Our Staff

National Director

Raihanna Hirji-Khalfan has over 20 years of experience advancing disability justice, anti-racism, equity, and anti-oppressive practice across nonprofit and public sectors. She previously served as the Accessibility Officer at McMaster University, where she supported the University’s accessibility program and compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Raihanna is a seasoned facilitator with experience designing and delivering community-centred training and capacity-building initiatives, and in developing and managing programs alongside marginalized communities. She holds an undergraduate degree in law, an MSc in Business, an MA in Critical Disability Studies, and an LLM in Canadian Common Law.

Project Leader

Chantaine Green-Leach is an accomplished Operations Specialist with expertise in the tech and innovation sector, focusing on empowering newcomer entrepreneurs to thrive in diverse and dynamic environments.Chantaine has also successfully delivered high-impact events for organizations like Visa Canada, the City of Brampton, and Angel Investors Ontario, combining strategic planning with a commitment to inclusivity and excellence in every initiative. At the University of Waterloo, she played a key role in introducing support services for racialized students, fueling her passion for creating meaningful institutional change. Chantaine remains dedicated to creating inclusive spaces and opportunities that empower others to advocate for themselves and succeed. 

Community Learning Coordinator | IDEA Community Hub, ON

Ameera brings expertise gained through community engagement and social justice about culture, politics, and human rights. She recently graduated from Algonquin College’s Advertising and Marketing Communications Management program and is completing her Honours Bachelor’s degree in Communications with a minor in Human Rights and Conflict Studies. Through prior collaborative experiences with community organizations like the City for All Women Initiative (CAWI) and Refugee613, she is enthused to connect organizations at national and local levels to address the intersectionality of race and disabilities for more significant community support.

Researcher

Rayanne Banaga is a community counsellor and educator with a background working extensively with black and racialized communities in anti-oppression and anti-colonialism education, youth empowerment, community-oriented mental health, and community-based research. She believes in a collaborative approach to learning, healing, and caring for one another and uses transformative and restorative frameworks to reflect this in her work. Rayanne is deeply interested in imagining and building a world that centers on the self-determination and liberation of marginalized communities.

Researcher

Haneen Shat is an international affairs specialist and advocate for human rights and disability inclusion. A Fulbright Scholar with a Master’s in International Affairs from Penn State and a Bachelor’s in English from Gaza, she combines academic excellence with impactful advocacy. Haneen’s professional journey spans global research, teaching, and humanitarian work, where she has advanced the rights of underrepresented populations. Proficient in Arabic and English, Haneen leverages her interdisciplinary expertise to foster inclusion, agency, and resilience among vulnerable populations. Propelled by her passion—the oxygen with which she freely breathes—Haneen seeks to make a difference in the world.