Founding partner at project management and program evaluation firm where we work with organizations across sectors to examine progress towards goals and strengthen systems and processes to build for success.

Leading the design and organizing community roundtables across Canada to contribute to CNERJ’s goal of building a national network that amplifies the work of organizations across the country; and connects them to build on shared interests. The CNERJ project is led by the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI), contributing to a trilateral agreement between Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., focused on promoting equity and racial justice.

Reviewed research proposals to make funding recommendations to the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Collaborated with committee members to evaluate applications and provide feedback for future funding rounds.

Led evaluation projects and teams to assess the organization’s programs. Built strong relationships with government jurisdictions across Canada and used participatory process to examine interjurisdictional partnerships. Hema was invited to present at the American Evaluation Association on Building Strong Results in Multi-Partner Initiative Evaluations (with her colleague Cailin Stamarski).

Hema was haunted by a comment from her campaign team after her run for Toronto City Council, “if we knew at the beginning what we learned by the end, we would have won.” So she founded and led Women Win TO, a capacity-building program aimed at increasing the representation of marginalized women in politics. Through training, coaching and support, 10 out of 15 participants ran for municipal office, with three successfully elected. She also encouraged volunteering in elections with a regular newspaper column, and interviews on radio, television and for newsprint.

Hema worked at the ministries of Education; Training, Colleges and Universities; and ServiceOntario. She designed policies and programs, including addressing urgent priorities through regulatory amendments, and designing the Gender Neutral Birth Certificate. Hema represented her jurisdiction on national committees, monitored and evaluated federal-provincial programs, which influenced funding decisions within Canada-Ontario labor market partnerships. She led several evaluations and worked with sectors in consultations for labour market, training, education, apprenticeship and postsecondary programs.

Designed and conducted research in Gujarati and English to understand and measure  the impact of financial literacy programs on women's financial decision-making within households. 

Ran for office in Ward 18 (Davenport). During the campaign, with a fantastic team, I collaborated on communication and outreach strategies, effectively articulating my perspectives in public meetings, live and televised debates. Learn more about Hema’s experience organising successful campaigns.