Black Coaches Collective

Meet the Coaches

Good coaches believe that individuals always have the answer to their problems but understand that the individual may need help to find the answer. Coaches are thought-partners and coaching develops individuals across a range of needs. It can boost confidence, improve work performance and build effective communication skills. We believe that some of the challenges that Black Canadians face are unique. Seeing a coach who looks like you and shares your racial context can be powerful. We are thrilled to partner with Black leaders in their growth.

If you are an individual interested in coaching and you want to learn more about a particular coach we encourage you to book a free Discovery Call to discuss your needs.

The coaching component of the capacity development program connects emerging and senior Black leaders with Black coaches, who through thought-provoking and insightful coaching sessions, will work with them to identify and address challenges and barriers they confront in transforming their organizations. Through a partnership with the International Coaching Federation-Vancouver Chapter, Black-led, Black-serving, Black-focused (B3) emerging and senior leaders will be matched with ICF certified or soon-to-be certified coaches to promote the coaching profession within the Black Canadian community.

  • Dele Ajele, a business and positive intelligence quotient (PQ) coach, is co-Executive Director and Franchise owner for BNI Alberta South. Dele earned a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia.

    With over two decades of professional engineering practice and business development experience, Dele is passionate about helping business owners achieve their goals while enjoying a life rich with relationships and personal fulfillment.

    Dele is a public speaker, instructor and mentor. He served as a volunteer instructor with the Alberta Board Development program (2014-2016) and currently serves on a non-profit board as well as a Scholar Academy mentor.

  • Moji Ajele, an energetic partner, mother, and grandmother, holds a master's degree in civil engineering and a graduate certificate in executive coaching. Currently, she's furthering her education as an Executive MBA candidate at Haskayne School of Business. Moji's rich career history includes an assistant lecturer position at the University of Ilorin, homeschooling her four children, and later transitioning to become a franchise owner at BNI Alberta South.

    With over 14 years at BNI, the world's premier referral networking organization, she has championed numerous business owners worldwide across diverse sectors. Moji is passionate about uplifting others, especially entrepreneurs, guiding them to foster strategic partnerships, embrace their true essence, and chase their dreams with tenacity and deep empathy.

  • Nneka Allen is a Black Afro-Metis woman, a Momma, and a daughter of the Underground Railroad. As a descendant of African survivors of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, her ancestors built North America through their free and forced labour on land that was stolen. And despite our oppressions, a historic relationship with the First Peoples of Turtle Island was formed. The Cherokee and the Lumbee are her relations.

    From her ancestral gifts flows clarity. That clarity deeply informs how she shows up as a coach, demonstrates humility, connects, and how clients experience her. 

    Nneka believes coaching is holding space to listen and explore peoples’ truth and challenges; and to partner with people to improve, change and successfully navigate life. Her philosophy is person-centred, cultivated through an Afrocentric narrative and infused with Indigenous wisdom that calls on us to see, feel, listen, and think more deeply; to reflect on our life and our context, so we can grow and better relate to ourselves and others.

    She believes context is king, and environment matters. Communication styles, use of language, body language. They matter! And the body language of Black people is often misunderstood by the dominant culture. So, she is devoted to exploring and responding to the experiences of Black people in the coaching context and how they differ from the experiences of white people. 

    
Nneka has extensive experience related to working with multiracial groups and cultivating belonging environments in a white-dominated world. With her understanding of why some voices remain on the margins while others are frequently centred, she helps clients navigate challenges related to changing norms and interracial conflict. She believes this is a necessary skill to build relationships and improve the social realities of Black leaders and their teams. 

    The coach-client relationship must be a mutual one. It should be a learning and growing relationship for both. In her work with clients, Nneka remains committed to her values of love and justice. With a focus on the tangible demonstration of these values, her life is made rich, but more importantly, her community continues to discover solutions to what ails us and our organizations. This is the work of a lifetime, and she is grateful for the opportunity to be a coach.

  • Closing the opportunity gap in leadership is at the core of Rasie's work. As a certified life and wellness coach, she does this through her  successful coaching programs and youth mentorship program. 

    Rasie is a leadership coach, book coach, speaker and bestseller author of Amazon Bestsellers “Lead In  Your Truth” & “Heal On Your Terms.” She supports corporate leaders in leading their teams more  effectively through self-leadership and starting with values alignment. She also supports experienced writers who become authors from idea to publishing of their books.  

  • Rachel Baptiste’s career trajectory has enabled her to understand both the lived experiences of leaders of colour, and as an ally disrupting the system. Rachel is a former Senior Executive in Organizational Development, Talent Management, and Corporate Social Responsibility for Fortune 100 companies.  

    Rachel is now a PCC Certified Coach, and CEO at Lumen Consulting Group Inc. As a Black female leader, she understands the challenge of leading authentically, while navigating a career in organizational systems that were not built for leaders of colour to thrive. 

    It is through this dual lens, that Rachel is a diversity coach lighting the path for individuals and organizations to build empowered and equitable workplaces.  Rachel’s mission is to significantly increase the number of black women leaders in the C-suite.

    Rachel’s coaching philosophy believes that it is the leaders role to light the path for others. The leader, cannot reach their full leadership potential when living in the shadows. Throughout the coaching journey, the leader is equipped with capacity building tools to identify and navigate both internal and external barriers to leadership effectiveness. The focus is on empowering leaders by building confidence, self-awareness, and a strong sense of identity, anchored in their purpose.

    It is through coaching that Rachel enables you to effectively achieve the mindset, behaviour, and business outcomes to lead your organization in an increasingly complex world.

  • Shalyma a passionate and experienced coach dedicated to guiding executives achieve meaningful impact for themselves, their teams, and the organizations they serve. With over 15 years of experience in financial services, healthcare, and both leadership and EDI consulting, she has honed a deep understanding of complex organizational systems and the role of leaders within them. Her approach is people-centered and values-driven, with a strong commitment to helping leaders find their authentic voice and drive sustainable change.

    Shalyma’s coaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that leaders can create lasting impact by aligning their actions with their values and fostering genuine connections. She best supports her clients in clarifying their personal leadership vision, communicate with unwavering confidence, navigate the challenges of leadership, and foster inclusivity by leaning into courage.

    Shalyma is described as an empathetic, non-judgemental thought partner, championing individuality, and helping clients harness their unique cultural backgrounds as a source of strength. It’s important to me to create a coaching environment where my clients feel safe to challenge themselves and I am passionate about coaching both established and emerging leaders from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. She truly believes that when diverse leaders embrace their unique perspectives, they can unlock valuable insights into becoming the best versions of themselves while fostering inclusive, highly connected teams and organizations.

    Shalyma is an ACC level coach certified by the International Coach Federation as well as a Certified Organizational Coach through the University of British Columbia. She has completed the Executive Diversity Coach training program in collaboration with the CoachDiversity Institute and Howard University. As she continues to expand her knowledge, she is excited to conclude her coaching program focused on supporting neurodiverse clients (specifically professionals navigating ADHD and leadership) with JST in 2023. My experience extends to assessments such as the Hogan's Assessment, MBTI, and Personality Dimensions.

    Beyond her professional commitments, she is deeply involved in my local cultural community, volunteering with culturally based organizations such as the Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society of BC and volunteering with member-driven organizations, including my role as a founding member of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade's Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Council for three years.

  • With over 25 years of mentoring leaders in building their performance, Aileen is the founder and CEO of AME Consulting & Leadership Coaching. She draws on a range of models and frameworks to bring about transformational change. She is a role model for good Human Resources practices and works with a range of clients and organizations. Aileen is most happy working with clients at all levels who want to make changes to move forward in their career and personal lives, and organizations on strategic planning, succession planning and leadership development.

    A coach, mentor, facilitator, and relationship builder who brings Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity skills to focus conversations that facilitate performance, change and learning relevant to their personal, organization or business context. Using coaching skills and strengths to assist my clients to achieve their goals, Aileen helps clients achieve success by engaging in a learning partnership to create purposeful actions for your goals and desires.

    Coaching leaders and executives with a keen focus on measurable results and unlocking life-changing insights, Aileen optimizes the client’s unique strengths. Aileen’s most recent executive role was in healthcare, where she provided executive oversight for the Human Resources, Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness and Volunteer Resources departments.

    Aileen holds an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coach Federation (ICF) and a Post Graduate Degree in Leadership.

  • Jeffrey Edwards is a Board-Certified Executive Leadership Coach (BCC) with over 25 years of experience in various industry sectors, including post-secondary, business services, IT, and not-for-profit. As founder of The MakeWell Performance Group, he has trained, coached, and mentored entrepreneurs, executives and teams, in small-medium businesses to Fortune 500 companies, on strategy, leadership presence, and organizational performance.

    Throughout his career, Jeffrey has been highly regarded for his ability to establish strong and long-lasting relationships with clients worldwide. He takes a collaborative approach to identify key ideas and actions that can help his clients progress on their leadership journey. At the core of his coaching philosophy is his dedication to being an advocate for his clients and encouraging them to become the best versions of themselves.

    Jeffrey is an active volunteer dedicated to supporting the community. He generously donates his time as a guest facilitator for JA Ottawa and mentors young BIPOC tech professionals across Canada through the Black Professional Technical Network's (BPTN) Cultivate Mentoring Program.

  • Lara’s commitment to fostering personal and professional growth in others is not just a career path; it's a profound calling.

    With more than 20 years of global experience in the field of Talent Management and Leadership Development, Lara is a coach who is deeply committed to catalyzing transformation within both organizations and individuals through the power of facilitating positive change by improving thinking.

    Lara embarked on her journey in the world of Learning and Development in the vibrant city of Toronto, following her educational journey in the beautiful surroundings of Montreal, Canada, where she resided for a decade, immersing herself in its rich culture.

    Throughout her career, Lara cultivated a wealth of experience, collaborating closely with a diverse array of industries and Fortune 500 companies, spanning across North America and the MENA regions. Her unwavering dedication to delivering excellence to clients and her relentless pursuit of empowering and equipping individuals with the necessary knowledge and tools to remap thought processes, serve as the cornerstones of my coaching approach. Lara’s philosophy is grounded in the belief that the essence of effective coaching lies in recognizing the unique strengths and potential of each individual, tailoring her approach to their specific needs.

    As a coach, Lara is honored to have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on organizations and individuals worldwide. Lara works hand in hand with individuals to unlock their latent potential, equipping them with the skills and insights needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

  • With a seasoned HR, people development, and business leadership background, Stephen’s dedicated to helping you actualize your potential. He recognizes the complexities and challenges facing leaders today. His expertise lies in partnering with you at every level to address leadership barriers, inclusion and belonging, employee engagement, team performance, and organizational conflict.

    Stephen's coaching philosophy is grounded in empathy, compassion, and honesty. He knows that clear, caring feedback enhances your performance. Guided by his unwavering commitment to your excellence, Stephen infuses his coaching with a North Star quality. He’s known for his professionalism, approachability, and capacity to see the bigger picture.

    He views coaching as a remarkable collaborative opportunity that elevates your leadership outcomes. His motivation to help you win is deeply genuine. Whatever your goals, opportunities or projects, Stephen is excited to partner with you and help you access and amplify your unique version of success.

  • John is a Higher Education Administrator and Executive Coach with more than 17 years of professional experience in student affairs, international education, and international partnership development at three academic institutions in Ottawa.  As Director of the Innovation Hub at Carleton University, John is responsible for the strategy, planning, and operations of a unit that provides a platform for entrepreneurship education, experiential learning, social invention, and new venture creation activities for the Carleton student community. He works closely with student founders on campus and facilitates partnerships with collaborators in the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Ottawa. He is also serving his first term as a member of the Carleton University Board of Governors.

     

    John holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Ottawa, an MEng in Technology Innovation Management from Carleton University, and an ACC credential from the International Coaching Federation. He is also completing the third level of the Innovation Governance Program (iGP) by the Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI). As an ICF Certified executive coach, he works with high potential entrepreneurs and professionals navigating change, and with high school and university students exploring academic and professional options. He is also actively engaged in supporting and mentoring new immigrants to Canada as they transition to the Canadian workforce.

     

    Coaching Approach - Partnership

    “As a solution focused coach, I can partner with you as we move in the direction you choose, at the speed you set, towards the goals that are important to you. That could take a few hours, days, weeks or months depending on your current situation and where you want to go. I ask questions, lots of them, and I promise that our conversations will be challenging and productive, and you will see progress if you commit fully to the process and agree to work together.

     

    Expect to change.

    Expect to grow.

    Expect to ask questions and reflect.

    Challenge me as I challenge you.”

  • Francesca is a Business and Leadership Coach, holding dual certifications from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) as an ACC and from the University of British Columbia (UBC) as a Certified Organizational Coach (COC). With over two decades of leadership and business development experience spanning Africa and North America, she brings a wealth of practical knowledge and cross-cultural competence to her coaching practice.

    Francesca's true calling lies in empowering nonprofit leaders and small business owners to excel in their respective roles. Notably, she herself is a small business owner, and she currently serves on the board of a nonprofit coaching company. This firsthand experience provides her with a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in the nonprofit sector and the dynamic landscape of small business ownership. Her commitment is to help individuals in these fields harness the power of mental resilience for business mastery, authentic leadership, goal attainment, legacy building, and community impact.

    Francesca firmly believes that a resilient, growth-oriented mindset is the key to not just surviving but thriving in the ever-evolving business and nonprofit environments. She integrates these principles to guide her clients in unlocking their potential, overcoming obstacles, and embarking on a journey of personal and professional growth.

    Through tailored coaching programs, Francesca equips nonprofit professionals and small business owners with the tools to break free from limitations, fostering sustainable success in their respective roles and enabling robust stakeholder engagement. Her coaching approach is all about unlocking potential, dispelling self-doubt, setting, and achieving strategic goals, and leading with empathy, clarity, and authenticity, whether you're in the nonprofit sector or running your small business.

    Beyond her coaching practice, Francesca is a devoted wife and mother to two amazing children. She enjoys gospel music and has a deep love for exploring the great outdoors, particularly in Vancouver, BC, where she resides.

  • "Imagine turning your fears about the risks associated with change into impactful decisions and seizing opportunities." That is what Marielle de Vassoigne, coach and catalyst for change, offers you.

    As an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) member of the ICF with over 20 years of experience in organizational change management for major corporate transformations, she will guide you to find your own answers. Marielle will challenge you with kindness.

    Combining pragmatism and creativity (she is also a novelist), she will help you take a step back required to write a new chapter that will propel you forward. Driven by benevolence, humility, and efficiency, she commits to creating a safe space to generate together new possibilities centered on your goals and roadmap to success.

    On a personal note, Marielle is from Martinique, a French Caribbean island. After spending half her life in Montréal, QC, she took a bold step amidst the pandemic's uncertainties and relocated to Vancouver, BC. Therefore, she can deliver coaching sessions both in English and French.