Elaine Alec is syilx and secwépemc and the founder and creator of Cultivating Safe Spaces (CSS), a practical human-readiness framework that helps leaders and teams stay grounded, accountable, and steady in complex work.
 
For over two decades, Elaine has worked across Indigenous governance, politics, community planning, land use, and economic development. She has founded and led companies in entertainment and talent management, planning, curriculum design, and systems-based engagement. Her work focuses on strengthening the internal and relational capacity required for durable decision-making.
 
Elaine brings disciplined listening, cross-cultural fluency, and systems awareness to her role at Coeuraj. She is the author of Calling My Spirit Back and lives in the Okanagan.

With a passion for learning, Tyl questions the rules by which we play. He focuses on assembling new combinations of knowledge, capability, and skill to improve cross-systemic communication, multi-stakeholder alignment, and strategy design.

Tyl has a knack for recognizing talent and capacity, and for curating the right people for transformational conversations that lead to powerful outcomes. Using a synthesis of collaborative design practices with hi-touch methodologies and custom-built digital solutions, he and his team are responsible for growing the firm into a globally relevant lever for positive change.

Amanda's experience and leadership have focused on developing and delivering operational solutions that will enable the 100-year vision at Coeuraj. As Chief of Operations, Amanda brings over 12 years of experience in talent management, corporate communications, strategic planning, process facilitation and project leadership. Feeling very fortunate to be at the forefront of building Coeuraj, Amanda is driven by a need to respond to global challenges in a way that is collaborative and inclusive.

Duncan is an entrepreneur, investor, and, most recently, collaborative design practitioner. Prior to joining Coeuraj, he ran a software company, as well as worked closely with his family office on private equity and real estate investment, all of which gave him opportunities to delve deeply into the study of change management, organizational culture, and collaboration. He is the President and co-founder of what is now Coeuraj.

Heather applies calm, clarifying, pragmatic thinking to the business activities she is responsible for. As the Co-Director for Practice, she oversees the day-to-day operational fitness of the advisory capability. She also holds responsibility for the quality and efficiency of delivery and the management of the Coeuraj activity pipeline. She takes immense satisfaction in being able to translate ideas, concepts and theories into actionable plans with practical next steps.

As a practitioner, Heather’s international expertise as a process designer and facilitator has been shaped with the experience that comes from engaging with dozens of clients over the last fifteen years. She has trained with some of the most recognized names in systemic approaches, and collaborative design including Gail and Matt Taylor.

In her capacity as a team leader, she has developed the expertise and fortitude to guide others through periods of uncertainty and ambiguity, often quietly, from behind.

With 15 years experience in the delivery of fast-paced business strategy and transformation processes for Fortune 500s, international NGOs and the United Nations, I am passionate about creating collaborative solutions for clients with complex issues involving diverse stakeholders with a common, urgent need for change. Through process design, graphical modeling and graphic facilitation, I have enabled groups to distill complexity into actionable outcomes.

Bobby Ahluwalia is a seasoned senior executive with diverse experience across international finance, capital markets and private equity investments. A specific interest in the intersection of business and social impact led him to join the firm in 2020. His leadership style balances pragmatism and optimism in the context of Coeuraj's values-driven business model, where he harmonizes peoples, processes, and technology with efficiency and empathy.

As Managing Partner of Coeuraj Capital, Bobby leads the firm's investment activities focused on combining financial returns and societal impact. Prior to Coeuraj, Bobby spent close to a decade working for a major investment bank in the Capital Markets division located in London, UK and New York. After leaving the bank in 2014, Bobby founded and led FIFTYFIVE Capital, a mid-market private equity and advisory firm based in Toronto.

Dani, PhD, brings together people, processes, and ideas to understand issues and advance social change. She has worked on projects domestically and abroad ranging from public health and food security to sustainable development and Indigenous reconciliation. She is effective at designing and evaluating transformative programs, community consultation, and qualitative/quantitative research methods.

Dani has a deep respect for people and relationships, which, along with her playful nature, underpins her approach to work and life. She is an avid runner and she shows her love through food.

Todd has been steeped in social processes, methods, and tools for systemic learning, design, and decision making for over three decades. From the start, his focus has been tapping into the collaborative intelligence and sensemaking capacities of human interaction as a means of meeting the inherent complexity and challenges confronting organizations, communities, and ecosystems.

As a Practice Partner with Coeuraj, Todd brings his experience and expertise to bear by leading the delivery of collaborative design engagements, orchestrating foundational learning and development programs for Practice team members, and contributing to the writing and publishing efforts of the organization.

As a Senior Practitioner, Kian works at the intersection of systems research, collaborative design, and impact evaluation. They focus on making complexity more accessible, supporting people from diverse backgrounds to understand how they can contribute to systems change. As a systemic design researcher, Kian applies systems research methods to identify patterns and dynamics that keep complex problems in place. They work collaboratively to translate these insights into practical strategies, helping teams, communities, and individuals navigate complexity and identify where they can create meaningful impact. Kian holds a Master of Design in Strategic Foresight and Innovation from OCAD University.

Laura MacDonald is a CPA with 10 years of diverse experience in financial reporting, managerial accounting, taxation, compliance, and controls implementation. A former auditor with PwC, Laura specializes in supporting fast-scaling startups and small to medium-sized businesses. Laura has shared their expertise as a lecturer, teaching financial reporting at McGill University and management accounting at Concordia's John Molson School of Business. They have extensive board experience, serving on six NPO boards over the past decade, including as a founding board member and treasurer of QueerTech, which promotes economic empowerment for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals in the tech sector. Before transitioning into accounting, Laura built a multifaceted career in the arts and non-profits as an organizer, fundraiser, and translator. In their current role as Controller at Coeuraj, Laura oversees all accounting and financial operations, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and support for organizational growth.

Elena is a process and result-oriented go-doer with a strong background in finance and operations. As a Senior Project Manager, she enables and empowers internal delivery teams through the subjective and thoughtful use of project management best practices on small to medium sized client engagements.

Prior to Coeuraj, Elena worked on large-scale programs across the diverse start-up ecosystem, specifically in programs related to angel and venture capital funding, sharing industry best practices from Angel groups and other ecosystem partners across the country. Elena holds a Postgraduate Degree in Marketing Research and Analytics from Centennial College and Masters Degree in International Economics and Management from Kyiv National Economic University

Originally from the rugged coast of Northwest BC, Hannah brings her unique background and perspectives to creating meaningful and memorable experiences for clients and colleagues. Hannah has a B.A. in Sociology and Business from the University of Victoria and has explored careers in hospitality, healthcare, trades, and the non-profit sector. She is a systems thinker who always likes to plan a couple of steps ahead and enjoys the satisfaction of creatively problem solving along the way. Hannah brings her sense of humour everywhere she goes and enjoys sharing stories to entertain friends and colleagues.

Rosey is an information designer who specializes in transforming complexity into clarity through the power of visual storytelling. Her work aims to craft visual narratives that connect people to the data and information that impact their lives. By using visual techniques to make complex ideas accessible, she seeks to spark conversation and inspire action. Rosey holds a BCMM in Information Design and a minor in Art History from Mount Royal University. It's here she was first introduced to systems thinking which sparked a curiosity and passion for using design to problem solve.

While always ready to nerd out about data, design, and art, she’s equally inspired by the natural world. Whether cross-country skiing through the tundra of the Northwest Territories, climbing the Rockies in Alberta, or hiking along the rugged coastlines of British Columbia, she seizes every opportunity to be humbled by nature's beauty and power.

As Project Manager at Coeuraj, Emily manages internal and external projects, designs and improves processes, and coordinates events to create impactful human-centered experiences. She holds a CAPM certification and brings a unique skillset bridging project management and design to managing complex projects and ensuring high quality deliverables. A thoughtful problem-solver, Emily thrives on creating order out of chaos and ensures no detail is missed.

Emily’s previous experience includes coordinating operations for a small start-up, UX/UI design, knowledge translation, and qualitative research. Emily holds a Bachelor of Knowledge Integration from the University of Waterloo.

With a background in finance and administration, Jacqueline oversees the corporate services at Coeuraj. She enjoys the energy of the creative industries and aims to create simple and organized systems that maximize efficiencies in a dynamic environment.

Safia brings project management and engagement experience from private and public sectors. Throughout her journey, she has worked across a range of project areas, including sustainable development and inclusive community building. Her diverse background has shaped her interdisciplinary approach and dedication to thoughtful coordination and strengthening understanding. Safia values collective problem-solving and believes strong relationships form the foundation for moving work toward transformative possibilities. She holds a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from Queen's University.