In October 2022, Colleen James was elected to the Regional Council, representing the residents of the City of Kitchener. With over 15 years of experience in municipal government, both at the city and regional levels, Colleen has built a reputation as a trusted leader and advocate for equity and inclusion. Her work has left an indelible mark on her community and beyond.
A Career Dedicated to Equity and Inclusion
Colleen’s professional journey is not just defined by her role in government. As the founder of Divonify Incorporated, she has established herself as a leading consultant on equity and inclusion. Her work spans locally, nationally, and internationally, partnering with public, private, and not-for-profit organizations dedicated to driving meaningful change. Her expertise and guidance have helped many businesses and institutions build more inclusive environments.
Values That Drive Leadership
Colleen’s leadership is shaped by a set of core values that influence her decisions and interactions as a Councillor. These values include:
- Building trusted relationships: Colleen believes that trust is the foundation of effective leadership.
- Equity-informed community discussions: She ensures that all voices are heard and that discussions are approached through the lens of equity.
- Listening and collaborating: Colleen understands the power of collaboration and actively listens to community members.
- Empowering and amplifying: She strives to empower others and amplify underrepresented voices.
- Taking meaningful action: Colleen is committed to creating tangible outcomes that benefit her community.
- Being accountable: She holds herself accountable to the community she serves, ensuring transparency in her decisions and actions.
Academic Excellence and Community Recognition
Colleen is a proud graduate of the University of Toronto, where she earned an Honours B.A. in history, political science, and Caribbean studies. She furthered her education with a master’s degree in leadership, higher, and adult education from U of T’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE).
Her dedication to excellence has not gone unnoticed. In 2020, Colleen was named one of the Top 100 Black Women to Watch by the Canada International Black Women Event. A year later, she was recognized as one of the Top 25 Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Persons of the Year by the Canadian Multicultural Group. In 2024, she was honored with the Public Service Excellence Award by Women of Dignity International.
Commitment to the Waterloo Region
Colleen’s involvement in the community extends far beyond her political role. She is a graduate of Leadership Waterloo Region and has contributed her expertise to several local boards and committees, including the Kitchener Public Library and KW Oktoberfest. Additionally, she plays an active role in the Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region, where she established the James STEM scholarship to support students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
A Proud Kitchener Resident
Born and raised in Kitchener, Colleen’s family immigrated to the Waterloo Region over 50 years ago. Today, she continues to live in Kitchener with her partner, Daren, and their daughter, Maleigha, deeply connected to the community that has shaped her life and career.
Colleen James is not just a Regional Councillor; she is a leader dedicated to equity, community collaboration, and creating a brighter future for Kitchener and beyond.