A farewell message from our Executive Director, Raji Mangat
Dear West Coast LEAF friends, supporters and partners,
Saying goodbye is never easy, and it’s not easy saying goodbye to West Coast LEAF. But as of August 1, I’ll be stepping away from my role as the executive director.
The past nine years have been a whirlwind. From the moment I walked into a new role as director of litigation in 2016, to moving into the executive director role in 2019 – just in time to steward our work through a global pandemic (yikes!) – there hasn’t been a dull day. But throughout, I’ve been honoured to be part of an organization that is evolving, learning and leading with humility.
Being part of this passionate community of staff, volunteers, supporters, partners and rabble-rousers has been a gift. I’ve learned so much from my colleagues at West Coast LEAF and hope I’ve given back even a fraction of what I’ve gained. West Coast LEAF’s greatest asset is its people – people who approach the challenging (sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes awe-inspiring) work of systems change with curiosity, empathy, justice and relationality.
For 40 years, West Coast LEAF has been on the forefront of advancing gender equality through the law. This work is guided by an intersectional and inclusive vision of a more just and equitable future. Putting this vision into action is more vital today than ever before. The onslaught of oppressive laws and policies, the dehumanization and vilification of trans and non-binary people, migrant communities, Indigenous People, racialized peoples, and people with disabilities, and palpable threats to the rule of law and due process requires a strong and unequivocal response. We must do this work in solidarity with community.
I leave West Coast LEAF knowing that we have the relationships, skills, resolve and people to push back on forces that threaten to undo decades of progress. I hope you’ll join me in continuing to support this incredible organization as it moves into the next phase of its evolution.
Sincerely,
Raji Mangat (she/her)
Executive Director
P.S. I cannot resist asking, “Are you a monthly donor?”