Dec
25
2025
How mentorship changed the trajectory of a young professional’s career
David Bradshaw is President of the Calgary Black Chambers and a Customer Experience, Sales, and Operations Executive with 25+ years in financial, information services, and outsourcing.
He is the Principal Founder of BradshawBolton and a past Board Director and Artistic Chair for Theatre Calgary. A former executive at ATB Financial, ING Direct, and Tangerine Bank, he built award-winning service operations recognized #1 in Canada by J.D. Power.
Charmaine brings a unique blend of experience in real estate, community engagement, and event coordination to her role as Program Coordinator. As a real estate professional, she has developed a deep understanding of fostering strong relationships and navigating diverse client needs—skills that translate seamlessly into her work at Calgary Black Chambers.
Her experience includes working with Lululemon as a Community Specialist, where she spearheads numerous events, such as wellness pop-ups, in-store activations, and impactful collaborations with local businesses. Her ability to build trust and connect people from different walks of life is a testament to her dedication as a community builder.
As Program Coordinator, she is committed to creating initiatives that not only connect individuals but also provide opportunities for growth and empowerment within the community.
Morakinyo Okusami is a CPA, CA with over 24 years of experience providing audit and assurance services to small and large businesses. Morakinyo is dedicated to ensuring that students receive the appropriate mentorship and support as they determine their future careers.
Additionally, Morakinyo is deeply committed to eradicating homelessness, volunteering with organizations focused on creating a better and more equitable society.
Dennis Agbegha currently works as Regional Manager Partnership for the Prairies at BDC. His career started with BDC in March 2021 when he joined as a Commercial Accounts Manager with BDC.
Dennis joined BDC from ATB where he worked as a Business Banking Advisor and until most recently Senior Manager, Entrepreneurship. Prior to his banking career, Dennis was a Geoscientist with Exxonmobil, and before that he was a Production Geologist with Shell Upstream International in Nigeria.
As a community builder and connector, Dennis enjoys volunteering for different organizations and being part of his community.
Annette is a dedicated leader and community advocate with a passion for giving back through mentorship. She has volunteered extensively, with local immigration services, community associations and for the last 4 years as the CBC Mentorship Director.
In partnership with Calgary Catholic School Board and the Mount Royal University she has developed a program supported by 50+ volunteer mentors, that provides the tools and support to empower our youth achieve academic and personal success as they embark on their career journey.
Seyi is a Partner with MNP LLP in the Calgary office. She has over 20 years of experience spanning four continents in both public and private sectors. She has deep experience in risk management, IT Governance, compliance, third-party risk assurance, and business process improvement.
With a strong grounding in digital transformation and control frameworks, she advises organizations in both audit and advisory capacities helping them leverage technology, strengthen controls, and embed governance into innovation. Whether strengthening IT controls, navigating third-party risk, or embedding governance into innovation, she believes trust must be intentional, not incidental.
Charles is the visionary behind Technology Helps; an idea that emerged from his experience in the corporate and as volunteer in the non-profit sectors and shaped the mission to end technology poverty in the non-profit sector. Recognizing that ‘somebody’s got to do something’ and making the decision to step-up and do it, Charles founded Technology Helps in April 2016.
An information technology and business leader with a powerful combination of skills in sales, consulting, strategy, finance, customer insight, and technology innovation. Charles has an MBA from Queen’s University and a degree in computer engineering. He was Chair of the Board of Directors for the Centre for Newcomers, one of the largest immigrant-serving agencies in Calgary.
Pat White has extensive experience in corporate leadership and not-for-profit board roles. She is retired from corporate life, where her professional experience included leadership roles at Suncor Energy, NOVA corporation and private consulting, and focused on HR, Organizational Effectiveness, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), Leadership Development, and Change Management.
Pat’s board service includes YMCA Canada, YMCA Calgary, L’Arche Calgary, and OakPark Church.
Sandra is a retired Finance executive with over 30 years’ experience working primarily for TC Energy and Pembina Pipeline.
Sandra is committed to supporting her community, she is the Board Chair for the Calgary Black Chamber and has been serving on the board for over three years. Sandra also serves as board member and member of the Audit Committee for Parks Foundation Calgary and previously served on its Amateur Sports Committee for two years. Sandra has been a passionate volunteer mentor for over 20 years, including volunteering with the Haskayne School of Business, and is a mentor with Mentor Walks.
Sandra is an avid and permanent student of golf. She enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, including travelling with her husband, adult children and friends.
Clarence Wynter is a community leader, multicultural advocate, and senior technical consultant with more than 30 years of professional and volunteer leadership experience. He is a Co-Founder and Board Member of the Calgary Black Chambers (CBC), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to education, mentorship, equity, and economic empowerment within Calgary’s Black community.
Through CBC, Clarence has helped build strategic partnerships with municipal and provincial governments, school boards, law enforcement, and corporate stakeholders to advance scholarships, youth mentorship, and systemic change initiatives that strengthen community resilience and opportunity.
Professionally, Clarence is a Certified Senior Piping Designer (PPD IV) with extensive experience across the oil and gas and pulp and paper sectors. He brings governance, risk awareness, and technical rigor to both community and industry settings.
Clarence serves in advisory and leadership roles with organizations including the City of Calgary (Social Wellbeing Advisory Committee), Age-Friendly Calgary (Older Adult Advisory Table, Co-Chair), Calgary African Community Collective, Mandela House, ECO Canada, and the Society of Piping Engineers and Designers. His work focuses on equity, aging well, mental health, violence prevention, and youth empowerment within multicultural and BIPOC communities.
A recognized public speaker, Clarence has delivered keynotes and presentations nationally and internationally on leadership, resilience, and social transformation. His contributions have been acknowledged through multiple awards for inclusive leadership, racial justice advocacy, and lifetime community service
Chucks a former CFL athlete, and past CBC Mentorship Director. Chucks leverages his leadership, professional profile, attention to detail, and community service including his work as a global real estate advisor with Sotheby’s International Realty and volunteer football coach at Centennial High School to strengthen Black representation and expand educational and career pathways.
Charles a visionary technology and business leader with deep nonprofit experience, leverages his engineering expertise, MBA training, and proven community leadership including founding Technology Helps and chairing the Centre for Newcomers to drive impactful, equity-focused initiatives as a co-founder of the Calgary Black Chambers.
Akwasi, a bridge builder within the Calgary Black Chambers diaspora whose active leadership in communications and outreach is strengthen by his professional background as an EPC AND Associate Advisor with Financial Services, his expertise in retirement, estate, tax, and portfolio planning, and his distinguish career as a former CFL Linebacker drafted by the Calgary Stampeders and later played for the Argonauts, BC Lions and others.
Charles a visionary technology and business leader with deep nonprofit experience, leverages his engineering expertise, MBA training, and proven community leadership including founding Technology Helps and chairing the Centre for Newcomers to drive impactful, equity-focused initiatives as a co-founder of the Calgary Black Chambers.
Michael brings more than 20 years of high-level financial leadership spanning risk management, investment fund governance, and executive operations to strengthen the organization’s strategic direction, compliance, and long-term sustainability.
Kene Ilochonwu, K.C., is Co-Founder and Board Secretary of the Calgary Black Chambers. He practices commercial law in Calgary and serves as a Bencher on the Law Society of Alberta Board, where he is a member of the Executive Committee. Kene is committed to community engagement, contributing through various volunteer activities and mentorship programs.
He also serves as an armoured soldier with the King’s Own Calgary Regiment, holds the position of Vice Chair on the City of Airdrie Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, and has previously served on the Government of Alberta Foreign Credentials Advisory Committee.
Chi Iliya-Ndule a lawyer, where she has helped grow the organization into a leading platform for mentorship, scholarships, and advocacy for Calgary’s Black community.
Her leadership and professional expertise in corporate law, governance, and strategic coalition-building have strengthened CBC’s impact, creating tangible opportunities and visibility for Black professionals and youth across the city.
