Grace Chau
North York, ON
Summary
Experienced professional with a solid foundation in administrative law, investigative procedures, and human rights. Demonstrated success managing high caseloads with thoroughness, integrity, and a client-centered approach. Skilled in fostering collaborative team dynamics and delivering high-quality services in often complex, high conflict environments. Proficient in developing inclusive policies and delivering training that advances equity and fairness. Committed to upholding fairness, accountability, and integrity in all aspects of service delivery.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
WDHP Advisor
Treasury Board Secretariat, Ontario Public Service
09.2022 - Current
- Assessed complaints of discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment to see if they contravene the Respectful Workplace Policy.
- Tracked data on the case management system, ensuring logging of human rights Code based grounds and flagging any systemic issues.
- Covered for my Team Manager during their absences e.g. vacation, holidays. Assigned work to staff, provided feedback on their work product and coaching support.
- Reviewed internal and external investigation reports, and provided feedback to investigators on the quality of their reports to ensure the reports can withstand third party scrutiny.
- Delivered in-person and online training to stakeholders regarding respectful workplace, discrimination/harassment and sexual harassment.
- Went on a brief secondment to the Policy Unit where I was involved in providing advice on policy development and delivering presentations to high-level decision makers.
Principal Consultant and Operational Manager
Oversight, Complaints, Human Rights and Investigations (OCHI) Consulting
08.2020 - 09.2022
- Created a consulting business to provide support and guidance to clients in navigating complaints, human rights matters and investigations.
- Assisted clients in conducting interviews, completing equity assessments and identifying gaps in policies regarding equity, diversity and inclusion practices.
- Reviewed organizational policies and procedures and helped develop a suite of updated policies.
- Served on a panel of inquiry with human rights practitioners to provide recommendations to a client in a postsecondary context.
- Drafted comprehensive reports for clients based on identified needs.
Interim Director, Human Rights Services
Ryerson University
05.2020 - 07.2020
- Sustained a high-performing team by providing mentorship and guidance.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement.
- Responsible for managing and directing a team of six staff after the Director left the office.
- Reviewed internal and external investigation reports.
- Routinely updated executive leadership on operational issues, trends and emerging issues.
- Prepared standard operating procedures and a comprehensive operational manual for the office.
- Maintained positive relationships across offices within the university.
Senior Investigator, Human Rights Services
Ryerson University
11.2017 - 07.2020
- Developed internal processes to enhance operational efficiency.
- As the Senior Investigator in the office, I reviewed the work of my colleagues and provided them feedback on their investigation reports.
- Regularly engaged with external investigators and provided feedback on their investigation reports and areas where further follow up was needed.
- Conducted mediations and/or investigations on an as needed basis.
- Provided high level subject area expertise on complex or sensitive human rights issues.
- Coached and mentored students and staff regarding internal policies and processes.
- Tracked operational data and reported updates to senior leadership.
Investigator, Special Ombudsman Response Team
Ombudsman Ontario
11.2006 - 11.2017
- Led and assisted a team of investigators on multiple high profile systemic investigations relating to different government ministries, including but not limited to an investigation into an illegally operating private career college.
- Conducted hundreds of interviews of governmental employees and officials in the course of conducting investigations.
- Drafted investigation reports and recommendations for addressing and improving systemic problems.
- Delivered in person training to internal and external stakeholders on investigations and whistleblowing.
Early Resolution Officer
Ombudsman Ontario
02.2006 - 11.2006
- Provided information and referrals where appropriate.
- Handled intakes of complaints about governmental agencies.
- Conducted trends analysis and research on an as needed basis.
- Involved in the early resolution of complaints and delivered services in a timely way.
- Assisted on various projects and provided support on systemic investigations when needed.
International Development Program Fellowship
Aga Khan Foundation
05.2005 - 12.2005
- Lived overseas in Gujarat, India as part of an internship to monitor the impact of foreign aid on earthquake affected villages.
- Traveled to local villages and interviewed households about their living conditions.
- Prepared a qualitative and quantitative local report based on observations on the field and research data.
- Delivered presentation on the report to headquarters in Delhi.
Articling Student
HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic
09.2003 - 07.2004
- Provided a range of legal services to a vulnerable client base, including advice, consultation and assistance navigating the legal system.
- Developed awareness of unconscious biases, stigma, discrimination and harassment experienced by people who identify as living with HIV/AIDs.
- Participated in various committees relating to the client population.
Junior Professional Consultant (Intern)
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (via CANADEM)
06.2002 - 11.2002
- Prepared situational reports on the status of socio-economic and political developments in the area, including internally displaced people, landmines and war crimes cases.
- Teamed up with a local community legal clinic to help build their local capacity to document and report to donors.
- Prepared a guide of services in the community, including a listing of internal agencies.
- Gained skills in resiliency living in a foreign country.
Education
L.L.B. (Bachelor of Laws) - Law
University of Windsor Law School
01-2002
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, International Relations
York University
01-1999
Skills
- Human rights subject area knowledge
- EDI lens and lived experience
- Knowledge of administrative law
- Understanding of procedural fairness
- Managerial/Investigative experience
- Strategic issues analysis
- Effective communication skills
- Restorative approaches
Languages
English
Certification
Certificate in Restorative Justice - Simon Fraser University (May 2022)
Stanford University, "Leverage Diversity and Inclusion for Organizational Excellence", Executive Leadership (January 2021)
Violent Threat Risk Assessment, Level 1 and Level 2 (2019)
Autism Intervener Certificate, Geneva Centre for Autism (2019)
Aboriginal Awareness Training (2017)
The Osgoode Certificate in Human Rights Theory and Practice (2017)
Professional Education Workshop on Policy Implementation (2017)
Council of Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation, National Certified Investigator (2012)
Hobbies and Interests
Currently have several e-books that I will be self-publishing this year including these titles: "The Hidden Power of Soft Skills: A Guide for Workplace Investigators", "Get Your Bearings: What Every New Manager Should Know" and "7 Key Tips for Delivering a Knockout Presentation."
Timeline
WDHP Advisor
Treasury Board Secretariat, Ontario Public Service
09.2022 - Current
Principal Consultant and Operational Manager
Oversight, Complaints, Human Rights and Investigations (OCHI) Consulting
08.2020 - 09.2022
Interim Director, Human Rights Services
Ryerson University
05.2020 - 07.2020
Senior Investigator, Human Rights Services
Ryerson University
11.2017 - 07.2020
Investigator, Special Ombudsman Response Team
Ombudsman Ontario
11.2006 - 11.2017
Early Resolution Officer
Ombudsman Ontario
02.2006 - 11.2006
International Development Program Fellowship
Aga Khan Foundation
05.2005 - 12.2005
Articling Student
HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic
09.2003 - 07.2004
Junior Professional Consultant (Intern)
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (via CANADEM)
06.2002 - 11.2002
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, International Relations
York University
L.L.B. (Bachelor of Laws) - Law
University of Windsor Law School