Team Category: General

Rochele Padiachy and her family left Johannesburg, South Africa during the apartheid regime as refugees to Canada. Rochele’s formative years were supported by the wisdom teachings of Ubuntu which anchor the deep connection between self and community. Nurtured by both formal and traditional teachers, Rochele’s life experiences have greatly inspired her lifelong commitment to transformative social justice education through the lens of diverse ways of knowing.

Rochele holds a MA in Human Security and Peacebuilding from Royal Roads University and BA in Multiculturalism and Indigenous Studies with a focus on race, ethnicity and indigeneity from York University. She also holds an executive certificate from The London School of Economics and Political Science focusing on public policy analysis. Rochele has over 20yrs of experience within healthcare service focusing on staff training and mentorship as well as helping patients navigate complex public systems.

Rochele is a jazz enthusiast and loves to dabble in visual arts. She is the proud “mom” of a senior rescue cocker spaniel named Koa the Brave who is always by her side sporting his large collection of seasonal bowties.

Lois Onoghojebi migrated to Canada from Nigeria in September 2019 to study and start life anew. Growing up in a vibrant, diverse and value driven society, has shaped Lois to go after her goals in life with grace and compassion for those who she will encounter in her everyday life.

Throughout Lois’s career, she has championed and advocated for initiatives that celebrate differences and cultivate inclusive cultures. Whether through school projects, church led initiatives, Lois strives to create spaces where every individual feels valued and respected.

Outside of work, Lois finds joy in baking and cooking. This creative outlet allows her to express herself while delighting others with delicious treats. Additionally, Lois views travel not only as a leisure activity but also as a therapeutic and educational experience. Immersing herself in different cultures broadens Lois’s understanding of diversity and strengthens her commitment to inclusion. Combining her passions for diversity, cooking, and travel, she approaches each day with a commitment to making a positive impact. Whether through advocating for inclusion in the workplace, sharing cultural experiences through food, or promoting understanding in her community, Lois is dedicated to creating a more inclusive and equitable world for everyone.

Neilab is a seasoned event manager with experience in both in-person and virtual event planning. She brings together her knack for organization with solid project management skills to ensure every project is equipped for success. 

With a diverse background spanning government, non-profits, and financial institutions, Neilab has a broad understanding of different work environments. Currently completing a degree in Human Rights and Human Diversity, she’s deeply committed to advocating for evidence-based solutions to promote inclusivity. Neilab is an active volunteer in her community supporting research and program development for organizations working with marginalized populations.  

Beyond her professional and academic pursuits, Neilab enjoys unwinding with a good book and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. She also loves nothing more than exploring the great outdoors with her furry companion. 

As the Director of Partner Relations at the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) Josephine Njoh builds and manages the organization’s relationships with its Employer Partners and community partners. Josephine is a results-oriented procurement and vendor management professional with over 14 plus years of extensive expertise in procurement, vendor management and contract management. With a robust background in project management and relevant party communication, Josephine has orchestrated multimillion-dollar vendor contract transitions, supplier consolidation initiatives and achieving substantial cost savings through innovative strategies.

Josephine holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Oakland University in Michigan, USA. She is also a Certified Project Manager(PMP) as well as a Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP).

Josephine enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, travelling and cooking in her spare time.

Mitzi Murray has a broad business background spanning various industries, including non-profit. She founded THIRD ACTion Film Festival in 2017 and served as its Executive Director for over 5 years. THIRD ACTion is a social justice arts organization that uses film and education to change the narrative on ageing to create an age-positive culture shift.

Mitzi brings with her experience as the Corporate Secretary of several publicly traded startup companies and is a past member of the American Society of Corporate Secretaries.

She remains an advocate for age-positivity, championing this cause through speaking engagements and continued support of THIRD ACTion. Mitzi is a lifelong volunteer in her communities and in 2023, received the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee award.

Outside of work, Mitzi enjoys time with her husband and fur baby, as well as kayaking, gardening, knitting and the arts.

Jonathan B. Mugisa is a two-time award-winning Business Development leader with close to a decade experience in the private and non-profit sectors across Europe, Africa, the U.S., and Canada. He has successfully led strategic growth initiatives, forged high-impact partnerships, and expanded revenue streams for organizations ranging from multinational corporations to mission-driven nonprofits.

As Manager of Business Development at the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI), Jonathan leverages his expertise in sales, strategic negotiations, and relationship management to advance the organization’s mission. His portfolio includes TELUS, Fraser Health, Africa Canada Business Chamber, and UN-SDSN, to name a few, where he optimized business strategies and human capital.

A Certified EDIA Professional from Dalhousie University, Jonathan also holds a Leadership & Negotiation Certificate from San Diego University | Hansen Leadership Institute. A sought-after speaker and facilitator on transformational leadership, sales, and entrepreneurship, he is an active member of the Global Shapers Community and coaches executives and business Leaders while serving on multiple boards in Canada.

Anne-Marie Pham (she/her/elle) is a nationally recognized leader in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA), with over 25 years of experience working with diverse communities and workplaces across Canada.

Anne-Marie holds a master’s degree in public administration (MPA) and a BA in Sociology, along with senior HR certification from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP). She is a certified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory Tool and has led many equity and inclusion initiatives for organizations such as Spectra Energy, the City of Calgary, and the Government of Canada.

A first-generation immigrant and passionate community builder, Anne-Marie is the former CEO of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) and host of Leader Talks podcast, and current Sr Consultant of Engagement. In this current role, she continues to mobilize thought leaders, research, education, and community partnerships to drive systemic change.

Anne-Marie co-founded the Calgary Vietnamese Youth Association, the National Council of Asian Canadians, the Asian Professional Network of Calgary, and the Calgary Diversity & Inclusion Network. She is a current board director of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation and the National Council of Asian Canadians, and sits on the Government of Alberta’s Anti-Racism Advisory Council.

Her community contributions have been recognized with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Alberta Centennial Medal, among other awards. Anne-Marie is a sought-after public speaker on inclusive leadership, allyship, and anti-racism, and continues to mentor DEIA professionals and youth across sectors. Anne-Marie is trilingual, using her storytelling style and thought-provoking messages to engage with audiences in English, French, and Vietnamese.

Anthony Lombardi is a multilingual professional with experience in project support, operational management, and inclusive advisory. Fluent in English, French, Italian and Spanish, he has a thirst for languages, a passion for culture, and a drive to enact positive change.

Throughout his career and even in his personal relationships, Anthony has unwaveringly championed initiatives geared at increasing our appreciation of the rich diversity that surrounds us. He has long devoted his time to strengthening support systems available to gender and sexually diverse communities through relationship-building, training activities, workshop facilitation, and project and operations management. For him, inclusion isn’t something that remains within the confines of his workday; it is a value is weaved into the fabric of his everyday life.

With a bachelor’s degree in education, and two master’s degrees in education administration and project management, Anthony remains dedicated to using his international training and experiences to further our understanding of diversity. With the CCDI, he will continue to contribute to the building of a stronger and more united society.

Joseph Levesque hails from Calgary and has been working with CCDI as part of the Communications Team since 2014. Prior to that, he worked in communications with the Government of Ontario, working with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) and ServiceOntario. While there, he helped establish an employee resource group, a social committee and a diversity team. He has worked with various Canadian companies such as Lafarge Canada, Fracmaster Ltd., Merit Energy, and the Bank of Montreal.

As a creative professional, Joseph is also known for his work in opera, concerts, and theatre, having performed with organizations such as the Canadian Opera Company, the Charlottetown Festival, Edmonton Opera, Calgary Opera, and Leave It To Jane Theatre, to name a few. He has also appeared in several off-Broadway productions in New York City. One of his favourite experiences was playing a young John Diefenbaker in the CBC Radio-Canada film, Laurier. In 2016, he was one of the featured artists in 10×10, a photography project celebrating queers in the arts by 10 queer photographers.

Joseph holds an MFA in Theatre from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and a BMus in Vocal Performance from the University of Alberta.

Cindy studied Modern Languages at the University of Ottawa and graduated with Honours with a Major in Spanish and a Minor in English. She studied abroad during her undergraduate degree, sparking a curiosity to explore the world.

She has worked in the charitable/ non-profit sector for over 13 years in support of people living with disabilities. Having worked alongside veterans and their families, she takes seriously her ability to give back to the community. She is a fierce advocate and has a passion for human rights and social justice. She understands the importance of leveraging her skillsets to help influence others and uses her voice to contribute to the greater good, both professionally and personally.

In her spare time, Cindy enjoys spending time at home with family and friends. She loves trying new recipes and exploring many genres of live music.