Board of Directors
Dr. Karen Mock, CM, Toronto, ON (Board Chair)
Dr. Karen Mock, a founding member of the Pearson Centre, is a human rights consultant, educational
Prior to devoting herself full time to human rights, Karen taught at the University of Toronto, Ryerson Polytechnical University and York University. Considered a pioneer in the field, she developed and taught the first course in Canada on multicultural teacher education. She is published widely in the field, and has written courses and manuals for intercultural and race relations training in the public and private sectors, as well as practical strategies for implementing multiculturalism, anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion, and for taking action against hate.
Karen served as Chair of the Hate Crimes Community Working Group for the Ontario Attorney General, and was Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister of Education for the development and delivery of Ontario’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy. Dr. Mockhas been recognized by the Canadian courts and human rights tribunals as an expert on human rights, discrimination, racism, antisemitism and hate crime, and she has received several awards and honours for her work. Most recently she received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal “for service to her peers, community and country”, and in 2017 was inducted into the Order of Canada.
Celso A. A. Boscariol, KC, Vancouver, BC (Vice Chair)
Celso has been actively involved in Canadian politics and practicing commercial law since graduating from the University of British Columbia in 1981. He was called to the Bar in Alberta in 1982 and British Columbia in 1985, before going on to co-chair the National Convention of the Liberal Party of Canada in 1996. Some of his most notable roles include serving as the President of the Liberal Party of Canada (B.C.), the President of the National Federation of Canadian-Italian Business and Professional Associations Inc., a member of the Vancouver Board of Trade, and as President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Canada – West and European Union Chamber of Commerce in Canada West. Currently, Celso is a Partner at Watson Goepel LLP and serves as the Vice-Chair of Lawyers Associated Worldwide, a global association of independent law firms. He is a founding member of the Pearson Centre.
Kevin Bosch
Originally from Calgary, Kevin Bosch is a managing partner of Sandstone Group. In 2021, after more than four years as Vice President of Public Affairs at Hill and Knowlton, he co-founded Sandstone Group.
Kevin is a seasoned government relations and communications professional who has helped clients achieve success across a wide range of industries and the charitable sector. Prior to his work as a consultant, Kevin held senior roles in successive governments and opposition leaders’ offices, including for prime ministers Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin, and Justin Trudeau. He also previously worked in the offices of the federal Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Human Resources Development.
In 2019, Kevin was elected by his peers to serve a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the Government Relations Institute of Canada and served as Chair of its Legislative Affairs Committee. He also currently serves on the Boards of Prime Minister’s Row and the Aylmer Heritage Association and is bilingual in both official languages.
Prof. Jonathan Calof, PhD, Ottawa, ON
Dr. Calof is recognized as one of the leaders in intelligence and foresight. A full professor of International Business and Strategy at the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa and the UNESCO Co-Chair of Anticipatory Systems for Innovation and Venture Creation, Dr. Calof combines research and consulting in competitive intelligence, technical foresight and business analytics to help organizations develop key insights on their competitive environment.
Jonathan has given over 1000 speeches, seminars and keynote addresses around the world on intelligence, foresight and analytics and has helped several companies and government agencies around the world enhance their capabilities on these areas. He is also a prolific author with over 200 publications to his credit. He has been a member of the Member of the Pearson Advisory Board since its founding in 2013.
Russell Gordon Gibson, Ottawa, ON
Originally from the Ottawa area, Russ is a graduate of the University of Ottawa and the University of Western Ontario. Russ worked as a journalist for the Financial Post Directory of Government and for several years as a reporter with the United Press International news wire service.
After graduating law school, Russ practiced with a local firm, and later in his own firm with an emphasis on not-for-profit and public sector entities, such as hospitals, universities, and schools from both a corporate law, and regulatory law perspective. Russ is especially proud of his work in pursuing private legislation for various not-for-profit entities such as Ronald McDonald Houses, Loretto Ladies Colleges and Schools, St. Paul University, Filles de la Sagesse du Canada, Sisters of St. Joseph of Hamilton, and others.
Russ is also involved in serving not-for-profits with various volunteer activities, including for The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ottawa, the Carleton County Law Association Solicitors Conference Committee, the Catholic Centre for Immigrants, the Galilee Centre of Arnprior Centre, his local community association, and as a director on the board of The Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy, a dynamic think-tank that engages Canadians in active dialogue about a progressive future for Canada.
Carl Nicholson, Ottawa ON (Secretary/Treasurer)
Carl Nicholson has been executive Director for the Catholic Centre for Immigrants in Ottawa, Ontario for 28 years and recently retired from that position. He is active in immigration policy nationally, including refugee policy, foreign credential recognition, employment of immigrants and racialized Canadians, and is well regarded for his leadership by government leaders and stakeholders alike.
He has provided advice to the Pearson Centre from on fundraising strategy before joining the board, including advice on the Pearson Foundation.