Every year, CCEDNet members are invited to submit nominations for CCEDNet’s Board of Directors. This year, there were four vacancies to be filled.
Four eligible nominations were received by the deadline, leading our Elections Officer to declare the following candidates elected by acclamation:
- Michelle Colussi
- Merryen Kabbaj
- Fahima Karim
- Ryan Watmough
The results will be ratified at CCEDNet’s Annual General Meeting of the members on June 25, 2026.
Congratulations to these amazing CED leaders from across Canada, who will be part of CCEDNet’s dedicated Board of Directors.
Michelle Colussi
Michelle has over 30 years of experience working with local and First Nation governments and NGO’s in Canada to strengthen their strategic impact and capacity, working for many years with the Canadian Centre for Community Renewal.
Her experience across all roles in community work givers her a solid understanding of the diversity of perspectives and resources communities need to get stuff done. Michelle was the community research lead in the design of the Community Resilience Manual and worked with the Government of Botswana to train facilitators there. She facilitated a diverse multi-sector Advisory group for Western Forest Products resulting in successful forest certification, was Canada’s first Transition Town Trainer and is co-founder of Building Resilient Neighbourhoods.
Currently Michelle works with SHIFT Collaborative to strengthen systems change practice and adaptive learning in action with a focus on multi-stakeholder initiatives and regional food systems. Her current work includes coaching three Collective Impact initiatives, supporting deepening inclusive practices within IPCC Working Group I, coaching NGOs to strengthen financial acumen through Thriving Non-Profits and delivery of CMHC Housing Solutions Labs.
Merryen Kabbaj
Meryem Kabbaj holds a Ph.D. in Economics and Management, a master’s degree in auditing and management control from ENCG Casablanca, and a master’s degree in financial management from the University of Lorraine. After a brief stint in finance, Meryem chose to focus on the collective and social entrepreneurship ecosystem. She has worked as the national coordinator for the German program enpact e.V. and as an entrepreneurship consultant for several international organizations, including the British Council, the World Bank, and UNICEF.
Meryem is originally from Morocco. In recent years, she has been a postdoctoral researcher at the SME Research Institute at the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières (UQTR), where she taught strategic management. Now serving as Executive Director of the Regroupement québécois de développement économique communautaire (RQDEC)—a network that brings together CDECs in Quebec—Meryem has overseen the network’s strategic development, governance, and coordination since its inception. Her dual role as a researcher-practitioner allows her to combine academic rigor with organizational leadership grounded in real-world realities. Passionate about creating impact and entrepreneurship, Meryem finds in the social economy and community economic development the ideal arena to pursue her life’s mission.
Fahima Karim
Fahima Karim has built her career within the co-operative banking sector, guided by a strong commitment to financial inclusion and community-driven finance. She began her journey at Alterna Savings in 2017, where her early work included leading financial literacy seminars through Enactus and supporting initiatives focused on reducing barriers to banking access.
In her role as Account Manager, Nonprofit & Affordable Housing, Fahima supports a large and diverse portfolio of community-based organizations including nonprofit, charitable, and affordable housing providers across Ontario. Her work focuses on building trusted relationships, supporting operational banking needs, and helping organizations align their banking with their governance structures, cash flow realities, and long-term goals.
Fahima works closely with sector partners and community leaders to advocate for inclusive financial solutions that strengthen the co-operative housing and nonprofit ecosystem. Her approach is rooted in collaboration and the belief that financial services should empower organizations to better serve their communities.
Ryan Watmough
Born and raised in rural Ontario and now living and working in rural British Columbia, Ryan has spent more than 20 years working in community economic development (CED) as a consultant, Economic Development Officer, educator, and Director of CED. While leading the Community Economic Development Certificate Program at Simon Fraser University, he expanded professional development opportunities through accreditation partnerships with Economic Developers Association of Canada, Canadian Credit Union Association, and Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers.
Recognized by the British Columbia Economic Development Association, Ryan has supported projects ranging from farmers’ markets and grant programs to workforce development and economic reconciliation initiatives. He currently serves in leadership roles with a post-secondary institution, an Indigenous development corporation, and an environmental stewardship organization, with a strong commitment to collaborative and sustainable community development.
