Office of Rob Leone

Curriculum Vitae Jane Kovarikova, PhD ABD

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: A PhD Candidate and Lecturer at Western University in London, Ontario in the Department of Political Science specializing in international relations and comparative politics. Dissertation, supervised by Dr. Radoslav Dimitrov, focuses on why established democracies supply international election observers, and leverages field experience as a Canadian and Czech delegate in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and North Macedonia. Has extensive policy experience in Canadian child rights advocacy with a high media profile attracting significant research funding. Is the founder and CEO of Child Welfare PAC Canada, a national charity supporting youth success after foster care. Serves as the Board Chair of Simcoe-Muskoka Family Connexions, a regional child protection agency with a $50 million budget and 400 employees, as well as a government appointee to the Ontario Premier's Council for Equality of Opportunity.

RECENT EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

o Founder and CEO Apr 2017 to Present • Child Welfare PAC Canada, Toronto, ON

o Lecturer / Instructor Sep 2017 to Present • Western University, London, ON Sep 2021 to Dec 2021 • Western University, London, ON Sep 2020 to Dec 2020 • Georgian College, Barrie, ON Sep 2017 to Dec 2017

o Contract Consultant Oct 2007 to Present • Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, Toronto, ON • Ontario Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, Toronto, ON • Barrie Chamber of Commerce, Barrie, ON • Barriston Law, Barrie, ON • Rod Jackson Campaign, Barrie, ON • Quadro Tecnologie, Milano, Italy • Curam Software, Washington, VA, US

o Teaching Assistant Sep 2015 to Dec 2018 • Western University, London, ON

o Chief of Staff for Member of Provincial Parliament Oct 2011 to Jun 2014 • Office of MPP Rod Jackson, Legislative Assembly of Ontario

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS

o PhD Comparative Politics and International Relations (Expected 2021), Department of Political Science, Western University

o Certificate in Human Rights Law (2011), Academy of European Law, European University Institute

o MSc Human Rights (2009), Department of Sociology, London School of Economics and Political Science

1 o Hons. BA Psychology (2007), Department of Social Science, Laurentian University o Certificate in General Arts and Science (2004), Georgian College

ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT ABROAD

o Intensive Czech language training, CLT Institute (2-weeks, 2019) – Prague, Czechia o Exploratory research trip (1-week, 2012) – Kabul, Afghanistan o Intensive Italian intermediate courses, Centro Fiorenza (6-weeks, 2011) – Florence, Italy o Summer study program at Hyderabad University (6-weeks, 2007) – Hyderabad, India o Summer study program at Thammasat University (6-weeks, 2006) – Bangkok, Thailand o Spanish immersion at La Universidad Contemporánea (6-weeks, 2005) – Querétaro, Mexico

AWARDS AND HONOURS

o Premier’s Awards by Colleges Ontario, Georgian College Nominee (for Community Services category) – 2021 o Georgian College Board of Governors’ Distinguished Alumni Award (for excellence in community) – 2020 o Justice for Children and Youth Award (for reducing youth poverty in Ontario) – 2013 o Laurentian University, Science Showcase Debate Champion (for pro-rehabilitative justice) – 2005 o Barrie Safe City Committee, Volunteer of the Year Nominee (for community service at the Barrie Women and Children’s Shelter – 2004

RESEARCH GRANTS AND AWARDS

1) External Research Grants

• Co-applicant on SSHRC Partnership Grant (2021) valued at $2,499,993 (with applicant Dr. Tara Collins, Ryerson University) for 7- year International and Canadian Child Rights Partnership project. Will lead study with partner Child Welfare PAC Canada, to investigate how greater participation of those with lived experiences at various life stages in advocacy roles can lead to more equitable partnerships in the child protection sector.

2) Internal Research Grants

• Western University Undergraduate Research Assistantship (2018) valued at $1,000 (with Dr. Carolyn McLeod, Western University) to advise members of the Time to Attach research group about the economic dimensions of expanding parental leave benefits for adoptive, customary care, or kin parents and about how to conduct an advocacy or awareness campaign on this issue. • Western University Guest Speaker Grant (2019) valued at $2,000 (with Department of Political Science) to bring in Senator Raynell Andreychuk.

2 3) Graduate Scholarships

• Granted by Western University (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) valued at about $12,936 per year (excluding TA-ships)

4) Travel Grants

• Granted by Western University (December 17, 2019) valued at $1,319.59. • Granted by Western University (May 17, 2019) valued at $1,630.59.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

1) Undergraduate Course Lecturer

• “Interest Groups and Social Movements” (third year) – Forthcoming in Sep 2021 (Western University) • “Interest Groups and Social Movements” (third year) – Sep 2020 to Dec 2020 (Western University)

2) College Course Instructor

• “International Trade Research” (post-grad) – Sep 2017 to Dec 2017 (Georgian College)

3) Teaching Assistantships

• “International Relations” (second year) – Sep 2018 to Dec 2018 (Western University) • “Business and Government” (second year) – Jan 2017 to April 2017 (Western University) • “International Relations” (second year) – Jan 2016 to Apr 2016 (Western University) • “International Relations” (second year) – Sep 2015 to Dec 2015 (Western University)

4) Guest Lectures

• “Effective Advocacy and Policy Change” – Mar 25, 2021 (McGill University) • “Effective Advocacy and Policy Change” – Feb 10, 2021 (University of Manitoba) • “International Elections Observation” – Jan 18, 2021 (Windsor University) • “Effective Advocacy and Policy Change” – Nov 10, 2020 (Laurentian University) • “International Elections Observation” – Oct 20, 2020 (Soka University of America)

GRADUATE SUPERVISION

Dissertation Topic Role Completion Can Mentors Reduce Loneliness Experienced by MA Chair Summer Foster Children – *special permission to fulfill this role 2018 for a McMaster University student Youth in Care and the Justice System in Nova Scotia – PhD TBC *special permission to fulfill this role for a Dalhousie Committee University student

3 SERVICE

1) Professional Affiliations

• Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies

2) Boards and Committees

• Government Appointed Member, Ontario Premier’s Council of Equality of Opportunity, Toronto, ON – Jul 2020 to Present • Board Chair, Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions, Barrie, ON – Feb 2012 to Present • Financial Coordinator, London School of Economics and Political Science Human Rights Program Student Committee, London, UK – Jan 2009 to Dec 2009

3) International Election Observation

• Short-term Observer, OSCE, Brest, Parliamentary Election (Belarus) – 2019 • Short-term Observer, CANADEM, Donetsk Oblast, Parliamentary Election (Ukraine) – 2019 • Long-term Observer, CANADEM, Kharkiv Oblast, Presidential Election (Ukraine) – 2019 • Long-term Observer, OSCE, Perm Krai, Presidential Election (Russia) – 2018 • Long-term Observer Training, Westminster Foundation for Democracy (London, UK) – 2017 • Short-term Observer, OSCE, Tetovo, Parliamentary Election (North Macedonia) – 2016 • Short-term Observer, CANADEM-OSCE, Ryazan, Duma Election (Russia) – 2016 • Short-term Observer, CANEOM, Zaporizhzhya Oblast, Parliamentary Election (Ukraine) – 2014 • Short-term Observer, CANADEM, Kiev Oblast, Parliamentary Election (Ukraine) – 2012 • International Election Observation Training, BRIDGE (Ottawa) – 2013 • Guest Election Observer, Canadian Delegation in Taichung (Taiwan) – 2008

4) Domestic Election Activities

• Advance Poll Deputy Returning Officer, Elections Canada, London North Centre (Canada) – Sep 2015 • Registration Officer, Elections Canada, London North Centre (Canada) – Oct 2015 • Revising Agent, Elections Canada, London North Centre (Canada) – Sep 2015 • Deputy Returning Officer, Barrie, Provincial Party Leadership Election (Canada) – May 2015 • Campaign Manager, Barrie Campaign Team, Provincial General Election (Canada) – Jun 2014 • Director of Communication, Barrie Campaign Team, Provincial General Election (Canada) – Oct 2011

5) Additional Volunteer Activities

• Co-Facilitator, Women and Children’s After-Shelter Support Group, Barrie, Canada – Feb 2003 to Sep 2005 • Program Evaluator, Nrityanjali Academy, Secunderabad, India – Jun 2007 to Jul 2007 • English Teacher, AK/AL-AQSA Vidyalaya, Pottuvil, Sri Lanka – Jun 2007 • Volunteer, OMS: Men for Missions International, Cap Haitian, Haiti – May 2004

4 PUBLICATIONS AND TALKS

1) Published Policy Papers and Reports (Non-peer Review)

• Forthcoming – Kovarikova, J. (2021, TBD). What do we know about foster kids in Canada. Practice and Research Together. url pending. • Kovarikova, J. (2018, October 3). Review of policy and practice for youth leaving care. Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada. https://42bf8e9c-2414-4457-bac7- f47eccf53bff.filesusr.com/ugd/6548f4_7ba391d9a4b54e7a972c1314de2cefca.pdf • Kovarikova, J. (2017, April 24). Exploring youth outcomes after aging-out of care. Ontario Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth. https://cwrp.ca/sites/default/files/publications/en/report-exploring-youth-outcomes.pdf

2) Opinion Editorials

• Kovarikova, J. (2020, July 5). Former foster child first to lead local Children’s Aid in 126-year history. The Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2020/07/05/former-foster-child-first-to-lead- local-childrens-aid-in-126-year-history.html • Kovarikova, J. (2018, July 7). Protect the privacy of foster children. The Toronto Star. https://www.thestar.com/opinion/2018/07/07/protect-privacy-of-foster-children.html • Kovarikova, J. (2017, December 29). For foster kids to succeed they need more than just care. The Globe and Mail. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/for-foster-kids-to- succeed-they-need-more-than-just-care/article37448510/

3) Contributions to Legislation

• Bailey, R. (2020). Bill 237, Fostering Privacy Fairness Act. Toronto, ON: Legislative Assembly of Ontario. https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament- 42/session-1/bill-237 • Jackson, R. (2013). Bill 88, Child and Family Services Amendment Act (Children 16 Years of Age and Older). Toronto, ON: Legislative Assembly of Ontario. https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-40/session-2/bill-88 • Jackson, R. (2012). Bill 102, Child and Family Services Amendment Act (Children 16 Years of Age and Older). Toronto, ON: Legislative Assembly of Ontario. https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-40/session-1/bill-102

4) Conferences, Presentations, and Invited Talks

• Kovarikova, J. (2021, February 16). Child Welfare PAC advocacy. [Keynote presentation]. Third Age Club, Barrie, ON, Canada. • Kovarikova, J. (2020, November 12). Child Welfare PAC Advocacy. [Keynote presentation]. Barrie Rotary Club, Barrie, ON, Canada. • Kovarikova, J. (2020, December 3). Resilience in Care. [Keynote presentation]. Women of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. • Kovarikova, J. (2020, September 17). Laurentian University Alumni AGM. [Keynote presentation]. Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada. • Kovarikova, J. (2020, February 19). Possibilities Day for Crown Wards. [Keynote presentation]. Cambrian College, Sudbury, ON, Canada. • Kovarikova, J. (2020, February 5). Youth outcomes after care and thinking about best practices. [Workshop presentation]. Family & Children's Services of Guelph and Wellington County, Guelph, ON, Canada. • Kovarikova, J. (2020, January 16). What foster parents ought to know about youth outcomes after care. [Workshop presentation]. Maple Star Services, Vaughan, ON, Canada.

5 • Kovarikova, J. (2019, September 16). Youth outcomes and post-secondary access. [Keynote conference presentation]. Annual Conference for Executive Directors of Ontario Children Aid Societies, Sudbury, ON, Canada. • Kovarikova, J. (2019, September 12). Strengthening privacy legislation for youth in care. [Conference presentation]. Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner Staff Development, Sudbury, ON, Canada. • Kovarikova, J. (2019, June 19). Youth outcomes after care and the case for evidence-based policymaking. [Keynote Grand Rounds presentation]. Dalhousie IWK Grand Rounds, Halifax, NS, Canada. • Kovarikova, J. (2019, June 19). The kids aren’t alright, but they’re not what’s broken. [Keynote presentation]. Mount St. Vincent University. Halifax, NS, Canada. • Kovarikova, J. (2019, June 5). Youth outcomes after care and the case for evidence-based policymaking care. [Pre-Conference Presentation]. Fleming College for Ontario Association for Child and Youth Care at Fleming College, Peterborough, ON, Canada. • Kovarikova, J. (2018, June 7). Child protection system accountability. [Keynote conference presentation]. Ontario Association of Residences Treating Youth Conference, Huntsville, ON, Canada. • Kovarikova, J., & Jacques, R. (2018, April 23). Youth health outcomes after care. [Presentation]. Ontario Government’s Expert Panel on the Deaths of Children and Youth in Residential Placements, Toronto, ON, Canada. • Kovarikova, J. (2017, May 4). Child Welfare PAC Advocacy. [Keynote presentation]. Barrie Rotary Club, Barrie, ON, Canada. • Kovarikova, J. (2017, May 2). Child Welfare PAC Advocacy. [Keynote presentation]. Barrie Huronia Rotary Club, Barrie, ON, Canada. • Kovarikova, J. (2017, June 16). Child Welfare PAC Advocacy. [Keynote presentation]. Toronto Rotary Club, Toronto, ON, Canada. • Kovarikova, J. (2017, October 17). Best practices for gaining legislative traction for social justice initiatives. [Department Presentation]. Political Science Department at Western University, London, ON, Canada. • Kovarikova, J. (2017, September 30). How evidence can revolutionize child welfare: Better outcomes for youth aging-out of care. [Conference presentation]. Foster Parent Society of Ontario Conference, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada. • Kovarikova, J. (2016, May 15). Youth in Care Day. [Keynote presentation]. Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies at the Ontario Legislative Assembly Celebrations, Toronto, ON, Canada. • Kovarikova, J. (2016, May 13). Succeeding survival. [Keynote conference presentation]. Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada 0514 Talks, Toronto, ON, Canada. • Kovarikova, J. (2016, April 13). How to effectively champion your program to affect policy and legislative change. [Conference presentation]. Blueprints Conference, Denver, CO, United States.

5) Press Conferences

• Kovarikova, J. (2017, October 24). Child Welfare PAC Canada advocacy day 2017. [Press Conference]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c_N8sF23rU. • Kovarikova, J. (2018, October 3). Child Welfare PAC Canada advocacy day 2018. [Press Conference]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1QVFR37l1g. • Kovarikova, J. (2019, November 26). Child Welfare PAC Canada advocacy day 2019. [Press Conference]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NRXsbj57fM.

6 MEDIA

1) Select TV Appearances

Donato, A. (2018, November 9). Four ways a former crown ward would change Canada’s child welfare system. CBC POV Docs. https://www.cbc.ca/cbcdocspov/features/four-ways-a-former- crown-ward-would-change-canadas-child-welfare-system Dueck, L. (2020, January 9). Foster care in crisis. Context Beyond the Headlines (aired on YesTVCanada & CTV). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT68bG46p4g&feature=youtu.be&t=1160 Macmillan, M. (2019, August 19). Waiving tuition for child welfare students. CTV News. https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1757518 Massa, G. (2021, February 12). No tuition fee for foster children at McMaster University. CBC Canada Tonight with Ginella Massa. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2gNqAOFq7Q&list=PLeyJPHbRnGaa3NdQAEiW5ZPN8t N8EibAx&index=3 Paikin, S. (2020, February 3). A future for foster kids. TVO’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO9Nx7THrRA&feature=youtu.be Samson, A., & April, A. (2021, April 8). New program offers free post-secondary tuition for former youth in foster care. CTV News. https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/new-program-offers-free- post-secondary-tuition-for-former-youth-in-foster-care-1.5379056 Yamoah, M. (2021, April 10). NBCC unveils tuition program for former foster children. Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/7749115/nbcc-tuition-program-former-foster-children/

2) Select Profile Features

Ashley, et al. (2020, November). Youth in care chronicles: Reflections on growing up in the child welfare system. Amazon. Barrie Today Staff. (2020, June 16). Former foster kid takes helm at Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions: Jane Kovarikova will step into the role of board chair today. Barrie Today. https://www.barrietoday.com/local-news/former-foster-kid-takes-helm-at-simcoe-muskoka- family-connexions-2436862 Bruineman, M. (2021, March 28). Former foster kid on road to changing child welfare system. Barrie Today. https://www.barrietoday.com/local-news/former-foster-kid-on-road-to- changing-child-welfare-system-3548000 Fracassi, S. (2017, October 30). Jane Kovarikova: from foster kid to PhD candidate and child welfare trailblazer. The Western Gazette. https://westerngazette.ca/culture/jane-kovarikova- from-foster-kid-to-phd-candidate-and-child/article_e4edf8d6-bda7-11e7-a280- dbd8d6164303.html Georgian College (2020, June 8). Georgian College recognizes innovators, changemakers and student champions as recipients of 2020 Awards of Distinction. [Press Release]. Georgian College News. https://www.georgiancollege.ca/news/featured-news/georgian-college- recognizes-innovators-changemakers-and-student-champions-as-recipients-of-2020-awards- of-distinction/ Himmelsbach, V. (2019, March 14). Unsung hero: Child welfare advocate Jane Kovarikova: How a former foster child has dedicated her life to improving outcomes for youth. Local Love: Your Guide to Living Well & Doing Well. https://locallove.ca/changemakers/unsung-hero- child-welfare-advocate-jane-kovarikova/#.YHiqruhKhPb Hoffman, R., Brown, G.P., & Siegel, L.J. (2019). Crim: Introduction to Criminology (4th ed.). Cengage Learning Canada Inc. Treleaven, S. (2019, November 12). Life after foster care in Canada: Kids who grow up in the system are not expected to do well. That’s a big part of why they don’t. Macleans. https://www.macleans.ca/society/life-after-foster-care-in-canada/ Van Brenk, D. (2020, August 10). Advocate pushes for child-welfare change. Western News.

https://news.westernu.ca/2020/08/advocate-pushes-for-child-welfare-change/

7 OTHER

1) Languages English (mother tongue) Czech (fluent)

2) Citizenship Canada Czechia