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A small town farm girl, Renee Vaugeois is an example of someone who has moved beyond the boundaries of rural Alberta to become a change leader and human rights advocate. In her efforts to address injustice and inequality, Ms. Vaugeois has made it her life’s work to break the chains of apathy and open people’s eyes… to take them beyond their box to view the world through the eyes of others and to build a world that is compassionate. She has a true passion and belief not only in the human spirit and the dignity of all people, but the value of human relationships.

Ms. Vaugeois is the Founding President of Ainembabazi Children’s Project, a charitable organization focused on improving the rights of orphans and vulnerable children affected by AIDS in East Africa through education, health and community economic development.

She is also the Executive Director of the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, an organization focused on advancing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through education, research, collaboration and community development. In this position, she has lead and initiated the Ignite Change Now! Global Youth Assembly where youth from around the world collaborate on initiatives to advance human rights and justice.

She has her Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Alberta and has had the experience of coordinating various international projects for both the University of Alberta and the Government of Alberta in numerous countries around the world. Her areas of experience include human rights, international political economy, armed conflict’s impact on children as well as HIV and AIDS, Aboriginal issues as well as racism and discrimination.
Ms. Vaugeois is currently a member of the National Commission for UNESCO in Canada, the ONEdmonton Leadership Initiative, as well as sits on the Boards of the South Sudan Development Foundation and Association for Immigrant Development and Integration. She is also the recipient of the Top 40 under 40 by Avenue Magazine in its inaugural year in Edmonton.