Annahid has over 25 years experience designing systemic change initiatives and coordinating programs at local, national and international levels, in government, education, non-profit and healthcare sectors. In her career, she has moved from organizing national political campaigns targeting broad scale change to studying the psychology of individual behaviour. Her systems approach draws on both ends of this change spectrum to best leverage personal learning for collective growth. A dynamic speaker, published writer and intuitive facilitator, Annahid is able to serve the highest potential of any client she has the privilege of working with. Her memoir Breaking the Ocean: Race, Rebellion and Reconciliation launched August 2019 to early rave reviews. A few of her favourite things include: swimming in summer lakes, reading anything she can get her hands on, crafting cocktails and as many hugs as she can wrangle from her two little ones.
Qualification Highlights:
- Masters Degree, Adult Education, University of Toronto
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and English), University of Alberta
- Somatic Experiencing Trauma CertificationTM, The Foundation for Human Enrichment
- Psychology of Group Conflict CertificationTM, Process Work Institute
- Coaching for Power Intelligence CertificationTM, Diamond Leadership
- Art of Change Yearlong, Rockwood Leadership
- Non-Violent CommunicationTM
- Appreciative Inquiry: Approach to Organizational Change
- Spiritual Lifestyle Program Certification, Kripalu Centre for Yoga and Health
Breaking the Ocean: Race, Rebellion and Reconciliation can be ordered anywhere books are sold. To order through the publisher, House of Anansi, go here.
“Breaking the Ocean is a deeply intimate and provocative memoir about the explorations of a young immigrant mixed-race woman trying to find her way to belonging through social change. A profound and important read at this time of the intersections of our struggles. We need more voices like hers.” — Judy Rebick, author of Heroes in My Head
In this time of rising nationalism and xenophobia sweeping western democracies, people are polarizing along racial and identity lines. Where can we turn for hopeful yet realistic narratives of the healing that is possible in relationship? In Breaking the Ocean, author and change-maker Annahid Dashtgard addresses with great honesty and vulnerability the long-term impacts of immigration, racism, and the chance we all have to create our own happily-ever-after. Breaking the Ocean calls us to acknowledge our differences, offering new possibilities for understanding through the revolutionary power of resilience. Order now.
Testimonials:
“I feel blessed to have met you and worked with you this week… I was 
inspired by how tuned-in you are to everyone, emotionally and intellectually, and at the same time grounded, calm. Thank you for sharing your amazing self with us.”
~ Irene Jansen, CUPE Equality Officer
“Annahid’s Leadership program was very different from what I’d come to expect from developmental-type course. In short, I felt that my experience was really driven from my own being rather than being a cookie cutter course that sought to tell me how to be and do things differently.”
~ Micheline Davies, Director, Major Program Delivery, Canadian Tire Corporation
“Annahid Dashtgard is a Leader. She has an ability to show both her vulnerability and strengths openly. She stays in the moment, shares power and lives the values she teaches through honest, aware and responsive self-reflective action. She generously encourages others to rise to their own power within.”
~ Shirronda Almeida, Membership Director, Leaders of Color Developmental Mentoring Program, Massachusetts Community Development Corporation (MACDC)
