Rising 2025: Black Excellence and Canadian Policy

Janice Anderson
Chair, FBEC Women's Caucus

Janice Anderson is the A/Manager of the PSPC Task Force on Anti- Racism, Workplace Culture and Equity where she is providing policy leadership on initiatives to address anti-racism, gender bias and other forms of discrimination experienced by equity deserving communities. Over the course of her 20-year career, Janice has launched, co-chaired and participated in several departmental diversity groups, including serving now as the founding Chair of the Federal Black Women's Caucus, which was founded in 2021 to be a positive, vibrant networking space for Black women within the federal Public Service.

Janice Anderson is a proud graduate of Carleton University where she earned degrees in Canadian Literature, Women's Studies, and Canadian Studies.

Liza Arnason
Founder and Chair of Board, Director of Education ASE Community Foundation for Black Canadians with Disabilities

Liza Arnason BA, MA the founder and Chair of the Ase Community Foundation for Black Canadians with Disabilities, Owner and Principal of Arnason Consulting, Chair of the UCalgary Black Alumni Network, and above all a mom, grandma, and mentor.

Liza's commitment to the principles of "nothing without us" and "for us, by us", has always been the cornerstone of her work as an educator, administrator, and community advocate. Her depth of knowledge and expertise is informed by her lived experiences, research and policy initiatives, and work experience over 30 years.

Liza draws on critical pedagogy, including Black Feminism, disability justice, and critical race theories to inform community-based research and policy change initiatives. She unapologetically brings the lived experiences of those intersectional experiences of race, gender, and disability to the "table," identifying nuances, gaps, and disparities within systems, structures, and research. Through resistance and collective leadership across Canada, Liz continues to design and advocate for new models and systems that will affect real change.

Irwin Bess
Senior Executive Faculty Member, Canada School of Public Service

Irwin Bess joined the School as an executive faculty member in November 2023 and brings 27 years of experience in the federal public service.

Over the span of his career, Irwin held a variety of leadership roles in several departments, ranging from strategic policy and program delivery to communications, innovation and digital transformation at Transport Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, the Privy Council Office, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and the Canada School of Public Service. Most recently, Irwin served as the Chief Information Officer at the Immigration and Refugee Board, leading tribunal-wide operational and strategic digital priorities.

Irwin attributes his progression and success in these areas to following his curiosity and passions with a strong willingness to collaborate with colleagues and learn new ways of thinking and working from employees at all levels. His areas of interest include leadership development, policy and service innovation, responsible applications of technology and the intersection of these areas with the future of work and best practices for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Irwin has rejoined the School with the goal of helping all employees reach their full potential through teaching, facilitation, coaching and sharing of experiences and possibilities

Bernadeth Betchi
Coordinator, Union of National Employees

Bernadeth is a human rights activist, a Black woman, an immigrant, a francophone, and an artist.

She holds a Bachelor of Communication, a Master's in Women and Gender Studies, and is completing her third-year Ph.D. in Philosophy (Feminist and Gender Studies) at the University of Ottawa. Her research on Black maternal mental health in the Ottawa-Gatineau region earned her the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Bursary. Her professional journey includes roles at the Prime Minister of Canada's Office, the Canadian Human Rights Commission, and as a professor at Algonquin and St. Lawrence Colleges, teaching Communications, Human Rights, Sociology, and Social Justice.

Bernadeth is a representative plaintiff for the Black Class Action Suit and has testified in the Senate on anti-Black racism at the Canadian Human Rights Commission. In 2024, she became the first Black woman to run for president of the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE). She has delivered keynotes at the United Nations Permanent Forum for People of African Descent.

As a co-founder of Ottawa-Gatineau Black Breastfeeding Week, she has also served on the Boards of Immigrant Women's Services Ottawa and Maison d'Amitié Ottawa. Her work inspired The Village Project, supporting parents with resources and family needs. Guided by ubuntu—"I am because we are"—Bernadeth's mission is to leave a better blueprint for future generations. Her activism is rooted in love, empathy, and compassion, standing firmly on the shoulders of her ancestors.

Farahldine Boisclair
Executive Director, Office of the Secretary to the Governor General

Farah Boisclair is the executive director, Communications & Public Affairs at the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General (OSGG) since July 2024.

Before joining the OSGG, Farah worked at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) where she held the role of director of Operations in Communications Services, Public Affairs Branch. In this role, Farah was responsible for overseeing corporate communications, marketing and creative services. Prior to her tenure at AAFC, Farah was the lead of the Anti-Racism Task Force at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) between 2020 and 2023. Since joining the federal public service in 2008, Farah held other numerous roles in human resources at IRCC and at the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.

Farah holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Honours in Human Resources Management from the University of Ottawa.

Farah grew up in Canada and is proud of her Haitian-Guyanese heritage. She is passionate about advancing equity through action, helping others in their professional development, and pushing for the continuous evolution of the Federal Public Service.

Jeff Brevil
Policy analyst, Policy Horizons Canada

Jeff Brevil is a policy analyst within the Policy Horizons Foresight Research Team. He completed a Master of Arts in Conflict Studies from Saint Paul University in Ottawa, focusing on the ideological foundations of the conflict between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, specifically examining historical perspectives, socio-political dynamics, and cultural tensions. Before joining the public service, Jeff accumulated over 7 years of experience in teaching French to adults, research, and resource development. Jeff is also an affiliate student of Editors Canada, has experience in document editing, and is currently pursuing a certificate in public communication at Laval University.

Andrew B. Campbell
Assistant Professor, Leadership for Racial Justice, University of Toronto

Andrew B. Campbell (DR.ABC) is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, in Leadership for Racial Justice in Teacher Education in the Master of Teaching Program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto OISE. He is Coordinator for the Black Future Educators' Program (BFEP) and the newly appointed Director of the Centre for Black Studies in Education (CBSE). DR. ABC is known to the OISE and wider community for his leadership on advancing equity, leadership, 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and teacher education.

ABC's exemplary work has seen numerous awards bestowed to him, such as a 2024 recipient of the Black History Month Award, from the Jamaica Canadian Association; The 2022 Award for Excellence in Initial Teacher Education from University of Toronto; The 2021 Distinguish African Caribbean Award from University of Toronto, African Alumni Association; The 2021 Champion Educator Award from ONABSE (Ontario Alliance of Black School Educators) and numerous others.

He presently teaches courses in anti-discrimination education, leadership, educational change, urban education, and Black Educators' Identity and Pedagogy. He has presented at numerous conferences and has delivered many presentations as a keynote speaker, motivational speaker, and workshop facilitator. He loves people, food, fashion, travelling and bringing his community together for a good meal.

Jude Mary Cénat
Associate Professor, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa

Jude Mary Cénat, Ph.D., M.Sc., C.Psych. is a Full Professor in the School of Psychology, the Director of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health and of the Vulnerability, Trauma, Resilience & Culture Research Laboratory (V-TRaC Lab) at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Cénat also holds the University of Ottawa Research Chair on Black health. His research program explores factors associated with vulnerability, trauma, and resilience, with a particular interest in the role of cultural factors.; racial disparities in health and social services; and global mental health. He conducts research in North America, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. He leads major projects on the mental health of Black communities in Canada that documented for the first-time prevalence and factors related to depression, anxiety, PTSD, psychosomatic symptoms, and other mental health problems among Black individuals in Canada.

With his team, he also developed online trainings (via the bilingual platform https://santementalpourtous.ca / https://mentalhealthforveryone.ca) which aim to equip mental health professionals with the knowledge to provide culturally appropriate and antiracist care. Dr. Cénat is also a member of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists of the Royal Society of Canada.

Zan Chandler
Foresight Analyst and Innovation Facilitator, Policy Horizons Canada

Zan is a Senior Foresight Analyst at Policy Horizons Canada. Her work at Horizons focuses on building the futures thinking capacity of Government of Canada employees, where she has designed a competency framework for foresight practice, developed training resources and led learning experiences. Academically trained in foresight, her practice sits at the intersection of futures thinking, systems thinking and design, and is fuelled by the deep commitment to supporting the flourishing of futures for BIPOC communities.

Over the last 20 years, Zan has played a pivotal role in broad range of foresight research projects that have explored the changing landscape of the arts and cultural sector, public and post-secondary education, transportation of goods and people, election administration, with clients and stakeholders representing all levels of government. An Adjunct professor at OCAD University, she teaches and supervises graduate students in the Master of Design program in Strategic Foresight and Innovation.

Shalene Curtis-Micallef
Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General of Canada

Shalene Curtis-Micallef was appointed Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General of Canada on February 13, 2023. She had served as Associate Deputy Minister of the Department of Justice Canada since September 1, 2021.

Over the course of her career, she has held various positions at Justice Canada, including the roles of Assistant Deputy Minister of the Tax Law Services Portfolio, Deputy Assistant Deputy Minister of the Policy Sector, and Executive Director and Senior General Counsel of Health Canada Legal Services and of Agriculture and Food Inspection Legal Services. Her career at Justice Canada has touched on a variety of areas of law, with an emphasis on regulatory law and international law. Over the years she has had the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of significant legislative reforms including in the areas of cannabis legalization and regulation, tobacco control, food safety modernization and public health. She started her career with Justice in the Tax Law Services Portfolio as tax litigation counsel.

Shalene completed her legal studies at Osgoode Hall Law School and is a member of the Law Society of Ontario. Shalene also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Ottawa

Gaynel Curry

Gaynel Curry brings over two decades of dedicated service to advancing human rights, gender equality, social justice and sustainable development focusing on empowering communities of African descent worldwide, including as an Independent Expert Member of the United Nations (UN) Permanent Forum on People of African Descent.

Curry has a rich background, having served in her government, including as the founding Director of The Bahamas Department of Gender and Family Affairs and in the UN in various capacities in Geneva, New York, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Timor-Leste. Her current role at the University of The Bahamas involves teaching and researching in public international law, human rights law, and environmental law where she shares her wealth of knowledge and experiences with the next generation of Caribbean legal professionals.

Ray Edwards
Acting Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of Spectrum and Telecommunications and Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer

Acting Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector, responsible for regulating telecommunications equipment, extending and enhancing broadband service in rural and remote regions of Canada, and working with other organizations on the safety and security of existing and future telecommunications infrastructure. As CEIO, he provides strategic leadership to drive department wide inclusion, antiracism, equity, diversity and accessibility initiatives. He also champions the transformation to break down systemic barriers to the full representation and participation of equity-seeking communities within the workforce and in the Canadian marketplace. His career has encompassed executive leadership roles both in social and economic policy development and coordination both domestically and internationally.

He joined ISED in 2018 as the DG of Corporations Canada. Previously he held DGs roles in other departments such as service delivery lead at Agriculture Canada, H1N1 response at the Public Health Agency, lead for Drug Strategy and Controlled Substances at Health Canada. His career has encompassed negotiating federal-provincial agreements, managing regulatory programs, and leading complex transformation initiatives across and within organizations. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto in Biology and Genetics and is a certified executive coach.

Gérard Étienne
Human Resource Consultant and Diversity and Inclusion Expert, Gerard Etienne Consulting

Gérard Étienne is a renowned Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) strategist with extensive experience across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. He specializes in readiness assessments, intercultural development for executives, ED&I strategic planning, leadership, human resources renewal, and organizational development. Gérard is also an author and lecturer at l'Université du Québec en Outaouais.

As Principal of Gérard Étienne Consulting Inc., he has held leadership roles including Vice-President of Diversity Initiatives at the Institute on Governance, Vice-President of Operations and Human Resources at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Vice- President at TD Bank Financial Group, and Director General of Human Resources at Health Canada. He also served as Vice-President of Human Resources at the Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency and Vice-Chair of the Community Equity Council for the Ottawa Police Service.

Gérard played a key role in organizing the first Federal Black Employee Caucus (FBEC) symposium in 2019 and is leading a research initiative on the under-representation of Black employees in senior executive positions in the federal public service.

Currently completing his PhD in Industrial Relations at Laval University, Gérard holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Master's in Industrial Relations from l'Université du Québec à Hull, an MBA from l'Université du Québec à Montréal, and a Master's in Education from the University of Ottawa. A Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers, he is a certified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®) and a Valedictorian graduate of the University of Ottawa's Public Sector Leadership and Governance program.

Paula Folkes-Dallaire
Associate Assistant Deputy Minister—Defence and Marine Procurement

Paula Folkes-Dallaire was appointed to the position of Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Defence and Marine Procurement on April 3, 2023.

In this role, Paula supports Canada's military and coast guard operations by leading major air, land and marine procurements, and associated sustainment and support service contracts.

From 2019 to 2023, Paula served as the Director General of Defence Procurement at the Embassy of Canada. In this role, she lead a team that manages Canada's acquisitions under the United States Foreign Military Sales program as well as an international cooperation program for defence procurement.

Paula has over 16 years of executive experience in a variety of leadership roles within Public Services and Procurement Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. She served for almost four years as the Senior Director of Canada's Future Fighter Capability Project, working to replace Canada's CF-18 fighter aircraft.

At Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Paula held executive leadership roles in:

• Program Evaluation
• Corporate Planning, Performance and Reporting
• Corporate Risk Management
• Strategic Policy
• Real Property

She has also held senior analyst roles within the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada.

Paula holds a B.A. in Political Science, a Masters of Public Administration from The University of Toledo in Ohio, and a Certificate in Cyber Security Risk Management from HarvardX. She is a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and is a published author in the Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation.

Justin Hansford
Professor of Law, Howard University School of Law and Executive Director of the Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center

Justin Hansford founded the Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center in Fall 2017. Professor Hansford was previously a Democracy Project Fellow at Harvard University, a visiting professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center, and an associate professor of Law at Saint Louis University.

He has a B.A. from Howard University and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, where he was a founder of the Georgetown Journal of Law and Modern Critical Race Perspectives. Hansford also has received a Fulbright Scholar award to study the legal career of Nelson Mandela, and served as a clerk for Judge Damon J. Keith on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Hansford is a leading scholar and activist in the areas of critical race theory, human rights, and law and social movements. He is a co-author of the forthcoming Seventh Edition of “Race, Racism and American Law,” the celebrated legal textbook that was the first casebook published specifically for teaching race-related law courses.

In the wake of the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, Hansford worked to empower the Ferguson community through community-based legal advocacy. He co-authored the Ferguson to Geneva human rights shadow report and accompanied the Ferguson protesters and Mike Brown's family to Geneva, Switzerland, to testify at the United Nations.

He is a member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent.

Brittan Hudson
Director of Programs at the Enchanté Network

Brittan is an Afro-Caribbean community developer with over ten years of experience in program design, content creation and community-based facilitation. Brittan is the Director of Programs at the Enchanté Network, Canada's largest network for 2SLGBTQI+ organizations and the lead organization for the Back to Our Roots project, which will launch Canada's first National Black 2SLGBTQI+ organization amplifying Black 2SLGBTQI+ communities. Brittan is also a graduate student at the University of Toronto's Toronto School of Theology studying Afrocentric approaches to conflict resolution and faith formation for queer and trans-Christians.

They are passionate about creating equitable environments for BIPOC, 2SLGBTQI+ and people experiencing marginalization. Their work is grounded by the experiences and knowledge shared by Black people across the diaspora, especially on topics such as Queer liberation and Indigenous spiritualities. Throughout the years, Brittan has worked in various sectors, focusing on disability justice, faith formation, decolonization, and reconciliation.

When they are not working, Brittan enjoys exploring the outdoors, playing basketball and cultivating Queer joy.

Tamar Huggins
Founder and CEO, Tech Spark

Tamar Huggins is a Canadian tech entrepreneur, author, and educator based in Toronto. A trailblazer for diversity, equity, and inclusion in tech education, Tamar pioneered the development of the Black tech ecosystem in Canada. Her passion for innovation and technology became evident early on as she embraced challenges, pushed boundaries, and carved a path of excellence.

In 2012, Tamar founded DRIVEN, Canada's first tech accelerator for BIPOC leaders. The accelerator raised $1.1 million for Black, Brown, and women-led tech startups in Canada, which collectively went on to raise over $20 million. In 2015, she launched Tech Spark, the first company dedicated to advancing students of colour, women, and girls in technology education. Tech Spark developed Canada's first tech entrepreneurship course, actively taught in the Ontario education system, serving thousands of students across Canada and the US.

Harnessing the power of AI, Tamar created Spark Plug in 2022, a personalized learning platform transforming educational content for middle school students. She became the first woman to raise over $1 million to build an AI-powered learning platform driven by student culture, data, and AI.

As CEO, Tamar's strategic vision and cutting-edge curriculum have positioned her company as a leader in tech education. Beyond her professional achievements, Tamar is a dedicated advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry, actively mentoring aspiring technologists from underrepresented groups and fostering a more inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Alisha Kang
President, Union of National Employees

Alisha Kang (born Campbell) is a leader, advocate, and author dedicated to advancing inclusion and change. A single parent, she is most proud of her children: Kael, a 22-year-old activist studying Law, and Kyrro, a 26-year-old scientist on the autism spectrum. Fluent in French and English, Alisha was born in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, raised in Sherbrooke, Quebec, and later moved west to Richmond, British Columbia.

She joined the Public Service in 2003, beginning at the Fortress of Louisbourg, a Parks Canada site in Nova Scotia. She later worked at the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa, Ontario. In August 2023, Alisha was elected President of the Union of National Employees (UNE), representing over 27,000 members across 80 collective agreements. Her union leadership includes roles as Vice President and Shop Steward of Local 70501, Co-Chair of the Bylaws and Constitution Committee, and UNE 2SLGBTQI+ Human Rights Delegate.

In 2020, she joined the Federal Black Employee Caucus, serving as Ontario Region Representative and Lead. Her reputation for tenacity led to her election to her employer's Collective Agreement Negotiation Team in 2021. In May 2024, Alisha ran for PSAC National President, promoting transparency, strong negotiations, and voting integrity.

Since 2008, Alisha has published over 24 works of fiction and co-founded a writers' association chapter in Texas to amplify marginalized voices. She also served as President of the Committee for Equitable Access and Participation (CEAP) from 2009 to 2018, devoting herself to workplace and community inclusion.

Nathalie Laviades Jodouin
Senior Vice-President at Canada School of Public Service

In September 2021, Nathalie Laviades Jodouin was appointed as Vice-President, Public Sector Operations and Inclusion Branch, at the Canada School of Public Service, where she oversees the design, content development and curation of learning services to support public sector skills, Indigenous reconciliation and diversity and inclusion. She is also responsible for executive learning, where she oversees leadership development programs for executives at all levels.

Prior to this, Nathalie was the Director General, Respectful and Inclusive Workplace. Her directorate led the design and development of learning content on topics such as unconscious bias, positive space, accessibility, anti-racism, mental health, harassment and violence prevention, and gender-based analysis plus.

From November 2017 to December 2018, Nathalie was the Director General of Foundational and Specialized Learning at the Canada School of Public Service, where she was responsible for leading the design and development of learning foundations for all public servants as well as learning for specific functional communities.

In 2017, Nathalie was the Director, Leadership Development, at the Senior Personnel Secretariat, Privy Council Office, where she was responsible for supporting succession planning, talent management and learning for the deputy minister community.

Nathalie was appointed to the executive cadre in 2010 and held various positions of increasing scope and responsibility, supporting learning for executives or all public servants in a variety of topics and domains. She has been in the public service for 24 years.

Derek Lett

Derek Lett is the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Black Policy Network (CBPN) and a retired Ontario Public Service executive. His extensive public sector experience includes leadership roles in line ministries, central agencies, and legislative oversight agencies. Notable roles include Director of Operations, Outreach and Education at Ontario's Office of the Integrity Commissioner; Policy Director with Ontario's Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission; Executive Director of Ontario's Office of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner; and Director of Diversity Programs Design and Delivery in the Ministry of Government Services.

Mr. Lett is currently a public administration instructor at York University's School of Public Policy and Administration and serves on the City of Toronto's Sign Variance Committee. His volunteer activities include the Ontario Public Service's Amethyst Award Selection Committee and community mediation with The Neighbourhood Group, Toronto.

He holds a Specialized Honours B.A. in Public Policy and Administration from York University, a Master of Public Administration from Queen's University, a Certificate in Change Management from the Rotman School of Management, and a Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the University of Windsor's Faculty of Law.

Bill Matthews
Secretary of the Treasury Board

On May 24, 2024, the Prime Minister announced the appointment of Bill Matthews to the position of Secretary of the Treasury Board.

Prior to his most recent appointment, Mr. Matthews held the position of Deputy Minister of National Defence between January 2022 and June 2024, Deputy Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada between January 2019 and January 2022, Senior Associate Deputy Minister of National Defence between October 2017 and January 2019, and served as the Comptroller General of Canada between July 2014 and October 2017.

Mr. Matthews has also held various senior-level positions within the Office of the Comptroller General and the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat with responsibilities in the areas of financial management policy, estimates, evaluation, and expenditure management.

Mr. Matthews is a chartered professional accountant and was named a Fellow by the Chartered Professional Accountants in October 2016. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie University.

Rob Meikle

Rob Meikle is an accomplished technology executive and sought-after international speaker dedicated to helping individuals and teams maximize their potential as they fulfill their purpose. Known for his expertise in Emerging Technology, Strategy, Leadership, Talent Management, Diversity & Inclusion, Digital Transformation, Cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence, Rob brings extensive experience to every endeavor.

He served as the first Black Chief Information Officer (CIO) for both the City of Toronto and the City of Brampton, delivering award-winning global technology solutions across private, public, and nonprofit sectors.

Rob also earned distinctions as the first and only Canadian municipal CIO recognized on the global CIO 100 honoree list and received the Global Computerworld Premier 100 IT Leadership Award as well as the National Government (GTEC) Next Generation Leadership Awards. Passionate about community impact, he co-founded and sponsors the Digital Impact Transformation Program in the Greater Toronto Area, offering digital literacy and cybersecurity micro-credentials for marginalized Black youth, followed by career placement services.

Rob has been featured twice on the cover of Canadian CIO Magazine and holds an Honours Bachelors of Mathematics in Computer Science & Business Administration from the University of Waterloo, along with a Masters Certificate in IT Executive Leadership Development from Toronto Metropolitan University.

He also demonstrates his commitment to meaningful transformation by serving on various nonprofit and advisory boards, including his role as Vice-Chair of the World Vision Canada Board of Directors.

Hodan Ahmen Mohamed
Senior UN Human Rights Fellow for UNDPAD

Hodan Ahmed is a UN Human Rights Consultant and a Senior UN Fellow who advocates for the rights of people of African descent. Recognized by the United Nations in 2021 as one of the Global Top 100 under 40 Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD), Hodan brings over fifteen years of expertise to each role.

Her professional journey focuses on gender and racial equity, community engagement, youth justice, and consultative leadership. With a proven track record, Hodan provides valuable advice to government entities and non-profit organizations, translating strategic vision into actionable initiatives that drive meaningful institutional change.

Beyond her advisory role, Hodan is a published author. She contributes valuable insights to critical discussions such as the UN Decade for People of African Descent, the Pan-African Coalition Building, and the nuanced challenges surrounding the policing and criminalization of vulnerable communities in Canada. Her work also delves into the intricate intersection of anti-Black racism and Islamophobia.

In a world demanding impactful advocacy, Hodan embodies a commitment to justice and equality that extends beyond accolades, resonating in the tangible transformations she facilitates.

Mante Molepo
Lawyer, Founder and CEO, Mante Molepo Consulting

Mante Molepo is the founder and CEO of Mante Molepo Consulting. Through her signature DEI Governance Academy, Mante has developed professional development programs for senior executives, lawyers and other professionals across the federal public service. These include programs to address anti-Black racism and to promote racial equity and inclusion for Black people and communities.

In 2022-2023, Mante served as the Innovator in Residence for the Ontario Bar Association. She developed a Career Accelerator program to provide Indigenous, Black and other racialized lawyers with professional knowledge and skills to advance their participation in three emerging areas of law: Artificial Intelligence, ESG, and Fintech.

Mante has advised organizations across Canada to address anti-Black racism. She served on the advisory committee for the Ontario College of Teachers to develop an Additional Qualification guideline to address anti-Black racism and continues to advise the College on anti-discrimination measures.

Mante spent the first part of her career in the federal public service practicing international trade law where she worked on the negotiations of some of Canada's most ambitious free trade agreements.

As an award-winning community leader, Mante serves as the first Black person on the Board of Governors of the Ottawa Hospital. Mante also serves on the Ontario Bar Association Council, representing the East region. She is a founding member and former Chair of Parents for Diversity, an organization committed to addressing anti-Black racism in education. Mante is also a former Director of Amnesty International Canada, EcoEquitable, and the Parkdale Food Centre.

Isabelle Mondou
Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage

Isabelle Mondou joined the Department of Canadian Heritage on October 22, 2018, as Associate Deputy Minister and, after being on assignment at the Privy Council Office as Deputy Minister for the COVID-19 Response (Communications) from April 2020 to April 2021, became Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage on May 3, 2021.

On September 19, 2016, Isabelle was appointed Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Priorities and Planning) at the Privy Council Office. Prior to that, she was legal counsel to the Clerk of the Privy Council and Assistant Secretary (Democratic Reform).

Isabelle joined Canada's public service in 1994 as an employee of the Department of Revenue. She has held a wide range of positions, including in the Intergovernmental Affairs, Machinery of Government and Senior Personnel sections at the Privy Council Office.

Isabelle has a Bachelor of Law degree (1989) and a Master of Law degree (1994) from the Université de Montréal. She was called to the Barreau du Québec in 1990. She practised law in the private sector, with a focus on administrative, environmental and municipal law.

Isabelle is originally from the Laurentian region and has lived in Ottawa since 1996. She is the mother of two children.

Sebastien N'Singi
Legal Counsel, Justice Canada

Originally from the Northern region of Angola, he migrated to the Democratic Republic of Congo as a 2-year-old, fleeing with his parents from the war against Portuguese colonialism. His early passion for supporting underrepresented groups in Africa led him to study medicine in Kinshasa before transitioning to global human rights advocacy.

He is a graduate of York University (Business) and the University of Ottawa, where he earned degrees in Common and Civil Law. Fluent in French, English, Portuguese, Lingala, Kikongo, and with working knowledge of Kiswahili, he joined the Department of Justice Canada as an articling student in 2000, becoming a member of the Law Society of Ontario in 2001.

In 2002, he co-founded JUS-ACCESS to increase representation at Justice Canada in alignment with Employment Equity legislation. In 2021, he co-founded the Black Employee Network (BEN) at Justice Canada to address systemic racism and contribute to the Call-to-Action. He currently serves as a Human Rights advocate in Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination at Justice Canada.

Recognized for his advocacy, he received the Equity Award from the Law Society of Ontario (1999), the Metropolitan Toronto Police Hate Crime Award (1992), and the Anti-Racism Award from Justice Canada. In June 2023, he attended the UNDPAD Second Forum in New York.

A community leader, licensed pastor, and former chairman of the board, he mentors Black youth and graduated in 2024 with a Minister-in-Training Certificate from All Nations University in Ghana.

Helen Ofosu
Organizational Psychologist, Author, and Speaker

Dr. Helen Ofosu is a distinguished Industrial/Organizational Psychologist with over two decades of experience in the public and private sectors. Her expertise extends to career and executive coaching and leadership development, addressing complex issues such as workplace bullying and harassment and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Before founding I/O Advisory Services Inc. in 2012, Dr. Ofosu honed her skills in various government roles, including at the Public Service Commission, Global Affairs Canada, and the Department of National Defence. Her company now provides a wide range of services, including coaching, consulting, training, and applied research, all focused on enhancing organizational and individual effectiveness.

An influential figure in Black psychology, Dr. Ofosu is one of the founding officers and currently chairs the Canadian Psychological Association's Section on Black Psychology. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Carleton University, where she serves as a guest lecturer and mentor, offering her unique insights to emerging psychologists.

In 2023, her groundbreaking book, "How to Be Resilient in Your Career: Facing Up to Barriers at Work," was published by Routledge and nominated for the 2024 Trillium Book Award. This recognition, which highlights her thought leadership, was underscored by the prestigious Canadian Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (CSIOP) Outstanding Practitioner Award, which she received in June 2024.

Ima Okonny
Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Data Officer, Employment and Social Development Canada

As Chief Data Officer at ESDC, Ima spearheads enterprise-wide initiatives to advance Data Science, Data Management, and Data Sharing, directly supporting the department's policy development, service delivery, and results reporting.

Over her 25-year career in the data and analytics domain, Ima has been instrumental in driving significant enhancements to the evidence base and has successfully established Data Literacy programs, Data Strategies, and Policies. She has also led the development of Artificial Intelligence and Data Ethics Frameworks, along with core tools for assessing and managing data-related risks.

Before joining ESDC, Ima served in an executive role at the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, where she led a team dedicated to the effective collection, governance, and management of data from federally regulated financial institutions and pension plans.

Her career also includes key roles at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, where she led the development of analytical data tools and research databases critical to performance measurement, policy development, program monitoring, and results reporting. Ima's earlier experience includes positions with the Canada Revenue Agency and Statistics Canada.

Ima's educational background is in Mathematics, Computer Programming, and Public Management. Her leadership and achievements within the Government of Canada have been recognized with numerous awards, including the prestigious Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100™ Award by the Women's Executive Network (WXN) and the global Insight 250 award, celebrating her contributions to data-driven insights and impactful leadership.

Richard Sharpe
Director, Black Equity Branch, Government of Ontario

Richard Sharpe has been a human rights advocate for 30 years, both at the community and institutional levels. Until December 2022, he worked within the Canadian Federal Public Service where he held several national positions representing employees as both a union representative and as a leader in employee-led organizations. In 2017 he co-founded the first Black employee network in the federal government, the Federal Black Employee Caucus, to tackle anti-Black racism in that institution. For the last two years, he held the position of Director of Equity, Anti-racism, Diversity and Inclusion at the Department of Justice Canada, where he spearheaded department and enterprise-wide initiatives to address long-standing discriminatory practices in the federal government. He is currently the Director of the Black Equity Branch, Treasury Board Secretariat in the Ontario Public Service, Canada.

At the community level, Richard was instrumental in forming the 613/819 National Capital Region Black Hub to bring together Black community members and organizations to collectively address anti-Black racism in areas such as education, policing, and mental health. He has also been involved in leading initiatives to realize the objectives of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent (UNDPAD), including securing government support for Black Economic Inclusion initiatives and being part of Black community efforts to create the National Institute for People of African Descent (NIPAD). In December 2022 and April 2024, he was part of Canadian civil society delegations at the United Nations Permanent Forum for People of African Descent.

Richard has championed disaggregated socio-demographic data collection efforts at all levels and in all sectors. His work regionally and nationally is intended to improve the condition of Black and African diaspora communities in Canada. Richard is a sought-after speaker for his frank commentary on systemic racism, anti- black racism and allyship, and for his concrete solutions for action and results. His opinion pieces have been published in the Ottawa Citizen and LinkedIn.

Richard is proud to be a child of immigrants of Jamaican ancestry, and the eldest of six. His roles as father and partner are the two that he holds most dear.

Ronald Sharpe
Senior Strategic Advisor at FBEC & Senior Project Coordinator at Public Services and Procurement Canada

Ronald Sharpe is a passionate advocate for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) within Canada's federal public service and the broader community. As Senior Project Coordinator for the Organizational Culture Team at Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), Ronald has been instrumental in advancing the department's JEDI Action Plan, which includes executive-level initiatives, a disaggregated data strategy, and a communications plan to foster an inclusive organizational culture.

Committed to advancing Black public servants, Ronald played a key role in the Building Black Leaders program, designed to prepare Black employees for executive roles, and the Investment in Black Talent Program (Atlantic Region), a career development initiative for Black public servants.

Beyond his federal responsibilities, Ronald is the Director and Co-founder of the Atlantic Equity and Research Alliance (AEARA), an organization that addresses systemic barriers for Black communities across Atlantic Canada. Under his leadership, AEARA launched initiatives like the Black Youth Outreach Program and the Creative Media Arts and Film Project, both aimed at empowering Black youth. Ronald also co-organized the New Brunswick Black Summit to develop strategies for community progress.

As the Atlantic Region Representative of the Federal Black Employee Caucus (FBEC), Ronald supports Black employees in addressing workplace racism. In April 2024, he represented AEARA and FBEC at the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, advocating for equity initiatives to benefit Black Canadians.

With over 15 years of experience, Ronald continues to champion meaningful change for equity and inclusion in Canada.

June Soomer

Honourable Ambassador Dr. June Soomer , SLC , JMA, currently serves as the Chair of the UN Permanent Forum for People of African Descent. She is the Chair of the Global Campus Council of the UWI, a member of the Saint Lucia Reparations Committee and of the Regional Eminent Persons Selection Panel of the Anthony N. Sabga Awards. She is the former Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and served as Saint Lucian Plenipotentiary Ambassador to CARICOM and OECS and Diaspora Affairs.

She is the first woman :

• to receive a PhD in History from the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus;
• to serve as Saint Lucian Ambassador to CARICOM and the OECS, with responsibility for Diaspora Affairs;
• to serve as the Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States (2016-2020);
• to perform the role as Chair of the Open Campus, now Global Campus, Council of the University of the West Indies.

She is an advocate for equality and equity in sustainable development and her awards include:

• The Saint Lucia Cross (SLC) in the Order of Saint Lucia for Education, Diplomacy, Regionalism and Development Specialty 2021.
• The Jose de Marcoleta Award, Grand Cross for Diplomacy from Nicaragua -
• The Pelican Award from the University of the West Indies (UWI) for diplomacy, public service and the promotion of regionalism on the 70th Anniversary of the UWI.- 2018.
• The UWI, Cave Hill Award for Leadership

She writes and lectures on reparatory justice, especially for women of African descent; sustainable development and Caribbean History,

Kori St-Cyr
Director, Policy and Government, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Kori St-Cyr is Director, Policy and Government Relations at the Natural Sciences Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). In this role, Kori provides leadership to the agency's international, strategic policy and government affairs activities. Prior to this role, Kori served as Senior Policy Advisor to NSERC's Vice-President, Research Grants and Scholarships. Before joining NSERC in 2020, Kori served as Acting Manager in Science Policy and Senior Advisor in Science Strategy at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Previously, as a Research Associate with the Council of Canadian Academies, Kori worked with multidisciplinary panels of experts to develop evidence-based reports informing public policy development in Canada.

Kori holds a B.Sc. (Biochemistry) from Trent University, a M.Sc. A. (Biotechnology) from McGill University and a Professional Certificate in Knowledge Management from the University of Ottawa.

Nadia Theodore
Head of the Permanent Mission of Canada in Geneva, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO, UNCTAD, ITC and WIPO

Nadia joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada in 2004 as a trade negotiator. During her time as a federal public servant, she has held progressively senior roles in economic, international and social policy, including at the Canada Revenue Agency and Public Safety Canada. She served at the permanent mission in Geneva from 2009 to 2012 and as consul general in Atlanta from 2017 to 2020.

Most recently, Ms. Theodore was a senior vice president at Maple Leaf Foods, a Canadian consumer packaged goods company and the first major food company in the world to be carbon neutral.

Nancy Wanye

Nancy is a public affairs professional with extensive experience at the intersection of public policy, advocacy, strategy and business. She excels in stakeholder engagement, communications, research and analysis. She has a proven track record of driving strategic initiatives, managing complex projects and leading through relationships for impactful organizational outcomes. Nancy holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta.

Caroline Xavier
The Chief of Communications Security Establishment

Caroline Xavier was appointed to the position of Chief, of the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) effective August 31, 2022.

Prior to this, Caroline held the position of Associate Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, where she was appointed February 2020. From 2017 to 2020 Caroline was the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Security and Intelligence at the Privy Council Office. Prior to that she occupied numerous key positions within the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), including Vice-President and Associate Vice-President of the Operations Branch.

Before joining the CBSA, she held executive positions with CSE, Industry Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency. Caroline has been with the public service for over 30 years.

Caroline is a graduate of the University of Ottawa (Bachelor's degree in Administration, concentration in Marketing and Informatics) and of Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia (Executive Master's degree in Electronic Commerce).

Eunice Yeboah

Eunice K. Yeboah is the Co-Founder & Executive Director of the Canadian Black Policy Network and Co-Founder of the Toronto Black Policy Conference. She serves as the Toronto Transit Commission's (TTC) first Anti-Racism Policy Consultant in the Racial Equity Office.

Eunice is dedicated to addressing anti-Black racism and all forms of racism and discrimination through public policy, and has spent over 11 years working in various roles for several municipalities as well as the Province of Ontario.

Recognized for outstanding early career success and impactful volunteerism, Eunice was selected as part of York University's inaugural Top 30 Changemakers Under 30 list, received the inaugural IPAC Toronto Region New Professional Award, and has been featured in Seneca Polytechnic's award- winning Challenge Accepted campaign.

Eunice is an alumna of Seneca Polytechnic, York University, and the University of Toronto. She holds a Liberal Arts diploma, Professional Certificate in Public Administration & Law, Honours B.A. in Business & Society, Master of Public Policy degree, and Canadian Certified Inclusion Professional (CCIP™) certification. And, she is currently pursuing her PhD in Policy Studies.

Eunice's greatest honour is being a wife, mother, and mentor to many young people across Canada.

Dr. Rachel Zellars
Associate Professor, Senior Research Fellow at Saint Mary's University

Dr. Rachel Zellars is an accomplished lawyer, educator, and Associate Professor with a distinguished career in academia, research, and community engagement. Currently serving as a Senior Research Fellow, Dr. Zellars was awarded the prestigious Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in 2021, recognizing her impactful contributions to her field. She is also the Academic Champion for the Black Executives Network/Réseau des exécutifs noirs (BEN/REN), furthering her commitment to addressing systemic racism and amplifying Black voices in leadership.

Dr. Zellars holds a BA from Howard University, an MA from Cornell University, a JD from Loyola Law School, and a PhD from McGill University. She furthered her academic journey as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Vermont and is currently completing the Executive Leadership Program at Harvard University. In 2021, she was also named the inaugural Visiting Scholar at the Canada School of Public Service through the Jocelyne Bourgon Visiting Scholar Initiative, reflecting her leadership in advancing equity and justice.

Nationally recognized for her expertise in critical implicit bias—a term she coined—Dr. Zellars has led transformative trainings for government leaders and organizations, translating complex concepts into actionable solutions. Her lived experiences, having worked in various U.S. cities, Nigeria, the South Pacific, Montreal, and now Atlantic Canada, enrich her unique perspective on systemic racism and global equity challenges.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Dr. Zellars enjoys exploring nature, hiking, and gardening, drawing inspiration from the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean.