Cherilyn Scobie is a leader with extensive knowledge with respect to equity, diversity, and inclusion within the education, community, athletics and policing sectors. Prior to becoming the Senior Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at UTSC, she held leadership portfolios within the Toronto District School Board and her past positions included Vice-Principal of Lakeshore Collegiate Institute, Principal of Westview Centennial Secondary School, Centrally Assigned Principal for Equity and School Improvement for Learning Center Four, and Principal of Ursula Franklin Academy. Each position involved coaching and mentoring educators through the development of equitable school improvement goals, and sustainable actions to address student streaming, anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, accessibility, and inclusion in all school structures and practices. This work granted her the opportunity to co-create the TDSB Equity as a Leadership Competencies, Principal and Vice-Principal Equitable School Leadership Modules, and the Anti-Black Racism Strategy in collaboration with Ontario’s Anti- Racism Directorate.

Cherilyn’s experience and leadership is best evidenced through her work at UTSC. A recipient of the UTSC Principal’s Inclusive Excellence Service Award, she is the executive lead for the campus strategic priority which aims to create an authentic sense of belonging for all students, staff, and faculty. She continues to lead the development of online and in person equity leadership competency education designed to position the campus to address and remove the barriers which continue to impact underrepresented groups. She was selected to be a part of the leadership team responsible for planning and facilitating the National Dialogues and Action for Inclusive Higher Education: Addressing Ableism, Disability, and Accessibility in Canadian Higher Education. Her current role continuously supports her in using her education, knowledge, and lived experience to advance the UTSC Inclusive Excellence Strategic Plan.

Cherilyn is known for her extensive volunteer and consultative work. Co-founder of Equity Connections Inc. She facilitates workshops on anti-oppressive leadership, transformative leadership structures, and building inclusive environments for organizations which include Halton Police Department, The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, University of British

Columbia Athletics, Brock University, and several school boards. Her Board of Director experience includes being a former board member for New Leaf Foundation, and  she is currently a board member with Fifty for Free Community Youth Initiative and the Alliance for the Black Employee Experience and Leadership for  Ellis Don. She is a member of the Metrolinx Use of Force Advisory Committee, and has served as the lead equity and inclusion consultant for the Simcoe Catholic District School Board, and the District School Board of Niagara.  Her experience in administration supports her role as the head equity coach for the Ontario Principals’ Council. Within this role she coaches provincial school leaders to employ their leadership and influence to build equitable and inclusive school structures, systems, and practices. Her consultant and volunteer work focus on equipping organizations to dismantle the oppressive policies, structures, and practices which adversely affect underserved communities, and create structural and procedural shifts which inform and sustain inclusive environments. 

Columbia Athletics, Brock University, and several school boards. Her Board of Director experience includes being a former board member for New Leaf Foundation, and she is currently a board member with Fifty for Free Community Youth Initiative and the Alliance for the Black Employee Experience and Leadership for Ellis Don. She is a member of the Metrolinx Use of Force Advisory Committee, and has served as the lead equity and inclusion consultant for the Simcoe Catholic District School Board, and the District School Board of Niagara. Her experience in administration supports her role as the head equity coach for the Ontario Principals’ Council. Within this role she coaches provincial school leaders to employ their leadership and influence to build equitable and inclusive school structures, systems, and practices. Her consultant and volunteer work focus on equipping organizations to dismantle the oppressive policies, structures, and practices which adversely affect underserved communities, and create structural and procedural shifts which inform and sustain inclusive environments.

Cherilyn holds a B.Ed. from Queen’s University, and an M.Ed. with a focus on Educational Administrative Systems from Brock University. Additionally, she completed the Supervisory Officer Qualification Program Modules and received her Supervisory Officer Certification from the Ontario Principals’ Council.