Debra McKenna

Debra is a lawyer, feminist, and sailor and she is thrilled to be onboard Maiden. The daughter of two Canadian east coasters, Debra was born with saltwater in her blood and a love for all things nautical. Like her work as a litigator at WeirFoulds LLP in Toronto, Canada, Debra relishes in a good challenge, and everyday on the water is a new adventure – an opportunity to learn, push boundaries, and discover things about herself. Debra learned to sail in 2005 and has taken a number of Sail Canada (formerly the Canadian Yachting Association) training courses. She has been a member of the Queen City Yacht Club in Toronto since 2015, where she spends her summers sailing on Lake Ontario and toiling away on her "vintage" 1978 Mirage 26. In the winter months, she has sailed in the Caribbean, completing trips around St. Maarten, St. Barths, and Anguilla in 2016, in St. Lucia and Martinique in 2017, and in Antigua in 2019. For Debra, the story of Maiden and its original crew is unbelievably inspiring. The belief in self and that "anything is possible" resonates strongly. The commitment of the Maiden Factor Foundation to spread that message and to fundraise, educate, and empower girls around the world is a mission that Debra is honoured to champion.