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 podcast Breaking the Ocean: Soundwaves of Belonging is a must listen and her memoir, Breaking the Ocean: Race, Rebellion and Reconciliation is due out next fall. A few of her favourite things include: swimming in summer lakes, reading memoirs, munching popcorn, crafting cocktails and hugs 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 is due to be published by House of Anansi in fall, 2019.
“you broke the ocean
in half to be here.
only to meet nothing that wants you.” – Nayyirah Waheed
This book is the opposite of Eat, Pray, Love. For a brown girl, it’s Race, Rebellion and Reconciliation.
In Breaking the Ocean, Diversity and Inclusion specialist Annahid Dashtgard addresses the politics of race and trauma by offering a vulnerable, deeply personal account of her life and work. Annahid’s words are a meditation on resilience, on the human need to belong, and the universal yearning to find somewhere to call home. In a time where intolerance, prejudice and discrimination are some of the biggest threats to western democracies, here is a wake-up call to courageously acknowledge our differences in order to truly reconcile them.
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)
