Annahid Dashtgard (MEd) is author and CEO of Anima Leadership, a company that focuses on equity and racial justice in organizations offering everything from trainings to full system audits. 

Fire and Silence is her third book, following memoir Breaking the Ocean and book of essays, Bones of Belonging. She happily lives in Toronto.

Susie Lee-Fernandes

Susie has served in education for over 25 years in the roles of teacher, principal and superintendent with responsibilities for equity, special education and leadership development. She is a dedicated educator and life-long learner, committed to culturally responsive leadership and authentic collaboration with community partners. In her current role as Director of Professional Learning for the Ontario Principal’s Council, Susie is honoured to support principals and vice-principals in exemplary school leadership at the local, national and international levels.

Irfan Toor

Irfan (he/him) has been working in education for more than 30 years in communities such as Victoria, Kingston, Toronto and in Simcoe County. As a secondary / intermediate educator and school administrator in public, private and alternative settings, he is committed to fostering educational practices that centre students in the learning experience. As a system principal, Irfan provided leadership, support and mentorship to school administrators as they progressed on their individual journeys to noticing, unlearning and disrupting systemic practices that reinforced disproportionate outcomes for underserved identities. As a Member of the OPC, Irfan spent many years on the local executive for Simcoe County as part of the Terms and Conditions team, Secondary Provincial Councillor and as a Member-at-Large for the Provincial Executive in 2020-2021.