I bring over 25 years of global experience in international development, leadership, and strategic transformation. My work has spanned continents, cultures, and contexts—from managing complex, multi-million-dollar initiatives to building high-performing teams and fostering inclusive organizational cultures.

If you're stepping into a new role, exploring a career shift, seeking to grow into greater leadership, or trying to find your voice in spaces that weren’t built with you in mind—I understand what that takes. I've lived it.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked in environments where representation was limited, where leadership and gender stereotypes were present, and where the burden of proof was often unevenly distributed. I’ve successfully navigated the parallel demands of a thriving international career, single parenthood, and the emotional weight of being a long-distance caregiver to family all while continuing to lead, adapt, and grow.

This isn’t theoretical for me. I know how personal and professional resilience are woven together, and how important it is to have support when you’re holding a lot.

My professional journey includes founding a successful business in my twenties, two decades in international development, 15 of those in senior leadership roles—and more recently, working alongside individuals and teams across cultures and regions to strengthen leadership clarity, navigate complexity, and drive purposeful momentum. I’ve worked with governments, civil society organizations, and multilateral institutions to shape programs, inspire teams, and deliver meaningful results.

Through this work, I’ve cultivated a deep ability to connect across differences, understand complexity, and foster environments where people feel seen, valued, and capable of leading with purpose.

I am proud of my complex intersectional identity. My mother, whose family was originally from Quebec, was born in New Brunswick and settled in Montreal. My Ethiopian father experienced profound displacement early in life—uprooted by the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935, he spent his formative years in a refugee camp in Kenya before continuing his education in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. I grew up in Ethiopia, in a household where multiple languages, histories, and perspectives coexisted. My upbringing was shaped not only by the country I lived in, but by the intentional, outward-looking way my parents engaged with the world and how I’ve continued to do so throughout my life and career.

After many years of living and working abroad, I returned to Canada and now live in Quebec. While I’m based here, my work remains global. I collaborate with individuals and organizations around the world, mostly through virtual engagements.

I hold a Master’s degree in Education from the Université de Montréal and a Bachelor’s degree in History from the Université du Québec à Montréal. Over the years, I’ve also integrated frameworks and tools that support insight and development in leadership and team dynamics—such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), EQ-i 2.0, and EQ 360. I am credentialed by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) as an Associate Certified Coach and Certified Diversity Coach.

Since 2023, I’ve been an active member of BPW Montréal, where I served as Treasurer and, as of June 2025, hold the position of Vice President. This work reflects my ongoing commitment to equity, leadership, and community impact.

From advancing major development programs to working closely with individuals navigating change, I bring a blend of strategic insight and human-centered perspective. Whether the challenge is structural, interpersonal, or both, I help move people and projects forward with clarity and impact.