Our team is made up of highly trained and knowledgeable specialists who understand the unique challenges and opportunities within aviation. We bring deep expertise in inclusive recruitment, employee engagement, and workplace culture transformation.
With a focus on the aviation industry, we offer tailored strategies that go beyond traditional training. Our industry-informed, people-centered approach helps organizations create environments where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Emily Reiman
Director, Industry Culture Development
Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Sociology, a Master’s Degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology, and a Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Equity Studies. With more than a decade of experience in the aviation industry across both public and military sectors, she brings a grounded, data-informed perspective to workplace culture transformation. Emily leads the Workplace Culture Consulting (WCC) project, where she helps organizations embed representation, belonging, and leadership accountability into their operations. She is a skilled facilitator and strategist who works closely with clients to create inclusive environments that foster innovation, improve engagement, and support long-term success. Emily is certified in Change Management and designs tailored strategies that position inclusive workplace culture as a competitive advantage rather than a compliance requirement. Her expertise spans workplace culture development and communication efficiency, with a strong focus on sustainable, people-centered change. With a deep understanding of the regulated and operationally demanding aviation industry, Emily helps clients align cultural goals with business outcomes in industries where safety, structure, and performance are critical. Her work has been featured in the Canadian Military Journal and cited in national conversations on equity and workforce transformation. In her free time, Emily enjoys strength training, astronomy, and golf.
Alberto Jimenez Ponce
Senior Manager, People and Culture
Alberto brings a wealth of experience in HR management and a deep commitment to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. Most recently, Alberto worked at WestJet as a Talent Acquisition Partner where he honed his expertise in recruitment and DEI initiatives within the aviation industry. With a Bachelor’s degree in International Business Strategy and several years of experience in leadership, HR, and DEI roles, Alberto has a proven track record of developing and implementing innovative strategies that foster inclusive work environments and support underrepresented groups.
In this role, Alberto will be instrumental in advancing the Women’s Economic and Leadership Opportunities (WELO) project, focusing on creating inclusive aviation careers by enhancing DEI policies, developing succession plans, and driving recruitment and retention initiatives. Alberto’s passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and dedication to making a meaningful impact align perfectly with Elevate Aviation’s mission to empower women and underrepresented groups and to dismantle barriers in the aviation industry.
With a collaborative work style and a strong commitment to driving positive change, Alberto is eager to contribute to Elevate Aviation’s goals and help shape the future of aviation by promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Outside of work, you can find Alberto spending time with friends, being active outdoors, traveling, enjoying the sun, swimming, and trying all kinds of foods!
Jenna Johannsen
Administrative Assistant
Jenna combines her passion for aviation with a love for learning about the world around her. With a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and a Private Pilot License, she has built a multifaceted career that includes roles as a Duty Officer/Medevac Dispatcher, Customer Sales and Service Agent, and Parts Coordinator. With over 8 years of administrative experience at the provincial and federal levels, Jenna brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to her work. She has also devoted significant time to volunteering with aviation organizations, promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry. As a proud citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation, she is committed to creating pathways for underrepresented groups in aviation. Outside of work, she loves kayaking, exploring new destinations, and seeking out delicious treats from local bakeries.
Nitu Purna
Wellness Specialist
As an RSW and EDI consultant, Nitu uses her experiences in three countries and as an immigrant to Canada to bring a unique storytelling approach to equity work. She is an anti-oppressive practitioner, committed to dismantling barriers and fostering belonging. Understanding our stories can create spaces where every voice is heard and valued, Nitu believes that together, we can make a difference.
Consultants & Facilitators
Alicia Lue
Facilitator
Alicia is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practitioner whose work is deeply informed by both her lived experience as a Black woman, as well as seven years of DEI expertise within the aviation industry. With a background in journalism, Alicia has researched and published numerous articles that explore the impacts of systemic racism in publications such as The Walrus, Maclean's, and Elle Canada, among others.
Krishna Mann
Consultant & Facilitator
Krishna is a visionary social impact and communications strategist in the global tech and entertainment industries. With comprehensive DEI expertise spanning all organizational functions, Krishna creates impactful change from the inside out—building the infrastructure brands need to achieve long-term, sustainable change. Her human-centered and data-informed approach provides pragmatic solutions to address systemic inequities. Krishna has led groundbreaking initiatives, from algorithmic audits to combat bias to ethical content strategies that authentically represent diverse groups. Leveraging the power of storytelling for social change, Krishna's transformative work has shaped DEI strategies for industry leaders such as TED, PBS, 9 Story Media, and Wattpad—creating lasting impact across the tech and media landscapes.
Litzy Baeza
Consultant & Facilitator
Litzy has worked in the field of international education for the past 20 years managing a variety of projects overseas, primarily in Latin America. Presently, Litzy is a Gender, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) consultant & educator. She teaches a variety of courses at different universities and colleges across Canada and also develops curricula and programs related to GEDI. Litzy has also helped to implement and develop GEDI strategies with various organizations across Canada and Internationally, being experienced in international development projects as a gender equity specialist.
Ogho Ikhalo
Consultant & Facilitator
Ogho Ikhalo is an accomplished leader with over 18 years of academic and professional experience. She has a robust background in strategic communication and is an award-winning specialist in diversity, equity, and inclusion, and has a strong background in human resources. As a human rights advocate, Ogho is privileged to reside on the Ancestral Traditional Territories within Upper Canada Treaty 13, in Turtle Island. She is the Founder and CEO of AFROdisiac Consulting and has held senior leadership positions across various sectors, including Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Hydro One, and Director of Women’s and Human Rights at the Ontario Federation of Labour.
Natalie Azzi-Mofrad
Consultant & Facilitator
Dr. Natalie Azzi-Mofrad is a community focused leader, writer, advocate and researcher with 20+ years experience promoting gender equity and working to eliminate gender-based violence. Natalie possesses extensive experience working in private and public sectors, leading DEI initiatives and ensuring these initiatives are permanently implemented in business practice and policies. She also holds a Ph.D. in Criminology and Social Justice from OntarioTech University. She is a 2024 Outstanding Thesis Award finalist for her doctoral dissertation showcasing intersectionality to explain structural inequalities that perpetuate gender-based violence.
Renée Whittaker
Consultant & Facilitator
Renée has an extensive work history that spans both community engagement and academic spaces. She has taught college-level courses, including Special Topics in Sociology and Introduction to Black Studies, as well as Black Girlhood Studies at a University level. These experiences inform her research, which focuses on Afro-Caribbean diasporic women’s and girls’ engagement with self-care, radical care, community, and reformative justice in Canada. She aims to highlight how care is practiced, emphasizing acts that are often overlooked by Western society but can foster joyful endurance and social transformation.
Sinaa Dabbagh
Consultant
An EDI professional committed to advancing gender equity and fostering inclusive environments where diversity thrives. Focused on championing initiatives that create a tangible difference and inspire lasting change for equity-deserving communities.
Tolu Adesina
Consultant & Facilitator
Tolu Adesina is a seasoned HR professional with over 15 years of experience spanning the public, not-for-profit, and private sectors. She is renowned for her ability to implement innovative organizational initiatives that support leadership, inspire performance, improve engagement, and enhance the employee experience.
Tolu currently serves as the Principal Partner and Founder of Gibrawhite Services, a consulting firm specializing in HR strategy, Diversity and Inclusion, consulting, and training. She delivers cutting-edge solutions to drive organizational success.
She holds an Executive Master’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Industrial and Labor Relations. Tolu is also a candidate for the Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation and actively volunteers with various immigrant organizations.
Bringing global and diverse perspectives to her work, Tolu is a firm believer in continuous individual development and supporting organizational leadership to create an inclusive workplace culture.
Rita Audi
Facilitator
Rita is a private pilot and a Master of Management graduate from the Schulich School of Business. With a deep passion for aviation, she actively volunteers with the Air Cadet program to help youth advance their leadership and community involvement. Rita brings extensive experience in facilitation, focusing on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), as well as women’s empowerment. She also contributes to various working groups at the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative, supporting global efforts to empower girls through education. When she’s not immersed in the latest novel, Rita enjoys hiking in provincial parks and spending quality time with her family.
Nazrana Lalji
Facilitator
Nazrana Lalji is an HR professional with a background in law and a deep commitment to building inclusive, people-focused workplaces. She has worked across sectors including nonprofit, childcare, oil and gas, and retail, bringing a strategic and adaptable approach to each client. Her expertise includes recruitment, onboarding, policy development, and culture-building. With a strong foundation in compliance and communication, Nazrana blends legal insight with practical HR solutions. She is also the co-founder of ZNR Consulting Group, supporting organizations through tailored HR and business strategies. Outside of work, Nazrana enjoys Muay Thai and strength training.
Marie-Daphné Laguerre
Facilitator
Marie-Daphné Laguerre founded Les consultations AfroQueen Consulting in January 2022, with the mission to open an ongoing dialogue on Diversity and Inclusion, in order to create a more equitable society. Her motto is Making Diversity and Inclusion a Reality in the Workplace.
A career Human Resources practitioner for the past 20 + years, she also led an Anti-Racism Task Force as a Director at Public Services and Procurement Canada for a year. During this journey, her biggest success has been connecting employees with the concept of diversity and inclusion, by initiating deep, uncomfortable dialogues amid the social unrest stemming from George Floyd’s murder in May 2020.
Marie-Daphné studied Workplace Psychology at Université du Québec en Outaouais and French Literature at University of Ottawa before starting her public service career in October 1999. She began working various jobs as a clerk and administrative assistant before becoming an HR Advisor in 2001, gradually making her way up to senior executive positions. She is specialized in staffing, labor relations, strategic planning and more recently in diversity & inclusion.
Nichole Deck
Training Specialist
Nichole is a self-employed entrepreneur who came into the aviation industry by chance and has now managed to combine her aviation interest with her training and facilitating expertise. A former building inspector, Nichole relocated with her family to Iqaluit, Nunavut and took up a part-time position working at an airline ticket counter. From the ticket counter she progressed into the training department and as a Registered Professional Trainer and Learning Management System administrator. Nichole is a passionate proponent of treating others with kindness and dignity.
Specialists Across Canada
Acknowledging the Land Where they Reside
We invite you to explore our interactive map! Click the pins to see where Workplace Culture Consulting team members are located across Canada, along with their respective land acknowledgements.
Jenna Johannsen – Surrey, BC/Metro Vancouver
Jenna is located in Surrey, BC on the unceded territory of the Kwantlen, Katzie, and Semiahmoo peoples.
Ogho Ikhalo – Clarington, Ontario/GTA
Ogho is located in Clarington, Ontario, on traditional territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, which is part of the Williams Treaties Territory.
Alicia Lue – Montreal, Quebec
Alicia is located in Montreal, Quebec on the unceded Indigenous lands of Tiohtià:ke of the Kanien’kehá:ka Nation
Emily Reiman – Edmonton, Alberta
Emily is located in Edmonton, Alberta, on Treaty 6 territory, the traditional lands of the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis, Dene, and Nakota Sioux peoples
Nitu Purna – Mohkínstsis (Calgary), Alberta
Nitu is a guest on the traditional territory of Treaty 7 that include the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda, and the Métis Nation, Region 3, as well as all First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people who live, work, and contribute to this land.
Alberto Jimenez Ponce – Calgary, Alberta
Alberto is located on the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, which include the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6).
Sinaa Dabbagh – Toronto, Ontario
Sinaa is located on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples. This land is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit and is part of the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement among Indigenous nations to share and protect the land around the Great Lakes.
Nichole Deck – Russell, Ontario
Nichole is located in Russell, Ontario on Iroquois (Haudeasaunee), Algonquin (Anishinabewaki and Omàmìwininìwag) and Mohawk (Kanienʼkehá꞉ka) traditional and unceded territory, and on the traditional and unceded territory of the Anishinababe, and the Huron-Wendat peoples.
Litzy Baeza – Edmonton, Alberta
To locate myself in the process of reconciliation and healing from ongoing legacies of settler colonialism, Litzy acknowledges that she is located on the traditional and ancestral territory of the Cree, Dene, Blackfoot, Saulteaux and Nakota Sioux. She acknowledges that this territory is home to the Métis Settlements and the Métis Nation of Alberta and that we all live and work on these traditional homelands.
Krishna Mann – Vancouver, BC
Krishna lives in Vancouver, BC, on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. The Coast Salish peoples have stewarded this land since time immemorial.
Natalie Azzi-Mofrad – Toronto, Ontario
The land I live on, Tkaronto, is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. I am committed to deepening my understanding and learning about First Nations, Inuit and Métis culture and I honour their histories. I strive to work with Indigenous communities via partnerships and I support Indigenous sovereignty, justice, and reconciliation.
Renée Whittaker – Whitby, Ontario
Renée exists on lands that the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg inhabited for thousands of years prior to European colonization. These lands are the traditional and treaty territories of the Nations covered under the Williams Treaties, including the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, Alderville First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation, and the Chippewa Nations of Georgina Island, Beausoleil and Rama.
Tolu Adesina – Calgary Alberta
In the spirit of reconciliation, I honour and acknowledge Moh’kinsstis, and the traditional Treaty 7 territory of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. I acknowledge that this territory is home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3 within the historical Northwest Métis homeland. Finally, I acknowledge all Nations – Indigenous and non – who live, work and play on this land, and who honour and celebrate this territory.
Nazrana Lalji – Calgary, Alberta
Nazrana is someone of mixed Tanzanian and Iranian heritage, currently based in Calgary, Alberta. She acknowledges that she lives and works on the traditional territories of the Treaty 7 peoples — including the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai Nations of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda Nations (Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley), as well as Region 3 of the Métis Nation of Alberta. With deep respect for the Indigenous communities who have cared for these lands since time immemorial, Nazrana brings a commitment to community, justice, and cultural care into everything she does.
Rita Audi – Etobicoke, Ontario
Rita lives in Etobicoke, which is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabe, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples. This area is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, and it falls within the boundaries of Treaty 13, also known as the Toronto Purchase, with the Mississaugas of the Credit.
Marie-Daphné Laguerre – Gatineau, QC
Daphné live in Gatineau which is part of the National Capital Region, on the unceded, unsurrendered Territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation whose presence here reaches back to time immemorial.. The traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe spans a vast area, encompassing the Ottawa Valley and surrounding lands in both Quebec and Ontario. It’s characterized by rivers, lakes, boreal forests, and diverse wildlife, extending across 48 million acres. The Anishinaabe people have historically lived in this area for millennia, and their presence is deeply intertwined with the land’s natural resources.
