Michelle Pockey was born in Toronto and raised in Oshawa, Ontario. She obtained a B.A. from the University of Western Ontario in 1990, and then her LL.B. from the University of British Columbia in 1994. She joined Fasken Martineau and went on to become a partner in their Global Energy, Global Mining, Aboriginal, and Corporate Social Responsibility practice groups.
In her practice Ms. Pockey was known as a knowledgeable and persuasive advisor who would do just about anything for her clients. She helped natural resource and land development projects secure developmental, environmental and operational approvals. She also fostered collaboration between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal businesses. Once when visiting a client's mine she fearlessly toured the mine, reaching the bottom more than a kilometre underground where she admitted to her colleague that she was 'more than a bit claustrophobic.
Throughout her career Michelle Pockey worked tirelessly for the advancement of women in business and the law. She was a founder or member of numerous organizations focused on connecting and development female professionals and leaders, including the Professional Women's Network and the Professional Aboriginal Women's Network, as well as the Women Presidents Association. She was the recipient of many awards recognizing her strength in leadership and empowerment of others, including a Champion for Change Award, a Business in Vancouver Influential Women in Business Award, and World of Difference Top 100 Award from the International Alliance for Women.
Ms. Pockey was known for her generousity and collaboration. She was an avid spokesperson for the organizations she worked with, and constantly invited women to join her in building the leadership communities that helped female professionals to succeed. In the Christmas season, she was well-known for gifting to anyone who'd assisted her throughout the year, but even more well known for gifts of her amazing biscotti.
Personally, Pockey was all ways full of life and light. She was a gifted jazz singer and performer, and worked to bring music to youth through her work on the board of the Sarah McLachlan School of Music Society. Her greatest treasure were her children, Noa and Nathan, and the time spent with them, her husband and her close friends was most precious to her.
Michelle Pockey passed away in late spring 2016. She is remembered as someone who radiated love to the very end.
For more, read the Nos Disparus for Michelle Pockey from The Advocate, 74 (2016)