Region of Waterloo and Divonify Incorporated
With over 15 years of experience in municipal government, Colleen brings a wealth of expertise from both the city and regional levels. As the founder of Divonify Incorporated, she has become a leading consultant on equity and inclusion, working with organizations across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, both locally and globally. Colleen partners with those committed to driving meaningful change, always with a focus on creating inclusive, equitable spaces.
Her leadership is rooted in values that guide her work every day: building trust, fostering equity-informed community discussions, and empowering others. Colleen listens deeply, collaborates with purpose, and takes decisive action while holding herself accountable to the people she serves.
A proud graduate of the University of Toronto, Colleen earned an Honours B.A. in History, Political Science, and Caribbean Studies, and later, a Master’s in Leadership, Higher, and Adult Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE).
Colleen’s dedication to social change has been widely recognized. In 2020, she was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch. In 2021, she was honored as one of the Top 25 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leaders of the Year by the Canadian Multicultural Group. Most recently, in 2024, Colleen received the Public Service Excellence Award from Women of Dignity International and received honourable mention as a Woman of Influence in local government from Municipal World.
Born and raised in Kitchener, Colleen is deeply connected to her community. She lives in Kitchener with her husband and young family, driven by her passion for building a better, more inclusive future for all.