Trafalgar-Ross Lecture
Honouring Leadership & Legal Excellence
We are delighted to welcome Justice Vanessa Rochester ’94 back to Trafalgar as our 2026 Ross Lecturer. It is always a privilege to have our alumnae return to share their experiences and remind our students of the many paths a Traf education can lead to.
Justice Vanessa Rochester ’94
Justice Vanessa Rochester is a Trafalgar alumna and Judge of the Federal Court of Appeal of Canada. She is an internationally recognized maritime law expert with a distinguished legal career spanning Canada, London, and Singapore.
Before her appointment to the bench, she was recognized among Canada's leading lawyers and contributed significantly to advancing diversity and leadership in the legal profession.
Still Connected, Still Traf
The Trafalgar Old Girls' Association (TOGA) celebrates lifelong connection, professional mentorship, and shared history.
Hosting Justice Rochester alongside her 1994 classmates for this year's Trafalgar Ross Lecture is a reminder of how far a Trafalgar education can take you, and how tightly the network holds on after graduation.
The Trafalgar Ross Lecture Legacy
Established to bring exceptional minds and distinguished alumnae back to campus, the Ross Lecture series:
- Exposes students to diverse career pathways and real-world leadership.
- Connects current Trafalgar students directly with accomplished alumnae role models and mentors.
- Fosters meaningful intergenerational dialogue within the broader TOGA community.
- Reinforces Trafalgar's commitment to preparing confident, courageous young women for the future.
Join Us This November
We look forward to hearing Vanessa's story and celebrating another remarkable member of our alumnae community.
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Past Speakers
1981 – David Suzuki – Geneticist
1982 – Marie-Josée Drouin – Economist
1983 – Diane Jones Konihowski – Athlete
1984 – Adele Wiseman – Author
1985 – Maureen Forrester – Singer
1986 – Marc Garneau – Astronaut
1987 – Anne Begor Lancashire ‘58 – University Professor
1988 – Louise Mailhot – Judge (Quebec)
1989 – Jane Poulson – Physician
1990 – Peter Mansbridge – Journalist
1991 – Lynn Johnston – Cartoonist
1992 – David Lank – Historian
1993 – Sunniva Sorby ‘78 – Antarctic Explorer
1994 – Gretta Chambers- Chancellor of McGill, Journalist
1995 – Sylvia Sweeney – Athlete, Filmmaker
1996 – Terry Mosher (Aislin) – Editorial Cartoonist
1997 – Margie Gillis – Solo Dance Artist
1998 – Amanda Vincent – Environmental Biologist
1999 – Kathy Reichs – Forensic Anthropologist, author
2000 – Rosalie Abella – Family Court Judge (Ontario)
2001 – Jessalyn Gilsig ’88 – Actor
2002 – Lisa Campeau ’86 – International aid worker
2003 – Heather Munroe-Blum – Principal of McGill University
2004 – Margaret Somerville – Ethicist
2005 – Charlotte Gray – Historian and Author
2006 – Moira Brown – Marine Biologist
2007 – Elizabeth May – Politician
2008 – Nancy Dunton – Architectural Historian
2009 – Debbie Travis – Designer, author, television personality and producer
2010 – Dr. Brenda Milner – Neuropsychologist
2011 – Sylvie Fréchette – Olympic champion
2012 – Sheila Fraser – Former Auditor General of Canada
2013 – Heidi Hollinger – International Photographer
2014 – Maude Barlow – National Chairperson, Council of Canadians
2015 – Dr. Victoria Kaspi PhD – Astrophysicist
2016 – Kim Thúy – Award-winning Author
2017 – Carolyn Taylor ’90 – Award-winning Writer/Actor/Comedian
2017 – Jennifer Moroz ’90 – Award-winning Journalist/Producer
2018 – Joanna Goodman ’86 – Author
2019 – Dr. Suzanne Fortier – Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University
2020 – Sunniva Sorby '78 and Hilde Fålun Strøm – Citizen Scientists
2021 – Kassandra Churcher '95 – Advocate for Women and Indigenous Education
2022 – Ellen Shustik ’96 and Sheryl Stotland ’85 - Advocates for Democracy
2023 - Dawn Nakagawa '88 - President of Berggruen Institute
2024 - Dionne Codrington '88 - CBC Journalist
Trafalgar School for Girls
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info@trafalgar.qc.ca