Keisha Cuffie
President
Keisha is the founder of Black Legacy Collective, a non-profit which is dedicated to highlighting the contributions of Black Canadians since the 1600s. As a best-selling author, educator, curator, and consultant she merges heritage literature and education to amplify underrepresented histories. She has collaborated with schools, museums, educational institutions, archives, community organizations, and individuals to promote responsible stewardship of history, emphasizing that the stories we tell must reflect our collective experiences.
As an active professional within the heritage and museum sectors, Keisha sits on several boards geared towards dynamic change, focused on ethics of care frameworks. Her responsibilities have included, but are not limited to, the following: curating exhibits, grant writing, project management, setting strategies, event hosting, collaborating with diplomats, management of various activities, outreach and fundraising, community engagement, and hiring.
As a board member with CHC, Keisha hopes to collaborate with others looking for guidance on inclusion within heritage spaces.
Ana Villegas
Vice President
Ana Villegas is an emerging museum professional (EMP) based in Ottawa. Growing up, a career in heritage increasingly appealed to her as she became aware of the power behind storytelling, curious in how communities make meaning, and skillful in critical analysis. She completed a B.A. Honours in History in 2021 and a Master of Museum Studies in 2023. She specializes in historical research, communications, and writing, with long-term aspirations in becoming a curator. In previous roles, she has written articles on local history for the Thunder Bay Museum, co-designed an exhibit for the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies, and supported the marketing department at the National Trust for Canada in preparation for Historic Places Days 2023.
She has steadily volunteered in organizations for the past three years. She was an Associate Editor for the iJournal, an executive committee member of UofT’s Museum Studies Student Association, and a casual writer for The Commandant, a military history & science journal. Not one to stay idle, she is actively volunteering in three other heritage-related organizations: the Group of Ontario Emerging Museum Professionals; Old World Order; and the Emerging Museum Professionals Canada Collective where she currently leads the Communications Committee.
Louis Lebel
Secretary
Originally from Québec City, Louis Lebel moved to Ottawa in 2002 and grew up in the Carp area. His journey into the museum and heritage field began while volunteering at the Carp Branch of the library, where a spontaneous decision to drop off a résumé at the nearby Diefenbunker Museum sparked a lasting career. Since then, Louis has worked in both community and national museums across Ottawa, gaining a wealth of experience in the sector. After spending several years in France and Montreal, he has recently returned to Ottawa and is eager to contribute once again to the city’s vibrant and evolving heritage landscape.
Johnathan Hinkns
Treasurer
Jonathan Hinkins is a junior analyst at Department of National Defence where he helps to manage the largest heritage portfolio in operational use. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours in History and Theory of Architecture from Carleton University. Currently perusing a Master of Arts in Canadian Studies with a concentration in Heritage Planning from Carleton University. His research interests include architectural heritage, national identity, and heritage accessibility projects.
Lauren Rollit
Director
Lauren Rollit (she/her) is a heritage professional living and working in the National Capital Region. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism & Humanities and a Master of Arts in Public History from Carleton University. During her degree, Lauren’s research focused on experiences of relationship-building between local history institutions and Indigenous communities.
Lauren currently works as an Evaluator with Parks Canada, with previous experience in various program and policy roles with the Department of Canadian Heritage. Lauren has also volunteered with the Historical Society of Ottawa, Jane’s Walk Ottawa-Gatineau, and the Lesbian Herstory Archives.
Lauren is passionate about equity and inclusion in the heritage sector and creating opportunities for collaboration within the heritage community. In her spare time, Lauren loves to knit, travel, and play recreational softball.”
Kyola Fakah
Director
Kyola Fakah is a dynamic professional with expertise in Human Resource Management, Administration, and Client Service Management in both public and private sectors spanning 15 years.
She has a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) and is a member of the Human Resource Professional Association with a keen interest in managing projects. Kyola’s passion for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the workplace and in the society at large motivates her continuous learning in this field.
As a Human Resource Generalist with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, she has carried out a variety of mandates related but not limited to recruitment and selection, training and development, employee relations, as well as compensation and classification.
Kyola has travelled globally and has lived in Nigeria and the UK. In her spare time, she enjoys road trips, gardening, and DIY projects. She also loves to write and has a growing interest in interior design.
Jennifer Ford
Director
Jennifer is a creative development specialist at the Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian War Museum, where she leads the interpretive planning of exhibitions. With over a decade of experience in heritage interpretation, Jennifer has previously worked at the Library of Parliament, the Royal Ontario Museum, and Parks Canada. In these roles she has developed everything from exhibitions to tours to virtual reality school programs.
For the past three years, Jennifer has also been a mentor for the Capital Heritage Mentorship Program. Originally from Winnipeg, she holds a Master of Museum Studies from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Journalism and History from Carleton University. Jennifer sees heritage spaces as hubs for connection and provocation, where creative interpretation is key to initiating meaningful dialogue with diverse audiences.
Fatemeh Makvandi
Director
Fatemeh is an Architectural Technologist and interior designer based in Ottawa. Originally from Iran, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering and a Graduate Diploma in Architectural Conservation from Carleton University. Her academic and professional background spans construction documentation, spatial design, heritage conservation, and the relationship between communities and their built environment.
Through the 2025 to 2026 Capital Heritage Mentorship Program, she found not only professional development but a genuine sense of community and belonging in Ottawa’s heritage sector. She brings a cross-cultural perspective, technical expertise in conservation and documentation, and a strong belief that heritage should feel accessible and relevant to everyone, including people who are still finding their place in this city.
Fatemeh is committed to contributing to CHC’s mission of preserving Ottawa’s unique heritage identity and fostering the connections that make that work meaningful.
Angela Mortimer
Director
Angela, is currently the Museum Assistant at the Bytown Museum, she supports public programming and community engagement, including initiatives like National Indigenous Peoples Day and Colonel By Day. She holds a Master of Information Studies from McGill University and an Honours B.A. in History (Public History concentration) from Carleton University. Her interests include heritage preservation, archives, collections management, and public engagement.
Angela is dedicated to making history accessible and fostering inclusive cultural learning. She has professional experience at institutions such as PCL Construction’s Centre Block Rehabilitation Project, Ingenium, and The Black Watch Royal Regiment of Canada Museum, with experience in heritage management, collections stewardship, research, and public history.