Niagara College’s Libraries and Learning Commons and the Human Resources department will welcome three inspiring women to campus on Tuesday, March 5 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for Living Library #9: International Women’s Day – Inspire Inclusion.
The panel event will feature Jennifer Dockstader (Executive Director, Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre), Zakia Hamdani (Equity Consultant, District School Board of Niagara), and Cassandra Ogunniyi (Manager, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Indigenous Relations in the Growth, Strategy, and Economic Development Department at Niagara Region), who, through their work, inspire inclusion in their organizations and within their communities.
Employees and students are invited to register for this hybrid event and can attend in-person at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake (Room N018) or virtually via Zoom. Seating in Room N018 is first come first served. NC alumni and community members can also register to join online (Zoom link will be shared through registration).
Moderated by NC’s Samah Sabra, Director, EDI and Accessibility, Human Resources, the event celebrates the 2024 theme for International Women’s Day (March 8), “Inspire Inclusion,” which focuses on the collective effort needed to enhance equity and inclusivity within our community. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions throughout the presentation to learn from the guest panelists.
About the panelists
Jennifer Dockstader (supplied photo)
Jennifer Dockstader
Executive Director of the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre
Jennifer is from the Oneida of the Thames Nation, Bear Clan, and a citizen of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. She is a strong believer in her people, her Indigenous traditions, and that there is no higher honour than to be of service to the people. Jennifer graduated from Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts as the top music student with a Major in Vocal Music. Jennifer went on to achieve an advanced degree in Psychology from Temple University with a specialization in Addiction and Childhood Sexual Abuse.
Jennifer has worked with her Indigenous community for over 30 years to help people become stronger and healthier. She has served in the past as President of the Niagara Chapter of Native Women, Inc, President of the Survivor’s House of Hope, Board Member for YMCA of Niagara, and the President of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres. Currently, Jennifer is the Executive Director for the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre. Starting this role in 2014, she has worked to facilitate local paradigm shifts about Indigenous people and build a stronger community. She believes in the Vision and Mission statement of the Organization “To Enhance All Aspects of Native Life While Extending Friendship to the Community” and “Together for a Stronger Tomorrow.” A proud mother, Auntie, daughter, sister, granddaughter, and friend, Jennifer believes in strength of women no matter which role they take in society.
Zakia Hamdani (supplied photo)
Zakia Hamdani
Equity Consultant, District School Board of Niagara
Zakia Hamdani, who goes by the pronoun she/her, is an active member in the Muslim community, an educator for over 19 years and currently is the Equity Consultant for the District School Board of Niagara.
She is a Syrian/Lebanese mother of three who has been an advocate for centering student and community voices that are underrepresented through facilitating youth groups, guiding the community through anti-hate and anti-islamophobia education as well as supporting the settlement of Syrian refugees to Niagara through her involvement with a multi-faith organization called Bridge of Hope. In her current role, she provides professional development, and coaching to educators, students and families on anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and culturally responsive practices.
Cassie Ogunniyi (supplied photo)
Cassie Ogunniyi
Manager, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Indigenous Relations
Growth, Strategy, and Economic Development Department at Niagara Region
Cassie Ogunniyi is the Manager of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Indigenous Relations in the Growth, Strategy, and Economic Development Department at Niagara Region. In this role she led the development and now the implementation of the Region’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Plan 2023-2027. Earlier in her career, Cassie spent a decade overseas working and studying in six countries across four continents, which resulted in a PhD in Sport Management from the University of Johannesburg, a Master of Social Science in Practical Anthropology from the University of Cape Town, and a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in International Development Studies from the University of Toronto.
Cassie is a firm believer that everyone deserves the chance to live life to its fullest regardless of their background, history, family, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or any other diversity dimension. She is particularly supportive of female athletes and breaking down mental, physical, and economic barriers so that everyone can be healthy and have fun! Outside of work, Cassie likes to spend time with her family, enjoy the natural beauty of our world, play soccer and ice hockey, and referee ringette.
About the living library series
Living library events seek to provide a forum for guest speakers to share their experiences with audiences firsthand. The concept, where books are people and reading consists of a conversation, has been adopted by organizations across the globe to challenge stereotypes, stigma, prejudice and discrimination.
NC’s Libraries and Learning Commons team, in collaboration with departments across the College, has hosted educational events in the living library format for various themes and days of significance since 2020.
Recordings of past events are available online via the Libraries and Learning Commons Living Library Event Guide.
