Julia Drydyk, Executive Director

Julia Drydyk serves as the Executive Director of the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking, leveraging her expertise in research, community engagement, policy development, and advocacy to address complex social issues.

Julia began her journey at The Centre as the Manager of Research and Policy, where she studied human trafficking trends in Canada. Her work focused on identifying who is at risk of trafficking, the methods used, and the conditions enabling trafficking. She believes that understanding the root causes of human trafficking is essential for developing effective responses.

In 2020, Julia assumed the position of Director of the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline, a critical 24/7 service offered by The Centre. The Hotline offers immediate assistance to trafficking victims and survivors, facilitating connections with essential social services, receiving and reporting tips, and informing vital human trafficking trends and policy decisions.

Before her tenure at The Centre, Julia served as a Senior Policy Advisor to Ontario’s Minister of Community and Social Services, offering strategic guidance in transforming Ontario’s social assistance programs. Before that, she was the Manager of Research, Public Policy, and Evaluation at the United Way of Toronto and York Region (UWTYR), spearheading research and evaluation initiatives that informed UWTYR’s strategic priorities.

Julia is drawn to tackling tough challenges. She is grateful for the opportunity at The Centre to integrate her diverse interests and passion with her research and public policy experience. As the Executive Director, her commitment lies in mobilizing collective action, fostering connections, facilitating learning, and building capacity at all levels and across all sectors to combat and ultimately end human trafficking.

Julia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Women’s Studies from York University and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.

“Throughout my life, I’ve been drawn to tough challenges,” she says. “The Centre has given me the opportunity to pull all those areas of interest and passion together with my research and public policy experience.“