Ilana Landsberg-Lewis

Landsberg-Lewis was born in 1965 into a Canadian political and activist family. She is the daughter of diplomat and politician Stephen Lewis and journalist Michele Landsberg. She grew up in Toronto in a household deeply engaged in social justice and political debate. She attended the University of Toronto, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. == Career ==

United Nations and legal work Landsberg-Lewis trained as a labour and human rights lawyer and worked internationally on women’s rights and equality issues. She spent several years with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), working on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and supporting grassroots women’s organizations. She served as executive director from 2003 to 2020, playing a central role in shaping the foundation’s strategy and operations. According to The Globe and Mail, Landsberg-Lewis helped maintain and expand the foundation’s focus on grassroots, community-led responses to the AIDS epidemic, particularly emphasizing the role of women in affected communities. Rainbow Railroad In January 2026, Landsberg-Lewis was appointed chief executive officer of Rainbow Railroad, an international organization that assists LGBTQI+ individuals facing persecution and displacement. == Honours and recognition ==

Landsberg-Lewis has received several honours for her work in human rights and international development, including recognition as one of Canada’s Top 25 Women of Influence and a YWCA Woman of Distinction. == Personal life ==

A member of the Lewis family, Landsberg-Lewis is the daughter of politician and diplomat Stephen Lewis and journalist Michele Landsberg, and the sister of New Democratic Party of Canada leader Avi Lewis and casting director Jenny Lewis. ==References==