Stéphanie Germain
General Director of Educonnexion (CJS)
Driven by an insatiable thirst for justice and social solidarity, Stéphanie has been involved in various social, cultural, and community organizations for more than 10 years. She works with associations and collectives that fight against the inequalities and social injustices suffered by marginalized communities. Recognized as a facilitator, cultural mediator, and community organizer, her professional and activist career testifies to a desire to fight against all forms of inequalities, because she believes that “as long as there is inequalities, there will be injustices.”
Jean Baptiste Ndiaye
Training and School and Community Events Manager
Jean Baptiste has been a workshop animator and designer at Educonnexion for over 12 years. After training in the history of religions and mentalities, in human rights and in political science, Jean Baptiste evolved in the field of training, notably with Mer et Monde, Oxfam-Québec, CECI and in the field of teaching geopolitics at UdeM and UdeS (UTA).
Jessica Lachontch
Administrative Support and Communications Manager
After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in International Relations and International Law, Jessica joined the Educonnexion team in 2018 as an intern, then as coordinator of the educational program. Between 2021 and 2024, Jessica varied her professional experiences in the community sector, always with the objective of combining environmental justice and social justice. In recent years, she has deepened her knowledge of intersectional feminist approaches while developing her skills in organizational management. Jessica is now back at Educonnexion, whose mission is so close to her heart.
Martine Fidèle
Citizen Participation Mentoring Program By and For Young Afro-descendants and Racialized Invididuals Manager
She is an actress and author; her texts focus on reflections related to the female body, gender relations, and social justice. Martine received the Africa Caribbean Pacific prize at the Paris book fair (2018), for leading the collective Écorchées vivants (Mémoire d’encrier, 2017). Since 2018, Martine has been involved in the community, educational, and cultural sector of Quebec, particularly among young people. To date, she is pursuing studies in international law at the University of Montreal where she specializes in Canadian and Quebec immigration regulations.
Cédric Irakoze
Animator
After obtaining his diploma in Management and Accounting at Collège Maisonneuve, Cedric experienced a significant turning point in his career. Having devoted much of his youth to community work during events such as neighbourhood parties and other local celebrations, he developed a passion for this sector. This experience encouraged him to redirect his career towards youth work, a field in which he now has more than five years of experience. In addition, he has accumulated three years of experience in project management: two years at Voisin en Action as coordinator of the CJS Saint-Michel project and one year at the Centre Lasallien, where he was coordinator of the educational and cultural environment.
Evelyne Marchal-Ferrière
Gender-based Violence Project Manager
A graduate in political science, Evelyne specializes in issues of social justice and Afro-feminism, both in Western and African contexts. In Montreal, her journey is marked by his commitment to various communities, advocating healing and cultural development. Passionate about law, research, history, and life stories, Evelyne leads projects using intersectional and multidisciplinary approaches. Currently, she is dedicated to supporting and equipping marginalized and underserved people, particularly in contexts of gender-based violence.
Belen Blizzard
Coordinator of the Montreal Circle for the Righting Relations Organization
Belen Blizzard is studying a Bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies at the Simone de Beauvoir Institute at Concordia University. They are currently the academic affairs coordinator within the student association of the Department of Gender and Sexuality Studies. Their research, both inside and outside university walls, is in dialogue with Afropessimism, racialized queer critique, performance, poetry as well as contemporary trans art and thought. Within Educonnexion, Belen is the coordinator of the Montreal circle for the pan-Canadian organization Righting Relations.
Philippe Tousignant
External Advisor
Philippe joined the Social Justice Connection team in 2013, after having been a volunteer animator. After his arrival, he launched Educonnexion, taking a new look at young people and global citizenship. Since then, he has designed and facilitated the development of educational approaches and resources now deployed in more than 35,000 schools and educational environments around the world. He has a BA in International Relations and International Law, as well as an LLM Masters in International Law (specialization in Chinese law). It supports the programming direction and creative development choices of Educonnexion.
Photos collection by Noire Mouliom Photography