Ilda is the Director of Programs at the Urban Economy Forum (UEF). With over 20 years of expertise in urban planning and program management, Ilda has a wealth of experience working with the public and private sector. She is dedicated to fostering collaborative efforts with leaders on both national and global scales to advance crucial concepts related to urban economy and sustainable municipal finance. This commitment aligns with the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals, with a particular focus on SDG 11, aiming to create inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities.

Ilda holds a master's degree in environmental studies from York University and was a registered planner with the Ontario Planners Professional Institute (OPPI) for eight years. Her enthusiasm lies in engaging with diverse stakeholders worldwide, ensuring the inclusivity of all voices in decision-making processes for city development. Her ultimate goal is to contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, leaving no one behind in the pursuit of sustainable urban economy and development.

Fazileh Dadvar serves as Chief of Research and Development at UEF and Head of Networking and Capacity Building at WUP, she is instrumental in organizing the flagship Annual Forums at UEF, fostering connections with various national and international universities, and managing developmental projects and events within the organization. She also is leading capacity building and partnerships at the World Urban Pavilion in collaboration with UN-Habitat, powered by Daniels, at Regent Park. In these roles, With a Ph.D. in Regional and Rural Geography, Fazileh brings over 25 years of experience as a professor at the University of Tehran. Her extensive publications span Gender Geography, Regional and Rural Planning, and Tourism Planning, with a particular focus on Rural Tourism. Fazileh has collaborated with international journals for over two decades. She also has a rich background in working closely with local communities, conducting extensive research on rural communities, especially within the context of Iran.

Her areas of expertise include Geography and Regional Development, Geography and Rural Planning, Gender Geography, Sustainable Development, Tourism Planning, and Empowerment of Local Communities. Additionally, Fazileh is affiliated with York University, focusing on the Cluster of Home, Identity, and Belonging at the Center for Feminist Research. Her diverse experiences and academic contributions underscore her commitment to advancing knowledge in these critical areas.

Reza Pourvaziry is an Architect with over 20 years of experience, including as an international urban researcher focusing on the concept of architecture and sustainability. Reza established the International Art & Architecture Research Association (IAARA) in 2002 to work and conduct research pertaining to urban architecture, habitat, and settlements, with a focus on sustainability, multiple international architecture awards. 

He created numerous development projects and programs and started working as the member of Steering Committee of UN-Habitat’s best practices since 2004. Designted by the Under-Secretary-General of the UN and former Executive Director of UN-Habitat as the First Global Advocate of UN-Habitat in 2016 for his contributions globally. He established the Middle East Regional Center for Best Practice and Local Leadership from 2012 to 2014. 

Presently, he is the Founder and Chair of Urban Economy Forum since 2018, and is working on urban development projects globally. Reza established strategic partnerships between United Nations and the Government of Canada to establish the World Urban Pavilion in Regent Park, a collaborative initiative between the UEF and UN-Habitat, supported by the Government of Canada and The Daniels Corporation. The Pavilion was officially launched on April 21, 2020. 

Marie McGregor Pitawanakwat is an Anishinaabe kwe, at Daawganing, on Manitoulin Island, Northeastern Ontario, Canada. Marie developed a business called Szhibeegen Training Services, which provided training and development to First Nation communities and NGOs, primarily in Northwestern Ontario, focussed on community and business development. Her business won an award from the Northern Ontario Business Awards.

In 2015, shortly after returning to her home community at Whitefish River First Nation, she was evicted from the original family home and became homeless. Her belief was and is that Indigenous people already own the land, so there was and is no need to “purchase” land that one’s people already own. She created a tiny home, situated in the woods on the Whitefish River reserve on unused land, where she lived off-grid for three years.

In 2018, the Whitefish River reserve evicted her and she became homeless again. In 2019, Marie was accepted as a member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory.

Arlene Hache is a grassroots woman who has experienced homelessness and traumatic impacts of childhood violence. She has an MA in Leadership from Royal Roads University and currently sits as a Co-Chair of the Women’s National Housing and Homelessness Network.

Arlene founded, and over two decades, led an urban-based family resource centre that provided support to marginalized women and their families, the majority of which were Indigenous. She is well-known across Canada’s Arctic as an advocate for social change and in recognition of her work was awarded the Order of Canada in 2009 and then the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. Of equal importance, Arlene was honoured with a Star Blanket ceremony guided by Wisdom Keepers and hosted by Keepers of the Circle, an Indigenous Hub in Northeastern Ontario. Arlene is a published author and has participated on several research teams that gives voice to people with lived experience. She has also served on territorial, national and international boards that address gender equality.

Khulud Baig is the Director, Policy and Community Engagement with Keepers of the Circle and The Women's National Housing and Homelessness Network. She has significant experience in community-based and participatory research, with a focus on gender-based analysis of housing and homelessness policy. Previously, Khulud has led housing files at the City for All Women's Initiative and Native Women's Association of Canada, and her key focus in all her work is to create and hold space for lived experience voices in decision-making. 

Stefania Seccia joins the Women’s National Housing and Homelessness Network as its Director of Advocacy and Communications following a decade working as a journalist. Stefania is a settler living on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples, the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), whose presence on and stewardship of these lands continues to this day. 

She recently worked with Keepers of the Circle to develop internal communications capacity, delivered a communications strategy, and mentored an Indigenous woman to take on the role of Communications Team Lead. Before that, she was at the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness for more than three years building their online presence and the belief that ending homelessness is possible. Stefania supported the launch of many of its Allied Networks such as the Women’s National Housing and Homelessness Network, National Right to Housing Network and Canadian Lived Experience Leadership Network; as well as working on its Vote Housing Campaign as National Deputy Director, which saw tens of thousands of people from across Canada elevate the housing crisis as one of the key issues in the 2021 federal election; and she oversaw and managed the organization’s campaigns, media outreach, and social media strategies. Stefania also founded and co-hosted the On the Way Home podcast that releases a weekly episode focusing on the hot issues in the housing and homelessness sector.