Meet our staff

Interim Executive Director - Operations Manager

With a career spanning multiple sectors and a deep commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, Keshav Kant is an accomplished DEI Consultant and Operations Specialist. She has designed DEI Fundamentals and evolving Operations systems, expanded global hiring strategies, and orchestrated successful marketing campaigns for independent creators, authors, and businesses domestically and internationally and in non-profit organizations.

As the Executive Director of Off Colour, Keshav has steered the organization toward incredible growth, expanding global operations across North America, LATAM, EMEA, and APAC and establishing pivotal relationships with prominent companies in the entertainment and publishing sectors. Alongside her work in DEI and Operations, Keshav is also a published writer, coauthoring X Marks The Spot, an anthology on the non-binary gender experience. Her words have been featured in Paper magazine, Buzzfeed, Guardian, Metro UK and ColorBloq.

Through her person-first approach to problem-solving and Operations Management, Keshav strives to champion diversity and foster inclusive workplaces, guiding organizations toward sustainable growth and positive social impact.

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Fundraising Manager

Paavneet is a result-oriented development professional with over thirteen years of experience assisting charities and non-profits in various geographies. Her expertise is in fundraising, research, grant writing, donor reporting, monitoring and evaluation and program development.

She has extensive exposure to working with multiple stakeholders, including government, corporates, foundations, small, medium, and large-scale non-profit organizations. She has experience in writing successful Federal, Provincial and Private Foundation Grants.

Paavneet holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

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Human Resources Manager

Paolo is a Human Resources Professional with over 10 years of experience in real estate and start-up companies in the Food and Beverage and Hospitality Industries in the Philippines. His career focuses mostly on creating and implementing HR policies and processes and managing end-to-end HR functions. He supports IFA in all day-to-day HR and Administrative matters.

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Community Engagement Manager

Rosie Digout, a Thompson Salish and community member of the Lytton First Nation Band, brings nearly 20 years of experience in leading programs empowering Indigenous communities. Skilled in program development, implementation, and evaluation, she has a proven track record of building partnerships, advocating for resources, and fostering strong working relationships with stakeholders. Additionally, Rosie has a background in strategic development, fundraising, and operations management.

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IndigiTAL Manager

Alina holds a Masters in Information Technology and has been at IFA since 2018.

Her work focuses on creating inclusive technology while centering Indigenous voices and worldviews.

As the manager of the Indigital program, Alina connects leaders in the worlds of digital technology, art and healing to Indigenous communities. She aims to bring light and life to every circle she is a part of.

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Partnerships Manager

Caroline Leony Santos is a seasoned professional in the education and social work field. She has more than a decade of experience in the industries in both private and public institutions. Caroline has a diverse skill set and has experience in training staff, teaching students, and developing partnerships and educational programs. Having worked in multiple countries such as Spain, Brazil, Germany, and Canada. Caroline has developed a unique global and humane view and valuable multicultural sensibilities.

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Tech Manager

Jacob Shuman is a non-Indigenous software developer currently working on the IFA app. He is also a facilitator of the INDIGItal Program.

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IndigiTECH Program Manager

Katelyn carries a blend of Irish, Scottish, Mohawk, French, and Italian heritage. Residing in Southern Ontario on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, and Attawandaron peoples, she brings a diverse cultural perspective to her work. Katelyn's journey is marked by a deep passion for the arts, the outdoors, and travel.

She is a York University graduate and an OCT-certified educator, specializing in Indigenous Studies, Visual Art, and Indigenous History in Canada. She is dedicated to experiential learning, particularly in virtual spaces and strives to ignite dynamic and engaging educational experiences to learners. Her teaching career began in northern Ontario, where she worked as an elementary and secondary school teacher in various First Nations communities. This experience ignited a profound passion for land-based learning, fostering a deep connection between education and the natural world.

Outside of the virtual classroom, Katelyn's interests include painting, hiking, and exploring new destinations.

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Research Manager

Sarah Emily was born in Mindanao, Philippines. She studied Psychology and Law, which led her to a university-based Legal Aid Center where she worked on Access to Justice Programs advocating for the vulnerable sectors, including women and children, farmers, and Indigenous communities in the insurgent provinces of southern Philippines. Sarah joined the U.S. Department of Justice in Manila for Rule of Law initiatives in Human Trafficking, Money Laundering, and Cybercrime, co-organizing training programs for various stakeholders in the Justice sector throughout the archipelago. She also joined the State Department's Federal Benefits Unit before finishing her Social Service Worker Program in Toronto. She worked with Indigenous communities in the Northeastern part of Ontario in assisting contractors and community leaders in drafting grant proposals for Renewable Energy projects, Tiny Homes through youth development programs, and Women's Shelter on community reserves.

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Indigenous Outreach Coordinator

Adrienne is a dedicated and community-driven Ininew and Anishinaabe iskwew from Peguis First Nation. She brings over fifteen years of dedicated experience working within Indigenous communities and organizations, actively fostering collaboration and engagement through an Indigenous lens.

Her extensive background in healthcare and experience as a Community Health nurse has solidified her holistic approach to community engagement and advocacy. She joins IFA as the Indigenous Outreach Coordinator and is responsible for cultivating an Elder’s Council and providing support to the Mentorship team. 

When time allows, she can be found out on the land or in the gym. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends, sewing and beading.

Curriculum Developer & Web Development Facilitator

Amal Dandashi brings over a decade of experience in technology education and research, specializing in Machine Learning, Full Stack Web Development and Algorithm Design. Holding a Master’s Degree in Computer Science, her career is marked by a commitment to innovation and problem-solving, evidenced by over 20 publications and a patented invention. She enjoys constantly expanding her knowledge through additional courses and workshops, continuously enhancing her skills.

At IFA, Amal is dedicated to empowering Indigenous communities by integrating her technical skills with our mission of digital literacy and innovation. Her commitment to empathy, effective communication, and community-driven solutions aligns perfectly with IFA's core values of love, integrity and community.

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Administration Coordinator

An accomplished Operations Manager with over a decade of experience in administration, Chase has a passion for solving problems and finding inefficiencies. He is a creative and critical thinker with a talent for project management, logistics and process improvement; specifically, when it comes to technological solutions.

Chase understands the importance of creating an inclusive and diverse workplace and has implemented strategies that foster a culture of equity, respect, and inclusion. He is well-versed in identifying and addressing unconscious biases and is committed to creating a workplace where all employees feel valued and respected.

He has honed his skills across diverse industries including game development, performance consulting, construction, legal, and logistics.

At IFA, Chase is responsible for the day-to-day bookkeeping duties.

He is a creative and critical thinker who excels at identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing effective solutions. He is dedicated to achieving the highest level of performance in all his endeavours and is committed to delivering exceptional results.

When he's not at work, Chase spends most of his time with his family and enjoys hiking, engineering, economics, reading, learning, gaming, and camping.

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Finance Coordinator

Dominick Mitchell is a Finance Coordinator at the Indigenous Friends Association, where he provides support in financial management of operations and programs. With 6 years of experience in finance and international development, Dominick is passionate about Sustainable Finance and its potential impact on the environment and economy.

Apart from his professional commitments, Dominick spends his spare time volunteering for organizations such as Junior Achievement, taking adventurous walks, and writing. He has authored a book on Sustainable Finance and is currently pursuing his Chartered Financial Analysis designation to advance his career.

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Fundraising Coordinator

Dylan Armitage is a non-indigenous ally who is an accomplished professional with extensive experience in nonprofit program coordination and fundraising. His academic journey took him to the University of Winnipeg, where he earned his Master's Degree. During his studies, student placements revealed his passion for applying his talents in tangible settings, driving his commitment to making a meaningful impact. Dylan's background has equipped him with a robust skill set, including strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and resource mobilization, all of which he has effectively utilized in various nonprofit roles.

Dylan hopes to take his passion and expertise in program coordination and fundraising to help advance the IFA's mission and initiatives while contributing meaningfully to supporting the empowerment of Indigenous communities.

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Lead Technology Facilitator

Gurjeet is a non-indigenous aspiring software developer interested in the fields of Application Development, Embedded Systems, and user facing software. He is a recent graduate from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby BC, Completing the Software Systems program in the Faculty of Applied Sciences. Gurjeet has been volunteering, organizing and teaching children's day camps for 10 years, has been involved in community organization for the last 5 years, and is experienced in event production.

Gurjeet takes the approach of exposure and providing resources to students so that they may come to their own conclusions about how to learn, topics they take interest in, and streams of knowledge they hope to pursue. He has taught STEM topics and led STEM camps catered to youth, and has taught classes and workshops on topics of philosophy and history.

Gurjeet hopes to learn more about how he takes space as a non-indegnous individual while teaching and tutoring students.

In his free time, you might find Gurjeet on a hike, covered in dirt underneath a jacked up car, or advising the tech set up or recording for a non profit event.

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Technology Facilitator

Hansol is non-Indigenious software developer who currently working on the IFA app. He has a passion for helping people and communities with his knowledge and experiences.

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Lead Technology Facilitator

JC is a front-end developer with a wealth of experience in different service roles. They graduated from the University of Toronto with majors in Cognitive Science and Linguistics, and a minor in Philosophy. They are deeply interested in the different ways people learn, and they are passionate about cultivating learning environments that are engaging and accessible. They're constantly thinking about the best way to bridge communication gaps between different people and between different disciplines. They have facilitated academic discussions and workshops, and have provided teaching assistance to web development courses.

Being an immigrant to Canada from the Philippines, JC is familiar with the uneasy feeling of not fully belonging anywhere. They recognize that giving people space and autonomy to be themselves, acknowledging pain as well as joy, can go a long way in cultivating comfort and acceptance.

When they have the energy, JC likes to build model kits and to play tabletop role-playing games. They're also currently raising a golden doodle named Pretzel.

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Research Assistant

Keith G. Sujo is the Research Assistant at Indigenous Friends Association. Originally from Nicaragua, Central America, Keith has a background in international development studies and political science, with almost a decade of experience working with not-for-profit organizations, focusing on Canada and Latin America. Currently, he is a PhD. student at York University in the Department of Politics.

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Fundraising Coordinator

Marie-Josée is a result driven professional. Born and raised in Montreal by bilingual parents, both born in Québec. Most of her studies were done in Montréal with a few trainings abroad. Most of her professional life has been in business and market development, and philanthropy/fundraising. Her expertise are research, grant writing, donor reporting and partnership/sponsor agreements including fundraising events.

She has a vast experience in different types of non-profit organizations ranging from grassroots to national coverage. She has had the privilege to work partnerships with some of the largest corporations in Canada and Québec.

Involved in networking for almost 20 years as well, she has been implicated in different associations as a member or as its president and manager. Such associations as the Woman’s business network of Québec, The AFP-Québec chapter (AFP) and the AFESAQ (fundraising) to name a few.

Her personal passions include community involvement, physical activity, and travel.

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Mentorship Coordinator

Melissa Granovsky is a Jewish and Metis educator, researcher, and artist from Treaty 1 Territory (Winnipeg, Manitoba), now based in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal. They recently joined IFA as the mentorship coordinator and are excited to connect and learn alongside the mentors and mentees in future cohorts.

Alongside their role as a Mentorship Coordinator, they are a second-year PhD student in the Arts Education program at Concordia University. Their research focuses on finding ways to Indigenise and decolonize qualitative research practices, particularly within a research method called photovoice.

They enjoy reading, travelling, listening to music, cooking and fashion and hanging out with their favourite sidekick Bella the Bulldog, in their spare time.

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UX/UI Design Instructor

Nick’s background includes over a decade in automation and electrical project management roles on two of the worlds leading yacht builds. Based in Germany and The Netherlands where he managed large projects with leading edge technology. In 2018 he pivoted his career into User Experience Design and began solving problems with a design thinking mindset. This lead him to co-found and lead agile design and development teams for a non-profit organization Here2Help Community. Here2Help was created to increase resourceful connections in local neighbourhoods. In 2021 Nick discovered his passion for teaching when joining Workforce Institute as a UX/UI Design Instructor. Most recently Nick has been leading multiple research and design projects for an Ed Tech startup Hoot Reading. Hoot connects emerging readers and experienced teachers to develop reading skills over video chat.

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Curriculum Developer and Learning Success Facilitator

Pamela Nicholas has worked in the field of education for over 20 years. She obtained a Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Curriculum Design and Instruction. Pamela has experience developing curriculum for primary through post-secondary education and has also worked in both web development and graphic design. Throughout her many years working in education, Pam has had the honor and privilege to work with students from many backgrounds including indigenous youth, other youth from underserved communities, those with learning differences, twice exceptional students, LBTQIA2S+ students, and those healing from trauma. She also is very active in doing her part in pushing forward positive environmental change and social justice with regard to the climate crisis serving as a Regional Organizer for the Lower BC Mainland and Vancouver Island Climate Community Hubs for the Climate Reality Project.

Always growing with students and other educators, the creation of curriculum is an ongoing, fluid process where it takes a team effort of open communication to find effective ways to reach each and every individual student. Creating inspired curriculum that allows students to reach their personal, academic, and professional goals in an engaging and meaningful way is something that she is extremely passionate about.

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Partnership Coordinator

Stephanie Egloff was born in Nairobi, Kenya of mixed Filipino and Swiss heritage. The significance of community was gained at a young age from being a member of the Philippine Dance Troupe of Ottawa for nearly two decades and a mixed voices choir throughout high school.

She joins the IFA with a broad range of technical and soft skills, acquired over several years of having worked in various sectors, including non-profit, government and hospitality. She more recently obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Arts Administration with a Concentration in Music at Bishop’s University, situated on the traditional and unceded territory of the Abenaki people, where she continues to reside today. The equal weight of music and business courses helped her become not only a better musician but an entrepreneur as well, which is a hat every musician must wear nowadays. The arts administration-specific courses have taught her the inner workings of successful arts and culture non-profit organizations.

Stephanie’s raison d’être is in providing assistance to others and is excited to be of service to Indigenous youth and communities.

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Administrative Assistant

Tori is Anicinape/Algonquin from Kebaowek First Nation. She is a mother, advocate, artist and retired Veteran of the Canadian Forces. Her professional background lies in HR/Finance and recently graduated from Anishininabek Educational Institute in Community Support - Traditional Healing methods. Beyond her professional and educational endeavors, Tori is committed to lighting up the spirits of Indigenous youth and folks, encouraging them to believe in themselves and go further than they ever thought possible, just like our ancestors dreamed of.

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Visual Illustrator

Tehatsistahawi Kennedy (Tsista) is an Anishnaabe Onyota'aka artist from Beausoleil First Nation, and Oneida Nation of the Thames. He creates woodland style artwork through various mediums, advocating for and communicating what he believes in through his perspective as a young indigenous man.

Aside from his artwork, Tsista Kennedy has also placed himself in the role of the Thames Valley District School Board's first Indigenous Student Trustee; advocating for indigenous youth across the board and beyond, as well as speaking for the importance of the integration of indigenous culture within classrooms at various conferences.

Tehatsistahawi wishes to one day teach indigenous youth how to express themselves through fine art as he believes it will help combat the trauma we have faced and continue to face as nations.

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Research Assistant

Wynona is an environmental science student from Tiohtià:ke/Montréal. She is mixed Cree-Métis from Saskatchewan, Chinese-Venezuelan from Trinidad, and Newfoundlander. Her late grandmother, Anne Carrière of Cumberland House, profoundly impacted her academic and professional focus on Indigenous and environmental challenges experienced in Canada and abroad. She carries Anne’s spirit into all of her work and advocacy.

Wynona has nearly 3 years of experience in non-governmental and non-profit organizations, with special focus on Indigenous governance and collaboration. At the IFA, she focuses on research and development on Indigenous data sovereignty.

Outside of her professional life, Wynona enjoys spending time in nature with friends and her dog Jethro, while trying to identify different animal and plant species. She also enjoys watching movies and television shows, reading, doodling, and playing video games.

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