Our Team

Ishbel has been an activist and community builder for over 50 years, and has developed projects like “On Common Ground”, which brought together the African Nova Scotian, Mi’Kmaq, Acadian and fishing communities to learn about each other’s culture and histories. The thread that runs throughout her life is the creation of a more balanced, just world – where people can heal and grow to become the people they dream of being.

Profile coming

Philippe is Director of Educonnexion, a program of Social Justice Connection, in citizenship education serving more than ten thousand young people and professionals in Canada and abroad. A lecturer at Université de Montréal in International Cooperation, he holds a Master’s Degree in International Law from UQAM and developed North America’s first global citizenship education framework for youth and adult education.

Michele is a 60’s scooper from the Saulteaux Nation, Yellow Quill reserve and has been a Traditional Hand Drummer and Singer for 20 years. Michele believes that we can do better as human beings by listening to each other and sharing ideas which can be put into action when true understanding takes place.

Vanessa loves working in Circle to share spirit led knowledge and experiences that combat colonialism and contribute to the wellbeing in each of us. She is an Anishanaabekwe living in Winnipeg. She is from Peguis First Nation, has Ojibwe, Cree and Irish/Settler blood, and belongs to the Mikinak/Turtle and Doud Clan. In all the Circles of her life Vanessa is an Oshkaabewis/Helper to The People.

Renée originates from Wildwood Alberta and is a 5th generation Canadian of Ukrainian and French descent. She is the Executive Director of the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Right, President of the Alberta Hate Crimes Committee , and is the founder and Treasurer of Ainembabazi Children’s Project . Since 2015, Renée also serves as a Director for Women in International Security Canada, a professional network of women in the peace and security field.

Anne is the Director of Programs at the Catherine Donnelly Foundation. She is passionate about finding ways for adult educators and community organizers to build a movement of social and environmental change across our many geographies. She has over 20 years of experience in the non-profit realm and sees philanthropy’s responsibility to catalyze change.