Amanda Bartley, KPMG

Amanda’s passion for social justice and human rights matured during her time at the University of Toronto where she received an Honours Bachelor of Science in Economics and Psychology. After graduating university, she started her career as a Human Behaviour Researcher at in sync, Publicis Health. At her time at Publicis Health, Amanda was exposed to several research projects illuminating inequity in healthcare. During two global studies that were particularly impactful to her, Amanda mapped the female contraceptive journey in Italy, Brazil and China and completed a market understanding on the impact of a tropical disease across the Philippines, Indonesia, and Mexico.

Upon leaving Publicis Health, Amanda continued her research career at Unilever Canada, where her passions led her to embed equity throughout her work and ultimately attend the One Young World Summit in The Hague, 2018. At Unilever, Amanda expanded her research populations to amplify the hair care experiences in women of colour. She also served as Co- Chair of N’Abling, a business resource group focused on disability awareness within the workplace. Amanda’s experience at the Summit and Unilever solidified her perseverance to bring human rights to the forefront of her work.

“One Young World is where you find your intellectual kin. Thousands of people from around the world gathering to address the most pressing human rights and social justice challenges of our time. It’s a catalyst for our futures, a place to meet new friends and co-conspirators in this fight for a better world. And, despite how gut-wrenching the realities of today may be, you leave with hope for a better tomorrow.”

Currently, as a Senior Manager in Advisory Services at KPMG Canada, Amanda continues to do just that. Amanda is the Co-Chair of the National Black Professionals Network (BPN), a group dedicated to creating a greater sense of belonging for Black employees across the firm. The BPN has 300 members and runs several initiatives centring mentorship and community building. She also supported the development of KPMG’s Anti-Racism Strategy and co-authored a talent playbook for organisations to combat anti-Black and other forms of racism across Canada. The playbook covers all aspects of an employee’s professional journey, providing tangible solutions to critical moments where they are subjected to racism.

Throughout her community, Amanda remains dedicated to equity. She currently serves as a Governor of the University of Toronto and is one of the youngest alumni to hold this position. At the Governing Council, Amanda oversees both academic and business affairs of the university and is a member of the University Affairs Board and the Academic Board. She is also part of the Constituency Council at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Canada’s biggest mental health hospital. In this role, Amanda focuses on advising the board and senior executives on anti-Black racism, key programs, and the strategic plan.

Previously, Amanda served as Vice-Chair at Family Service Toronto, a century old organisation dedicated to supporting Torontonians experiencing precarity. During her six-year tenure, she was instrumental in the development of their strategic plan refresh, and the recruiting of the Executive Director and many fellow board members.