Ilana Landsberg-Lewis

Ilana Naomi Landsberg-Lewis (born 1965) is a Canadian labour and human rights lawyer, activist and non-profit executive who served as executive director of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. In 2026, she was appointed chief executive officer of Rainbow Railroad.

Early life and education Landsberg-Lewis was born in 1965 into a Canadian political and activist family. She is the daughter of diplomat and politician Stephen Lewis and journalist Michele Landsberg. She grew up in Toronto in a household deeply engaged in social justice and political debate.

She attended the University of Toronto, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

She served as executive director from 2003 to 2020, playing a central role in shaping the foundation’s strategy and operations.

According to The Globe and Mail, Landsberg-Lewis helped maintain and expand the foundation’s focus on grassroots, community-led responses to the AIDS epidemic, particularly emphasizing the role of women in affected communities.

Rainbow Railroad In January 2026, Landsberg-Lewis was appointed chief executive officer of Rainbow Railroad, an international organization that assists LGBTQI+ individuals facing persecution and displacement.