Annemarie Shrouder (she/her),
Founder & Principle

I lovingly call myself “the can opener”. Raising awareness is what I do best. What I love most about this work are the ah-hah moments that change how we see the world forever.

I use my teaching background, and my lived experiences to focus on strategically creating cultures of learning in business that build awareness and understanding, and a willingness to engage in uncomfortable conversations – resulting in environments where people thrive.

I’m committed to the “both/and” and the connection, learning and healing leaning into this can create.

I don’t do this work alone.

I am honoured to work alongside a team of gifted, courageous, passionate and talented individuals… some of whom are listed below.

Wessam Ayad (she/her),
Facilitator & Consultant

Wessam is an Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (EDI) Project Supervisor, Facilitator and Advocate. Using her education, work, and life experience as a racialized person, she helps underrepresented communities and individuals by introducing creative methods to support them in achieving their career goals.

Throughout her career, Wessam has worked with employers to help create more inclusive and welcoming workplaces for equity seeking groups.

She created The Begin Again Group Co-op for refugee women, achieved the highest employment rate in Ontario for the Newcomer Destination Employment program, and has assisted numerous employers to improve their EDI profiles through action oriented, training based solutions.

Sophia Nyokabi (she/her),
Business Manager

Sophie is the go-to person for keeping things organized and running smoothly here at ASI.

As an Executive Virtual Assistant, Sophie manages the behind-the-scenes tasks that keep everything on track – from coordinating schedules to ensuring seamless communication and operations. Sophie’s role frees up time and energy for Annemarie  so she can focus on what truly matters: growing and building ASI, and supporting our clients.

Beyond Sophie’s work, she actively supports underprivileged children by helping them access education and essential resources, while also sharing her love for animals, especially cats and dogs. These passions bring Sophie joy and brighten her days, knowing she is making a positive difference in the world around her.

Carlos Idibouo (he/they),
Facilitator & Consultant

Originally from Côte d’Ivoire, Carlos has lived in Canada since 2006 and identifies as Queer, feminist, and gender non-conforming.

As a project consultant, Carlos successfully manages issues related to human rights, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility, racial and cultural disparities, gender-based violence, sexual reproductive health and rights, sexual and gender diversity within the LGBTQI+ communities, women’s and children rights, and building advocacy strategies for global access to HIV treatments and prevention strategies.

Carlos is a board member of several national and international organizations, such as Dignity Network Canada and MenEngage North America.

Raja G. Khouri (he/him),
Facilitator, Consultant & Strategy Lead

Raja is an international consultant in strategic development, capacity building, situational analysis, social innovation, advocacy, human rights and inclusion. He is a former commissioner with the Ontario Human Rights Commission and is a Canada Committee member of Human Rights Watch.

Raja is our Strategy Lead.

Jessica Mustachi

Jess does data analysis for ASI.

Melanie Peters Bright (she/her),
Accounting / Community Manager

Melanie is our Accounts Manager.  She has had her own bookkeeping business for over 15 years.
Melanie is a proud Métis woman; her roots come from the Garden River region of Ontario.  She loves working with her clients and being out practicing her art of photography and sharing that with others.

Kerry-Ann Taylor (she/her),
Consultant

Kerry-Ann is a relationship builder who believes that we go further when we go together.

She has experience in communications, policy analysis & development, and strategic planning, and has had roles on Parliament Hill as well as with the Ontario government. Bilingual (English and French), she holds a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Toronto; and a Post-Grad Journalism Diploma from Humber College. Currently, Kerry-Ann is serving as a funding agent with the federal government.

Kerry-Ann is our Policy Review Lead.

Kevin Welbes Godin (he/him) is a seasoned teacher and veteran facilitator helping clients to build a healthy work place where our multiplicity of identities are represented,  validated, and seen as contributing factors in the creation of a strong team community.  Kevin’s approach is to examine what may need to be re-learned so that everyone feels like they genuinely belong to the makeup and dynamics of the environment they work in.  Kevin’s gentle yet persistent nature helps to set a safe space where you can find and use your voice to bring about the change you wish to see.

Akhaji Worrell, MBA (she/her),
Consultant

With over 15 years of project management experience, Akhaji’s core skills include financial and data analysis, market research, economic profiling and regulatory/policy development issues. She is recognized for her knowledge of corporate financial management and business strategy across media industries.

Akhaji has worked with SMEs and non-profits to develop strategic plans, conduct skills training, and evaluate systems.

Passionate about equity and education, Akhaji provides expertise in strategy, data analysis and report writing at ASI.