Meet the Team
Bridge Building Group is a community of engagement specialists, facilitators, graphic recorders and planners who help people have meaningful conversations and gatherings. Want to join the community? Keep scrolling and get in touch!
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CO-FOUNDER, PROFESSIONAL FACILITATOR
Jane Porter is a Certified Professional Facilitator (Integral® and IAF Certified™) with over 15 years of experience (national and international) as a convener and consultant bringing a depth of process skills and content knowledge. She has worked at the forefront of key sustainability issues of our time and has led strategy development, program design and national stakeholder initiatives on topics related to climate change, sustainable natural resource management and startups for sustainability. She is a co-founder of Impact Hub Ottawa, and a Board Member of the Parkdale Food Centre. jane@bridgebuilding.ca.
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CO-FOUNDER, PROFESSIONAL FACILITATOR
Melissa Hammell is a Certified Integral Facilitator® and community connector who is passionate about addressing intricate global challenges one cup of tea at a time. Being from a mixed family with strong Anishinabe roots, Melissa carries the responsibility of bringing different worldviews together through deep listening and relationship building. In her role as a consultant she has led reconciliation initiatives and community conversations across Canada. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from the University of Waterloo and an Integral Facilitator® certificate from Ten Directions. She is on the Board of Directors for both the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, and the Ottawa Riverkeeper. melissa@bridgebuilding.ca
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GRAPHIC FACILITATOR, PROJECT MANAGER
Holding experience in a multitude of disciplines, Jessica’s expertise is naturally drawn to that of graphic facilitation, facilitation, reporting and project organization with a passion for inclusive design, community design and socially & ecologically conscientious design. Her approach to all project solutions is that of careful listening - rooted in the belief that the path forward is found in open, inclusive conversation. Born and raised in Ottawa, with a mix of settler and Anishnaabe heritage, Jessica fully believes in the importance of open, truthful storytelling and story-sharing for intercultural collaboration and bridge-building. jessica@bridgebuilding.ca | View Portfolio.
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DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, PROJECT MANAGER
Vanessa is a seasoned leader with over two decades of global experience across healthcare, tech, and nonprofit sectors. In her current role as a key member of the Bridge Building Group, Vanessa applies her leadership skills to drive collaboration and spearhead strategic initiatives. Known for creating clear project pathways, Vanessa ensures teams adapt swiftly to change. Vanessa is the Network President of Lean In Ottawa. vanessa@bridgebuilding.ca
Are you a bridge builder?
We are always looking for other talented facilitators, convenors and bridge builders to join this community.
If what you are reading here resonates deeply, let’s connect.