Meet Claire Hafner

Claire Hafner is the Director of Public Affairs at the Alzheimer Society of Canada, where she leads federal advocacy efforts and works with governments, policymakers, and community partners across the country to improve the lives of people living with dementia and their care partners. 
 
Raised on a dairy farm in upstate New York, Claire’s path has taken her through business startups, teaching, agriculture, law, politics, advocacy, professional boxing, and opera performance. Along the way, she has lived and worked in numerous placing including California, Maine, Italy, Ireland, and Denmark, in rural communities and urban centres. She has performed internationally as an opera singer and boxed her way to number one in the world. 
 
Mentorship is deeply personal to Claire. After leaving everything familiar behind to immigrate to Canada, she spent years building a life and community from scratch. She knows what it feels like to be uncertain, isolated, and unsure where to turn for support. Those experiences gave her a deep appreciation for the people and organizations that help others feel seen, welcomed, and connected. 
 
Some of the most influential mentors in Claire’s life arrived when she was already an adult. Their guidance helped shape the person she became and often leaves her wondering how different her journey might have been if she had access to that kind of support as a young person. It is one of the reasons BBBSO’s mission resonates so strongly with her. 
 
Those experiences shaped Claire’s commitment to mentorship, inclusion, and community. She believes every young person deserves to feel seen, supported, and valued, regardless of their background or circumstances. Through her work coaching women and youth in boxing and throughout her professional opera career, she has seen firsthand how confidence and opportunity can flourish when people are given encouragement and a sense of belonging. 
 
Claire is honoured to serve on the BBBSO Board and contribute to an organization that creates life-changing relationships for young people and helps them realize their full potential.