Who We Are

The City in Colour Cooperative (CiC) is a non-profit urban consultancy founded by five racialized migrant women, each bringing expertise in urban studies, architecture, design, research, policy, and public engagement. Operating on the traditional lands of the Kwantlen, Musqueam, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen, Qayqayt, and Kwikwetlem peoples, CiC is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous communities and honouring the cultural significance of these lands.

CiC has established robust partnerships with municipalities, universities, developers, and diverse community organizations. Drawing on extensive experience in community engagement and research focused on immigrant and refugee experiences, CiC leads impactful projects that engage racialized, immigrant, and refugee populations, advocating for inclusive and equitable urban spaces.

  • Rahil Adeli

    Co-founder, Co-director

    Rahil (she/her) is a community organizer and urban researcher. She holds Masters degrees of Urban Management from University of Tehran and Urban Studies from Simon Fraser University. Rahil is interested in research about social aspects of cities and communities and using data analytics in social sciences projects. She has been active in many community initiatives to support SFU international students. In her spare time Rahil plays Iranian musical instrument, tanbour, and practices Iranian vocals.

    LinkedIn

  • Fiorella Pinillos

    Co-founder, Co-director

    Fiorella (she/her) is a Peruvian-Canadian urbanist and engagement specialist. She holds a Masters in Urban Studies and a Bachelor in Architecture. In her early career she worked as an architect and project manager. In the last five years she has worked in the engagement field using art to bring people together and mobilize knowledge. Fiorella is passionate about creating a more inclusive city and has a particular interest in public space, mobility and housing.

    LinkedIn

Co-Founders and Consultants

  • Ghazaleh Akbernejad

    Co-founder and Consultant

    Ghazaleh (she/her) is an architectural designer and urban researcher. She holds a Master of Science in Architectural Engineering from Iran and completed a Master of Urban Studies at Simon Fraser University. Her research and design interests include community housing, neighbourhood, and liminal spaces. She is interested in using her research and design skills to improve well-being of people and reduce barriers of access for underserved communities. Ghazaleh enjoys painting in her spare time.

    LinkedIn

  • Aman Chandi

    Co-founder

    Aman (she/her) is an urbanist, community-based researcher, gardener and eclectic zine-maker with Punjabi roots practicing between Surrey and Vancouver, BC. Her work is positioned somewhere in between the spatial and emotional. Using different mediums (research, zines and community organizing), Aman often engages with topics of migration (e.g., deskilling of immigrants, employment equity, immigrant mental health, first-generation youth), belonging, and community power.

    amanchandi.com

  • Dionne Co

    Co-founder

    Dionne (any pronouns) is the Director of Research at Solid State and co-founder of City in Colour Cooperative. A voracious reader with a critical and compassionate approach to research and analysis, Dionne holds a BA in English, a PBD in Social Policy and a Master of Urban Studies from Simon Fraser University.

    Dionne loves drawing, writing, painting, and walking with her dog Horace. You can find out more about her work at dionneco.net.

Researchers and Facilitators

  • Vanessa Senkoro

    Researcher and Facilitator

    Vanessa (she/her) would describe herself as passion-led as she believes in social, gender and health equity. With a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, Vanessa's journey unfolds across diverse cultural landscapes such as her home of Tanzania, with a particular focus on women's, adolescents', and children's health