With Leisha Toory, Winner of the 2025 Feminist Creator Prize

Leisha Toory is a feminist advocate, writer, and the founder of the Period Priority Project, the first and only grassroots initiative in Newfoundland and Labrador dedicated solely to advancing menstrual equity. Through her work, she has successfully lobbied for free menstrual products in public spaces, a policy change recently adopted by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

As an advocate for systemic change, Leisha has created innovative digital resources, including a YouTube series, podcast, and presentations toolkit, aimed at making menstrual health advocacy more accessible. These initiatives empower individuals and organizations to engage in conversations around period poverty and gender justice.

Her work has made a significant impact both locally and nationally, reaching marginalized communities and amplifying their voices. Leisha’s commitment to challenging stigma and shaping policies for menstrual and reproductive health continues to drive her mission to promote equity, safety, and freedom from harm in Canada and beyond.

Connect with Leisha on Social Media

Instagram: @leishatoory

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leishatoory/

Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and share it with others. If you appreciate this content, if you want to get in on the efforts to build a gender equal Canada, please donate at ⁠canadianwomen.org⁠ and consider becoming a monthly donor.

Facebook: Canadian Women’s Foundation

LinkedIn: The Canadian Women’s Foundation

Instagram: @canadianwomensfoundation

TikTok: @cdnwomenfdn

With Alex Valoroso, Gender Equity Advisor

Alex Valoroso is a Gender Equity Advisor and consultant specializing in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) strategies, with a particular focus on gender and disaster. She helps organizations build more inclusive workplaces, services, and systems by applying a feminist, trauma-informed, and survivor-centered lens.

Alex holds a Master’s degree in Disaster and Emergency Management and has completed specialized training in intersectional analysis, GBA Plus, and addressing gender-based violence in emergencies. She has worked in research, academia, government, the non-profit sector, and the private sector, and currently sits on the board of the Canadian Journal of Emergency Management.

Through her work, she brings a deep understanding of systemic inequities and their impact during times of crisis, and has supported organizations across Canada, the Caribbean, East Africa, and Latin America.

Learn more and connect with Alex:

Website: www.valorosoconsulting.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/avaloroso

Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and share it with others. If you appreciate this content, if you want to get in on the efforts to build a gender equal Canada, please donate at ⁠canadianwomen.org⁠ and consider becoming a monthly donor.

Facebook: Canadian Women’s Foundation

LinkedIn: The Canadian Women’s Foundation

Instagram: @canadianwomensfoundation

TikTok: @cdnwomenfdn

With Fallon Farinacci, Winner of the 2025 Feminist Creator Prize

Fallon Farinacci is Red River Métis and a child survivor who testified in the National Inquiry for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, sharing her story of loss and trauma.

Later Fallon joined The National Family Advisory Circle, where she worked closely with other MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ family members and the Commissioners for the National Inquiry.

Fallon continues to share her family’s story and bring awareness to the ongoing Genocide Indigenous women, girls and 2S+ folx face in hopes of bringing change and awareness across Turtle Island.

Connect with Fallon Farinacci on Social Media

Instagram: @fallonfarinacci

TikTok: @fallonfarinacci

Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and share it with others. If you appreciate this content, if you want to get in on the efforts to build a gender equal Canada, please donate at ⁠canadianwomen.org⁠ and consider becoming a monthly donor.

Facebook: Canadian Women’s Foundation

LinkedIn: The Canadian Women’s Foundation

Instagram: @canadianwomensfoundation

TikTok: @cdnwomenfdn