Patience Plush is a Black Afro-Caribbean, non-binary burlesque performer, educator, and community advocate whose work explores identity, body liberation, and the power of authentic self-expression.

As Assistant Director of a local burlesque studio and coach of House of Plush, they mentor performers while creating spaces that celebrate confidence, creativity, and belonging.

Drawing from their lived experience navigating race, body image, queerness, and community, Patience uses performance and conversation to challenge limiting narratives and encourage others to define themselves on their own terms. 

They are passionate about uplifting Black and racialized communities and believe joy, rest, and visibility are powerful forms of resistance and healing.

Nora Elmi is a Somali-Canadian Muslim Registered Social Worker, licensed mental health therapist, speaker, and consultant based in Ontario.

With over a decade ofexperience supporting individuals, communities, and organizations, she is widely recognized for her expertise in fostering emotional well-being, resilience, and meaningfulsystemic change.

As the founder of Elmi Counselling and Wellness Services, Nora’s work is grounded in compassion and cultural relevance. She is committed to addressing intergenerational trauma, racial oppression, burnout, and systemic stress, creating spaces where healing and empowerment can coexist.

Nora has collaborated with non-profits, corporations, and boards across sectors to build inclusive, resilient environments that prioritize mentalhealth and collective care.

Nicole Greaves is a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and passionate community advocate committed to advancing holistic wellness, leadership, empowerment, and community connection.

A Registered Nurse, Registered Reflexology Therapist, Full Spectrum Doula, Holistic Wellness Coach, Motivational Speaker and Workshop Facilitator. She is dedicated to seeing individuals and communities thrive.

She is the Executive Director of Ubuntu ConneXions Community Inc., promoting networking, empowerment, and shared growth through initiatives such as TeaCup Conversations for Multicultural Nurses and Level Up for Success.

Nicole is also the Program Manager at HealthCare Solutions, a holistic wellness collective that encourages individuals & families to make intentional investments in their mind, body, and overall well-being through wellness education, self-care, and personalized holistic services.

Rooted in her Garifuna heritage from St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Nicole embraces Ubuntu—“I am because we are.” She treasures family, sisterhood, friendships and taking time to rest and recharge. For her, wellness is connection, gratitude, and intentional living.

Cynthia Onukagha is a law student with an interdisciplinary background in biopharmaceutical sciences and genomics. She brings a unique scientific perspective to the legal field.

Her professional experience included working at Ottawa public health and clinical administration, where she developed a deeper understanding of how policy, and institutional decision-making shape individual and community health outcomes. These experiences strengthened her commitment to advocacy and health equity and inspired her to pursue law as a tool for systemic change.

Cynthia is particularly interested in the intersection of law, science, and healthcare, and in how legal and policy frameworks can create more equitable and responsive systems.

As she develops her legal career, she hopes to bridge these disciplines to advance meaningful change and improve health outcomes for underserved communities.

Ruby Dagher is an academic, an author, a consultant and someone who believes in understanding the world through a human-focused perspective.

She has worked in the private sector as a banker, in the public sector as an analyst for a development agency, and in academia as an instructor and later an assistant professor in the fields of public policy and development.

Ruby has published multiple articles and books on issues related to conflict, legitimacy, development, power dynamics between countries, and evaluation.

As a Lebanese Canadian, Ruby is passionate about understanding how one’s own positionality, their training in educational and professional arenas, the information they have access to, and their ability to critically analyze subjects and issues lead them onto specific paths and into specific ways of understanding and being.