Best song that describes you: Dreamer by Supertramp

Superpower: Salad-making

Shelan Markus (she/her) is a visionary lawyer and advocate for justice, equity, and human rights. As the Executive Director of Level, a national charity dedicated to justice education and human rights, she has been instrumental in developing programs that support Indigenous and Black youth, environmental activists, law students, and legal professionals. Her initiatives aim to dismantle barriers to justice and foster a more inclusive society.

In recognition of her significant contributions, Shelan was honoured as a 2024 Lexpert Rising Star, celebrating Canada's leading lawyers under 40. She was also a finalist for the 2024 Charity Village Most Outstanding Individual Impact Award.

Shelan holds a Juris Doctor from Western University and a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction from McGill University. She furthered her expertise in international human rights law through studies in India. Her legal career includes practice at a boutique litigation firm in Toronto and serving as a lawyer and contracts officer at the University of British Columbia.

A second-generation Canadian of mixed Middle Eastern and Eastern European heritage, Shelan founded City and She, a philanthropic art print business supporting human rights, animal rights, and environmental initiatives worldwide. She also established How She Made This, a talk series offering insights from women-identifying, transfem, and gender-diverse entrepreneurs.

Shelan's unwavering dedication to social justice and education continues to inspire and effect meaningful change and connection in communities across Canada.

Email Shelan: shelan@leveljustice.org