A Bit About Us
Our Story
Center Desk Consulting was founded out of a desire to transform the common approach to DEI work —one that often overlooks the complexities of creating systems that truly work for everyone.
Supporting clients across the full spectrum of DEI interventions, Center Desk Consulting specializes in anti-oppressive employee resource group enablement and equitable employee experience design.
So often, DEI becomes an organizational afterthought or nice to have. Our name reflects our mission to shift DEI from a “side of desk” responsibility for a select few to a central focus for thoughtful, intentional organizational success. To enable this, we deliver with humans at the center – meeting clients where they are at in their DEI journeys, holding space for courageous, accountable knowledge sharing, and ensuring that the needs, experiences, and expectations of those most impacted by our work inform our efforts.
Our work centers on developing sustainable workplace systems that foster truly inclusive and equitable cultures and practices, partnering with our clients to deliver practical, tailored interventions that empower meaningful, systemic change.
Meet the Collective
Inspired by the possibility of truly equitable and inclusive workplaces, and informed by deep, cross-sector experience in DEI, change management, HR, and project management, our collective of strategists, educators, and consultants can’t wait to support the next stage of your DEI journey.
Abigail Kirby Conklin
Decolonial Pedagogies & Systems Specialist, Curriculum Writer
Abigail (Abby) Kirby Conklin is an educator, writer, consultant, and collaborator who specializes in decolonial and anti-racist approaches. A New Yorker who is now based in Toronto, Abby has worked in public education, youth programming, and curriculum publishing in both the U.S. and Canada for over a decade. She loves co-creating supports grounded in community culture(s), anti-oppressive pedagogies, and strengths-based approaches.
At the micro level, Abby offers curriculum creation for K-12 and adult learners, 1-1 educator advising, and learning workshops. At the macro, Abby offers anti-oppression workplace policy and structural reviews, workshops, and trainings that holistically support teams in their efforts to disrupt systemic oppression in both their external work and internal practices.
Abby takes relationships, storytelling, a good joke, and enormous cups of coffee deeply seriously.
Alisha Keig
(She/her)
DEI Consultant & Executive Coach
AQ Hui
Knowledge Translator and Graphic Designer
Gwenna Kadima
(She/her)
Founder & CEO
Gwenna is an award-winning diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant activating meaningful, systemic workplace transformation.
Prior to founding Center Desk, Gwenna was a Talent & Organization Consultant at a global management consulting firm. Here, her client delivery focused on workplace DEI strategy and programming, change management, employee experience, and HR transformation, but if you ask Gwenna, her favorite part of this career chapter was founding and leading multiple employee resource groups.
In addition to her DEI consulting work, Gwenna facilitates culturally relevant career development sessions to support racialized students and professionals as they navigate the workplace.
Juan Luis Garrido
Equity Advocate & Community Facilitator
Juan is a social change professional dedicated to advancing equity by building inclusive communities and designing just and joyful systems. He has worked across non-profit, private, and public sectors on 2SLGBTQIA+ community development, food insecurity, patient advocacy, the Canadian sports system, and more.
Holding a Master of Design in Strategic Foresight and Innovation from OCAD University, his research explored the role of joy in social change and individuals’ relationships to the systems around them.
Outside of his professional life, Juan volunteers at his neighbourhood food bank and enjoys exploring local parks with his dog, Dora.
Maya Toussaint
(She/her)
Bilingual Social Impact & DEI Consultant
Maya Toussaint (she/her) is a facilitator and DEI content tour guide with over 15 years of HR experience. Maya is easy to spot and hear in a crowd with her big colourful hair and hearty laugh. Maya brings a sense of humour, empathy, and real-world context to topics such as DEI, allyship and anti-racism practices.
Maya has spoken at large events/conferences hosted by companies such as LinkedIn and Microsoft and regularly facilitates education sessions around DEI and recruitment strategy for global organizations.
Maya is dedicated to social impact, empowering marginalized groups and amplifying their voices within the tech community. Based in Montreal, Maya delivers in both English and French.
Shavonne Hasfal-McIntosh
(She/her)
DEI Advisor
Shavonne is a transformational change agent and global diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) expert. As the founder of SHM Consulting, Shavonne partners with organizations to implement forward-thinking DEI strategies, fostering environments of inclusion and belonging. With over a decade of experience working with leading companies like Red Bull, Shopify, and Wealthsimple, she has worked across HR, employee culture, people analytics, employee experience, learning and development, coaching, and facilitation.
Her work is rooted in the belief that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to building inclusive cultures, which is reflected in her tailored strategies that help organizations attract and retain top talent.
What We Stand For
Advocacy
Open Dialogue
Empowered Action
