Welcome
I’m Jo. I’m a coach, trainer and consultant committed to guiding you from confusion to clarity. I’ll help you build a strategy that makes you feel empowered, joyful and resilient on the way to your goal!
Why do I do this work?
I do this work because I want a more just world. I’ve wanted this since I was a kid because of what I saw and experienced growing up.
A short story on Jo
As ABBA sang: I have a dream…
I was born on the traditional territory of the Indigenous people of Turtle Island to immigrant parents from India. This land is also known as Toronto, Canada. I grew up in neighbourhoods full of immigrants. As a result, I was exposed to wonderful, intriguing cultures, food, music and traditions. It was also important to my parents that I understood and appreciated my roots. It’s why we visited India multiple times when I was a kid. These visits influenced my perspective.
While rich in many ways, my experience growing up was also marked by racism and colonialism. I was exposed to and witnessed systems failing people. Instead of supporting communities, they reinforced barriers to equality, equity and justice.
I resolved to make the world a better place.
A short story on Jo
As ABBA sang: I have a dream…
I was born in Toronto, Canada to immigrant parents from India. I grew up in neighbourhoods full of immigrants and as a result was exposed to wonderful, intriguing cultures, food, music and traditions. It was also important to my parents that I understood and appreciated my roots. It’s why we visited India multiple times when I was a kid. These visits influenced my perspective.
While rich in many ways, my experience growing up was also marked by racism and colonialism. I was exposed to and witnessed systems failing people. Instead of supporting communities, they reinforced barriers to equality, equity and justice.
I resolved to make the world a better place.
Snap Back to Reality
For me, my dream to make the world a better place meant supporting women’s rights and gender equality. I used non-violent communication and a conflict resolution approach.
Looking back now I realize how naive I was. I hadn’t expected to work within a system that was colonized and toxic.
It now comes as no surprise that I burnt out. I took a time-out from work overseas to recover from it and process my experiences. After, I made a commitment to myself that I would do everything in my power to help women avoid and address all forms of discrimination, bullying, sexual harassment and sexual violence – the kind of situations my friends, colleagues and I experienced. I also wanted to support women and allies in humanitarian aid and international development shift their approach from feeling confused, overwhelmed and depleted to feeling clear, empowered and resilient.
Vision & Mission
My vision is to create sustainable, world peace.
I want to see an end to misogyny, sexism, ageism, racism, ableism, discrimination based on your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, nationality and ethnicity.
Through the services I provide I intend to fulfill my mission:
To empower you with the tools you need to transform conflicts and difficult situations into a reality where you feel empowered, at peace and fulfilled.
My Values
Curiosity
Curiosity is a vehicle for change. My approach is to apply playful (not shameful or judgmental) curiosity through questions and exercises that engage all your senses.
Transparency
Transparency is an antidote to misunderstandings and the means for accountability. I will be clear of what you can expect working with me. If you have a concern share it and let’s work through it!
Integrity
Integrity is not only about being honest, it’s about saying what you mean, owning your mistakes and acting to remedy them including, asking for help.
Compassion
Compassion is necessary for resilience and perseverance. Practicing self-compassion is necessary in order to have compassion for others.
Intersectionality
Working together we will address the intersectional oppressions you face so you can achieve your vision in a holistic way.
My Experience
What I offer is coaching, training and consulting services rooted in 16 years of conflict resolution, gender equality and women, peace and security experience. My approach is intersectional, survivor-centred and trauma-informed. To strengthen your retention of new skills and strategies to overcome fears and build your confidence, I use practices based in neuroscience.
I’ve worked with UN agencies and NGOs in training, coaching, facilitation, as well as research and analysis. I have experience working on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Gender Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and Conflict Resolution. I also facilitate inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue with a focus on Middle East-West relations. With a Master of Arts degree in Peace Studies from the University of Bradford in England. My Bachelor of Arts in International Studies is from York University in Toronto, Canada. I also have certificates in International Humanitarian Law, Interpersonal Mediation, Mental Health First Aid, the Neuroscience of Change and Gender-Based Analysis Plus.
Learn more about my experience on LinkedIn.
Let’s make a meaningful difference together.
We know that cookie cutter solutions don’t work. I will help you build a customized solution that works specifically for you.
I look forward to connecting with you!