TORONTO—Marian Jacko is now a member of the National Hockey League (NHL) Foundation board of directors.
“I was nominated for the NHL Foundation board by Rob Knesaurek, NHL senior service president of youth development and industry growth,” Ms. Jacko, who is originally from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, told The Expositor last week.
“This board has been in existence for more than 30 years,” said Ms. Jacko, who is also very involved in the Hockey Canada board of directors. “I had to do my due diligence and find the time and commitment to take on this position as well.”
Ms. Jacko pointed out the NHL has revitalized its charitable foundations, the NHL Foundation in the US (NHL Foundation US Inc.) and Canada (NHL Foundation Canada), “and the revitalized mission of the NHL Foundations is now built on five pillars, youth development, health and well-being, social equity, pathways to hockey, and service.”
The youth development pillar focuses on initiatives that are dedicated to the social and emotional development of youth under 18. Under the health and well-being pillar, the NHL Foundations invests in programs that provide nutrition, education, and mental health resources. The social equity pillar puts inclusion at the forefront, with the NHL Foundations supporting organizations that are committed to combatting racism, bullying prevention, and helping to reconnect disconnected communities. Under the pathway to hockey pillar, the NHL Foundations works with organizations that promotes access to the game through educational and workforce development, and mentorship programs. And the service pillar supports brave and dedicated military members and first responders.
“For more than 30 years, the NHL Foundations have been investing in organizations across North America, extending the NHL’s reach beyond the game on the ice,” said Bill Daly, NHL Foundation director and chairman, and NHL deputy commissioner. “Now, with five key pillars serving as strategic guidelines, a committed leadership group, and a distinguished board of directors to provide counsel and ensure accountability, we expect the NHL Foundations positive impact will be even greater, its audience wider, and its efforts to better communities across the US and Canada greatly enhanced.”
The NHL Foundations will have oversight from their respective newly appointed boards of directors lead by Mr. Daly as chair and executive director Rob Wooley. The board of directors includes members from the league office in the US and Canada. In Canada, external board members are industry leaders who bring a wealth of experience from various sectors. One of the members is The Right Honourable Stephen J. Harper Canada’s 22nd prime minister.
Ms. Jacko is a member of the Hockey Canada board of directors, serving her second year. She is chair of Hockey Canada’s people and culture committee, and chair of the Hockey Canada women and girls committee.
“It has been good, and we have done some really amazing work on the Hockey Canada board,” said Ms. Jacko. “As a board we have been really busy with one of the areas we are focussing on being to take a good hard look at women-girls in the game with the idea of increasing their participation in the game and further support and growth of the game.”
Ms. Jacko is also the Assistant Deputy Attorney General for the Indigenous Justice Division of the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General. Prior to this role, she was appointed by Order-in council as the Children’s Lawyer for Ontario. She has made significant contributions to the legal profession including being the first Indigenous person appointed as the Children’s Lawyer for Ontario, where she spent nearly 20 years representing and advocating for the personal and property rights of children and youth.
Ms. Jacko has spent her entire 24-year legal career tirelessly working on behalf of children and Indigenous peoples.
