OUR TEAM
Bringing Fora’s mission to life
Delivering programs, strengthening operations, and building partnerships that support young leaders to govern and create change.
The Fora Team
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Emma Asiedu-Akrofi (she/her)
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Emma Asiedu-Akrofi (she/her) is a nonprofit executive, leadership speaker, and strategist, Emma brings over 10 years of experience leading organizations through growth, transformation, and complexity across the social impact sector.
As CEO of Fora: Network for Change, Emma leads high-impact leadership, advocacy, and community-building initiatives that equip young women and gender-marginalized youth with the skills, networks, and opportunities to build influence, navigate systems, and drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond.
A Black Canadian woman of Ghanaian descent, Emma’s leadership is grounded in an intersectional, anti-oppressive, and inclusive approach, with a focus on dismantling systemic barriers and expanding access to opportunity, resources, and power. She is a trusted voice on gender equity, leadership, and social change, regularly engaging with organizations and audiences seeking practical, informed perspectives on building more equitable futures.
Jenny Jay (she/her)
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Driven by her passion for inclusive and ethical storytelling paired with her background in film & creative writing, Jenny Jay is a leader in unpacking how we tell stories to create spaces where people truly belong. With an educational background in non-fiction multimedia and her lived experiences holding multiple identities, Jenny advocates that spaces of power understand the impact of a story when it’s finally told right.
Jenny actively uses her voice in every space that she enters to challenge intuitional structures, advocate for disability, racial, and queer justice, and to ask that private organizations & companies put their resources where their values claim — including brands like Lululemon, Abercombie & Fitch & Humber College.
In her spare time, Jenny can be found practicing asanas (the physical form of yoga) with her Mom, laughing at memes on the internet, or road-tripping in the Mountains in her camper-converted Jeep.
Jen Vachon (she/her)
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A lifelong passion for local and international social justice has been the driving force behind Jen’s work and schooling, which includes international development, community development, and economics. In the decade before joining Fora, Jen put her heart and soul into developing creative and collaborative responses to food insecurity in her hometown of Timmins.
Jen has extensive experience with equity-focused program development and coordination in a variety of roles. As the five-year executive director of a grassroots charity, she drove effective and sustainable organizational growth. She has previously sat on boards and committees pertaining to food security, healthcare, and the arts.
Jen loves exploring – whether that’s a new neighbourhood, hiking trail, or dish. As a Toronto newcomer, she’s excited about the endless opportunities to try new things.
Sania Dogra (she/her)
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Sania's journey began with a passion for architecture, driven by a desire to create inclusive and gender equitable communities. Upon graduating as an architect, this aspiration led her to pursue a master’s in International Peace Studies at Soka University of Japan.
Transitioning into the development space, Sania brings with her experience and expertise in youth-centric development, cross-sectoral collaboration, and partnership building. Her interdisciplinary background allows her to approach challenges with a systemic perspective and intentionally design inclusive solutions. Prior to joining Fora Sania worked in the non-profit sector in India, implementing educational programs with youth and adolescent girls. She advocates for the interconnectedness of design and social issues, firmly believing in the power of thoughtful design to alleviate structural violence and foster positive change.
She finds solace in nature and long walks, and enjoys exploring local cafes and cuisines. As a newcomer to Toronto, Sania is excited to immerse herself in her new community, forging connections and growing into an empathetic global citizen.
Fora’s Board of Directors provides strategic oversight and governance to support the organization’s mission and values.
Composed of gender equity champions and past and current program participants, the board helps guide Fora toward a sustainable future through sound strategy and policy.
Beth Dewitt (she/her)
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Beth is a Risk Advisory Partner and Board Director at Deloitte Canada, and leads the Data Protection and Privacy business offering nationally. Beth has over 15 years of experience designing privacy and data protection strategies and programs, driving alignment between business strategy and risk management. Beth has trained privacy officers, run executive and board-level briefings, advised on privacy/data protection modernization efforts, data risk strategies, and designed strategies to support digital transformations. In her experience, she has advised clients on statutory legal obligations and the impact on data sharing and governance, data analytics, and the adoption of emerging technologies, such as cloud and AI, on individual privacy. Recently, Beth has led the build of an integrated risk framework, bringing the areas of data, privacy, security and tech risk together.
Beth is also passionate about issues related to diverse and inclusive leadership, women's equity and empowerment, and creating safe spaces for women to own their voices, lead by example, and draw on their own lived experiences. At Deloitte, Beth leads our Women in Cyber initiative in Canada and globally and sponsors a leadership development program for next-generation women leaders.
Beth is also a member of the Board for the Massey Centre for Women in Toronto.
Carolyn Lawrence (she/her)
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Carolyn Lawrence (she/her) is an award-winning expert with 25 years of experience breaking barriers to diversity, equity and inclusion for all. As a passionate and purpose-driven leader, she has built an equity-focused social enterprise (Women of Influence), established Deloitte Canada’s DEI practice, and transformed culture as Deloitte's first Global DEI Leader.
In 2023, she launched her own company, CLEAR PATH, to focus on what works: integrating equity right into how companies do business with in-person and AI-driven solutions. She is an active member of the community as a Board Director of Alpine Ontario funding Ontario's ski team, an avid cyclist riding for Les Domestiques who raise millions for charities each year and is a mom and step mom to 3 boys.
Beth Dewitt (she/her)
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Berfu Ege Söbe (she/her) is an international development professional dedicated to advancing funding, partnerships, and social impact for sustainable development. At SNV, she leads high-level fundraising and partnership development to drive inclusive, community-centred development across Africa and Asia. Berfu specializes in building multi-stakeholder collaborations, navigating complex donor landscapes, and unlocking diverse funding streams to catalyze measurable, localized impact. Committed to strengthening the effectiveness of the global development and impact ecosystem, she advises both local and international organisations on strategic growth and systems change. Berfu holds an LL.M. in International Arbitration, Commercial Law, an LL.B. in Global Law, and a B.Sc. in Management of International Social Challenges.
Previous affiliation with Fora: Delegate to the Global Summit in 2020
Originally from Turkiye & Cyprus, currently based in the Netherlands.
Rachel Stephenson Sheff (she/her)
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Rachel Stephenson Sheff (she/her) is an award-winning strategy consultant passionate about social and environmental justice, the intersection of art and activism, and feminist collaboration.
Currently, Rachel is Managing Director of B Corp, I.G. Advisors - an award-winning global strategy consultancy specializing in social and environmental change. Prior to I.G., Rachel was a major gifts fundraiser in New York where she worked on everything from multi-million-dollar performing arts capital campaigns to community-based fundraising for HIV/AIDS at the Metropolitan Opera, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Housing Works. She is also the voice behind the popular podcast, What Donors Want.
Rachel recently earned a Certificate in Management from Harvard Business School, and in a previous life was a triple threat graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts where she earned a BFA in Drama, with minors in Producing and Applied Theatre. Originally from Toronto, Canada, she is now based in London, UK.
Chauntae De Gannes (she/her)
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Chauntae De Gannes is an ambitious and intelligent leader. She recently graduated from Queen's University on the Dean's List with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Global Development Studies. Chauntae is currently pursuing her Juris Doctor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Common Law and hopes to use her legal degree in innovative ways. Chauntae's drive for making a difference has led her to hold various roles on executive teams, in community organizations, and in student government. Chauntae has extensive experience in the public sector having worked for the Ontario Public Service across five different ministries during her summers. Chauntae is passionate about public policy, access to justice, and technology-related issues. She hopes that her participation with Rise on Boards will make a positive impact and inspire others to be change-makers.
Lucie Jeffers (she/her)
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Lucie Jeffers is an experienced executive and purpose-driven leader with a lifelong commitment to removing barriers to access and creating inclusive, human-centered workplaces. She currently serves as Vice President, People & Culture at YMCA Canada, where she leads national strategy across human resources, leadership development, youth initiatives and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.Lucie holds an MBA from Cornell University and Queen’s University and brings a strong foundation in business strategy, governance, and systems thinking.
A lifelong advocate for equity and social impact, Lucie is driven by a belief in the power of inclusive leadership to drive real change.
Robina Bosibori Omosa (she/her)
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Robina Bosibori Omosa is a finance and administration professional with extensive experience in governance, leadership, and advocacy. She currently serves as a Finance & Administration Manager and has played a key role in project management and organizational development at East Scarborough Storefront and Durham Rape Crisis Centre. Her expertise spans financial management, governance, and strategy, equipping her with the skills to support diverse organizations effectively.
Robina is an active board member of the Women's Multicultural Resource and Counseling Center, Durham, and Kakenya’s Dream, a former board member- vice chairman of the Association of Women Accountants of Kenya (AWAK), where she champions mentorship, financial literacy, and leadership development for women from marginalized backgrounds. She has also served on the Kenya Airports Authority board, leading governance initiatives and policy development.
Passionate about Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI), Robina has spearheaded mentorship programs and advocacy efforts that empower young professionals and underrepresented groups. As a moderator for GirlUp Quebec and Kenya, she works to create spaces for young women to thrive in leadership.
Her leadership is driven by a commitment to fostering inclusive governance, supporting emerging leaders, and ensuring equitable representation in decision-making spaces. She continues to leverage her networks and experience to inspire and mentor future leaders.
Vandinika Shukla (she/her)
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Vandinika (she/her) has over a decade of experience in gender policy, movement building, and civic technology. As an Intergovernmental Policy Advisor and Youth Focal Point at UN Women, Vandinika has designed national gender policies and advised heads of state on implementing the SDGs and human rights frameworks. She was the delegate from India in Fora’s 2014 Summit and later served as the Vice-Chair of Fora’s first Steering Committee.
Most recently, Vandinika launched the Practicing Democracy Project at Harvard Kennedy School – advising global campaigns and organizations on leadership, storytelling, and movement building– with world renowned community organizer Marshall Ganz. Previously, Vandinika built civic engagement products and partnerships at MIT Media Lab to pilot AI/ML technology to amplify marginalized voices in policymaking and developed cross-stakeholder relationships for responsible tech for Jigsaw and the Government of France.
Vandinika has been recognized and invited to speak as a young leader by the G20, the European Commission, UN SDG Action, and All Tech Is Human. Her writing and work have been featured in the Boston Globe, Tech Policy Press, Slate, and Indian national dailies like The Hindu. She is also a member of the Board for Represent Women and Partners In Democracy.
Vandinika holds a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School and an MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics. She currently teaches movement building and democratic leadership at Harvard’s Center for Public Leadership.
Jenn Bieri (she/her)
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Jenn Bieri (she/her) is the Founder and CEO of The Practice Space, a Canadian leadership development company focused on building more human, sustainable approaches to leadership. She began her career in public accounting before moving into senior finance and operations roles, helping scale a global tech start-up from 40 to 400 people. Alongside her corporate career, she built an online wellness community teaching yoga, and when the tech company was sold for $50M, she left to start her own business supporting leaders and organizations navigating growth in healthier, more effective ways.
Jenn is an ICF Certified Professional Coach (ACC), a CPCC through the Co-Active Training Institute, and a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA). She also holds a BBA (Honours) from Wilfrid Laurier University.She is excited to join Fora Network for Change to help advance its mission of supporting women in leadership—especially those navigating spaces not always designed with them in mind. Jenn believes women make exceptional leaders and is committed to making the path more inclusive, sustainable, and supportive for the next generation.She lives in Nanticoke, Ontario, near Lake Erie, with her long-time partner, Dave.
Nathalie E. Vilgrain (she/her)
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Nathalie E. Vilgrain (she/her/elle/Li) is a Haitian-Canadian feminist activist working at the intersection of governance, community development, and feminist philanthropy. She is the co-founder and first General Coordinator of MARIJÀN, a feminist organization based in Haiti, and currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of Harambec, a feminist organization supporting the empowerment of Black communities in Canada.
She holds an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences with a Major in Political Science and a Major in Women’s Studies from the University of Ottawa, as well as a diploma in Social Work from Collège La Cité. Her work focuses on capacity-building, collective care, and advancing gender and racial justice across local and transnational spaces. Her leadership has been recognized with several awards, including the 2018 Bernard Grandmaître Young Leader of the Year Award and the international Women Have Wings award (2022).
As a Caribbean intersectional feminist, Nathalie has collaborated with various networks advocating for women’s political participation, the rights of sex workers, LGBTQI2A+ communities, and the inclusion of women in municipal governance. Her journey is grounded in a deep commitment to intergenerational and cross-border solidarity, and to building movements that center equity, shared responsibility, and social transformation.
She views governance as a strategic and political practice, and brings both care and clarity to collective processes aimed at building futures rooted in justice, dignity, and joy.
Tanvi has served as an International Fellow for the Global Fund for Children and was awarded the William J. Clinton Fellowship for Service in India through which she helped build programs targeted at women and children in high-risk communities. She currently serves as National Advisor for GirlTrek - America’s largest non-profit focused on black women’s health.
Elana Chan (she/her)
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Elana Chan is the Director of Americas SMB Marketing at Google. With nearly 20 years of marketing experience, her goal is to help small & medium businesses get online, thrive, and grow through the transformative power of AI and digital marketing.
Her responsibilities include building and executing the Marketing strategy for Google’s Americas Ads Acquisitions business, including programs through both direct & partner channels. She has deep expertise in e-commerce, paid media, growth & lifecycle marketing, and go-to-market strategies that help millions of businesses make the most of the web.
Prior to Google, Elana built iconic brands at Unilever, launched new products at Apple, and helped scale the startup, Jetsetter, and successfully sold it to TripAdvisor. Wherever she goes, Elana is passionate about leading teams, innovating on new ideas, and transforming businesses, particularly in the areas of digital commerce, customer journeys & insights.
