About Us

About Visionary Voices

Who We Are?

Visionary Voices is a registered non-profit organization based in Ottawa, dedicated to empowering marginalized and equity-seeking communities. We provide platforms for meaningful dialogue, creative expression, and systemic advocacy to address pressing social challenges.

Our mission is to create spaces where stories can challenge systemic inequities, spark dialogue, and drive transformation. By equipping participants with leadership, storytelling, and advocacy skills, Visionary Voices nurtures resilience and empowers individuals to become agents of change.

Our vision is to more inclusive, connected, and equitable community where everyone’s voice has the power to inspire action.

Creating Lasting Change Through Empowerment, Diversity, and Systemic Impact

We empower marginalized communities through creative outlets to amplify voices and drive social change, championing inclusion, diversity, and youth-led initiatives.

Equity

Ensuring fair access to opportunities and resources for marginalized communities.

Empowerment

Building confidence and capacity for individuals to lead and advocate for change.

Inclusion

Creating a space where everyone feels valued and heard.

Community Resilience

Strengthening communities to adapt, grow, and thrive together.

Our Team

Board of Directors

Gaston Mpela

Chairperson

Stella Nakitende

Vice-Chair

Merthus Hakizimana

Treasurer

Patient Bahizire

Secretary

Somayeh Momen Zadeh

Director of Programs & Initiatives

Somayeh Momen Zadeh

Director of Programs & Initiatives

Pascal Makila

Director of Outreach & Partnerships

Jaime Marulanda

Director of Advocacy & Policy

Staff

Asman Ahadi

Program Manager, Youth Empowerment

Nicolas Kashindi

Community Engagement Specialist

Yusufu Samweli

Partnerships Coordinator

Abdul Ndikumana

Event Planning & Logistics Coordinator

Mohamed Sisoko

Communications & Outreach Lead

OUR STORY

Visionary Voices began with a simple but powerful idea: to create a platform where underrepresented voices could inspire change. Rooted in Ottawa, our journey started with a mission to empower racialized youth by amplifying their stories and providing them with tools to lead and advocate for what matters most to their communities.

Over the years, we’ve grown into more than just a youth-focused initiative. Today, Visionary Voices is a hub of creativity, collaboration, and advocacy. From empowering young leaders to fostering intergenerational connections and championing systemic change, we’ve become a catalyst for transformation in our city.

From its early days, Visionary Voices has been committed to uplifting the most underrepresented voices in our community. We launched programs like Voices in Focus to give youth the tools and platform to document their experiences and advocate for change. We built initiatives like Stories & Skills Connect to address isolation among seniors, fostering intergenerational bonds. Through every project, we’ve strived to create spaces where individuals feel empowered to lead and communities come together to support one another.

Today, Visionary Voices stands as a catalyst for inclusivity and resilience. Our programs continue to grow, addressing challenges from cultural representation to systemic advocacy. As we evolve, our mission remains the same: to empower individuals, amplify unheard voices, and build a more equitable Ottawa.