Our Facilitators

Berhanu Demeke

Berhanu Demeke (M.A.)

Berhanu Demeke (M.A.) has facilitated seminars and workshops in both formal and informal learning contexts. He supports new immigrant students in their encounter with a school system and culture they are unfamiliar with by helping them acquire a most valuable asset: cultural competence. He has also helped professionals reach across cultural divides for better understanding and to develop mutually-beneficial relationships. His work in community development has focused on building capacity for ethno-cultural communities through skill building in intercultural communication and understanding. He currently works with new immigrants using a collaborative approach in identifying their needs, setting goal and creating strategies to achieve desired ends.

Elsey Gauthier (B.S.W.,M.A.L.A.)

Elsey has a Master’s degree in Administration and Leadership, and is an accomplished facilitator with a particular focus in the areas of social services and health.  Her fluency in Cree, and her understanding of the philosophies and histories of Aboriginal people are definite assets to any training situation.  Elsie has expertise in helping employers better understand and work with vulnerable populations and has conducted research on the topic of homelessness. Her keen sense of humour and her capacity to bring diverse people together to solve mutual problems win over even the most resistant of learners.

Karène Gervais

Karène Gervais (B.A.)

Karène Gervais has a Bachelor degree in Anthropology and Political Science and extensive experience working with diverse groups of various ages and backgrounds.  Her rich facilitation experience includes both formal and informal education sectors, and most recently work as an interpreter at the Royal Alberta Museum. She has designed and delivered leadership and training programs for children, youth and adults in: Haiti, French Guyana, Guadeloupe and across Canada. As an immigrant, she frequently finds  herself in the position of assisting newcomers  with settlement issues. Her global perspective and keen problem solving abilities stem from her Haitian heritage and international travel and work experiences. Through arts based and interactive activities, learners are drawn into Karène’s creative and engaging presentations. Her welcoming and inclusive demeanour combined with her perceptive insight make her a preferred facilitator.

Chizoba Imoka

Chizoba (Chi-Chi) Imoka (BA, Economics)

Chi-Chi Imoka holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Alberta and is the founder of the youth-led organization Unveiling Africa Foundation. Her work with Unveiling Africa has led to the creation of an annual global youth symposium and speaker series in Edmonton. Under her leadership, Unveiling Africa expanded to Nigeria to launch a Nation Building Project for Nigerian teenagers. She has also worked as a facilitator of various youth projects and has worked as a tutor for immigrant kids at the Council of Canadians of African and Caribbean Heritage in Edmonton, Alberta. Chi-Chi’s expertise is in program development and implementation, international development, and youth leadership.

Akasha Bopp

Akasha Bopp

Akasha Bopp has a Masters degree in Organizational Leadership and Training, and a Bachelors degree in Secondary Education. He was a high school teacher and athletic coach for eleven years and had the opportunity to lead various community development initiatives throughout Canada and around the world., including youth programs for urban and First Nations communities. The knowledge he has gained about how people learn has given him insight into motivating learners and fostering a climate of change, growth and development in organizations. Akasha also specializes in curriculum development and implementation and in coaching, mentoring and program design for leadership development. He has worked closely with both the formal educational system and with learning organizations outside traditional learning institutions.