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Serisha IyarFounder & Executive Director, Leading in Colour
Born in Montreal, where her family landed as refugees from South Africa, Serisha spent most of her life in the small town of Georgetown, ON and now works in Ottawa. She is committed to operating on foundational frameworks of anti-oppression including decolonization, anti-racism and intersectional feminism. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill University in Political Science & World Religions and has experience in government relations, human rights, advocacy campaigning, public policy and grassroots activism. You can catch her yelling about Canadian politics dans les deux langues officielles @serishaiyar on Twitter.
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Ally FreedmanDirector, Advisory Board
Ally Freedman is a sixth-generation young Métis woman with roots in Northern Saskatchewan/Manitoba. She also has Italian and Jewish heritage. She has a BA Honours in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations from Carleton University, and is currently pursuing a Masters in Native Studies at the University of Manitoba. She is a passionate defender of Aboriginal/Indigenous rights and equality for all peoples. Ally has contributed in many aspects to promoting diversity and inclusion for women, Indigenous peoples, and other marginalized groups in politics and society. She is a powerful young woman who uses her voice to amplify the voices that are far too often silenced, especially the voices of Indigenous women. Throughout her many endeavours - she strives to make the world, especially Ottawa, a better place. Ally is always looking for ways in which she can use her skills, knowledge, and privilege to speak out for injustices.
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Jean-Paul St. RoseDirector, Advisory Board
Jean-Paul is a graduate of the Master of Public Policy program from the Munk School at the University of Toronto and works in public affairs consulting. Jean-Paul has had a variety of experience in the public and non-profit sector, working for both a provincial ministry in Ontario and frontline in a family homeless shelter in Alberta. Jean-Paul is passionate about civic engagement and increasing the democratic participation of marginalized communities. Jean-Paul feels privileged to support the work of Leading in Colour and the work that the organization does to develop racialized leaders.
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Sukhbir ThindDirector, Advisory Board
Sukhbir Thind is dedicated to the achievement of human rights through policy evaluation and (international) law mechanisms. The current work is focused on the fulfillment of sexual and reproductive health and rights, especially for youth. Originally from Hamilton, she attributes her interest in grassroots operations and activism to the consistent, incredible work by the Hamilton community. Sukhbir Thind holds a Bachelors of Science from McMaster University and a Juris Doctor from Western Law. Sukhbir articled at the South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2018.
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Deborah Owusu-AkyeeahDirector, Advisory Board
Debbie is a Black feminist with over 8 years of local and international advocacy experience in a variety of roles ranging from programming and counselling to policy analysis and project management. She is the new Executive Director at the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity (CCGSD). She has had the pleasure of bridging her passion for social justice with international development at Oxfam Canada and volunteering with feminists organizations like the Ottawa Dyke March, Harmony House Women’s Shelter, and Planned Parenthood Ottawa. She is also a board member of the Venus Envy Access Fund creating funding opportunities for members of the community she loves so much. When Debbie isn't yelling into a megaphone at protests or organizing events, she's probably on a field somewhere playing rugby. Or baking a cake.
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