Hi, I’m
WANGUI OSHUMBA
Montreal,QC
Summary
Passionate community development practitioner with 15+ years of lived experience advancing gender equity and supporting marginalized communities. Expert in trauma-informed programming, intersectional approaches, and culturally responsive service delivery. Mobilized $2.5M+ in community-controlled resources while directly impacting 7,000+ women, children, and families. Currently building entrepreneurial skills while seeking to contribute to Canada's social justice ecosystem through evidence-based, community-centered initiatives.
Overview
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Community-Based ServicesMontreal, QC
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR
01.2025 - Current
Job overview
- Building economic resilience through a community-centered business model
- Creating pathways for economic participation among racialized women entrepreneurs.
Neema Kuu Women OrganizationKenya
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
01.2022 - 12.2024
Job overview
- Co-designed 12+ community-led initiatives centering women's voice and choice with $25K-$150K budgets
- Organized 50+ peer learning circles and collaborated in facilitation using popular education methodologies
- Achieved 35% increase in participants' economic autonomy through community-defined indicators
- Fostered horizontal partnerships with 8 grassroots organizations prioritizing shared power
- Co-created digital literacy programming addressing women's economic participation barriers
Metrostat Medical ImagingKenya
HEALTHCARE ACCESS PROJECT MANAGER
01.2018 - 12.2021
Job overview
- Led 15+ health equity initiatives totaling $2.3M, prioritizing underserved populations
- Established ally partnerships with 25+ community health organizations, service providers, through collaborative efforts with 5 departments and 30+ team members
- Achieved 95% participant satisfaction through community feedback loops and responsive programming
- Reduced healthcare access barriers by 25% through community-informed design
Pretoria ShelterSouth Africa
WOMEN'S SHELTER MANAGER
01.2017 - 12.2018
Job overview
- Provided safe, survivor-centered support to 150+ women and children experiencing homelessness and violence
- Stewarded $200K+ annual budget through transparent, survivor-informed resource allocation
- Mentored and trained 12 staff and 30+ volunteers in trauma-informed, culturally responsive service delivery
- Secured $75K in survivor-directed funding; improved housing stability by 30%
Deaf Aid KenyaKenya
ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION COORDINATOR
01.2014 - 12.2016
Job overview
- Facilitated 100+ capacity-building sessions reaching 1,500+ community members using disability justice frameworks
- Maintained confidential support systems serving 500+ individuals with intersecting identities
- Created grassroots community awareness leading to a 23% increase in access to services
- Developed peer mentorship program with 95% retention through community ownership
Parklands Baptist ChurchKenya
MISSIONS COORDINATOR
01.2007 - 12.2009
Job overview
- Coordinated logistics for 25+ mission trips with 200+ participants annually
- Stewarded $300K+ in community-controlled resources through transparent processes
- Mobilized $450K+ through values-aligned fundraising initiatives and impact outreaches
- Built a network of 700+ network of allies in multiple geographical locations across the country
- Achieved 98% collaborative success through community-led initiatives and mutual accountability
Karis Children's HomeUganda
CHILD & FAMILY WELL-BEING DIRECTOR
01.2004 - 12.2006
Job overview
- Stewarded $120K annual budget supporting 80+ children through family-centered, strengths-based approaches
- Recruited, trained and mentored 15+ staff and 25+ volunteers in child rights-based care practices
- Organized 18+ fundraising initiatives in both intimate and large-scale settings, generating over $150K
- Improved educational outcomes by 40% through holistic development programming
Education
Alisson Business School
Higher Diploma from Project Management
University of Nairobi
Bachelor of Arts from Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution
Utalii College
Diploma from Front Office Operations
Skills
- Anti-oppressive practices
- Community asset mapping
- Participatory evaluation
- Harm reduction approaches
- Trauma-informed care
- Intersectional programming
- Cultural humility
- Peer support models
- Collaborative impact measurement
- Multi-stakeholder facilitation
- Social finance
- Change management
- Digital equity
- Accessibility integration
Timeline
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR
Community-Based Services
01.2025 - Current
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Neema Kuu Women Organization
01.2022 - 12.2024
HEALTHCARE ACCESS PROJECT MANAGER
Metrostat Medical Imaging
01.2018 - 12.2021
WOMEN'S SHELTER MANAGER
Pretoria Shelter
01.2017 - 12.2018
ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION COORDINATOR
Deaf Aid Kenya
01.2014 - 12.2016
MISSIONS COORDINATOR
Parklands Baptist Church
01.2007 - 12.2009
CHILD & FAMILY WELL-BEING DIRECTOR
Karis Children's Home
01.2004 - 12.2006
Alisson Business School
Higher Diploma from Project Management
University of Nairobi
Bachelor of Arts from Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution
Utalii College
Diploma from Front Office Operations
Key Competencies
Anti-oppressive practices, Community asset mapping, Participatory evaluation, Harm reduction approaches, Trauma-informed care, Intersectional programming, Cultural humility, Peer support models, Collaborative impact measurement, Multi-stakeholder facilitation, Social finance, Change management, Digital equity, Accessibility integration
Community Engagement And Lived Experience Assets
- Cross-cultural fluency with African diaspora communities and settlement experiences
- Intersectional leadership as a racialized woman navigating multiple systems
- Authentic relationships within Montreal's Black, African, and newcomer women's networks
- First-hand knowledge of immigration, settlement, and entrepreneurship pathways
Impact Summary
$2.5M+, 7,000+ women, children & families, 98%, $725K+, 100+, 15+
Education And Specialized Training
- Higher Diploma in Project Management, Alisson Business School, UK
- Bachelor of Arts in Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution, University of Nairobi, Kenya
- Diploma in Front Office Operations, Utalii College, Kenya
References
- Simon Ndegwa, Community Leader & Advocate, Kenya, office@parklandsbaptist.org, +254-722-845-401
- Jabu Zwane, Women's Rights Practitioner, South Africa, info@jabuzwane.com, +27-825-512-652
- Samuel Muhima, Child & Family Advocate, Uganda, sammuhima16@gmail.com, +256-702-992-632
- Canadian community references, available upon request
Core Impact Areas
- Women's Economic Empowerment
- Anti-Violence Programming
- Newcomer Integration
- Trauma and Violence Informed Care TVIC
- Anti-Oppressive Practices
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