Mission

Empowering vulnerable communities and women locally and globally through education, advocacy, and support, our mission is to create a more equitable world where every woman and young person has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. In Canada and beyond, we champion equity & inclusion, elevate voices, promote women-led initiatives, and foster sustainable change through collaborative partnerships and innovative programs

Vision

Connecting Global North Global South, champion diversity and intersectionality

Advocacy

Raising awareness about issues affecting vulnerable populations can influence policy changes, promote gender equality, and amplify marginalized voices. Collaborate with public private sector in building all these human rights based frameworks

Support Networks

Creating mentorship and support programs can foster connections, build confidence, and empower women and youth to pursue their goals.

Economic Empowerment

Supporting women-led businesses and initiatives can stimulate local economies, promote entrepreneurship, and reduce poverty in communities.

Community Engagement

Collaborating with local organizations can strengthen community ties, promote inclusivity, and encourage collective action towards social change.

Cultural Change

By championing equity and inclusion, our organization helps shift societal attitudes, reducing discrimination and fostering a more supportive environment for all.

Public Awareness Campaigns

Running campaigns to highlight the achievements and struggles of women and equity deserving groups can change perceptions and inspire action across society.

Board of Directors

Nowshin Mehzabin Chowdhury

Founder & Executive Director

Nowshin Mehzabin Chowdhury is an award-winning social entrepreneur and activist. She began her career in banking at HSBC before transitioning to the Urban Development Programme at BRAC Bangladesh. Her journey later took her to the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) at its Geneva headquarters. Nowshin is currently based in Canada, where she works in the fields of equality, religious freedom, minority rights, policy, accessibility, citizenship rights, international human rights law, and workplace equity through her non-profit, Equity Connect Alliance (ECA). After completing a summer contract as Policy & Research Manager at the Canadian Urban Institute, she recently supported the Diversity Institute’s consulting team. Nowshin currently works as a Community Development Officer with the Government of Alberta, where she collaborates with non-profit and voluntary sector leaders, as well as government partners, to identify leverage points within the non-profit and social purpose ecosystems. Drawing on expertise in facilitation, social innovation, public engagement, non-profit governance, strategic planning, and applied best practices, she designs and delivers customized projects that respond to the evolving needs of both the non-profit sector and government.

Nowshin also serves on multiple non-profit boards such as the National Vice President of JCI Canada, Director at Net Impact Edmonton, Young Leader at Women Deliver, Research Lead at the Youth Policy Forum and an Associate Fellow at the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS). Nowshin holds a Master of Global Affairs from the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting & Finance from North South University. Driven by a passion for addressing global challenges, she aims to create revolutionary change in communities worldwide narrowing the gap between Global North and Global South.

Mahira Husain Khan

Director

Mahira Husain Khan is the Executive Director of Capita Group and Capita Winfield Ventures Ltd. She is also the CEO of Truefitt and Hill Bangladesh. She has 10+ years of leadership and management experience in the areas of real estate and property development, urban and social development, small-medium enterprise, franchise business operations and marketing and communications. Prior to joining Capita Group, Mahira worked as the Knowledge Management and Communications Manager in the Urban Development Programme at BRAC, the NGO. She has previously worked in the social services and community development sector in Toronto, Canada, counselling and advocating for the rights of female migrants and asylum seekers in Canada. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Mahira also has extensive volunteer experience as she serves on the boards of various organizations. Mahira has a B.A. (Hons.) in Sociology and Religion from the University of Toronto in Canada and an MSc. in Gender, Development and Globalization from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Aaishah Karim

Director

Aaishah Karim is an experienced policy analyst and human rights researcher specializing in conflict resolution, humanitarian response, and international development. She currently works at The Carter Center, where she focuses on peacebuilding efforts in Sudan, contributing to conflict resolution programming to foster political stability in the country.

With a background in policy research, advocacy, and strategic communications, Aaishah has worked with leading international organizations, including Global Affairs Canada, UNHCR, OHCHR, and REACH Initiative. Her work has centered on addressing forced displacement, refugee rights, and climate-induced migration, ensuring that policies and interventions are informed, evidence-based, and centered on the needs of affected communities. She has played a key role in developing policy briefs, conducting in-depth research, and facilitating cross-sector collaborations that bridge humanitarian and governmental efforts.

Passionate about fostering equitable solutions, Aaishah remains committed to leveraging her skills in research, advocacy, and international policy to drive meaningful change in conflict-affected and vulnerable regions worldwide.

Advisory Committee

Francesca Amante

Francesca Amante is a CEO, Management Consultant, Resilience Coach, Public Speaker, and Author who guides executives and teams to overcome burnout and unlock profitability through sustainable culture and resilience. Backed by her education from Cornell University and Harvard Medical School, she combines behavioral science with strategic leadership to drive lasting results.

Francesca has spoken on 70+ stages, and has been featured on 25+ podcasts and continues to impact the world through her view of resilience, overcoming grief and loss, all at the young age of 30.

Tavila D Haque, M.Ed

Tavila Disha Haque, a doctoral student at OISE, University of Toronto, specializes in refugee education and social justice. With over a decade of non-profit experience, she collaborates with NGOs to support Rohingya children in Bangladesh and advocates for decolonizing refugee education.

Raqshanda Khan

Raqshanda Khan, a Master of Global Affairs graduate from the University of Toronto, specializes in Environmental Studies. With 3-4 years of experience in both public and private sectors, she is currently a Policy Advisor at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario, focusing on sustainable resource management.

Samantha Tristen

Samantha Tristen, a 2022 graduate of the Munk School’s Master of Global Affairs program, is the project manager and historical researcher for the Canadian International Council’s oral history project on Jean Chrétien’s time as prime minister. She holds a BA and MA in history from the University of Toronto and is passionate about history, civic engagement, and education. In her spare time, she enjoys running, board games, and creative nonfiction writing.

Michelle Devlin

Michelle Devlin leads Creating People Power, where she and her team provide customized consulting and workshops on corporate culture and leadership development. Known for her energetic speaking style, she specializes in creating respectful and psychologically safe workplaces. Michelle excels at fostering trust, enabling participants to have courageous conversations on challenging topics. Her real-life examples inspire individuals to adjust their behaviors and become better leaders. A passionate volunteer, Michelle has served as Chair of the Stollery Women’s Network and volunteered for over 20 years with the United Way of the Alberta Capital Region.

Travis Weber

Travis is a Senior Associate at ESG Global Advisors with over three years of consulting and research experience. He holds a Master of Global Affairs from the Munk School, specializing in Global Justice and Human Rights. At ESG, he supports ESG services for corporations and investors, focusing on strategy, reporting, and education. Previously, he worked at the Ted Rogers School of Management’s Diversity Institute and held research roles in economics, policy, and human rights.

Eugenio Coccimiglio, MBA

With 20+ years in business development, Eugenio specializes in innovation and scalable models. He serves on the boards of Net Impact Edmonton and Avonmore Community League, promoting sustainability and social impact. Eugenio is known for fostering industry relationships and driving innovation in Edmonton’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Susan Carlisle, B.Sc., MLIS

Susan Carlisle is a clean technology consultant with 30+ years of experience, including 20+ years in policy and program management. She supports clean tech innovators and has contributed to organizations like Alberta Clean Technology Industry Alliance and BioAlberta. Based in rural Alberta, Susan is passionate about energy and water equity (UN Goals 6 and 7) and advancing DEI issues through her Advisory Committee role.

Lindsay Coppens, PhD, OCT

Lindsay Coppens is a researcher, educator, and mentor specializing in social policy, equity, diversity, inclusion, and STEM education. With a Ph.D. in Higher Education, her research focuses on improving pathways for women in STEM. At the Diversity Institute, she conducts equity-focused research on work-integrated learning and systemic inequities. With over ten years of teaching experience, Lindsay is dedicated to bridging research and practice to drive meaningful change.

Afrah Arif

Afrah Arif is a consultant at Deloitte Canada specializing in HR Strategy. With a Bachelor’s in International Studies from The American University in Dubai and a Master of Global Affairs from the University of Toronto, she focuses on Global Development. Afrah has diverse experience across multinational corporations and small businesses globally. She has also interned as a graduate researcher at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and participated in the BIPOC Public Affairs Fellowship.

Sarah Feutl

Sarah Feutl is a Policy Analyst and Coordinator with expertise in global affairs, human rights, and government operations. She currently works in the Government of Alberta’s Housing Division, focusing on affordable housing needs across municipalities. Sarah holds a Combined Master’s of Global Affairs/JD Law Degree from the University of Toronto and a BFA in Acting from the University of Alberta. With experience in policy development, project coordination, and non-profit leadership, she is passionate about driving social impact and advancing inclusive governance both locally and globally.

About Us