Alison Read Email & Phone Number

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

As a Human Resources Consultant ("Conseillère en RH") since October 2022 until present, my responsibilities have included: - Integrated equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI) principles into Exeko's HR strategy by researching and developing an anti-oppressive recruitment procedure- Developing and delivering the new recruitment procedure via online HR and social sciences research, consultations with coworkers, and a training/info session Lunch & Learn;- Researching and developing a report on the pertinence of cultural safety in diverse workplaces;- Compiling concise recommendations to update HR policies, in order to render them practical tools that better serve current and future team members’ work experiences, interests and objectives.As a Facilitator ("Médiatrice") from October 2021 until May 2023, my responsibilities included:- Facilitating -i.e., planning, preparing and animating- opportunities for persons experiencing exclusions (such as racism, colonialism, ableism, and other various forms of oppression) to engage in creative spaces of visual arts, philosophy, and critical thinking. For example, my role has included co-planning and co-facilitating creative writing workshops with persons of migrant background and critical thinking workshops with youth in Indigenous communities;- Co-facilitating idAction Mobile outings by preparing and distributing free materials (e.g., art supplies, literature, reading glasses) in Montreal neighbourhoods where people experience exclusions such as racism and homelessness.-Co-planning and co-facilitating professional development days (i.e., development of practice days for facilitators) in October and December 2022.

Anywhere In Ontario (Online)

Career Coaching:I have helped multiple fellow youth professionals land their ideal job through support with career exploration, job search, resume/cover letter writing, interview practice, goal-setting, and -where possible- troubleshooting immigration to Canada challenges.Freelance Consulting:In 2021, I created and coordinated "Real Talks: Career Dialogues with POC Professionals", a Panel Series that was held virtually to engage +300 students at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) in two panel conversations with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) professionals to discuss diversity, race, and experiences of discrimination in the workplace. This initiative aimed to give TDSB high school students greater awareness of EDI issues, and in particular, empower POC students to explore different career paths they might envision for themselves.Other professional responsibilities I have held with over 10 social impact organizations include:• Developing HR tools that integrate anti-oppression, EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) and anti-racism principles into an organization’s recruitment practices;• Consulting on organizational strategies, international gender rights work, and putting knowledge from critical social sciences into praxis;• Supporting cultural programming with Indigenous youth and adults in remote regions of Canada;• Copy-editing grant applications (of over $10,000 in value);• Supporting an organization’s capacities to work across differences of social barriers and privileges.

In this short-term contract "Ontario Summer Jobs" role, I contributed to the awareness of complex mental health issues, race/gender relations to develop the organization's educational programming. By applying my strong research and communication skills, I co-created elements of a toolkit, including sample materials and the compilation of resources for internal stakeholders to develop educational and training initiatives.

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

As Intervention Worker ("Intervenante"), I provided three different levels of services to the community of Milton Park: (1) meeting immediate needs, (2) building up self-worth, and (3) facilitating reintegration into society.

I provided advice related to volunteer recruitment/management, community outreach in northern/remote Canada, awareness of Indigenous people's issues and challenges.My support enabled PNL to increase the size of their team from 15 to 100 dedicated volunteers in under eight weeks.

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

I held two overlapping roles at Projets Autochtones du Québec (PAQ), mainly working at "PAQ2":Assistant Site Coordinator (Aug. 2020 - Dec. 2020);Intervention Worker (May 2020 - Dec. 2020).The "PAQ2" CSPB (Centre Sportif de la Petite Bourgogne) and GF (Guy Favreau) sites were low-barrier COVID distancing shelter sites that provided morning, evening and overnight refuge to Indigenous (Inuit, First Nations, Métis) individuals, couples and adult families experiencing homelessness (henceforth "participants"). PAQ2 was originally located at the CSPB, until it was moved to the GF site in summer 2020. Services at both sites included beds, showers, hot meals, harm reduction support, nonviolent crisis intervention (NVCI) support, and shelter from extreme weather conditions.My Assistant Site Coordinator responsibilities included:- Coaching fellow intervention workers, leading shift decision-making and de-escalating crises;- Managing inventories of COVID PPE, food/hygiene supplies, cleaning products and other items needed to maintain essential services for over 35 program participants per shifts;- Creating and implementing tools to streamline workplace tasks (eg., shift checklists, equipment protocols, inventory tracking sheets);- Mediating conflict with active listening skills, emotional intelligence and adherence to organizational guidelines;- Providing respectful, constructive feedback to coworkers to prioritize health, safety & NVCI methods.My Intervention Worker responsibilities included:- Providing resource referrals, mental health checks, and harm reduction support with culturally safe and anti-oppressive (LGBTQ+ inclusive) approaches at all four (4) shelter sites;- Responding to emergencies by providing First Aid and collaborating with crisis workers;- Applying culturally safe approaches (active listening, knowledge of Indigenous peoples' interests, medical accompaniment) to support the wellness of vulnerable Inuit, First Nations and Métis participants.

Shelter House Thunder Bay & Kwae Kii Win ( is an Emergency Shelter and Managed Alcohol Centre. Through this work, I built rapport with people facing homelessness, addictions, and mental health issues in order to help meet their basic needs. Through this work, I gained knowledge and abilities in the following: - Working understanding of trauma & oppression dynamics, especially in relation to settler-colonialism, anti-Indigenous racism in Canada, substance abuse, mental illness, & woman/elder/child abuse;- Approaches to palliative care;- Harm reduction principles;- Knowledgeable of Ontario social assistance programs (e.g., ODSP, OW);- Crisis intervention/de-escalation, emergency management (fire, health/mental health), and conflict management;- Food security, industrial kitchen operations, donations and charitable service coordination;- Implementation of new cultural food safety programs (e.g., an innovative wild game policy);- Volunteer management and staff onboarding (i.e., new hire training);- Liaising with emergency response workers (EMS, police, firefighters), healthcare workers and social workers- Administrative duties (e.g., intake, HIFIS, health/safety and fire procedures)- Medication Administration Record Sheet (MARS) protocolAdditional duties included: • Maintaining operations at a 24-hour emergency housing facility (working day, evening and midnight shifts);• Conducting intake procedures with new clients;• Communicating effectively with coworkers about client activities and ensuring effective service delivery; documenting information, observations and impressions that affect clients;• Assessing client needs such as hygiene, nutritional, medical and/or emotional• Preparing, serving and supervising community meals that feed up to 60 to 200 people• Administering medication and alcohol plans at KKW; MARS and Smart Serve trained• Building rapport with clients to understand unique needs, behaviours, and medical conditions

Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

I assisted with administrative and storefront management, and engaged regularly with Indigenous, Woodland style, and Northern artwork and merchandise items. Responsibilities included:- Supporting administrative functions by organizing financial documents, tracking inventory and advising on recruitment;- Maintaining the space by organizing window and merchandise displays;- Assisting with framing, including the mounting and shrink-wrapping of prints.

Thunder Bay, Ontario

I was a Human Resources Intern/co-op student ("Stagiaire au Services des ressources humaines") at the head office of this French language school board. In this role, I researched and developed material for orienting newcomer staff and students to their respective welcoming communities of Thunder Bay District. My role required regularly applying HR knowledge; for example, an understanding of Ontario employment law, diversity in the workplace, and training/development programme design. My responsibilities included:• Researching, synthesizing and formatting content for an updated onboarding/training program to better support new hires in full-time teaching, supply teaching, and custodial roles;• Cross-analyzing policies of Ontario's Francophone school boards, as they pertain to staff responsibilities regarding student wellness, equity, emergency plans, and health/safety;• Building relationships with stakeholders at conferences (Local Immigration Forum), liaising with francophone organizations, and collaborating with school administrators and head office departments;• Conducting research related to supporting the integration and retention of newcomer recruits in Thunder Bay District communities;• Conducting all business (researching, reporting, writing, speaking) in the French language.

Greater Toronto Area

My responsibilities included:• Teaching English and French vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation to students of ages ranging from Kindergarten to grade 12 - using public library literature and TESOL language learning methods;• Teaching Math to students of ages ranging from Kindergarten to grade 6, with confidence, precision and methods to "show work";• Encouraged each student to practice healthy study habits such as time management and other organizational skills, in a friendly and individualized manner;• Liaising with caregivers and Tutor Doctor Education Consultants/Managers to provide updates on student's progress.

Toronto, Canada Area

As Shared Services Liaison, I provided administrative and communications support to elected trustees of the TDSB.My responsibilities included:• Completing event planning tasks and providing event support;• Distributing newsletters to parents and teachers and e-invitations to dignitaries for official events;• Liaising with parents, teachers, and school administrators at trustees' civic engagement events;• Summarizing official reports, documents• Performing other clerical work as needed (e.g., drafting newsletter);• Applying a working knowledge of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) to deliver equitable services and communications.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

During the above stated work period, I completed two independent contract terms with YouthfulCities, totalling to 6 months:The period of work for contract 1 was Sep. 2016 to Dec. 2016;The period of work for contract 2 was Nov. 2017 to Dec. 2017.In this role, I collected and compiled data through internet research and correspondence with municipal government professionals, to co-develop the Canada-wide YouthfulCities Index 2018. For the first contract, I worked jointly with YouthfulCities and Explore150 at TakingITGlobal for Canada's 150th anniversary, to research and document historic and cultural heritage sites in the GTA.For the second contract, the cities I researched include Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, and Winnipeg.

Kerala, India

This two-fold internship and research course (entitled "Overcoming Social Exclusion in India"), was made possible through a bursary ($2000) granted by the Dean’s International Initiatives Fund - U of T Faculty of Arts and Science to Dr. Tania Murray Li of the Anthropology Department. My responsibilities as Intern included:• Planning and delivering workshops to enhance the professional development, soft skills, and overall employability of 40 postgraduate students from marginalized communities;• Facilitating English conversation groups, explaining expressions/idioms; and enhancing students' overall personal confidence with interacting in their second language.My responsibilities as Social Researcher included:• Building strong interpersonal rapport with interlocutors through social activities;• Engaging interlocutors, ethnographic spaces, and culture in a respectful and objective manner;• Utilizing qualitative methods (unstructured/semi-structured interviews, participation-observation, and ethnographic note-taking) to gather primary sources;• Investigating political economy, caste, and gender in the region of Kerala, India, with a focus on the "Kerala development model", the "Kerala paradox", and various forms of capital;• Analyzing and applying interdisciplinary (anthropological, historical, political) theory and literature to complete research assignments.

74 Firvalley Court

This 8-month placement at a community centre in Southwest Scarborough was completed as part of the senior seminar "Community Engaged Learning" at New College, U of T. This service learning experience gave me the opportunity to do meaningful work while analyzing related (political, economic, social) forces that renders such work in non-profit and social justice both essential and undervalued.• Supporting the Community Relations / Volunteer Administration subdivision in the Community Development department in event support, clerical work and stakeholder / community member relations• Supporting civic engagement events and initiatives, such as the Councillor Candidates' debate• Supporting the Business Club by completing administrative tasks • Combining social theory, personal knowledge of Scarborough, and reflections on placement experiences to complete academic coursework• Presented findings at a Community Engaged Learning Symposium in an oral presentation

214 College Street, Toronto

In this 8-month work-study placement, I gained substantial knowledge, experience, and skills related to employment/career services, professional development, and postsecondary/graduate student services.My responsibilities included:• Providing students and recent graduates with professional development support, resource referrals, and job search assistance as they explored career, summer job and professional placement options;• Preparing and facilitating workshops on resume/cover letter writing for up to 35 students;• Evaluating Career Centre programs by participating in focus groups and departmental meetings;• Supporting miscellaneous tasks such as "Backpack to Briefcase" events and an interview simulation.

119 St. George Street

I held this position during two consecutive school years and summer terms (on two separate contracts), for a total of 14 months:1. Apr. 2013 - Oct. 2013;2. Apr. 2014 - Oct. 2014.I led Woodsworth Orientation for Life after Frosh (WOLF). WOLF is a series of transitional workshops within Woodsworth Orientation Week, aimed at introducing incoming students to the academic, wellness, and co-curricular resources and opportunities that are available at St. George campus. Both years, my responsibilities included: • Planning the WOLF Opportunities Fair by liaising with +20 clubs, offices and community partners across the University of Toronto St. George campus;• Coordinating a series of +15 workshops during Orientation Week for + 600 first year students;• Selecting, recruiting, training, and supervising +100 volunteers (academic planning executives and orientation leaders), providing them with communication strategies that made Woodsworth O-Week more inclusive to reserved first year students;• Working closely with the Dean's Office, Orientation Executive Team, and the Woodsworth College Students' Association (WCSA);• Collaborating and coordinating with fellow college orientation coordinators; • Executing logistical, event-planning, promotional, and relationship-building tasks.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

In this part-time summer position at this insurance adjusters' firm, I completed the following clerical/secretarial duties: • Transcribed insurance reports;• Answered the telephone and forwarded calls to appropriate staff;• Faxed letters to the appropriate law firms and insurance offices;• Sorted and distributed mail accurately and efficiently.

Honours Bachelor Of Arts, Diaspora & Transnational Studies; Anthropology (Society, Language & Culture), Graduated With High Distinction And A Cumulative Gpa Of 3.59 Out Of 4.00

Activities and Societies: • Peer Career Advisor, Career Centre (2014-2015); • Project Leader, Alternative Reading Week at the Centre.

Post-Graduate Certificate, Human Resources Management, Graduated With A Cumulative Gpa Of 3.72 Out Of 4.00

Courses: • Contemporary Organizational Behaviour • Staffing Organization (Recruitment and Selection) • Human Resources Management.

Tesol/Tesl/Tefl Teacher Training Certification Course, Teaching English To Speakers Of Other Languages (Tesol)

Successfully completed 100 hour course, including all program requirements of: • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages •.