DEI Made Approachable and Applicable

The DEI journey is personal, and the conversations we’re having about it are unique to every business and community. With roots in business development, entrepreneurship, and DEI research and education, we understand where business owners are coming from.

Mission

At EQU, we explore and evolve team and leadership conversations, centring context and place to better understand why diverse voices and inclusive opportunities are essential to equitable, healthy communities.

Vision

EQU inspires connection and transformation through conversation to nurture spaces where all people are reflected and respected.

EQU collaborates with associates who represent the lived professional and personal experiences of our clients.


Meet Our Founders

  • Marlene Morrison Nicholls (she/her)

    PRESIDENT

    Marlene Morrison Nicholls is an award-winning business leader dedicated to DEI advocacy and education. Under her leadership, Stewart Morrison Insurance grew to five thriving locations, was the first brokerage to earn diversity training accreditation from the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO) and was recognized as a Rainbow Registered business. With roots in rural Ontario, she’s passionate about helping businesses and organizations embrace DEI.

    Expertise: insurance, small- and medium-sized businesses, entrepreneurship, public sector

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  • Rachael Nicholls (she/her)

    DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

    Rachael Nicholls, PhD OCT, is a queer Peterborough-based educator, researcher and advocate for equity. A public speaker and storyteller, she views her work in education as an opportunity for communal creation and a process of self-discovery and reflection. She holds a Master of Arts in Adult Education and Community Development and a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy. Her research has centred around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for 2SLGBTQIA+ students in rural school boards, and she also has extensive experience working with gender and sexual minority youth, racialized youth, boys’ education and Indigenous student mentorship and support.

    Expertise: educational leadership, equity and diversity in education, Truth and Reconciliation, small- and medium-sized businesses

    Download CV

  • Lisa Trefzger (she/her/they/them)

    DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

    Lisa Trefzger is a queer mother and first-generation settler from German/German-Jewish ancestry. With over 20 years of experience in anti-violence work, she specializes in non-profit research, communications, education, intersectional feminism and community development. Her research interests include violence against women, gender-based violence, developmental disabilities, public education, decolonization, 2SLGBTQIA+ and youth engagement and empowerment.

    Expertise: small- and medium-sized businesses, non-profits, governance, health care

    Download CV

EQU Associates

  • Ashley Lamothe

    ASSOCIATE

    Ashley Lamothe is a proud AnishnaabeKwe/Metis Two Spirit mother of two residing in Nogojiwanong, Ontario, on the traditional territories of the Michi Saagiig. She has a degree in Health Sciences along with certificates in Mini MBA and digital media marketing. Ashley is passionate about inspiring others through creativity.

    Ashley is the CEO and founder of Creative Kwe, a business that focuses on amplifying, celebrating and decolonizing creativity through workshops, seminars and her online shop. She also works at Trent University within the First Peoples House of Learning as the Indigenous Student Success Coordinator.

    When she is not working, you can find her playing in the dirt with her two tiny humans or in her studio surrounded by sparkle.

    Website