About us
Mary and Nadine brought a mix of political savvy, skillful facilitation and personal warmth to our weekend activist conference. They guided us through a well-crafted agenda, ensuring that participants felt welcome and eager to engage in group activities. I highly recommend working with them.
David Ravensbergen , Council of Canadians
Ablaze Services is a multi-service consulting agency that works with community-serving organizations, values-aligned businesses, individuals, and teams working through their leadership journeys.
We provide strategic planning support, EDI consulting, coaching, and training programs that will elevate your team to new ways of thinking and working together. Our focus is on helping you build plans, strategies, and actions that are deeply rooted in your values and with maximum impact.
We operate as a workers’ co-operative which means that when you work with Ablaze, you are benefiting from the wisdom of our entire team.
We are members of the Grain and General Workers Union (ILWU Canada) because we value strong fair labour practices.
Our Team
Trudi Goels
Trudi is a multi-faceted professional with expertise in strategic planning, advocacy, and project management, but where she really shines is when she’s working directly with people. Trudi’s super power is being able to explain ideas, manage the tension of the room, and rapidly build trusting relationships. Trudi has a Leadership Coaching certificate from the Canada Coaching Academy and an active coaching practice you can find here.
She loves music, coffee, being in water, and lifting up others.
Nadine Nakagawa
Nadine is a community organizer and activist, two-term city councillor, and sought out for her strategic approach to complex projects. She brings a gentle and warm style to her facilitation and coaching, and a clean sharp style to her communications. Nadine is a Certified Canadian Counsellor.
She loves her cats, mushrooms, dancing, and bringing people together.
Mary Trentadue
Mary is a successful entrepreneur, former three-term city councillor, and solutions focused strategist. Mary add sparkle to workshops and such deep support you know you can accomplish anything when you work with Mary. She can turn any chaos into calm.
She loves her family, all the books, a great cup of tea, and making an impact.
The Feminist Campaign School
You may have heard that we run a campaign school! The Feminist Campaign School is a project by Ablaze Services Workers Cooperative and was founded by Nadine and Trudi in 2021. We have welcomed hundreds of potential candidates and campaigners who want to campaign with their values front and centre.
We need more diverse and values aligned leadership in local government. Find out more about campaign school here!
We also know that when underrepresented people are stepping into elected leadership roles, they are working in spaces that weren’t created by or for them which too often results in harm. That’s why Campaign School has a research arm that has developed concrete solutions for making these spaces more accountable and welcoming. Take a look at the Barriers report here.