Mount Royal Faculty Association
Championing collective excellence.
EDI Award Recipients
- 2025 Recipient will be announced at the 2025 MRFA Annual General Meeting (Nominate a Faculty Member today)
- Gabrielle Lindstrom (2024)
- Aliyah Dosani (2023)
- Irene Shankar (2023)
- Jacqueline Musabende (2023)
2024 Recipient – Gabrielle Lindstrom
Dr. Gabrielle Weasel Head received the EDI Award for her unwavering commitment to advocating for equity, diversity, and inclusion, particularly for Indigenous and marginalized communities at Mount Royal University. As a key member of the BIPOC Support Network, Dr. Weasel Head has been instrumental in shaping inclusive policies and fostering a supportive environment for underrepresented groups. Her advocacy extends to the Academic Planning Steering Committee, where she successfully advocated for the inclusion of BIPOC voices in key consultations. Known for her deep understanding of EDI issues and Indigenous ways of knowing, Dr. Weasel Head has influenced inclusive decision-making processes through training sessions, such as those for ANSER board members, which inspired greater understanding and empathy. Her anti-racism efforts, mentorship, and support for Indigenous professionals have made a lasting impact, establishing her as a leading force for change and a deserving recipient of the EDI Award.
2023 Inaugural Recipients of the MRFA EDI Award
Dr. Aliyah Dosani has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing issues of EDI throughout her career at MRU. She has contributed to EDI through service on the MRFA Diversity Committee, the Joint Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (JEDIC), the Joint Salary Anomalies Committee (JSAAC), the BIPOC Support Network, the ad hoc Collective Bargaining Advisory Committee, and as the MRFA representative on UTPC. She has advocated for equity, diversity and inclusion in bicameral governance bodies including General Faculties Councils, and she has led major initiatives focused on equity, diversity and inclusion in her scholarship endeavours.
Dr. Irene Shankar has been instrumental in bringing about changes to make MRU and the MRFA more equitable and inclusive. In 2012 Dr. Shankar fought to make the Collective Agreement less discriminatory against women faculty members who took maternity leave. Since 2014, Dr. Shankar has advocated tirelessly for the university to take an intersectional approach to its analyses pertaining to gender pay gaps at the institution. In 2020-2021, Dr. Shankar was, also, an active member on the MRFA Executive Board, 2025 Working Group, and the Equity Review Working Group and has led critical changes to the Association concerning equity, diversity and inclusion.
Dr Jacqueline Musabende is an associate professor in International Business and Supply Chain department in Bisset School of Business. In her teaching, she emphasizes the importance of cross-cultural literacy and ethics in business. Jacqueline is involved in EDI activities through her role of President of BIPOC Support Network: she has been the president of this network since 2020. Jacqueline has served on MRFA Grants committee, honorary appointments committee, Collective Bargaining Advisory Committee and she is currently serving as Co-chair of the Joint Equity Diversity and Inclusion committee.