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.
Evan Williams
Director, Client Development
Raised in East Preston; Evan comes to BBI with a background in marketing, banking and communications. He has several years experience with the public and private sectors. He has had tenures with Veteran's Affairs Canada, the Nova Scotia Legislature and the Nova Scotia Department of Environment. Most recently, Evan has spent several years in the small business banking industry. Evan has an affinity for business and for helping people and appreciates the opportunity to assist in enhancing the Black business presence in Nova Scotia.
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
Regional Business Development Manager
Northern Region
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
Central 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
Omax Charles
Accounting Assistant
Omax is the proud to be a member of the BBI team. He is an accounting graduate from Saint Mary's University and is also currently working towards his professional designation. Omax is excited to be part of the BBI team.
Roselyne Orengo
Executive Assistant
Roselyne joined the BBI prior to working in various provincial government departments; previously she worked overseas with a number of local and international non-governmental organizations and other donor funded institutions amongst them, GTZ International Services in a variety of capacities. She is a skilled event organizer and holds over 10 years experience in Administration and Office Management operations. She holds a diploma in Office Management and Administration. She is currently pursuing studies in International Development.
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 - Training Office
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
