Fred Eisenberger, President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute, is pleased to announce that the winner of this year’s David Crombie Award is Jane Pepino, C.M., QC, whose extensive record of volunteer service in support of women’s health and public safety has done so much over many years to enhance the public realm in the region. Ms Pepino will receive the award on the evening of June 9, 2011 at the CUI’s annual Urban Leadership Awards, to be held at the Liberty Grand, Exhibition Place, Toronto.
Jane Pepino is the founder of the land use and municipal practice at Aird & Berlis LLP. A Member of the Order of Canada since 2000, Ms Pepino is also actively involved in the redevelopment plans for Women’s College Hospital, currently under construction. In addition, she is a member of the Board of Toronto Lands Corporation, of which David Crombie is chair, which is dedicated to establishing Toronto’s public schools as community hubs. She is also a member of the President’s Advisory Council for the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario. She is also presently a Board Member of 2010 Legacies Now, which aims to strengthen sport and recreation, healthy living, literacy, accessibility and volunteerism, using an inclusive approach. These activities were linked to Vancouver’s successful bid for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Recently the organization has refocused as Lift Philanthropy Partners, expanding into Ontario.
Ms Pepino was the founding chair of the Ontario Women’s Health Council, and chaired Women’s College Hospital from 1997 – 2000. She has served as a Member of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and as the first woman member and Vice Chair of the Metropolitan Toronto Board of Commissioners of Police. She served as a member of the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women.
Between 1987 and 1997, Jane Pepino was President of METRAC (Metro Action Committee on Violence Against Women). During this period, she also served on the Board of the Canadian Urban Institute. She has maintained her links with the CUI, participating as a member of the Urban Leadership Awards jury early on in the development of the program, and by her willingness to speak on planning and development issues at the Institute’s educational events.