Anima Leadership | Our Team

Our Team

The Anima Leadership team each have over a decade’s worth of experience working in North American and international contexts. We have developed expertise in areas as diverse as public sector programming; peace-building and conflict resolution projects; equity, diversity and gender issues; international development work; and personal growth trainings. Our innovative and interdisciplinary approach draws on elements of emotional intelligence research, neuroscience, quantum physics, psychology, social justice, experiential education and eastern spirituality.

Partners

Annahid Dashtgard (M.Ed., B.A.), Co-Director

Annahid considers herself an organizational therapist. She has a Masters in Adult Education specializing in organizational development and learning. She has over eighteen years experience in the non-profit, public sector as organizer, educator and most recently consultant. Her passion is to help organizations bridge the gap between vision and reality, walk and talk, knowing how crucial this alignment is to organizational success. Annahid weaves together her background in psychology with adult education principles, organizational development theory, social justice awareness and body-mind practices to help people move out of whatever rut they're in toward their full potential! She won't just help you change, she'll ask you to be the change. For more about Annahid.

Shakil Choudhury (M.E.S., B.Ed., B.P.E.), Co-Director

Shakil Choudhury is a diversity and leadership consultant with more than 20 years experience leading and building teams locally, nationally and internationally. An award-winning educator and author, he specializes in anti-discrimination and equity issues, conflict resolution as well as emotional intelligence. Shakil's book on new approaches to diverse workplaces and communities is due to be published in 2012. For more about Shakil.

Support Staff

James Beaton, Office Manager

James is a writer who has held a number of positions prior to becoming the Office Manager for Anima Leadership. James came to to Toronto to work on a PhD in Sociology after he completed a Master’s of Arts in Sociology at the University of Victoria focusing on the privatisation of education. He has worked as a researcher at both the National and Provincial level for the Canadian Federation of Students. James has worked with the Centre for Research on Work and Society as well as on the Gender Work database at York University. James brings administrative experience from the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities and the Ministry of Education where he most recently worked prior to Anima Leadership. He plans to balance his work life at Anima Leadership with his creative writing which he hopes to develop over the next couple of years

Chris Jodoin, Technical Assistant

Chris is an artist who has been working with film, photography, and new media for nearly a decade. Chris is very much interested in the ways technology can be used as a tool for social justice and building communities. After stumbling into the internet sometime in the mid 90s, Chris has never quite managed to leave. Chris can usually be found wandering off the beaten path, often trying to stir up trouble with a camera, a notebook, and a mischievous grin.

Associates - Canada

Sheelagh Davis (M.E.S., B.A.), Associate

Sheelagh has over fifteen years of experience with design and delivery of educational courses, workshops and programs. Her work has focused on building healthier relationships, workplaces, and communities through the development of critical and creative awareness, skills, and dialogue. She has had the privilege to apply and build her skills as an educator and facilitator in Canada, Latin America, South Africa and Europe. For more about Sheelagh.

David Hatfield, Associate

David is a respected leadership consultant and independent educator. He has 9 years experience in designing and delivering a wide range of educational programs. His specialties are masculinity issues, conflict transformation, creativity, and emotional intelligence. His innovative programming design and facilitation are masterful and have been contracted nationally and internationally. His background as an award-winning professional percussionist and instructor of improvisational a cappella singing support his creative abilities in leadership and team-building, as well as his sense of ceremony. For more about David.

Associates - Europe

Christien Oudshoorn (Bachelors and Masters in Communication Sciences), Associate

Christien has been working with groups and individuals for almost a decade. She has a background in communication and a strong commitment to helping both youth and adults, find authentic ways of developing their leadership skills. She has been actively involved in designing and leading programs for integration and leadership in the context of Europe, Canada and Latin America over the past years. She has extensive experience in both the profit and the not-for profit sector. Participants describe Christien as committed, knowledgeable, respectful and engaging. They appreciate her ability to challenge in a way that is both stimulating and empowering.