Our People

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.

Mikayla brings a background in urban geography, community engagement, and environmental studies. They have a degree in Geography from Carleton University with a concentration in Urban Studies and a minor in Community Engagement, graduating on the Dean’s List in 2024, and a certificate in General Arts and Science with a focus on Environmental Studies from Algonquin College. They have worked with the City of Ottawa in several downtown community centres and more recently in the business support units of the Recreation, Culture and Facilities Department and the Planning, Development, and Building Services Department. Their work focuses on addressing urban inequities, with a focus on care-based services, affordable housing, and accessible public transit. As a queer person with lived experience of housing precarity and barriers to mental healthcare, these issues are personal to them and drive their commitment to building cities that are caring, inclusive, and accessible for all.

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 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 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 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 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 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.

Jenna is a policy professional committed to advancing inclusive climate solutions through community-driven and equity-focused approaches. She holds a Master’s in Global Governance with a specialization in feminist climate policy, as well as a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies. She currently serves as Senior Policy Advisor at the Forest Products Association of Canada and co-chairs Forestry Together, a national alliance working to embed equity, diversity, and inclusion across Canada’s forest sector workforce. Jenna is the founder of Clear the Air, an award-winning digital platform that empowers youth to take action on climate issues. As a dedicated community advocate in Ottawa, she has contributed her expertise and energy to organizations such as the Women’s Environmental Sustainability Network of Ottawa (WESNO) and Ecology Ottawa.

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 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 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.

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.