Our Team

Dr. Daniel O. Livvarcin, CEO of Vectors Group, is a distinguished leader with a PhD in Strategic Management and authorship of multiple management and children’s books. His expertise encompasses strategic evaluation and planning, risk management, and AI for nonprofit management. Driven by a passion for community service, Daniel co-authored influential works like “Risk Management for Nonprofit Organizations” and “Understanding and Using AI.” With a rich background in academia, including teaching roles at the University of Ottawa and Royal Military College, he brings invaluable insights to his consulting endeavors. Having collaborated with over 300 nonprofits, Daniel’s commitment extends beyond professional realms, as he finds fulfillment in mentoring youth and engaging with underprivileged communities. Connect with Daniel at livvarcin@vectorsgroup.com and on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/omer-livvarcin to explore how he can elevate your organization to new heights.

Amit Dubey, the Business Strategies Director at Vectors Group, boasts over a decade of consultancy experience across nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Featured in Insight Success magazine for “2024’s Top 10 Under 35 Visionary Leaders,” he’s honored with awards like “Business Development Manager” and “Certificate of Excellence – Performer of the Year.” Amit’s achievements include pivotal roles in constructing India’s largest cricket stadiums. With expertise in grant research, proposal writing, and brand development, Amit empowers organizations through tailored strategies. He excels in grant search, writing, and readiness, LinkedIn growth strategies, and bespoke business development plans. Known for unwavering integrity and a customer-centric approach, Amit delivers innovative solutions aligned with each client’s needs. Connect at Amitdubey@vectorsgroup.com and on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/amit-dubey-consultant.

Athem Houssein is a distinguished professional with a Master’s degree in Social Work, a degree in Public Administration, and a degree in Counseling Psychology. With over a decade of experience in public service and social justice advocacy, he leverages his expertise in the multi-disciplinary intervention model of social work to provide top-tier consulting services in corporate sponsorship, non-profit engagement, stewardship, and grant writing. He excels in both quantitative and qualitative research, offering keen insights into data collection, analysis, and interpretation. He is currently a part-time lecturer at La Cité Collegiale, a consultant for Vectors Group, and a housing administrator for the city of Ottawa. For consultations, contact athem@vectorsgroup.com. Connect on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/athemh.

With over 25 years of international experience, Bill S. Kaundal is a highly accomplished business advisor and management professional with a focus on international operations. His career includes working with the UN System, government bodies, and non-profits, aimed at nurturing SMEs and strengthening institutional capacities across the Middle East, North Africa, Canada, and India. Bill’s expertise lies in project design, organizational assessments, and sustainability strategies for development banks, governmental institutions, and corporations.

He has been instrumental in expanding formal banking services to small and micro-entrepreneurs through senior strategic roles at development banks, UN agencies, and government entities. His global impact extends to the not-for-profit sector, where he has implemented multidimensional projects in entrepreneurship, business incubation, biodiversity conservation, and strategic rehabilitation, working with international aid agencies such as IFC, NORAD, CIDA, OECD, HelpAge International, and ActionAid, reflecting his comprehensive approach to sustainable development and socio-economic empowerment.

Brenda Norman, a Senior Consultant at Vectors Group, boasts over 30 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, stemming from a childhood passion for community contribution. Her educational background in education, community development, and intergenerational leadership fuels her commitment to organizational growth and community impact. Specializing in strategic evaluation, project development, flagship event creation, social media presence, unique sponsorship campaigns, and capacity building, Brenda’s expertise spans a broad spectrum of areas vital to not-for-profit success. Her strategic vision, mission-driven approach, collaborative leadership style, and results-oriented focus distinguish her as a leader dedicated to creating positive change. Connect with Brenda at bnorman@vectorsgroup.com and on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brenda-norman-8075579.

Deirdre Freiheit, a Senior Consultant at Vectors Group, brings 23 years of experience as a former non-profit CEO, demonstrating exceptional leadership across various domains. She excels in vision articulation, people management, change management, financial oversight, marketing, advocacy, and partnership development. Deirdre’s expertise extends to public speaking, board membership, writing, and health and wellness advocacy. Recognized with prestigious awards such as the Order of Ottawa and Communicator of the Year, she is an Erickson Certified Professional Coach, specializing in leadership development, communications, community engagement, and organizational leadership. Deirdre fosters collaborative environments, provides challenge functions, and drives positive outcomes for clients. For further information or to initiate a discussion, Deirdre Freiheit invites you to get in touch.

Deirdre is a senior executive with over 25 years of experience leading five national not-for-profit (NFP) organizations with expertise spanning strategic planning, program development, fundraising, advocacy, governance, human resources, marketing, and communications. A career highlight was accepting national and international awards for a charity she co-founded and led that delivered groundbreaking youth programming focused on the intersection of environment and health. Throughout her career, Deirdre has advanced missions related to climate policy, water and climate risk management, municipal green infrastructure knowledge and financing, and sector-wide initiatives and programs supporting regenerative and organic agriculture.

She has served on several national advisory bodies, including the National Alliance for Children & Youth Leadership Group, the Board of Directors for Farmers for Climate Solutions, the National Lung Health Framework Steering Committee, CIHR Knowledge Mobilization Steering Committee (GET-FACTS, University of Waterloo/McMaster/McGill), and the Advisory Committee for Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc.

Deirdre was named Alumna of the Year by the Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo, where she earned her Bachelor of Environmental Studies (minor in Biology). She also holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Resource Management (minor in Business Administration) from York University. A former member of a national sports team, Deirdre enjoys being outdoors exploring trails, gardening, time with family and friends, reading, community involvement, travel, and fixing things.

As a Senior Consultant at Vectors Group, Diane Braz Wessman brings over 25 years of dynamic expertise in entrepreneurship and the not-for-profit sector. With a master’s degree in international business, Diane specializes in operational planning, strategic alignment, and revenue diversification. Her command of multiple languages, coupled with a deep understanding of multicultural contexts, enables seamless engagement with diverse stakeholders. Diane’s commitment to driving organizational effectiveness and success enables her to support clients in areas such as recruitment & retention, partnership development, marketing & communications, strategic human resources management, and other components of internal operations. In her leisure time, Diane enjoys travel, an active lifestyle, volunteering in her community and cherished moments with loved ones. For consultations, reach out at dwessman@vectorsgroup.com and connect on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/dianewessman

Emmanuel R. Goffi is a Senior Consultant and speaker in ethics at Vectors Group, boasting 20 years of experience in ethics, with a specialization in artificial intelligence. He has worked with public and private companies globally, contributed to expert committees, and delivered research and teaching on AI ethics. Emmanuel aids organizations in integrating ethics into AI deployment, enhancing benefits while mitigating adverse effects. Known for bridging theoretical and practical ethics, he helps clients establish a strong ethical culture, differentiating them from competitors. In his leisure time, he enjoys sports, music, playing piano, and reading philosophy. For consultations, contact emmanuelgoffi@vectorsgroup.com.

Fatima Gimba is social impact strategist with over 14 years of experience supporting equity-deserving communities through inclusive program design, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement. She brings a unique blend of grassroots insight and systems-thinking, having worked across municipal government, nonprofit leadership, and frontline service delivery.

Her work focuses on building collaborative solutions that respond to complex community needs— with keen interest in the areas of newcomer inclusion, gender equity, and advocacy in marginalized sexual orientations. Fatima is passionate about strengthening the capacity of organizations to lead change, and she partners with clients to design strategies that are responsive, participatory, and equity-informed.

Known for her thoughtful facilitation and ability to navigate diverse perspectives, Fatima is deeply committed to advancing projects that not only meet operational goals but also contribute to meaningful, measurable social change.

Inna Gunes is an experienced hospitality and customer service specialist with a strong background in international tourism. She has worked with leading organizations such as Rixos Premium Belek and Tez Tour, supporting guests from around the world. Inna holds a Master’s degree in International Tourism and Hospitality and is fluent in English, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Russian. Her approach combines cultural sensitivity, attention to detail, and a passion for creating outstanding client experiences.

Khuraman Haziyeva brings over eight years of experience in document control and project coordination within the oil & gas and construction sectors. She holds an MBA from Swiss Montreux Business School, where she gained expertise in strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, and leadership. A recent graduate with distinction from Algonquin College’s Project Management program, Khuraman has a proven track record of streamlining project workflows, reducing document turnaround times, and enhancing team collaboration. Her expertise includes stakeholder management, risk analysis, and implementing innovative solutions to drive project success. With a strong commitment to quality and attention to detail, she ensures the seamless execution of complex projects.

Mercedes Zanon, a Senior Consultant at Vectors Group, brings over 25 years of extensive experience across government, education, and non-profit sectors, specializing in stakeholder relations, business development, and project management. With a diverse educational background and a one-year Executive MBA from the University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management, Mercedes offers comprehensive expertise to clients. Her consulting services focus on strategic evaluation, business planning, marketing, and communications strategy alignment with organizational visions and missions. Mercedes excels in navigating complex funding landscapes and has a proven track record of delivering tangible outcomes in diverse settings. Connect with Mercedes at mercedes@vectorsengineering.com and on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mercedes-zanon-02a795276

Rick Nason, an Associate at Vectors Group, boasts extensive experience as a capital markets executive and a twenty-year tenure as an Associate Professor of Finance at Dalhousie University. As the founder of a risk management consulting firm, he specializes in enterprise risk management and training, leveraging his expertise to offer practical, innovative solutions. Rick is the author of seven acclaimed books on finance, complexity science, and risk management, reflecting his deep understanding of the field. Known for engaging and thought-provoking seminars, Rick has successfully worked with diverse clients, from small local businesses to global institutions. Outside of his professional pursuits, he finds joy in his hobby as a pinball enthusiast.

Sadaf Ebrahim is a Senior Consultant at Vectors Group, embodying resilience and compassion in her dedication to community uplift. With a background as an Outreach Coordinator for Islamic Relief Canada, she facilitated emergency aid efforts, locally and globally. As President of the Canada Pakistan Association of the National Capital Region, Sadaf championed inclusivity and advocacy, earning recognition as the first Pakistani recipient of the “Order of Ottawa Award” in 2021. Her initiatives, including GREEN HELP and support for immigrant women, reflect her passion for community welfare. Recognized with awards like the Immigrant Entrepreneur Award, Sadaf continues to inspire positive change, embodying the transformative power of grassroots activism. Get in touch to explore how her expertise can benefit your organization or initiative.