Become a Mentee – Black Manitoba Network

Rebecca Ruvando

Rebecca Ruvando is a passionate construction professional with over a decade of experience in the distribution of construction materials. Born into the field and raised in Zimbabwe, Rebecca’s career has been shaped by global experiences across Southern Africa and Canada, reflecting the power of community, engagement, and persistence.
Rebecca holds an undergraduate degree from South Africa. In Canada, she is a student of the Construction Management Program at Red River Polytech.

As a dedicated board member with the Black Manitoba Network, Rebecca is passionate about using her role to foster connections and career growth among Black professionals.

Outside of work, Rebecca is deeply devoted to her family. She’s an avid reader, a tennis enthusiast, and lives with intentionality—always striving to fulfill her purpose while uplifting others along the way.

Ayodeji Ajilore’s BIO

Ayodeji is a community builder, finance professional, and advocate for economic empowerment. He is driven by a commitment to create supportive environments where individuals and businesses can reach their full potential and thrive.
With several years of experience in investment research, portfolio management, and financial analysis, and currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration alongside the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, he provides thoughtful guidance on capital allocation, enterprise growth, and strategic decision-making.

As a community advocate, Ayodeji focuses on creating platforms that increase access to knowledge, opportunity, and sustainable development. He champions representation, collaboration, equity, and long-term social responsibility in the communities he serves.

Outside of work and community engagement, Ayodeji enjoys meaningful conversations, exploring new ideas, and spending time with family and close friends who continue to inspire his journey

Kudzai (Yolanda) Nemukuyu

Kudzai is a Communications Strategist with a passion for women-led communities. She supports communities by elevating brands and increasing their visibility.

She is a Mathematics Enthusiast currently pursuing education in Actuarial Science with a deep interest in empowerment and equity. Kudzai believes in showing up fully and intentionally and in the power of continuous learning. Her journey is guided by ambition and a proactive mindset that seeks growth in every experience. Passionate about women-led initiatives and professional development, she is always open to opportunities that challenge her, expand her perspective and allow her to contribute meaningfully.

Samson Matibini

Sam is a leader in Finance with extensive experience as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). He provides strategic direction and advice regarding financial management for the Black Manitoba Network. With decades of financial and operational management experience in both profit and not-for-profit sectors, Samson excels at resource oversight and process improvement. He enjoys networking, supports business growth, and is dedicated to coaching and mentoring others

Kerry-Ann Spencer-Williams

Kerry-Ann Spencer-Williams is a transformative leader in AI, Data Science, Analytics, and Data Management, with 15+ years of experience driving innovation at IGM Financial. She integrates advanced analytics into business intelligence to improve financial outcomes and system efficiencies, while fostering a culture rooted in equity, empowerment, and inclusion.

A proud Jamaican Canadian, Kerry-Ann is deeply committed to community building and social justice. She has co-founded and led initiatives tackling intersectional discrimination and advancing DEIB in corporate spaces, including mentorship programs for Black and Pan-Asian professionals. Her dedication to equitable evaluation and career mobility is evident through her national thought leadership and active engagement with local advocacy.

Educated in Economics and Statistics, she combines academic excellence with lived experience to mentor, coach, and uplift emerging talent—especially within the Black Manitoban community. Through data, dialogue, and intentional leadership, Kerry-Ann strengthens the networks and narratives that move communities forward.

Dr. Shade

Dr. Shade is an award-winning educator, leadership strategist, and co-founder of the Black Manitoba Network, where she serves as a dedicated board member advancing equity, innovation, and systemic change across sectors. As a dynamic speaker and member of the Canada Speakers Bureau, she inspires audiences to lead with purpose, confidence, and authenticity.

With a deep passion for STEM, youth leadership, and entrepreneurship, Dr. Shade works at the intersection of innovation and inclusion—empowering individuals and organizations to build inclusive cultures and unlock untapped potential. Her influence extends beyond the Black community, shaping equitable leadership practices in academic, corporate, and civic spaces across Canada and beyond.

In recognition of her impact, Dr. Shade was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch in 2025 by Black Pearl, a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence, empowerment, and transformative leadership.

Ayodele Ajila

Ayodele Ajila is an accomplished business solution consultant, entrepreneur and strategic leader passionate about transforming organizations through operational excellence, innovative problem-solving, and data-driven insights. With two decades of working in the financial service industry and not-for-profit at a Strategic and executive capacity.

Currently, Ayodele is a Principal Partner at ACEE Consulting, where he is driving sustainable growth and helping entrepreneurs and businesses achieve their full potential in areas of process improvement and operational efficiency, data-driven strategy and decision making.

Ayodele was the pioneer Manager of the Africa Centre, Winnipeg, where he made an impact with the black entrepreneurship empowerment space, working on community-focused initiatives and supporting organizational growth through robust program management and strategic planning. His contributions strengthened the Centre’s operational capacity and enhanced its ability to deliver vital services. He organized several groundbreaking programs and events that brought about collaboration and networking within black professionals and entrepreneurs, which are the first of their kinds in the history of Manitoba.

Previously, as Chief Operating Officer at Stoics Financials, Ayodele led strategic operations, managed cross-functional teams, and implemented financial systems that significantly improved organizational performance and profitability. His leadership helped establish a culture of continuous improvement and operational discipline.

Ayodele holds credentials from Lagos Business School and leverages his strong educational foundation to bridge the gap between business strategy and operational execution. He is also a Certified Business Analyst at the International Institute of Business Analysis.

Ayodele lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with his wife Oluwaseun and his Daughters and Son. He enjoys spending time with his family and in his spare moments works on his entrepreneurial educational journal series titled “The diary of Kasongo: the story of an entrepreneur” which he publishes weekly on his LinkedIn page.

Yechenu Audu

Yechenu is a community leader, finance industry professional, and community advocate passionate about building an equitable society where everyone succeeds and thrives.

With over 10 years of financial services experience and a master’s degree in Economics, she provides expert advice on how businesses access capital, manage cash flow, and benefit from business advisory solutions.

As a community advocate, Yechenu is a step ahead, looking for ways to create value by creating opportunities for economic growth. She champions Representation, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and social responsibility. Yechenu enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, who are her strongest support.

Abigail Kawadza

Abigail Kawadza is a healthcare leader, event planner, and proud Zimbabwean-Canadian passionate about creating inclusive spaces that empower communities. With over a decade of experience in nursing leadership and health systems, Abigail has also carved a path as a dynamic event organizer, designing and leading events that bridge youth with industry professionals, amplify marginalized voices, and champion equity.

She is the Founder of Classy A-Events, where she curates purpose-driven gatherings focused on mentorship, career growth, and honest conversations about identity and leadership. Abigail also serves as Board Member and Fundraising Coordinator for the Grace and Nelly Project, where she co-led fashion show fundraisers in support of rural girls in Zimbabwe.

Whether she’s coordinating a career panel, leading a community conference, or advocating for culturally safe care, Abigail brings people together with intention, warmth, and vision.

Segun Olude

Segun Olude is an experienced graphic designer specializing in brand and identity development for individuals, businesses, and institutions. His portfolio contains packaging and communication materials for agencies and NGOs. In addition to design work, ‘Segun coaches entrepreneurs in branding and Design Thinking, and creates educational content on design topics.

As a design educator, he served as a sessional instructor at the University of Manitoba for 17 years, teaching courses in graphic design, visual communication history, and design theory. He also helped create a design curriculum. He regularly trains business professionals in communication and presentation skills. He organizes design seminars in Nigeria and delivers virtual workshops to international audiences.

Segun is on the board of local organizations and the steering committee of TEDxWinnipeg. He is the current President of the Winnipeg chapter of Design Professionals of Canada, DesCan

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Land Acknowledgement

Rebecca Ruvando

Ayodeji Ajilore’s BIO

Kudzai (Yolanda) Nemukuyu

Samson Matibini

Kerry-Ann Spencer-Williams

Dr. Shade

Ayodele Ajila

Yechenu Audu

Abigail Kawadza

Segun Olude

Mentorship Program Application Form

Mentee

Please fill out this form to apply as a mentee for the mentorship program.

Email us 24/7:

Mail us 24/7:

Our Trusted Sponsors & Partners

Mentorship Program
Application Form