Marva Bailey – Wisdom

Marva Bailey-Wisdom is a Senior Fellow at Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy (U of T) with a focus on Equity, Inclusion and Women’s Issues. A Fellow of the Environics Institute for Survey Research, she co-led the well-received and ground breaking 7-year study - The Black Experience Project. Since 2007, she has been a Senior Equity and Leadership Practitioner, supporting national, private and public organizations in their journey. She is the City of Guelph’s External Lead Consultant, toward eliminating systemic racism - an endeavour that was recognized with an International Community Participatory award. Marva is the director of Musagetes’ International Arts Everywhere Festival and the co-author of an award-winning book, Collecting Courage - Joy, Pain, Freedom, Love. Her leadership volunteer roles have been expansive and have included former National Policy and Election Platform Chair for a governing political party, Chair of two successful United Way Campaigns, Chair of the Board of the YM-YWCA of Guelph, Founding President of both the Guelph Black Heritage Society, Kensington Market Jazz Festival, Vice Chair of the Canadian Centre for Diversity, Advisory of Operation Black Vote Canada and numerous committee membership engagements, including 15 years with the Rotary Club of Guelph. Marva’s recognitions include, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, YWCA’s Woman of Distinction, Exemplary Community Leadership, the Lang School of Business’, Alumni with Impact Award, University of Guelph, where she earned her Master of Arts in Leadership.