Shobna Kannusamy (she/her) is a dynamic leadership coach and facilitator with over 20 years of experience in tech, hospitality, and entrepreneurship. A passionate advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion, Shobna excels in guiding leaders and teams to overcome barriers and achieve their goals through meaningful connections and powerful reflection. Born and raised as a third-culture kid and having lived in multiple countries, she brings a rich understanding of global and cultural nuances to her work in the EDI field.
Shobna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, a Diplôme de Pâtisserie from Le Cordon Bleu Paris, Ottawa, and a Certification in Organizational Coaching from UBC. She is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation and a certified EQ-i 2.0 and EQ360 practitioner. A continuous learner, she is currently pursuing a Certification in Systemic Team Coaching.
Her practice is characterized by fostering safe, inclusive environments and facilitating impactful training programs. She has delivered leadership development programs and supported professional growth through an EDI lens for various organizations in Canada and the US, bringing positive change and deeper appreciation of trust and respect in community.
In addition to her work, Shobna is an active community leader, serving as Chair of the Board of Directors at Growing Chefs!, Director of Education at WORTH Association, and as a mentor for DIVERSEcity, WeBC and the Canadian Prosperity Project. To foster a community of belonging, she created and hosts the Colour Me Brave podcast, shining light on powerful stories from BIPOC women to help with fostering hope, a sense of belonging, bravery and strength to be true to oneself. In her past days as a pastry chef, she created and ran a boutique pastry shop in Coal Harbour, Vancouver for a decade, building teams and creating opportunities for newcomers, and went on to become a judge on Food Network’s Wall of Bakers. As a wife and mother to a growing teenager, she enjoys baking and cooking for her family and friends and shares some beloved recipes through her blog.
Shona Reid
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