KRIS ARCHIE
(She/Her/They/Them) CEO |
Kris Archie is the Chief Executive Officer of The Circle on Philanthropy (The Circle). A Secwepemc and Seme7 woman from Ts’qescen, a mother, aunty and engaged community member.
Kris is passionate about heart-based community work and facilitating positive change. In all of her roles, Kris works to transform philanthropy and contribute to positive change by creating spaces of shared learning, relationship-building and centering Indigenous wisdom. She is a PLACES Fellow Alum of 2015 with The Funders Network, a board member with Environment Funders Canada and JUMP! Canada and a newly appointed Dialogue Fellow with Simon Fraser University focused on Indigenous ways of knowing and Philanthropy. Email: kris@circleonphilanthropy.ca Twitter: @WeyktKris |
SHEREEN MUNSHI
(She/Her) Director of Partnerships & Strategic Communications |
Shereen Munshi is a relationships and communications professional who was born in Zambia and immigrated to Unceded Algonquin territory with her family 10+ years ago.
In her role as Director of Partnerships and Strategic Communications, Shereen develops strategic relationships between The Circle, Indigenous-led organizations, and settler-philanthropic organizations in alignment with The Circle's values, mission, and strategic goals. Shereen works to increase visibility, amplify issues and voices of note and ensure strong responsive communication to achieve goals in service to The Circle's primary member audiences. She has a passion to uphold principles of equity and justice in her work and is nurturing a growing aptitude to amplify deep analysis of people, place, policy and power to inform the philanthropic and non-profit sectors. Spirit of the Season: SPRING Email: shereen@circleonphilanthropy.ca Twitter: @ShereenMunshi |
VALINE BROWN
(She/Her) Manager of Member Engagement & Accountability |
K’aayhlt’aa Haanas Valine Brown is a purpose-filled organizer, communications professional, and devoted Haida citizen belonging to the K’aawas eagle clan. Her work is rooted in her homelands, and Valine’s academic and advocacy efforts have centred Indigenous title, rights, and responsibilities. She believes in the power of people and connection to place and is fiercely committed to building community resilience amid this time of climate emergency.
In her role as Manager of Member Engagement + Accountability, Valine uplifts Indigenous members exercising authority and well-being in their territories and communities. From a matriarchal nation, Valine feels privileged to work alongside a team of Indigenous and racialized women and accomplices transforming the philanthropic landscape in service to Indigenous peoples, organizations, communities and nations. Valine finds purpose in upholding accountability, abundance, and wealth redistribution among The Circle’s membership audiences and broader community. She takes pride in being a small part of long overdue change and seeing meaningful actions that move us all towards liberation that centres Indigenous sovereignty. Spirit of the Season: SUMMER Parental Sabbatical | Return 2025 |
CECILIA FEDERIZON
(She/Her) Spring-Summer Coordinator |
Cecilia is a daughter of Filipino immigrant settlers living in the traditional and ancestral territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and a Master's degree in Women and Gender Studies with a focus on Filipinx diasporic spirituality. Additionally, her working experience in supporting academic services and programs has helped her become well-attuned to the skill of juggling administrative responsibilities. She grounds her work in values of community and collaboration, which she believes provide the foundations of trust in working relationships.
Spirit of the Season: SPRING & SUMMER Email: cecilia@circleonphilanthropy.ca |
ALEJANDRA LÓPEZ BRAVO
(She/Her) Manager, Shared Learnings & Research |
Alejandra is a Mexican migrant woman and a migrant justice organizer shaped by the growing inequities and disparities of her homeland, the wisdom of the markets, colors, music, dance and warmth of México City the Indigenous territories of the nahuas, matlatzincas and otomíes. She moved to unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) & səl̓ilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Indigenous territories 15 years ago. It was her choice to come to these lands and she continues to learn alongside the leadership, organizing and mentorship of Indigenous, Black and racialized women, aunties and grandmas about her responsibility and accountability to these lands that she benefits from.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Public Administration and a Master's degree in Community and Regional Planning with a focus on social policy and participatory planning. She has worked for more than twenty years in the non profit sector in México City and in British Columbia for a wide range of roles, from grassroots community collectives, community organizations, government and the philanthropic sector. She is committed to centering principles of trust, reciprocity, responsibility and accountability for meaningful engagement and co-creation of knowledge. She grounds herself and her work in community organizing to inform policy making strategies and research that creates learning opportunities that nourish and tend to our relationships with our histories, places, communities and environments and support the liberation of Indigenous and Black people and consequently our collective liberation. Spirit of the Season: FALL Email: alejandra@circleonphilanthropy.ca |
DENA KLASHINSKY
(She/Her) Manager, Operations & Policy Development |
Dena Klashinsky is of Mamalilikulla, Musqueam, and settler ancestry. She is the proud mother of a daughter whose curiosity, wisdom and light spark joy every day. Dena is happiest in ceremony in the gukwdzi (bighouse), exploring a quiet coastline or trail, adventuring with her kid, and enjoying family gatherings.
Dena has worked with Indigenous organizations and First Nations as a community developer, manager, senior leader and board member for more than 30 years. As part of The Circle’s collaborative leadership team, she is excited to uphold Indigenous wisdom and Indigenous-led policy and practices. Winter is a time for reflection and restoration. We care for our spirits through ceremony and celebrations which affirm kinship ties and collective responsibilities. We turn inward with deep intention and prepare for the year ahead. As Winter Steward, Dena is committed to supporting the work of The Circle through values-based governance and strong infrastructure that fosters good relations and well-integrated operations. This ensures that we have the capacity to enable purposeful action, innovation and transformation. Spirit of the Season: WINTER Email: dena@circleonphilanthropy.ca |
NICOLE LAMY
(She/Her) Fall-Winter Coordinator |
Nicole Lamy is the Seasonal Coordinator (Fall & Winter) for The Circle on Philanthropy. Nicole is a proud Indigenous woman from Treaty One Territory, where she lives, works and plays with her dog Penelope and cares for her younger cousin Joshua. Her Mamere is a Michif woman from St.Laurent, Manitoba and Granny was a First Nation woman of Anishinaabe-Saulteaux roots from Crane River, Manitoba also known as O-Chi-Chak-ko-sipi First Nation. Growing up she spent a lot of time out on the land playing with her cousins, listening to fiddle tunes and swimming at Sandpiper Beach.
Nicole’s career has focused on the Indigenous Food Movement working alongside many beautiful Indigenous communities in Northern Manitoba and Nations across Canada. As a long-time Helper to the Northern Manitoba Food Culture and Community Collaborative, Nicole brings a deep understanding of the importance of building reciprocal relationships and passion for collaboration. The Fall and Winter seasons are season’s that remind us to slow down, spend time with family, reflect, plan ahead and celebrate the year's accomplishments. Through work with The Circle, Nicole hopes to amplify Indigenous voices, activate learning and unlearning within the philanthropic sector to better support Indigenous people, communities and organizations in Canada. Spirit of the Season: FALL & WINTER Email: nicole@circleonphilanthropy.ca |