Diversity @ Work in London is owned and operated by Evelina Silveira. Beyond her formal education, which includes a degree in Sociology, a diploma in Political Science focussed on International Politics, and a soon-to-be-completed Diploma in Human Resources Management, Evelina has extensive experience in working with diverse populations including immigrants, people with disabilities, and a variety of religions and belief systems. In addition, she speaks intermediate-level Spanish and Portuguese.
For the past 16 years, Evelina has worked as a trainer/presenter encouraging various organizations to become more inclusive, both in their hiring practices and their marketing plans. These activities have often necessitated the development of formal training modules. She has worked directly with newcomer populations to help them become acclimatized to life in London, working closely with over 15 local ethno-cultural groups. Evelina has also conducted focus groups with newcomers to assess the effectiveness of these welcoming programs. In her recent work with the City of London, Parks and Recreation Spectrum Division, Evelina made recommendations to management on ways to make programs more accessible to a broader group of participants and organized multicultural focus groups. Evelina has developed courses for New Canadians for the Spectrum Division of the City of London on Business Etiquette and Canadian Social Customs and Etiquette.
She has a well-deserved reputation for collaborative approaches, practical solutions and innovative problem solving.
As part of facilitating literally hundreds of groups, Evelina’s professional accomplishments include:
- teaching culturally sensitive practices to front-line human service workers and nursing students
- developing an extensive screening process for bilingual interpreters and volunteers working with people with disabilities
- co-ordinating the first study (1999) on local immigrant professionals called “An Inventory of Immigrant Professionals and Tradespersons in the London Area”
Assisting several local organizations to develop multicultural marketing plans to attract more clients and improve service delivery hundreds of groups, Evelina’s professional accomplishments include:
She is the Editor of Diversity Works! e-newsletter, a free quarterly publication that is sent to subscribers offering them best practices in workplace diversity management. Within a short period of time, Diversity Works! has developed a national readership. Evelina also writes a monthly advice column, “Ask the Consultant” for Diversity! in the workplace, an on-line publication which provides both national and international stories of relevance to diversity practitioners. For more information see www.diversityintheworkplace.ca
Evelina has volunteered extensively in the London community having worked with many organizations including:
- Cross Cultural Learner Centre; Board of Directors
- City of London Race Relations Advisory Relations Committee
- United Way of London and Middlesex; Human Care Division Chair and Employee Campaign Chair
Her current positions include:
- Community Member, Diversity Committee, Human Resources Professional Association of London and District
- Public Speaker, ATN, teaching employers how to accommodate people with learning disabilities
- ChildReach, Fundraising Committee and Board of Directors
In addition to her own broad skill set, Evelina has access to a range of associates:
Elocution Instructors
Leah Straatsma
Having moved to the Netherlands over 8 years ago, Leah knows the struggles newcomers face when learning a new language. In addition, she also recognizes how difficult it can be integrating into a new society when one is not too familiar with the common language. Back in Canada, Leah takes with her not only her experience as both a newcomer and second language learner (Dutch), she also has a Bachelor of Education obtained from the University of Windesheim, located in Zwolle, The Netherlands.
It was here that Leah learned the fundamentals of the English language and its components; primarily her studies focused on the development of the English language as a second language in second language learners. Her studies concentrated on common errors made by second language learners, pronunciation, grammar, methodology and linguistics, Leah has taught many students –young and old --- the art of the English language and Elocution successfully in Europe and in Canada.
Having a background in drama has also been an asset in her career as a teacher. Having won numerous awards in local, provincial and national drama festivals throughout Canada, such as the Kiwanis Festival, Leah has facilitated a foundation in speech and drama. A thespian whose background spills into both film and theatre, she knows what it takes in order to present one’s self in a professional and refined manner in any situation.
Janice Gray
Janice Gray has specialized in teaching English pronunciation skills to adult learners of English as a Second Language for the past 5 years. She has worked with New Canadians seeking to improve their employment opportunities as well as international graduate students working as Teaching Assistants at the university level. She has also provided pronunciation training aimed specifically at Internationally Trained Individuals (ITI) in the engineering and health care fields. She is currently an Educational Aide at Fanshawe College, where she provides academic support services to students with disabilities. Janice has a B.A. in Anthropology and a Certificate in Second Language Teaching from the University of Western Ontario. Originally from Toronto, she has lived and worked in New Zealand, Australia, Peru and Mexico. Janice is fluent in Spanish and reads French.
Cheryl Tremblay – Aboriginal Business Development Advisor
Diversity @ Work is pleased to welcome Cheryl Tremblay as the Aboriginal Business Development Advisor. Currently, Cheryl owns Eagles Nest Business Consulting, a new business that has been launched in a small community in Northern Ontario.
Cheryl is a non-status third generation Algonquin descendant. Her education includes a 3 year Diploma in Information Systems Technology. Moreover, Cheryl has held varying positions in forestry, mining and foster care.
Cheryl most recently held a six year position as the Finance and Control Manager for a multi-million dollar First Nations forestry corporation until the band took over in 2006. Cheryl was instrumental in building long lasting and profitable business relationships between First Nations people and the business community in her area.
Cheryl is passionate about creating connections and partnerships between First Nations people and business. Diversity @ Work is keen to have her on board to help the private sector realize the untapped business and employment potential of Canada’s aboriginal communities. Cheryl is also a skilled workshop facilitator who teaches non-natives about aboriginal culture.
Lucy Silveira Simoes - Administrative Support
Lucy Silveira Simoes brings to Diversity @ Work over 20 years of executive administrative experience. She is responsible for the layout and design of the Diversity Works! newsletter in addition to much of our promotional information and branding. Coupled with her administrative skills, Lucy yields a strong commitment to see people with disabilities gainfully employed. With over 10 years of experience working for organizations that provide support services to people with disabilities, she is keenly aware of many of the challenges and barriers they face with employment. Additionally, Lucy is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish.
W. Allan Greenslade – Training Support
Allan is an experienced worker with a career that spans over 40 years in the field of Human Resources. He spent 30 years as the Director of Human Resources for Beaver Foods, and developed a special knack and interest for training and development and employment law.
During this time, Allan gained a solid understanding of both the challenges and benefits of a culturally diverse workforce.
Now retired, Allan provides consulting services to several local businesses assisting them with recruiting, screening and training their employees.
Allan is recognized for his expertise in the field of Adult Learning and is a certified trainer with Achieve Enterprises, and the Pacific Institute. He has also received his Certified Human Resources Professional Designation.
