Elinor McNamee

Elinor McNamee (she/her) is a gender advocate working to make policy and legislation more equitable. She previously worked for the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs where she held several roles advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda, including leading the development of Canada’s national strategy on the subject, and completing a secondment to UN Women South Sudan.

As a nationally recognized leader and community advocate, Elinor works both within and outside institutions to advance gender equity and women’s rights. Elinor co-founded a non-profit organization supporting young advocates working in the peace and security sector, and co-led a campaign that successfully amended the Canadian Criminal Code to improve how publication bans are used in sexual offences cases. She has served on several Boards of Directors, including as Chair of Women in International Security – Canada. Elinor has held fellowships with Women in International Security and the Leadership Lab, has publicly testified before Canadian Parliamentary Committee, and has spoken at the United Nations.

Originally from Vancouver, Elinor is happiest when she is outside (preferably in the Pacific Northwest!). She is an avid reader, dog lover, tea drinker, and hiker. Elinor holds degrees from the London School of Economics and Simon Fraser University, and is currently a Blume Public Interest Scholar and Global Law Scholar at Georgetown University Law Center.