Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I am a distinguished community development practitioner, facilitator, and equity consultant, boasting over 18 years of diverse local and international experience. I hold a Master of Social Work degree with a specialization in International and Community Development. My expertise encompasses public speaking, strategic planning, counseling, mental health support, capacity building through teaching and training, and the development of comprehensive diversity and inclusion strategies. I am particularly skilled in working with marginalized and equity-deserving populations. My research areas of specialization include immigration, trauma, diversity, equity, inclusion, race relations, and community development. With over ten years of dedicated service in the public sector, complemented by extensive experience as an adult educator in community-based social work, my career has been profoundly enriched by my work in the nonprofit sector. Furthermore, I am an avid enthusiast of culinary arts, theater, travel, and music, and I am proficient in three languages. I am honored to be a past recipient of the prestigious Margaret McNamara Award and scholar. As the founder of Shades of Humanity Consulting, a renowned equity and anti-racism consulting firm based in Canada, I remain committed to driving transformative change and fostering inclusive environments across diverse communities.
- Providing personalized and customized dialogue facilitation sessions and training on race and race relations with the goal of creating an Anti-racist organization - Promoting and elevating the value of diversity of thought and cultural awareness - Conducting equity assessments of your organizations through an intersectional lens - Reviewing and Creating Equity, diversity and Inclusion policies and statements for organizations - Developing Diversity and inclusive strategies that reflect best practice in organizations - Delivering Key Note presentations on EDI and antiracism and international humanitarian topics Shades of Humanity is founded on the principles around human differences are like brush strokes to a thriving society and are the catalysts for our growth; forming the shades, of humanity. our team is highly skilled in training and facilitating difficult conversations related to inequities and supporting groups in developing an in-depth analysis of how racism and other forms of discrimination are embedded in workplaces, and how this can be remedied. Shades of Humanity also works with data analysts and training experts to ensure an all rounded, professional experience in change management.
- Leading Diversity Initiatives: Spearheaded the update of the City’s Diversity Action Plan and Anti-Black Racism Action Plan, ensuring timely goal achievement and community development integration. Reported overall progress to senior leadership, the Mayor, Council, and organization-wide through dedicated communication channels, leveraging learnings and results to enhance DEI programs and processes. Training and Development: Developed, delivered, coordinated, or procured training, learning opportunities, and awareness programs in human rights, discrimination, harassment, anti-racism, anti-oppression, equity, diversity, unconscious bias, and inclusion for employees. Co-created the DEI learning journey in partnership with HR and other departments. Partnerships and Advocacy: Established deep and productive partnerships with all departments to advocate for and amplify under-represented voices. Inclusion and Equity Approaches: Developed approaches to identify and resolve barriers to inclusion. Created strategies to identify and escalate issues related to inequity in Markham. Diversity Analytics and Reporting: Assisted with diversity analytics, including benchmarking, tracking metrics, analyzing, and generating diversity reports for various audiences to highlight trends and demonstrate the impact of DEI programs and initiatives. - Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Integrated and provided oversight to Employee Resource Groups, ensuring alignment with DEI and corporate strategy through planning, guidance, and counsel.
- Supervision of Master's of Social Work (MSW) International Community Development Students on International and Community Development Programs and field deployment, -Currently Supervising Social Work practicums at the municipal level - Participating in a multidisciplinary team to ensure quality of practicum experience - Providing mentorship, coaching and cultural guidance to students working in an international context (specialized in the African context) -Liaising between Field Supervisors and FSW faculty staff on student experiences -Providing support and advice to staff and students on field experience
- Acting as the organizations’ point person on issues of Diversity and Inclusion, both internally and externally by navigating strategic diversity engagements with staff, Council and Chestermere residents. - Planing, developing and executing programs to ensure that D&I is seamlessly embedded across the full employee life cycle, including the development of D&I best practices that reinforce diversity in the workplace - Alongside community members, my role entails establishing a Welcoming and Inclusive Community committee (WIC) - Developing and coordinating community education and training programs - Working with Human Resources to identify and implement strategic opportunities to develop diversity pipelines - Working closely with the municipalities’ communications to ensure that the D&I communication objectives are met - Stakeholder engagement - Grant funding resourcing and management
-Program evaluation and reporting -Development and coordination of community education and training programs -Program planning, development and implementation of outreach to the community -Implementing FCSS programs and services in SE Rocky View County, - Outreach to the community as a liaison with organizations and community groups, -Volunteer Coordination - Supervision of grant recipients and acting as a City Liaison to local community groups with respect to Grant Funding opportunities training and exercises -Participating in the assessment of the current and future needs of the Community Services team, gathering input and feedback. -Participating in networking and facilitating partnerships with subject matter experts and service providers, -Undertaking studies and provide recommendations regarding the feasibility of policies, projects and services as required from time to time -Participating in the enhancement and implementation of City and Department Policies and Procedures within legislative, regulatory requirements and best practices, e.g., FCSS Act and Regulation, City of Chestermere’s Social Plan. -Representing Family and Community Services on a variety of professional associations and organizations, -Providing assistance to the Assistant Director (CSD) on sensitive issues. -Participating member of the Chestermere Emergency Response / Emergency Social Services team in preparing and enabling the community to respond in the event of a local disaster or regional disaster.
- Administering instruction on Social services and social work practices in the Human services - Planing, preparing and delivering quality classroom instruction and ensuring that it meets college and department standards. - Planing lessons, assignments and tests where applicable. Informing students about course requirements, evaluation procedures, and attendance policies. -Providing student mentorship by developing action plans to assist students in achieving their goals. -Motivating students by demonstrating sensitivity for their concerns and actively involving them in online classroom discussions and/or activities. -Keeping up-to-date with, and effectively use, relevant technology and media in classes. -Performing other duties/participate in special projects as assigned. Stay informed about changes and innovations in area of expertise.