Overview
Diversity in Motion: Confidence, Courage, and Community is a transformative event focused on harnessing the power of diversity to build stronger, more inclusive communities. This event celebrates the unique perspectives and experiences that shape our world, while providing a platform for individuals to cultivate the confidence and courage needed to make a lasting impact.
Through inspiring keynote speakers, thought-provoking panel discussions, and interactive workshops, attendees will explore how diversity can be a powerful catalyst for building connection and fostering belonging. Participants will learn how to step into their full potential, develop the confidence to embrace their authentic selves, and find the courage to take bold action toward creating more inclusive spaces—whether at work, in their neighborhoods, or within their personal networks.
The event will spotlight the importance of community as a force for positive change, emphasizing how collaboration, empathy, and shared purpose can bring diverse groups together in pursuit of common goals. Together, we’ll examine real-world examples of communities overcoming adversity through collective strength, and offer tools to help individuals and organizations nurture the kind of environments where everyone feels valued and empowered.
Whether you’re looking to build stronger relationships, enhance your leadership capacity, or contribute to a more inclusive society, Diversity in Motion will provide the inspiration, resources, and connections needed to turn aspirations into action.
Territorial Acknowledgement: We respectfully acknowledge that this event occurs on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Lekwungen-speaking peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. We recognize and honour their ongoing relationship with the land and waters in this region.
Event Details
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville Street, Victoria,BC V8W 9W2
Hosted by: Wear2Start Society
Event Highlights:
- Interactive breakout sessions
- Empowering storytelling sessions
This free event has limited space, so we encourage you to register early. Refreshments will be provided. Please consider supporting Wear2Start with a donation.
Disclaimer: Please note that some themes discussed during the event, may involve sensitive topics, including but not limited to personal adversity and trauma. We aim to create a supportive and respectful environment, but we encourage attendees to participate at their own comfort level. Please be assured that mental health resources will be available if anyone needs support during or after the event, ensuring you feel supported and cared for.
Speakers
Mayor Marianne Alto
City of Victoria
Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto is a facilitator by trade with university degrees in law and science. A businesswoman active in community causes for decades, Marianne was first elected to Victoria City Council in 2010, and elected as Mayor in 2022.
As an advocate for equity, inclusion, and fairness, much of Mayor Alto’s work this term has centered around reconciliation, sustainable cities, housing, governance, relationship building, and community safety and wellbeing.
Horst Backé
Co-coordinator, Living OUT Visibly and Engaged Community Response Network
Horst Backé is the Co-coordinator of Living OUT Visibly and Engaged Community Response Network (LOVE CRN). He spearheaded several initiatives to decrease abuse, neglect and self-neglect of 2SLGBTQI+ adults. After a long career as a public health nurse and health care manager, Horst retired as the Acting Director of Public Health in Winnipeg in 2016. He has a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Manitoba.
Horst has been an avid volunteer and activist for most of his adult life starting in 1984 with community-based efforts to address the health needs of the queer community and the AIDS crisis.He is the president of Reaching Out Assisting Refugees (ROAR), an organization dedicated to resettling LGBTQ+ refugees from around the world to safety in Nanaimo, and this month received the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his work with ROAR.
Shelly D'Mello
Chief Executive Officer, Inter-cultural Association of Greater Victoria
Shelly D’Mello is a skilled relationship builder, a collaborative coach who takes a strength-based approach to team and community development, a creative thinker, and a visionary leader. With over 25 years of experience in private, government, and non-profit organizations, Shelly is an inclusive and transformational leader whose strengths include strategic planning, financial acumen, organizational development, and organizational change management.
A self-proclaimed entrepreneur, Shelly is backed by a degree in Economics from York University, an international MBA from England, is a member of HRPAO (Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario) and holds a Certificate in Adult Training and Development from the University of Toronto.
Tracey Drake
CEO, Royal BC Museum
Tracey Drake is the Chief Executive Officer of the Royal BC Museum and Archives. Tracey has worked at the museum since 2021, and oversees Museum operations, BC Archives, and IMAX, as well as the critical work of reconciliation, repatriation, community engagement and PARC Campus – the provincial archives, collections, and research building capital project in Colwood.
Passionate about the organization’s mandate as a provincial institution, Tracey is focused on becoming a progressive and diverse museum for all British Columbians and stewarding the reimagining of the museum for future generations.
Prior to joining the Royal BC Museum, Tracey’s career in executive leadership and strategic management consulting spanned more than two decades, working with organizations across the tourism, cultural, and non-profit sectors. Deeply committed to community, Tracey has
served on numerous boards and was recognized nationally for her significant fundraising efforts in British Columbia.
Ashley MacDonald
Office Manager, Kopar Administration Wear2Start, Volunteer Coordinator,
Ashley MacDonald is a skilled program manager with extensive experience in workforce re-entry and community support. She specializes in workshop facilitation, coaching, and advocacy for individuals facing employment barriers. A strong leader and public speaker, she excels in stakeholder engagement and relationship-building.
With over a decade of experience working with vulnerable populations, Ashley has deep knowledge of CRD social services, labor market trends, and community partnerships. As Manager of Employment Services at Our WorkPlace – Our Place Society, she led an employment center, securing funding, managing staff and volunteers, and advocating for a more inclusive WorkBC program. She also developed the People in Progress and Women in Progress Programs to address specific employment challenges.
Ashley’s background as an Employment Coach and Associate News Editor highlights her adaptability and strategic thinking. She holds diplomas in Journalism and Art History, along with certifications in employment counseling, mental health first aid, and non-violent crisis communication. Fluent in French, she brings a multicultural perspective to her work.
Tanille Geib (she/they/hube)
Intimacy Coach & Educator
Tanille Geib is an Intimacy Coach, Sexuality Educator, and Artist. She is fiercely passionate about educating curious-minded folks who desire more intimacy and connection in their lives. As an eccentric Queer human they are excited about working with those who navigate the world from Queer, Trans, and Polyamorous identities.
An award-winning Consent Advocate and Author, Tanille supports events and organizations by teaching about the nuances of consent and creating safer, healthier communities. Over the past ten+ years hube has worked with thousands of people around the globe to curate caring, potent relationships.
Tanille is of Swedish, French, Polish, and German cultural lineage: her work in allyship is ongoing and she is honoured to be living creatively on the lands of the W̱SÁNEĆ & Lekwungen Peoples. To find out more about their work, passions, and upcoming events check out their website: www.tanillegeib.ca
Gala Vega (They/Them)
Festival Director, Victoria Pride Society
With over a decade of event management experience, including co-founding the Isle of Tease International Burlesque Festival, Gala Vega is currently in their second year as Festival Director for the Victoria Pride Society, leading event management, sponsorship and grant writing to secure funding for inclusive events for 2SLGBTQIA+/GSRD communities. A passionate advocate for the performing arts, Gala is an active member of Victoria’s vibrant arts scene.