Partner, Baker & McKenzie LLP, Toronto, ON. Born: Basterre, St. Kitts.
Donna Walwyn heads the Pension and Employee Benefits Practice Group in the Toronto of Baker & McKenzie LLP. She has a wide range of experience in private practice and, prior to becoming a lawyer, worked for Ontario’s pension regulator. She also practiced pension and benefits law exclusively with a leading boutique firm in Toronto before joining Baker & McKenzie.
Ms. Walwyn advises corporations, boards of trustees, plan administrators and internal pension and benefits committees on all areas of pension and employee benefits law. These include plan and fund governance, regulatory compliance, retirement fund investment, fiduciary duties and obligations, executive compensation, health and welfare plan administration and pension and employee benefit issues in the general employment law and unionized context. She also provides pension specialist support in litigation and insolvency matters.
Affiliations: Member of the Ontario Bar Association (Pension and Benefits Section), the Canadian Pension & Benefits Institute, the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers, and the National Bar Association; the immediate Past President of the Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Clubs; Member of the Board of Trustees for the Black Business and Professional Association’s National Scholarship Fund.
Favourite book? The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Every time I read it, I find something new and relevant.
Favourite quote? “Lifting as we climb.”
Given the chance, what would you love to do that you haven’t done yet? Go skydiving!!!
Who inspires you? I continue to be inspired by my parents, who made immense personal sacrifes to provide their children with greater opportunities.
Why do you do what you? I strive to remain worthy of the sacrifice. It gives me great personal satisfaction.