Nneka Allen is a Black woman, a descendant of the Underground Railroad, an Ojibwa of Anderson Nation, a Mother and a sixth generation Canadian.

Born in the 70’s, Nneka was raised during a time of Black power and acute political awareness in North America. As a result, the air in her childhood home was generous, brilliant and proud. Her parents and their siblings with great intentionality poured their consciousness into her multi- ethnic identity.

As a lover of justice, Nneka has inspired philanthropy in the non-profit sector for 20 years. She honours the spirit of generosity in all people and is passionate about the many contributions of Black Canadian philanthropists and fundraisers. Her recent work includes a project with the Association of Fundraising Professionals called, Our Right to Heal. Nneka brought together a group of women at various points in their fundraising careers to share both their professional and personal experiences and gain strength and understanding through those connections. The project includes their authentic stories about what healing and having the right to heal means to them. https://afpglobal.org/ourrighttoheal

Nneka is also the principal and founder of The Empathy Agency. She helps organizations deliver more fairly on their mission and vision by coaching leaders and their teams to explore the impact identity has on organizational culture and equity goals.

Nneka’s ultimate joy is her daughter Destiny, an Environmental Scientist working with Indigenous communities in British Columbia. Together Destiny and Nneka continue their family legacy of philanthropy and activism in Canada.