Riham Ahmed

Organization Development and Change Consultant

For the past fourteen years, I have been working as an independent Organizational Development (OD) and Change Consultant. My experience lies in supporting leaders in their efforts to create social and cultural change. I am adept at conducting extensive needs assessments with multiple stakeholder groups and subsequently working collaboratively with them to identify opportunities for improvement. I hold a Master’s degree in Organizational Development (Human Systems Intervention) and a Bachelor's in Human Relations from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. I was awarded several scholarships and fellowships, notably the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Scholarship and the Power Corporation of Canada fellowship.

In addition to my consulting mandates, I currently teach my passion for change to graduate and undergraduate students at Concordia University, training the next generation of OD consultants.

My passion for change began as a young volunteer coordinator in a local community organization. I could not believe how such a small department was responsible for all the positive changes occurring in that organization and influencing the community at large. I remember wishing I can do that for a living but had no idea that we can study change management and community development. I then found myself as a young front desk supervisor working in a hotel in Montreal. I was helping the front desk staff adapt to a whole new property management system while the hotel was going through major changes. I think that was where I got my empathy for people going through change. I don’t think that I would be the consultant I am today without that experience. We often forget how hard it is to go through changes until we actually go through them ourselves. It is then that my world opened up when I found the Applied Human Sciences department at Concordia UIniversity. I am grateful and recognize that I am now in a position of privilege, having been able to attend University and fulfill my aspirations of teaching and consulting. Thank God for showering me with such blessings and mercy.

I believe that when people come together to set their intention for positive change, the rest is history as they say. Co-creating our desired future and setting the intention to work towards it creates the necessary energy and empowerment for community members motivated to enact positive social change to act on that intention.

Everything should begin with intention.

Yours truly,

Riham

What People Are Saying

  • Sonia Rea

    “

    Leah Vineberg and Riham Ahmed, co-consultants in Whole Systems Change, accompanied our HR leadership, community and our Policy Writing Committee in the creation of our first stakeholder-informed Equity, Diversity and Inclusion policy, unique to the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre.

    The participatory process leading to this was meaningful, positive and enriching—bringing all of our community members together in a virtual World Café, the design of that event, and the collective writing of the first draft of our EDI policy. Leah and Riham were excellent at ensuring these authentic group discussions were held in a safe space where all emerging ideas, lived experiences and strategic directions were captured. These discussions centered on who we are as an organization and what we stand for. Our policy was the cornerstone to building our action plan for equity, diversity and inclusion. It could not have been possible without the expert facilitation skills of both Leah and Riham. I highly recommend them!

    ”

  • Diane Maratta

    “

    Riham has always proven to get positive results. As a process consultant, one of the several times I have had the opportunity to work with her, she has shown to be a leader in managing group process, quick-witted, and enthusiastic in this type of work. Her positive energy and her knowledge of human systems intervention was made apparent by the cohesion and communication that she engendered in the organizational group she was working with. As a colleague, to work beside her, was inspiring and a learning experience as well. She has a positive impact on the people she works for as well as the people she works with. I would highly recommend her for process and performance consulting, as she brings a sound knowledge of leadership training, group process, and coaching to the table. And she is a joy to work with!

    ”

  • Besma Soltan

    “

    Riham is a pleasure to work with. She is very passionate about what she does and puts her heart into her work, providing great partnerships and results. She is very personable, professional, and I would highly recommend any organization, especially those in the non-profit and charitable sector, to hire her.

    ”

Awards & grants I’ve received

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Master’s Scholarship
Power Corporation of Canada Graduate Fellowship
Canadian Heritage Inter-Action Multiculturalism Grant

“Ideals are unattainable in themselves but capable of being forever approached”

Merrelyn Emery

Chat with me

Let’s talk about setting intentions and including your people in co-creating the future they want.