About BBI
Staff Profiles
Rustum Southwell
Chief Executive Officer
Rustum Southwell is a passionate leader and tireless advocate for economic diversity and capacity building. Originally from the Island of St. Kitts in the British West Indies, Rustum Southwell has called Nova Scotia home for over 30 years. As one of the first Black franchise operators in Nova Scotia Rustum understands and appreciates the entrepreneurial landscape in this province.
Rustum is a recognized and respected leader in the business community with strong connections in the public and private sectors. As BBI's CEO, he is accountable to the Board of Directors and responsible for the management and leadership, strategic planning, and implementation of a loan program, development fund, consulting arm, business summit, and training department.
Idy Fashoranti
Controller
Idy has been a valued member of the BBI team since 1995. She specializes in finance and accounting.
Gordon Doe
Director, Business Development
Gordon has a professional background and work experience in engineering and business management. Research, business development and financing are some of his strongest functional areas. He has had a rich experience working within diverse cultural mixes and he understands and values the importance of diversity in business.
Walter Muise
Financial Manager
Walter recently joined the Black Business Initiative team as a Financial Manager. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Dalhousie and many years of senior management experience in the construction, telecommunication and utility industries. Walter looks forward to working with the entire BBI team and its valued clients.
Gregory Adolphe-Nazaire
Regional Business Development Manager
Southern Region
Contact Info:
902-426-1625
Click to Email: Gregory Nazaire
Cheyanne Gorman-Tolliver
Acting Director, Client Development
Hailing from Cape Breton, Cheyanne has many years experience working and volunteering within the Black community of Whitney Pier, Sydney, NS. After making the city her permanent home for the past thirteen years she has been with BBI for five of those. As a senior member of the team, holding various positions within the organization she has become very knowledgeable with the "inner" workings of BBI and looks forward to using this experience to assist clients and continue to help BBI fulfill its mission.
Contact Info:
902-426-8685
Click to Email: Cheyanne Gorman-Tolliver
Njabulo Nkala
Regional Business Development Manager - Northern Region
Njabulo recently joined the BBI team. He is a Business Administration graduate from Saint Mary's University with interests in business development. Njabulo is excited to be part of the BBI.
Contact Info:
902-426-4281
Shakara Russell
Regional Business Development Manager - Central Region
Shakara joins the BBI after gaining professional experience with a public accounting firm in Halifax. She has worked with companies
across many industries including oil and gas, food brokerage, electrical utilities and construction. Shakara has a passion for assisting
client s in developing sound business strategies and is excited to be working to further develop the business community.
Contact Info:
902-426-6692
Click to Email: Shakara Russell
James Williams
Management Intern
Jamie was born and raised in Halifax. He graduated from St. Patrick’s High School and studied commerce at St. Mary’s University. After
a few years of study, James moved to Toronto to pursue a passion in music recording. After completing a diploma in sound engineering
James decided to return home to Nova Scotia to complete a Bachelor degree in Finance, which he is currently pursuing part-time. Since returning, James has held several contract positions, gaining valuable work experience, with organizations such as; The Atlantic Film Festival Association, ABM Integrated Solutions, Metro Regional Housing Authority, to name a few. James was drawn to BBI because of their
presence in the province and because he wanted to be part of something that helps make a difference in the community.
Contact Info:
902-426-7973
Click to Email: James Williams
David Kantro
Accounting Clerk
Kantro David Kouame graduated from Universite Sainte-Anne and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business administration. Kantro has a passion for International Trade and managerial accounting.
Emma Otuki
Executive Assistant
Emma is a graduate of Saint Mary’s University with a Double Major in International Development Studies and Political Science. Previous to working at BBI she worked at a consulting company as a Trade Development Manager where she was instrumental in the planning trade missions. In this position she also assisted companies in expanding and targeting international markets.
Emma is very active in the community, currently volunteering with upcoming 2011 Canada Games where she’s the Accommodations Lead. She also volunteers with the Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, Canadian Crossroads International, and Mission to Seafarers. Emma looks forward to working at the BBI to assist the African Nova Scotian community achieve their business goals locally or internationally.
Contact Info:
902-426-7237
Dorothy Fletcher
Training Associate
Dorothy was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia but spent most of her childhood in Ontario before moving to British Colombia where she worked for both the provincial and federal governments. After spending about twenty years in British Columbia, Dorothy returned home to Nova Scotia.
Currently she is a member of the Nova Scotia Mass Choir; has been a Site Coordinator for the Tutoring Program of the Black Educators Association for last five years; and has been employed as an Administrative Assistant and Program Coordinator for a church organization for six-and-a-half years.
Beverley Parker
Administrative Assistant
Beverley was born in Annapolis Royal and raised in Granville Ferry. She relocated to the Halifax area in 2002 and began work with the BBI in 2006. Beverley has had a variety of jobs in an office environment. She enjoys a challenge and working with others.
Contact Info:
902-426-8683
Click to Email: Beverley Parker
