We are a passionate team of professionals from diverse backgrounds with the goal of helping unhoused young adults transition to independence.
We help young adults transition from government dependence to independence.
Our programs provide at-risk, unhoused young adults aged 18-35 with the resources and challenges necessary to succeed.
Ainsley A. McPhail
Co-founder and Director of Research
"I have designed this project to bring attention to multiple marginalized communities - people affected by homelessness, immigrants and their children; refugees and their children; and the descendants of members of the transatlantic slave trade in Canada".
Ainsley, our Co-founder and Director of Research, is the driving force behind Deciduous. She has worked with dozens of people who want to change their lives through education, and those with different abilities wanting to have access to a great quality of life. As someone who understands how different communities operate and who has lived within a framework not designed for her, Ainsley recognizes the nuances of various groups and the experiences of people who don’t neatly fit into a box.
Sarah James
Website editor, and HR
"My background stems from working with different vulnerable people. I am eager to use my knowledge and experience to support Deciduous Corp. through my multifaceted skill set (social service, tech or HR) in empowering the people we serve."
Sarah, Co-founder and Director of Operations at Deciduous, brings a diverse background in human services, recruiting, and IT support. Starting in human services, she built strong connections with individuals from various backgrounds, which fueled her commitment to social justice. She then focused on recruiting talent from marginalized communities before transitioning to IT support to enhance accessibility for those Deciduous serves.
MJ
IT
MJ was born in Kerala the backwaters of India and was raised in Ontario and moved to Calgary in 2012 with her family.
She has a degree in computer science from the Institution of Technology and a diploma in graphic designing/ animation from GTECH Kerala. She plans to get an upgrade to her current degree. Melissa’s skills can be used in shaping Deciduous Corp.
Britton Ledingham
Director of External Relations & Secretary
"Having witnessed the needs of individuals affected by trauma, I am excited about the opportunity to collaborate with Deciduous and support those striving for a better life".
With over 13 years of experience as a journalist, Britton is the founder of iEvolve Media, where he specializes in identifying people's narratives and sharing their stories through photos and videos. He has worked on thousands of written, photo, and video stories for local newspapers, magazines, and national publications. He admires the Deciduous' vision to make a positive impact and looks forward to helping share the messages and stories of those striving to transition from dependence to independence.
Ben Atkinson
Head Researcher, Director of Client Services
Earning my Ph.D in Economics from the University of Alberta in 2007,
Ben, our Director of Research, earned his PhD in Economics from the University of Alberta in 2007. With over 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors, as well as academia, Ben has a rich background in economic research and analysis. He served as an economist at the Competition Bureau from 1999 to 2008 and then went on to become a tenured professor of Economics in 2014. Since 2017, he has worked as a private researcher and consultant. His research has been published in several peer-reviewed journals, including The Energy Journal, Review of Industrial Organization, and Economic Inquiry, as well as in conference proceedings for the Canadian Transportation Research Forum.
Michaelle Tuz-Atkinson
Research assistant, Deciduous Corp liaison
"I am dedicated to uncovering the narratives of marginalized communities and contributing to meaningful change".
Michaelle, our Research Analyst and Community Liaison, specializes in qualitative research. She is passionate about addressing the struggles faced by marginalized communities, which drives her excitement to work with us to provide long-term support for homeless individuals. After earning a B.A. (High Honours) in Psychology in 2008, she completed a thesis titled “Probability Assessment and Self-Confidence in Psychophysical Judgement,” exploring the link between knowledge and self-confidence. In 2019, she earned her M.Sc. with a qualitative study titled “Canadian Muslim Immigrants and Western Mainstream Media,” which examined how these immigrants interpret media representations and their impact on social integration.
Maria Donato
Community Connector
"This journey challenges me to dig deep and question my motives, values, and beliefs".
Maria, our Community Development Coordinator, began her journey by researching resources in Calgary for individuals facing challenges and barriers in their lives. After visiting organizations such as the Mustard Seed, In From the Cold, CUPS, Feeding the Hungry, and the Women’s Centre, she gathered valuable insights on how she could effectively contribute to these communities. Recognizing that her skills needed updating, she enrolled in the Child and Youth Services Worker Diploma program at Reeves College, marking a fresh start. Upon reading the first chapter of Becoming A Helper and completing the self-assessment, Maria felt reassured in her decision.
Revati Nair
Digital and social media manager
"I'm excited to collaborate with the team to elevate our brand’s digital presence and make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve."
With a diverse background in journalism and digital marketing, Revati brings over 9 years of experience to her role at Deciduous. Her journey has taken her across global markets, where she has honed her skills in performance marketing, copywriting, social media, and PPC campaigns. As a certified performance marketing specialist, Revati is passionate about leveraging her expertise to strengthen Deciduous’ mission of empowering unhoused young adults. By combining innovative marketing strategies with compelling storytelling, she aims to enhance our outreach and drive sustainable growth for our programs
Austen Hill
Architectural Consultant
"Being a part of Deciduous Corp. is an amazing opportunity to plant seeds like networking with others for the future and gaining experience in new, unexplored areas of architecture".
With multiple years of experience in various design realms, Austen, our Architectural Technologist and Design Intern, has studied architectural design for over three years and is about to complete his final semester at SAIT. After graduation, he plans to pursue further education to deepen his knowledge in architecture. Austen has completed projects ranging from residential homes to mixed-use apartments and commercial buildings, consistently earning honours grades above 90%. He has also worked on a steel construction project for a midsize office building and has experience designing low-cost, affordable mixed-use apartments and passive houses. Proficient in AutoCAD and Revit, he is excited about the opportunities ahead.
Sejal Chauhan
Architectural Consultant
"I am excited to work with the Deciduous team to learn, grow, and contribute fresh perspectives and ideas to impactful projects".
Sejal, our Architectural Technology Consultant, is a graduate of the Architectural Technology program at SAIT. Her passion for artistic expression and hands-on craftsmanship drove her to pursue a career in this field, where she has developed strong research, design, and technical skills. Sejal is eager to work in a professional environment, build connections, and gain valuable experience.
Get Involved
With your time, skills, and money, we can achieve our vision by helping unhoused young adults learn the skills they need to gain independence.