Helen Nowak is a union-side labour lawyer with experience working for both a federal public service union in Ottawa and a healthcare union in Toronto. During her legal studies at McGill University, Helen was actively involved in a variety of pro bono activities, such as filling applications at the Human Rights Commission and the Police Ethics Commission on behalf of complainants and providing legal information at a poverty law clinic based in Montreal.

Prior to beginning her career in law, Helen worked in the non-profit sector at the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research, and received a Master’s Degree in Sociology/African Development Studies from York University. Helen is an avid traveler, and has been lucky enough to visit over 40 countries on five continents. She is a Yoga enthusiast and is currently training to run her first half marathon at the Toronto Scotiabank Marathon weekend (while raising funds for Nellie’s).