Colleen James, M.Ed.
Principal Consultant & CEO
“Change starts with a conversation.”
Colleen James
Award-Winning Equity and Inclusion Consultant | Educator | Community Leader
Colleen James is an award-winning equity and inclusion consultant, educator, and community leader, as well as the founder of Divonify. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked with organizations to challenge racial inequities, embrace diversity, and build inclusive workplaces that foster belonging.
Colleen’s leadership in equity work has been widely recognized. She was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch (2020) and a Top DEI Leader of the Year (2021). She has collaborated with organizations across sectors, facilitating thought-provoking discussions that challenge assumptions about power, privilege, and systemic change. Through her work, she empowers leaders to rethink outdated models and implement policies that create more equitable outcomes for all.
Beyond her consulting practice, Colleen is a dedicated community advocate.
Colleen holds an Honours B.A. in History, Political Science, and Caribbean Studies from the University of Toronto and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy from OISE (University of Toronto). Born, raised, and currently residing in Kitchener, Ontario, she remains deeply committed to fostering equity, inclusion and innovation at both local and national levels.
Photo credit: Hilary Camilleri, One for the Wall
“Colleen has a thorough understanding of diversity and inclusion and has the ability to make it relative to today's changing world.”
— Tara Johnson, Centre Director at The Progressive Centre
Marcia J. Henderson
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO COLLEEN JAMES, CEO, DIVONIFY
“TO CHANGE IS LEARNING.”
Marcia Henderson is the Executive Assistant to Colleen James, CEO of Divonify. She brings over 30 years of executive administrative experience to the table. Her expertise in scheduling, handling critical information, project coordination and client relationship building makes her a valuable asset to the company.
Originally from London, England, Marcia graduated from Karen Hall Careers with a Business diploma in Administration. After graduation, Marcia worked as an administrative assistant in the financial, and insurance industries undertaking a broad range of administrative duties. Her superior office skills resulted in Marcia being promoted to Executive Administrative Assistant, supporting C-Suite executives throughout her career.
Marcia resides in Kitchener with her husband and four adult children. She’s a proud grandmother of two, enjoys watching sports, and helping others.
Dr. Naomi Levitz-Shobola
BA, MSW, RSW, Phd
Consultant
“The discomfort IS the work, but the results can be transformative.”
Naomi has worked in both interpersonal and community social work settings in urban and rural areas in Canada, the United States and Haiti, in a variety of languages. She has spearheaded a newcomer mental health initiative in Southwestern Ontario and Windsor’s Take Back the Night program.
She has also been active on various local committees including the Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee, WEFIGHT Human Trafficking Initiative and Health Equity for Newcomers Initiative. She also chairs the board of directors for the AIDS Committee of Windsor/Pozitive Pathways and sits on boards for the Jewish Community Center, ALSO (Assisted Living Southwest Ontario) and has worked with the Accessibility Initiative for the Ontario Council for Agencies Serving Immigrants.
Ese Ijasan
CONSULTANT
Tomorrow’s successful organizations will be those that harness the collective and synergistic brilliance of all their people and not just an elite few
Ese is a passionate social scientist and a diversity & inclusion conversation starter. Her research endeavours touch on the sensitive topics of fostering diversity and optimal refugee settlement. She has worked in the corporate, academic and non-for-profit sectors in Europe, Africa and North America. With an MSc in Management from England and a doctorate in Diversity Management and Organizational Behavior from South Africa, she has been exposed to the intrinsic challenges of racialized and minority groups.