Our Mission: 

Invigorate small communities with entrepreneurial leadership skills to create economic, social, and community resilience.

Our Approach

  • LISTEN FIRST

    We start by building trusting relationships in communities, and we do that by listening first.

  • CONVENE

    We bring together youth, Elders, artists, educators, and entrepreneurs and foster dialogue around how to address unique community challenges.

  • CO-ADAPT

    In partnership with community organizations, local leaders, and young people, we build a unique, locally-driven program in each community.

  • SUPPORT

    We build local capacity, resources and leadership, so that the entrepreneurial ecosystem can thrive over time.

  • SUSTAIN

    We address systemic gaps to ensure meaningful long-lasting change in a community.

Our Journey

  • 2014

    Young people from the North & South meet to discuss the future of entrepreneurship in Nunavut.

  • 2015

    Program funding is secured to pilot an entrepreneurship program delivered in small communities across Nunavut.

  • 2017 - 2018

    The program co-designs curriculum for the Nunavik school system in partnership with Kativik Ilisarniliriniq.

  • 2019

    The organization grows to a national platform; Small Economy Works is created.

  • 2020

    The COVID-19 Pandemic hits and the program is adapted to an e-learning platform with virtual cohorts.

  • 2021

    Inspire Nunavut & Inspire NWT deliver fully digital and hybrid programs that integrate the e-learning platform with in-person learning.

  • 2022 -2023

    Inspire Nunavut & Inspire NWT are set to continue online and hybrid program delivery across the Territories.

Small Economy Works Team

  • Ajmal Sataar

    FOUNDER & CEO

    Ajmal has a vision that entrepreneurship and social innovation can be utilized to engage youth, create positive impact and solve many of the world’s complex problems. Beyond his work with Small Economy Works, Ajmal was also the former co-Chair of Canada’s Social Innovation & Social Finance task force and has been involved with starting social enterprises that have supported at-risk youth, marginalized immigrant women, individuals with a mental illness, high school students, homeless people and the recycling of cigarette butts.

  • Rachael Borlase

    DIRECTOR, ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT & OPERATIONS

    Rachael grew up in Labrador, has built her career around working with young people and often silenced communities to share their stories, experiences and ideas. A trained journalist, she spent her earlier professional years reporting for CBC in Northern and Eastern Canada. She spent more than 10 years working directly with local journalists in Africa, Asia and the Middle East for the BBC and Journalists for Human Rights. After getting her MSc at the London school of Economics, she moved into senior strategic and management roles with the BBC, as well as the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security in Halifax. Rachael loves being back on the East Coast, spending time with friends and family, taking in the arts, and going for runs along the ocean.

  • Christine Hadekel

    SENIOR MANAGER, EDUCATION & EVALUATION

    After completing her graduate degree in public administration at Cornell University, Christine began developing experiential education programs for youth and adults across Indigenous northern communities, as she continues to do at Small Economy Works. Her expertise internationally with agricultural entrepreneurs and asset-based community development give her a unique perspective on localized and contextual learning. Located in British Columbia, Christine loves spending time outdoors gardening or playing with her dog.

  • Melissa Granovsky

    CURRICULUM SPECIALIST

    Melissa Granovsky is a Jewish-Métis educator, creative and lifelong learner. She has roots in Winnipeg, Treaty 1; homeland of the Métis Nation, and currently lives in Tiohtià:ke/Montréal, the homeland of the Kanien’kehá:ka Nation. Melissa is currently a PhD student in the faculty of Philosophy, focusing on Arts-Education at Concordia University. In addition, she holds a Masters of Adult Education, Certificate of Adult Education and an Integrated Bachelor of Arts and Education. She strives to be a scholar of belonging and is passionate about finding ways to empower others to find their strength and voice through Universal Design for Learning and ongoing critical self-reflection. Melissa enjoys knitting, reading, thrifting, interior decorating, and fashion during her downtime. She also enjoys adventures with her favourite sidekick, an Old English Bulldogge named Bella.

Inspire Program Team

  • Lois Phillip

    MANAGING DIRECTOR, INSPIRE NWT

    A longtime resident of Fort Providence, NWT, Lois has dedicated her life to improving the well-being of youth in the Deh Cho First Nations region. As Principal of the Deh Gáh Elementary & Secondary School, she adapted the school’s programming and scheduling, resulting in higher attendance rates and a significant increase in the number of students attending post-secondary educational institutions. With Inspire NWT, Lois is driven to provide innovative approaches to education and community development. She is the founder of Northern Loco, a 100% indigenous-owned company with a mission to create sustainable futures for northern communities.

  • Victoria Mazzariol

    PROGRAM MANAGER, INSPIRE NWT

    Victoria has spent the majority of her professional career working with young people across four different continents. Her passion for equitable education rooted in social justice, alongside her extensive background in youth and educational programming, motivate her to deliver the most engaging curriculum possible at Small Economy Works. When Victoria is not balancing team budgets and handling program logistics, she is a frequent traveller in constant search of weird food! She loves cycling, running, practicing yoga, and spending as much time as humanly possible outdoors.

  • Rozy Singh

    PROGRAM MANAGER, INSPIRE NUNAVUT

    Rozy is passionate about helping youth achieve their employment, educational, and training goals. Complementary to her education in education and social work, Rozy lived in Iqaluit for almost eight years. Here, she delivered programming and training to frontline line workers throughout the territory. This unique perspective excites Rozy in her work to redesign entrepreneurship programs that will be offered to Indigenous youth throughout the North. Currently residing in Kitchener, Rozy can be found spending time with her family hiking trails, biking, and camping.

  • Dale Loutit

    PROGRAM COORDINATOR, INSPIRE NWT

    Born and raised in Hay River, NT, Dale has pursued post secondary education in many forms, obtaining a diploma, degree and certificates focused on education and recreation. She is passionate about community wellness, and believes it is through pursuing a better quality of life for everyone that healthy communities are born. With Inspire NWT, Dale takes the frameworks of recreation and applies them in a context that best fosters localized co-learning. In her spare time, Dale loves being outdoors- kayaking, biking, golfing, skiing, and snowshoeing. She also volunteers for Mackenzie Recreation Association as well as the Ethics Committee with NTHSSA.

  • Pauline Krause

    PROGRAM COORDINATOR, INSPIRE NUNAVUT

    Pauline grew up in a small town in Whale Cove, Nunavut. In 2012, Pauline became one of the first to graduate from the Canadian Career Foundation and Nunavut Arctic College. She has a long career in public service and education, serving as a Career Development Officer in Rankin Inlet for over 8 years. As a coordinator, Pauline uses her extensive background to engage with participants by offering her personal wisdom, contextualized examples, or speaking Inuktitut. She currently resides in Winnipeg with her husband and 8 year old daughter where she enjoys gardening, painting, camping, fishing and sewing.