at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, which is one of Africa’s best universities. Rutendo is also called to the bar in Zimbabwe. In her spare time, Rutendo enjoys trying out new recipes from TikTok, exploring hiking trails, watching period dramas and playing tennis. |
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Lori Anne Khaouli is an associate lawyer at Grosman Gale Fletcher Hopkins LLP, practicing in the areas of labour, employment, and human rights law. She obtained her dual Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Windsor Law and the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, after completing her undergraduate degree in commerce from York University. 
Sahar Talebi is an associate at Lenczner Slaght. Sahar’s litigation practice involves a variety of areas, including complex commercial and professional liability matters. Sahar obtained a Dual JD degree from the University of Windsor in 2018.
Sandra is currently working as Legal Counsel at Desjardins Insurance practicing civil litigation. Prior to moving in-house, she practiced in the area of insurance defence and subrogation at a Toronto firm. She obtained both her American J.D. and Canadian J.D. in Detroit and Windsor respectively. Prior to law school, she completed a paralegal studies program and worked at the Criminal Duty Counsel office at Old City Hall. She has appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice, Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the License Appeal Tribunal and had the experience of appearing in court in person before becoming a “virtual litigator”. Working from home, she has picked up various hobbies including collecting and rehabilitating orchids. When she is not working you can find her travelling, playing a weekday match of tennis or baking delicious desserts!
Victoria Pileggi is an associate at Paterson MacDougall LLP, where she practices mainly in aviation law. Prior to joining the firm, she summered and articled in the advocacy department of an international law firm. Prior to law school, Victoria worked in health and neuroscience research and obtained four degrees leading up to her law degree. During law school, Victoria was actively involved in the mooting community, participating in the Wilson Moot competition where her team came first in the preliminary rounds and second in the overall competition.
Rutendo articled and is currently an Associate at Dipchand LLP and has a practice that covers corporate restructuring, advisory and M&A, franchise law and intellectual property licensing matters. Prior to this, she worked as a law clerk with a focus on commercial and civil litigation at two law firms in Toronto.