Kim holds a Master’s in Human Rights and Humanitarian Action from Sciences Po Paris, with concentrations in Stakeholder Engagement and Public Sector Innovation. She is particularly interested in how human rights frameworks can contribute to decolonizing design and create a more inclusive social impact. Her professional experience includes conducting research focused on empowering womxn, curating art exhibits and community-building events, being an advocate for francophone communities across Canada, as well as creating partnerships within civil society. Kim is excited to bring her passion for inclusive innovation to the Supplier Diversity program, which intersects perfectly with her interests and experience. 

Outside of the office, she is most likely catching flights and/or waves. She also enjoys painting, writing, and tattooing. 

Andréa Pallotto (BFA, GCFP, SE) is a Somatic practitioner specializing in Feldenkrais and Somatic Experiencing. Their approach combines touch, awareness and trauma-based somatic processing. With a background in queer, feminist and anti-colonial thinking, Andréa offers a unique perspective on somatic health and strives to create an inclusive environment for all genders and bodies.

After graduating from Concordia’s Women’s Studies program, Andréa pursued accredited training in the Feldenkrais Method in Boston. Their journey into Feldenkrais began as a personal quest to overcome dissociation and reclaim a sense of empowerment and embodiment. Andréa has run a private practice in Montreal for ten years, teaching weekly classes and private lessons. They teach somatic health workshops to community organizations and workplace health initiatives. Andréa organizes the yearly Montreal Somatic Festival and teaches at the Feldenkrais LGBTQIA Festival. Their commitment to creating a more inclusive and body-positive world shines through in their work, making them a valuable asset to the wellness community.

Darrell Schuurman is an advocate of effecting social change through the economic empowerment of 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs. He is the co-founder and CEO of the CGLCC, Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce, a national not-for-profit organization with a mission to expand the opportunities and advancement of the 2SLGBTQI+ business community in Canada. He has been committed to CGLCC’s mission since 2003. He is a Former Managing Partner at DNA Marketing Group and the Co-Founder of Travel Gay Canada.  

Originally from Ottawa, Melika has a Ba. In Social sciences with Honors in International Studies and Modern Languages from Ottawa University. While in school she worked for Crown Corporations attached to the tourism industry but later found her calling in the not-for-profit sector. First by empowering francophone youth with leadership skills, and later supporting 2SLGBTQI+QIA+ Newcomers and asylum seekers with their integration process and helping them face various social, institutional, and systemic barriers while in the Greater Toronto Area. Fitness and sweets are her favorite ways to relieve stress. So this, and her love for different cultures lead her to get certified as a Zumba Fitness instructor. 

She is now based in the Maritimes where she is studying Africentric Social Work at Dalhousie University in hopes of continuing her work in systemic change. Melika feels that her work with multiple vulnerable communities will enrich her work as grant manager with the CGLCC. 

Naoufel started his career in the non-profit sector as General Manager for AIESEC in Morocco, which provides young people with leadership development and cross-cultural global internships. He later transferred to the AIESEC United States in New York City and managed the expansion to Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE through a US government grant of over $1 million. He then took on the interim COO’s role and managed a team of 10 people with a budget of $4 million. 

Naoufel joined Microsoft Middle East and Africa as a Regional Program Coordinator, managing the Microsoft Software Donation Program for Internet safety and security. He also managed relationships with crucial Microsoft partners in the region, like the World Bank and the United States Agency for International Development. After two years at Microsoft, Naoufel moved to Montreal to join tech startups. He started at TandemLaunch Technologies, where he built relationships with university tech transfer offices worldwide. Naoufel was Head of Business Development at Local Logic, his last company.  

Today, Naoufel is the Co-Founder and CEO of QueerTech. This organization aims to Queer the Tech Ecosystem by breaking down barriers, creating spaces, and connecting communities to support and empower 2SLGBTQIA+ people to thrive. 

Eustacio (Andy) Saldaña is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder of QueerTech, a Canadian non-profit focused on empowering, connecting, and increasing the visibility of 2SLGBTQ+ technologists and entrepreneurs. The organization is dedicated to the mission of queering the tech ecosystem. 

Previously, he served as the Executive Director of the NY Tech Alliance, a non-profit organization that runs the world’s largest Meetup group, the NY Tech Meetup (NYTM). With over 60,000 members and a mission to build a more sustainable, diverse, and equitable technology industry for all New Yorkers, the organization is a central figure in the NY Tech ecosystem. 

A fervent advocate for diversity, access, and inclusion in technology, Andy excels in building relationships and fostering dialogues that drive change. 

His efforts have been recognized with several accolades, including a spot on Crain’s New York Business 2020 Notable LGBTQ Leaders and Executives list, and inclusion in the 2019 Tech Power 50 by City & State, a leading media company covering New York’s government and politics. 

Named an ‘Inclusion warrior’ by the Saskatoon Star Phoenix while pursuing a double degree in Sustainability and International Development, Connor is a leader in breaking down gender binaries through their passion for 2SLGBTQI+ community engagement. 

Connor is excited to translate his experience into concrete policies, education, and support for workplaces that are ready to create stronger, safer spaces for 2SLGBTQI+ customers and employees. 

Greg Barker (he/him) is Chief Legal Officer and Senior Vice President, Corporate Governance for Canada Lands Company, a federal Crown corporation that has developed some of the most sought-after communities in Canada while serving as the innovative steward of some of Canada’s most iconic attractions, including the CN Tower, Downsview Park, the Montréal Science Centre and the Old Port of Montréal. 

Greg advises CLC’s Board and senior management team on corporate governance matters; is responsible for all legal and regulatory affairs pertaining to the Company’s real estate, attractions, and corporate/shared services divisions; and is responsible for ESG performance and integration throughout the Company. He is an Executive Sponsor of CLC’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access Committee; Founder & Chair of the Company’s Rainbow Connection (employee resource group for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and their allies); and a member of Legal Leaders for Diversity and Inclusion. He also co-led the development of CLC’s equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) strategy, and is the co-lead for the Company’s ESG priorities of Indigenous Peoples Collaboration and EDI. 

Greg holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) degree from Queen’s University and a Law degree from the University of Toronto. 

EN: Lynn Blouin holds a Bachelor’s degree in School and Professional Information from the Université de Sherbrooke (1994). Ms. Blouin has a wide range of experience, particularly in public relations, politics, events and paramunicipal public administration. Since 2013, she has been working for Destination Sherbrooke as Director of Promotion, Business and Sport Tourism. She was also part of the Sherbrooke Canada Games in 2013 as Assistant General Manager, Communications and Human Resources. Ms. Blouin has held a number of senior positions in provincial policy sectors in various ministries as Chief of Staff, including the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Finance. Ms. Blouin has diverse experience in communications, marketing, organization, politics, government relations and tourism, public administration and the organization of national and international events. She has also served on a number of local, provincial and national boards, and has an extensive network of contacts across the country.

FR: Mme Blouin détient un baccalauréat en information scolaire et professionnelle de l’Université de Sherbrooke (1994). Mme Blouin cumule un large éventail d’expérience particulièrement en relations publiques, en politique, en événementiel et en administration publique paramunicipale. Depuis 2013, elle travaille au sein de Destination Sherbrooke à titre de Directrice promotion, tourisme d’affaires et sportif. Elle a également fait partie des Jeux du Canada de Sherbrooke en 2013 à titre de Directrice générale adjointe, communications et ressources humaines. Madame Blouin a occupé plusieurs postes de direction dans les secteurs de la politique provinciale dans divers ministères à titre de Directrice de cabinet, notamment au ministère du Tourisme et au ministère des Finances. Mme Blouin cumule des expériences diversifiées dans les domaines suivants : communications, marketing, organisation, politique, relations gouvernementales et tourisme, de l’administration publique et de l’organisation d’événements nationaux et internationaux. Elle a également siégé sur plusieurs conseils d’administration tant locaux, provinciaux que nationaux et possède d’un large réseau de contacts partout au pays. 

Merve, pronunciation Mervé (mervei-lleux; Mervay) was born into a Turkish household, raised in Germany and chose Montreal as her new home in 2019. With a vibrant background, she has actively contributed to the non-profit community. In Germany, she co-founded an organization providing space for 2SLGBTQI+ immigrants and served as a board member and support services volunteer for a local non-profit in Montreal serving 2SLGBTQI+ immigrants and refugees. Now she is active as a volunteer and provides legal aid for queer Turkish refugees coming to Canada. 

Her journey has taken her to various parts of the world, including Sao Paulo, Lisbon and Vancouver, reflecting her love for travel and connecting with different cultures. 

In her free time, Merve enjoys going for runs, cooking Turkish meals and relishes board game nights at home with her partner and her cat. Her passion for intersectional identities and her zest for life shine through in her various roles and experiences.