Top 25 Women of Influence 2017: Sara Austin

Sara Austin

Founder of Children First Canada, CEO of the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre

With over 20 years of leadership experience in the non-profit sector, Sara Austin has already helped change the lives of the world’s most vulnerable children through global advocacy, public policy efforts, and philanthropic campaigns. In November of 2016, she shifted the focus homeward with the launch of her own non-profit, Children First Canada. While most Canadians don’t perceive our country as having a problem, statistics show one in five children are living in poverty, one in three Canadians have experienced some form of child abuse, and one in five kids have considered suicide. In September of 2017, Sara transitioned from CEO to lead director of the board at Children First Canada in order to take on a new position as CEO of the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre. As a member of the Board, Sara will provide strategic leadership direction and continue to guide the charity she founded in mobilizing public awareness, driving the federal government towards action, and making Canada the best place for a kid to grow up.

Who else are we honouring? See the full Women of Influence Top 25 list for 2017.