Laurie Toulouse is Anishinaabe kwe, a member of Serpent River First Nation. She grew up on the lands of the Kwikwetlem First Nation and Coast Salish Peoples and currently calls T’karonto, Dish with One Spoon treaty territory her home.
Laurie is a mother, partner, teacher/coach/facilitator, and observer/learner. As a lifelong learner, she is committed to a journey of continuous personal growth and expansion. She has had an expansive management career in the retail fashion industry, with a specialty in education and development. Her lived and professional experience inform the way in which she promotes inclusive excellence at the workplace. Embodying the principles of Intentionality and thoughtfulness, she ensures that her teaching and facilitation support leaders and decision makers in shifting environments that favour inclusion and the service of all peoples.
Organizations we partner with
Bata Shoe Museum, Canadian Council for the Arts, CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals, City of Toronto, David Suzuki Foundation, Fasken, Genome Canada, George Brown College, GTAA, Humber, IMCO, Kids Help Phone, Luminato, McMaster University, MLSE, OICR, Ontario Presents, ROM, Sankofa Square, Sick Kids, TD Bank, TTC, UHN Foundation, United Way Greater Toronto, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, University Pension Plan Ontario, York University
Clients Served Include
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BES provides a wide range of free educational resources designed to inform, guide, and support professionals at every stage of their career.
Indigenous Knowledge / Jason Murray
National Indigenous History Month as a Mirror rather than a Museum
This reflection piece argues that National Indigenous History Month should be an opportunity not only to deepen our understanding of history, but also to examine how it shapes our everyday choices.
EDIA / Chad Martin Lawrence
Systemic Racism Without Explicit Laws: Understanding the ‘Shadow System’ of Today
This article clarifies what is meant by systemic racism in contemporary contexts—particularly in environments where explicitly discriminatory laws no longer exist. While many modern systems are designed to be fair, disparities in outcomes continue to persist across areas such as employment, leadership representation, and access to opportunity. Rather than locating systemic racism solely in formal rules, this paper argues that it increasingly operates through what can be understood as a “shadow system.” This shadow system is not codified in policy, but exists alongside formal structures, shaping how decisions are interpreted and applied in practice. It is influenced by habit, familiarity, and historical patterns that continue to inform judgments about competence, potential, and fit.
Sustainability / Helen Mekonen
Equity is not Optional: Lessons from Public Education for Every Organization
What happens when our systems only recognize certain kinds of contributions, and only reward certain ways of leading? Drawing from the lessons of public education and the insights of scholar Nicole Ineese-Nash, this article explores how organizations can move beyond performative inclusion toward systems that truly honour cultural knowledge, relational leadership, and shared responsibility. Rather than focusing on what’s lacking, Helen Mekonen invites readers to consider what’s already present—gifts, strengths, and ways of knowing that are often overlooked. For organizations committed to sustainability, equity is not a one-time investment; it is a design principle that must live in everyday practice, accountability, and imagination.
Professional Development / Helen Mekonen
Let’s Go to Lunch! One of the Many Ways to Integrate Culture into Strategy
In this article, Helen Mekonen explores how culture in today’s workplace is shaped not only by where we work but by how we come together. She argues that while digital platforms remain useful, the true power of connection is revealed when people share space: in a meeting room, at a conference, or over lunch. These face-to-face moments build trust, sharpen cultural fluency, and foster collaboration in ways digital exchanges alone cannot. By intentionally making room for in-person interaction, leaders can design strategies that are not only human-centred but also resilient and performance-driven.
Indigenous Knowledge/Jason Murray
National Indigenous History Month as a Mirror rather than a Museum
This reflection piece argues that National Indigenous History Month should be an opportunity not only to deepen our understanding of history, but also to examine how it shapes our everyday choices.
Sustainability/Stephanie La
Green AI: The Role of AI in Sustainability
Green AI emphasizes the importance of balancing innovation with environmental responsibility, addressing the significant environmental and ethical challenges posed by AI development, such as high carbon emissions, energy consumption, and data privacy concerns. While AI offers transformative benefits, including climate change prediction, pollution monitoring, and public health insights, its rapid advancement often prioritizes speed over sustainability. By adopting Green AI practices—such as energy-efficient algorithms, renewable energy sources, and sustainable development goals—organizations can reduce their environmental impact, align with sustainability objectives, and foster long-term growth while contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future.