According to an announcement from the organization, Goba brings extensive experience in intersectional feminism, human rights and anti-discrimination work to the role. Before joining LEAF, Goba worked as a consultant and was called on by government, law schools, school boards and law firms to conduct investigations, provide training and speak about human rights, equity and anti-Black racism.
Goba was the founding executive director of the Black Legal Action Centre, worked as an adjudicator and mediator at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, and served as commissioner and interim chief commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission. She led the Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation as their executive director and worked in private practice focusing on human rights, racism, gender inequity and disability discrimination. She has served on LEAF’s National Legal Committee, the board of the National Association of Women and the Law, and the board of the Human Rights Legal Support Centre.
“In a momentous year for LEAF and a critical time for the rights of women, trans people and migrants, I am thrilled that Ruth Goba will be joining LEAF as executive director,” said Hadiya Roderique, LEAF board chair, in the announcement. “I am confident that she and the LEAF team will accomplish great things in this exciting next chapter in LEAF’s journey.”
LEAF is a national not-for-profit and charity that has been working since 1985 to advance the equality rights of women, girls, trans and non-binary people in Canada through litigation, law reform and public legal education.