SNIWWOC Staff

 

Originally from Nigeria, Boma has lived in Botswana and the United States, and is happy to call Victoria home. She founded SNIWWOC in 2014 after experiencing frustrations with the lack of culturally sensitive reproductive health support for racialized women in Victoria, BC. Boma leads SNIWWOC’s operations and strategic growth initiatives.

She is a member of the Victoria-Harbourside Rotary Club, where she volunteers on global projects focused on addressing gender-based inequities with the Rotary Foundation. She was awarded the 2020 BC Multiculturalism and Anti-racism Award, was one of 10 Canadian women recognized in 2021 as a L’Oreal Women of Worth Award honoree, and was a 2023 eWomenNetwork grant recipient.

In January 2023, Boma was appointed to the Inquiry Committee of the BC College of Nurses and Midwives. The Inquiry Committee reviews complaints or other information that could give rise to an investigation, directs the investigation process, and assesses whether remedial and/or disciplinary action is warranted.

BOMA BROWN

Founder

Victoria

 

Krishna is very excited to join the SNIWWOC team as the Marketing and Events Manager. She has devoted much of her life to finding small ways to make an impact within her community, whether it is local food programs or outreach work helping homeless teenagers learn business basics through an internship program that she helped create and teach during her time as a student at the University of Arizona. Krishna spent the last few years growing her career in the cosmetics industry working with luxury skincare and makeup brands as the Brand and Events Coordinator for Sephora, and in the medical esthetics industry as a skincare specialist. Krishna is very excited to return her focus back to a community based initiative and make an impact in the lives of women all over Canada!

KRISHNA YEMANY

Manager - Marketing & Events

Vancouver

Nawa moved to Canada to complete her postgraduate degree in Business Administration at the University of Canada West. Before coming to Canada, Nawa worked as Program Manager at Mercy Corps Iraq. She is passionate about strategic planning and creating diverse and inclusive sustainable systems where everyone's voice is heard. Nawa is responsible for managing SNIWWOC's Program portfolio and the team of volunteers across the country.

NAWA AHMED

Manager - Programs (Maternity Leave)

Vancouver

Sanjida is a first-generation immigrant from Bangladesh with a background in public health, specializing in Indigenous Health Studies, and is an internationally trained pharmacist. As a working mother, researcher, and educator with schools and MCNA, as well as the small-business owner of Hearty Crafts, she understands the importance of community, connection, and creating opportunities for women and families facing barriers to thrive.

She is passionate about giving back through volunteering with organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society and the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society. Through Hearty Crafts, she also uses creativity to support causes close to her heart and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable community.

Outside of work and community involvement, Sanjida enjoys gardening, writing poetry, and exploring nature whenever she can. She is excited to bring her lived experience, professional skills, creativity, and passion for community empowerment to create inclusive spaces where women and women of colour can connect, grow, and flourish.'

Sanjida Marium Hridi

Manager- Programs

Victoria

 

Maya is a first generation Jamaican-Canadian and a graduate of the Masters of Urban and Regional Planning program at the University of British Columbia in the Indigenous Community Planning concentration. Maya is excited to be collaborating with such a strong team of leaders towards making meaningful change for racialized women across Canada. Maya brings to this role administrative and facilitation skills along with a passion toward the improvement of resources for racialized groups. Maya is dedicated to creating resilient and sustainable environments for BIPOC communities to thrive across Canada.

MAYA BLOOD

Administrative & Operations Coordinator

Vancouver

 

My name is Sasha, and I am an undergraduate student at the University of Victoria, studying Anthropology and Geography. I enjoy volunteering in my community whenever I can; helping others gives me a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment. I was born and raised in Victoria B.C., and wouldn’t want it any other way. I come from a mixed ancestral background- my mother immigrated to Canada from Russia in the early 2000s, and my father is of Métis descent. This resulted in a very culturally-rich upbringing for me, which I am very grateful for. I’m excited to make a positive impact on the lives of others, using the skills and experience I’ve acquired in the past.

Sasha Graham

Program & Events Assistant

Victoria

Adriana is ready to bring her marketing knowledge and passion for people and wellness to the SNIWWOC team as the Communications and Marketing Coordinator. Since her youth, Adriana has been a strong advocate for mental health. Connecting with people to understand their story, giving them the space to truly feel seen and heard, and empowered to better themselves and feel plentiful is a lifelong goal of hers. Adriana holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Marketing and has built her marketing career with a focus on community building.

ADRIANA ARANTES

Communications & Marketing Coordinator

Toronto

 

I am excited to share my passion for helping others within their communities by celebrating their cultures. I take great pride in creating events that build awareness for women, to uplift their voices, and inspire them to make a meaningful impact. I promise to strive to leave a lasting impression in honouring your voice with a vision for a better tomorrow. My expertise and detail orientedness makes me ready to assist those who may struggle finding the meaningful resources they need for their day to day life. I look forward to meeting you in and around our beautiful town.

Liberty Jensen

Program & Events Coordinator

Duncan

Valerie is excited to bring her creativity and passion for people, mental health, and community outreach to the team as a Content Designer. Currently in her second year at the University of Victoria, she is studying Psychology with a minor in Sociology. Coming from an artsy and musical background, Valerie enjoys creating music and art, connecting with others, and learning about their unique experiences. As a bubbly, hardworking, and dedicated individual, she hopes to use her creativity to create meaningful graphic content while listening to and amplifying the stories of others.

Valerie Digol

Content Designer

Victoria

 

I’m Daphne and I am currently an undergrad at UVic studying Psychology and Professional Communication. I am fluent in both French and English and love to write, read, and cook. I am a second-generation immigrant with my dad having been born in India, and my mom being born right here in BC, although both are East-Indian. Coming from such a culturally rich life has made me so much more appreciative of how others live, and I am a big believer in the idea that everyone should have the same opportunities, regardless of their background. Giving people a voice that they may not be able to express and spreading awareness about ongoing world issues is my passion. I am so excited to be working here at SNIWWOC and to hopefully grow our already flourishing community.

Daphne Chandi

Event Assistant

Victoria

Board of Directors

Kari-Ann is from Alert Bay, BC and has lived in Victoria for about 13 years. She is from Namgis First Nation and is still very active in her home community.

She works as a Manager of Aboriginal Support Child Development and lives in Sooke with her husband and daughter.

Kari-Ann converted and became a reform jew about 4 years ago.

KARI-ANN LEADBITTER

Board Member

Victoria

Nikki Louttit, Treaty #9 Omushkego Cree and beneficiary of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, is a long-time resident of Thunder Bay, Ontario, situated within the traditional territory of the Anishinabek Nation. Nikki has served in roles supporting elected Indigenous leaders whose portfolios included governance and jurisdiction, justice, education, training, and social services, and has worked within Indigenous organizations and their management for over 15 years. Nikki is the Director of Trades at Oshki-Wenjack, an Indigenous Institute mandated by 49 First Nations

affiliated with Nishnawbe Aski Nation, whose traditional territory includes Treaty #9 and the Ontario portion of Treaty #5 with a population of over 45,000 members. Nikki is passionate about nation-building and working towards advancing treaty and Indigenous rights. Nikki is a proud mother to two sons who keep her active and who are also Anishinaabe with ties to the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850 communities of Garden River and Fort William First Nations.

Nikki Loutitt

Board Member

Thunder Bay

Rose is originally from Tla’amin Nation and has resided in Victoria for over 30 years. She has served on multiple boards of directors for public community service agencies like Together Against Poverty, The Victoria Native Friendship Centre, Vancouver Island Human Rights Coalition, and the Capital Region Race Relations.

ROSE HENRY

Elder & Board Member

Victoria

Theresa is originally from Nova Scotia. Her ancestry is a mix of Mi'kmaw and African Canadian. She has lived in Victoria for 15 years and has varied experience supporting First Nations youth, families, and increasing youth cultural awareness.

THERESA FRASER

Board Member

Victoria

Michelle is a marketing specialist that brings to SNIWWOC diverse experience in marketing, higher education, and IT/Tech. She led the initiative to bring SNIWWOC programs to Vancouver and has been marketing and promoting events and services since she joined the board in 2016. In her free time, she is an avid writer and poet and enjoys exploring reproductive justice through her work.

MICHELLE BROWN

Board Member

Vancouver