Virginie Cimon has degrees in public communication, intercultural communication (M.A.), international studies and modern languages (B.A.). Originally from Quebec, she spent time in British Columbia, Ukraine, China and Russia. She speaks French, English, Russian and Mandarin. She has participated in several research and intervention projects in the social and community sectors, for instance regarding the living environment and social participation of elderly people, recruitment and retention of volunteers, integration of immigrants into Canadian society and centers for children with disabilities. She has also been coordinating language training in Moscow.

Marc L. Johnson is sociologist and has been consulting in research and evaluation, both in Canada and overseas. In Canada, he has worked on assignments for governments, universities, community organizations and research institutions. Internationally, he carried out assignments with UN agencies, non-governmental organizations and foreign governments. He led missions in Niger, Benin, Mauritania, Tunisia, Morocco, Palestine, Haiti, Vanuatu and Burkina Faso. He worked for longer periods in Togo, Cameroon, Kosovo and Guatemala. His assignments were related to language policies, media, labour, literacy, education and higher education, economic development, culture, justice, governmental services, community development, immigration, health, governance, etc. He developed an expertise on minority issues and equality and has become knowledge broker between research institutions and community groups.

Joël Marier has had a career of thirty years as a senior executive in the nonprofit sector. Until recently, he led Hostelling International Canada and was general secretary of the Council for Information and Development of Latin American youth hostels (CIDAJAL). He is currently Chair of the World Heritage Sites and Cities Youth Hostels Secretariat. He has provided leadership to various Canadian and international coalitions and federations working in the youth, recreation and tourism sectors. He was instrumental in putting sustainable development (socio-cultural, economic and ecological) at the forefront of the youth hostels movement’s mission. Throughout his career, he has developed strong skills in strategic analysis, development of policies and programs focused on social change, facilitation and mobilization of networks, economic development, management and monitoring of human resources, activities and budgets. He now offers his expertise as a consultant, coach and mentor.