World Vision staff member named one of Canada's most influential lawyers

World Vision's Dawn Devoe honoured with prestigious national award

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 4, 2015 /CNW/ - World Vision Canada is pleased to acknowledge that Dawn Devoe, who has served at General Counsel at the international humanitarian aid agency since 2009, has been named as one Canada's 25 Most Influential Lawyers by Canadian Lawyer magazine. Ms. Devoe, who was called to the Ontario bar in 2002, was one of five Canadian legal professionals selected by the magazine as winners in the "World Stage" category.

Ms. Devoe joined World Vision after an extensive legal career in the corporate sector, including working in the oil and gas industry. Her work on behalf of World Vision was previously recognized by her nomination as a finalist for the Canadian General Counsel Awards in 2011.

Quotes:

"I'm extremely grateful to my colleagues at World Vision and other members of the legal profession for this incredible recognition," says Dawn Devoe, General Counsel for World Vision. "It is an honour for me to be included among the people selected in the 'World Stage' category, as well as all of the other incredible award winners and nominees from across the country."

"I went to law school to equip myself with the tools to make a difference in the world – something that many of us want for our lives.  Some people do it through teaching, others by volunteering, and others by the way they run their businesses.  I do it through practicing law," adds Ms. Devoe. "When used properly and for its intended purpose, law can help create a harmony that's lacking in many areas of society.  It can be one of the tools in bringing justice to our world."

"Everyone at World Vision is extremely proud of Dawn for her outstanding work on behalf of our efforts to help children around the world to pursue their dreams," said Michael Messenger, President and CEO of World Vision Canada. "On a daily basis, Dawn and members of her team support a wide variety of issues, ranging from our emergency relief efforts during humanitarian disasters to day-to-day matters relating to our international development work. This recognition by her peers in the legal profession mirrors our own appreciation for Dawn's dedication to helping the world's children."

Facts About World Vision Canada:

• World Vision is Canada's largest private, child-focused international humanitarian development agency;
• More than 488,000 children in 49 countries around the world are sponsored by generous Canadians through World Vision;
• In 2014, World Vision responded to 13 global humanitarian emergencies, including Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, along with the ongoing refugee crises in the Middle East and South Sudan; and
• More than 80 percent of World Vision's revenue is spent on programs to help children and communities in need.

To learn more about World Vision Canada's work, please visit our website or call 1-800-268-5528.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit our News Centre at worldvision.ca.

SOURCE World Vision Canada

Bob Neufeld, Manager, Emergency and Corporate Communications, World Vision Canada, 905-565-6200, ext. 3265 or 647-622-2045. E-mail: [email protected]