Our People
CAWI is led and run by diverse women from communities, organizations and academia. We learn from and support each other, both in taking action and in developing our careers. Get to know our board directors and staff below.
“I marvel at all CAWI does each year. There are so many interesting and important projects and initiatives underway, both external and internal to CAWI. It’s really impressive.”
Jill Wigle, volunteer and former CAWI board member
How we’re evolving our structure
We’re currently experimenting with a sociocratic organizational structure. It’s our hope that this structure will allow our staff to share power more equally. It should also allow our grassroots members to hold more power. This journey will continue well into the years ahead. We’re excited to see where it leads us. Learn more about how we’re evolving our structure.
Our board of directors
- Maria Paula Choque (she/her)Board Member
Maria Paula Choque (she/her)
I'm Maria Paula, originally from Colombia. I hold a diploma in Logistics Management and am completing my Bachelor's in International Business Management, having won a full scholarship for excellence in Sustainability and Innovation. My leadership journey began as High School Class President in 2020, where I led projects benefiting over 1,000 families and earned recognition as the Best Youth Leader. I later served as a Youth Councillor in my city before relocating to Canada. Here, I'm actively engaged in various youth initiatives, including the Ottawa Youth Council for Youth Ottawa, Youth Advisory Committee for YouthNet/CHEO, ambassador for Apathy is Boring and Global Shaper for the World Economic Forum. Currently, I serve as a Project Officer at Incubator13, focusing on developing the first Community-based social innovation lab in the region. As a young immigrant woman my interests revolve around promoting gender equality, youth activism, and enhancing participation for underrepresented groups. I aspire to further my education with a Master's in Global Development Policy, aiming to contribute meaningfully to global social and economic development. - Delores Peltier-Corkey (she/her)Board Co-Chair
Delores Peltier-Corkey (she/her)
Delores is of the Three Fires Confederacy, which is Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi from Wiikwemkoong located on beautiful Manitoulin Island. She is currently employed with the Gignul Non-Profit Housing Corporation as a Tenant Relations Officer. Delores had been active within the Indigenous community since arriving in Ottawa in 1997. She has volunteered her time on various committees and boards such as Minwaashin Lodge and Odawa Native Friendship Centre. Delores has been very active in organizing events such as the Ottawa Aboriginal Family Festival (Children & Youth Pow Wow) and Odawa’s Food for Friends Christmas Hamper Campaign. At CAWI, Delores brings her Indigenous perspective to a table of diverse women to create a more inclusive city for all. - Mary Ellen McDonald (she/her)Board Treasurer
Mary Ellen McDonald (she/her)
Mary is the Senior Director of Operations at Skate Canada, having already served the term maximum as a Director on the Skate Canada board. She has been volunteering in skating since she was a pre-teen. Mary is also a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Accountant (CA). She has worked in industry for three decades since completing her articling period at KPMG. Mary’s career gave her the opportunity to travel and live in Europe, where she worked on mergers and acquisitions for a Winnipeg-based manufacturing firm. She also worked for the Winnipeg Airports Authority as the Director of Finance, as well as its subsidiary, WASCO, as Director of Corporate Development. Working internationally has allowed Mary to see the world through a more diverse lens. She has been thrilled to be able to match her passion for volunteering with her professional expertise at CAWI. - Darlene Kaboni (she/her)Board Secretary
Darlene Kaboni (she/her)
Darlene is from the Wikwemikong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island. Her first language is Ojibway. As a strong Indigenous woman, Darlene’s mission in life is to protect, preserve and promote Indigenous culture, traditions and language for those coming behind her, such as her three grandsons. Darlene works tirelessly to ensure Indigenous people are visible and their voices are heard. She currently works for the Gowling Law Firm on the Federal Indian Day School Class Action file. She’s the Board Chair for Photographers Without Borders (Canada & United States) and a member of its Indigenous Advisory Group, which brings awareness of Indigenous issues internationally through pictures. Darlene is also the Board Chair for Weengushk Film Institute’s Enaaknagezhig, Board of Directors. - Nayeli Sosa (she/her)Board Member
Nayeli Sosa (she/her)
Nayeli is an experienced communications professional. She’s passionate about inclusive and accessible content that can be enjoyed by all. Nayeli has worked for the public service since the age of 18. She’s an active member of her department’s racialized and Indigenous employee network, women’s network and Pride network. She’s also on a committee that advises executives on equity, diversity and inclusion. Nayeli strives to advocate for more representation in her organization, to bring awareness to the realities of marginalized folks, and to foster safe spaces. She was drawn to CAWI because she believes in the power of women coming together to create change. Nayeli was born in Cancun, Mexico but grew up in Ottawa. She’s proud of her Mexican and French Canadian heritage. She speaks three languages and loves to travel. Nayeli enjoys baking in her spare time, as well as taking care of her cat, Margot! - Deborah Sogelola (she/her)Board Member
Deborah Sogelola (she/her)
Deborah is a communications professional and Professor who holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication and Political Science from the University of Ottawa, and a Master of Communication from Carleton University. Deborah's professional experiences encompass digital communication strategy, digital accessibility, and political communications, including a background in academic research. She has been a spokesperson for Democracy Watch Canada and a member of the communications team for civic engagement advocacy organizations. When she’s not working she enjoys traveling, reading, and attempting new hobbies. - Nene Salimatou Barry (she/her)Board Member
Nene Salimatou Barry (she/her)
Nene Salimatou Barry has been a CAWI activist for several years and has learned a lot from the great personalities she's worked with during her time at CAWI. As a board member, she intends to make her modest contribution to the smooth running of CAWI's activities and the well-being of it's participants. - Bonnie Schroeder(she/her)Board Member
Bonnie Schroeder(she/her)
Bonnie Schroeder is a registered social worker, a lifelong learner and volunteer, and a mother of two. In her professional life, Bonnie is the Age-Friendly Ottawa Director with The Council on Aging of Ottawa. She supports four volunteer-led action committees on health, housing, transportation, and income security to advocate for improved city services that advance the wellbeing of Ottawa’s older adults. She is also a contract instructor with the Minor in Aging Studies at the University of Ottawa. As a registered social worker, Bonnie brings more than 30 years of experience developing, implementing, and evaluating community programs and policies for older adults and their caregivers in the community, mental health, home and community care, and public health sectors. She is a proud member of the Ottawa Social Workers in Aging and Gerontology (SWAG) Network. In her personal life, Bonnie has been volunteering as long as she has been working. She has sat on other Boards of Directors including as Chair of the Aladin Childcare Services and the Regional Director with the Ontario Association of Social Workers. She is also active with the Ottawa Disability Coalition and the Financial Literacy Network of Ottawa. As a busy mother of two young women, Bonnie enjoys filling her spare time by learning about new things, perfecting recipes of her favourite foods, playing online word games, and climbing mountains. - Sado Ibrahim (she/her)Board Member
Sado Ibrahim (she/her)
Sado is a Community Health Worker at the Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre. Her responsibilities are to deliver health promotion and community development programming to local communities. Sado is passionate about advancing human rights, community development and gender equity. Sado has been an active CAWI volunteer for more than a decade. She has served on the Steering Committee for the last two years, facilitated several of our workshops, and co-organized events. She has also been involved with our Facilitators’ Network. Sado is committed to advancing CAWI’s important work regarding civic engagement, poverty reduction and women’s leadership. - Hodan Egale (she/her)Board Member
Hodan Egale (she/her)
Hodan Egale holds a Master of Arts in Conflict Studies and a Bachelor of Arts, Honours in Political Science. She works at the Federal Government as a Business Planning and Reporting Analyst. She has extensive experience in administration, finance, education, and research within the private, public, and non-profit sector. She is passionate about international relations, negotiation, mediation, data analysis, human resources and policy. She is a community builder who strives to motivate youth through culturally sensitive mentorship and leadership programs across the National Capital Region. She is a member of the Ottawa Police Service Community Equity Council and an alumni of Black Diplomats Academy. She received the IWSO Community Award for Youth Leadership, Honour Society Award, Lieutenant Governor Award, Volunteer Award, and a medal for being a Global Mindset Champion. - Sawsan Al-Refaei (she/her)Board Member
Sawsan Al-Refaei (she/her)
Sawsan is an ex-officio member of the board representing the City of Ottawa. She has a master’s degree in health policy, planning and financing, as well as a postgraduate degree in population studies. Sawsan has spent most of her professional life working with the United Nation agencies in several regions in the world. She managed and provided technical support on several international development and humanitarian programs based on gender and human rights. Sawsan is the specialist on women and gender equity for the City of Ottawa. She’s leading the city’s first Women and Gender Equity Strategy. Sawsan joined CAWI’s board in 2020. She’s excited to see how she can leverage her skills to support our mission and make an impact. - Rasheedaht Sulaiman (she/her)Board Member
Rasheedaht Sulaiman (she/her)
Rasheedaht Sulaiman is a feminist and an advocate for social equity and community empowerment; she embodies a diverse identity as a Muslim woman, an immigrant, and a member of the black community. Rasheedaht holds a degree in Health Education and a master’s degree in School and Community Health Education. She works as a Health Promoter at Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre, where she leads a project that focuses on supporting Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour in the city of Ottawa, including youths from these groups. This project addresses the prevention of hate crimes, curbing violence and gang-related issues, conflict resolution, and a staunch focus on equitable access to healthcare, education, and resources. In her leisure time, she enjoys sewing, photography and using social media to create positive awareness. - Khrystal Sturridge (she/her/they/them)Board Co-Chair
Khrystal Sturridge (she/her/they/them)
Meet Khrystal Sturridge, a versatile professional with a knack for HR, organizational consulting, and community engagement. She has worked in a wide range of roles in HR: revamping policies and processes; talent acquisition and recruiting; learning and development; and performance management. She has been a champion for diversity and inclusion and worked with Employee Resource Groups to make the workplace more equitable. In their role as an Organizational Consultant, she has teamed up with non-profits, developing smart strategies, tracking results, and making a real impact, structuring budgets, raising funds, and landing grants. With her background in Communications and Political Science from the University of Ottawa, they've also racked up certifications in Total Rewards Compensation and Payroll.
Our staff
- Cata Jurado (she/her)Communications and Civic Engagement Coordinator
Cata Jurado (she/her)
Cata is a social service worker with a background in graphic design and many years of dedication to care work. She is deeply passionate about amplifying the voices and needs of individuals and communities, with a particular focus on advocating for the inclusion of the care economy in public policy. Driven by a commitment to equity and justice, Cata works to ensure that care work is recognized as essential to creating a more inclusive and sustainable society. Her approach combines creativity, compassion, and advocacy to inspire meaningful change. - Meg Herod (she/her)Policy Director (co-Executive Director)
Meg Herod (she/her)
Meg is a policy expert, urban planner, and facilitator with a deep commitment to community-led change. With a background in community planning and social policy, Meg has worked in both advocacy, academia and municipal policy development. As a former municipal planner at the City of Vancouver, Meg worked on equitable access to housing, parks and local food systems. She strives to advance planning that is citizen-led, grounded in lived experience, and rooted in empathy. Meg is a Registered Professional Planner and a Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners. - Hana Aman (she/her)Operations Director (co-Executive Director)
Hana Aman (she/her)
Hana provides operational oversight and support across all projects and operational tasks at CAWI. She helps us amplify our impact and support our members. Hana enjoys being part of eye-opening conversations on complex underlying issues within our society. Before moving to Canada in 2019, Hana worked at a primary school as an educator, an academic advisor and an administrator. She enjoyed teaching young girls to seek higher academic and economic statuses, and encouraged the change of social norms and views of women within her community. - Alana Nugent (they/she)Education and Business Development Director (co-Executive Director)
Alana Nugent (they/she)
Alana is a dedicated educator, facilitator, and community organizer with extensive experience in public education, advocacy and digital marketing. Their work has focused on mentoring feminist entrepreneurs, designing public education programs focused on gender-based violence topics and co-organizing equity-driven initiatives that promote inclusion and social change. She centers harm reduction and trauma awareness in her relationships and work. - Kassidy Ransom(she/her/they/them)Civic Engagement Coordinator
Kassidy Ransom(she/her/they/them)
As the Civic Engagement Coordinator at CAWI, Kassidy is dedicated to amplifying the voices of those often excluded from decision-making spaces, fostering collective action, and building strong, supportive communities. As a queer settler and member of the disability community, they bring both lived experience and professional expertise to their advocacy work. Kassidy holds a BA in Child and Youth Care from the University of Victoria and a Master of Social Work from Carleton University. In their free time, Kassidy enjoys connecting with nature, exploring art and culture, and engaging in community-driven initiatives, all of which inspire their work toward creating a more inclusive and equitable city for all.