About

Inspired by the transformative learning twin sisters Janice Desroches (Co-Founder/Director) and Jennifer Looney (Co-Founder) experienced during a five-week, equity-based literature circle (LC) in May-June 2021, they founded Chapters4Change (C4C) in July 2021. What began as a book club aimed at promoting transformative learning and leadership through reading and dialogue has since grown to include community partnerships, interviews with award-winning authors, and innovative learning opportunities—all focused on fostering leadership and action to ensure flourishing futures for all.

At Chapters4Change, we create research-informed and equity-aligned transformative learning experiences designed to help individuals reflect, grow, and take action toward building communities where everyone belongs, thrives, and contributes to positive social change.

Why We Do What We Do

At Chapters4Change, we believe that lasting social change begins with grounding ourselves in awareness and engaging in deep, critical reflection.

G — Ground and R — Reflect form the foundation of our work. Critical reflection deepens understanding, builds empathy, and supports shared learning — enabling individuals to connect with their values, experiences, and purpose as leaders for justice.

Our work empowers individuals to:

Critically examine their beliefs, assumptions, and behaviours, and
Shift their perspectives in order to lead meaningful, transformative change within their communities.

We believe this process is essential to advancing social justice and fostering inclusive, thriving societies.

How We Achieve This

We create courageous, collaborative learning spaces that support accountability, co-learning, and leadership development rooted in equity and belonging.

Our aim is to cultivate fertile learning experiences that empower individuals with the skills and confidence to envision and co-create a world of integrity, beauty, and regenerative living communities — fostering flourishing futures for all.

What Our Approach Looks Like

G.R.O.W. Leadership Cycle:

#1: G — Ground

Root yourself in awareness and purpose.
At Chapters4Change, grounding means connecting with your values, experiences, and sense of purpose as a change agent. It is the first step in noticing assumptions, expanding awareness, and preparing to engage with diverse perspectives.

🪴 In our programs, transformative learning begins with self-awareness and openness to growth.

#2: R — Reflect

Engage in deep, critical reflection.
Reflection at Chapters4Change involves dialogue, storytelling, and inquiry to explore how your experiences shape your worldview and actions. Reflection builds empathy, humility, and a shared understanding across participants.

💭 Through guided reflection, we expand learning individually and collectively.

#3: O — Own

Take responsibility for your growth and leadership journey.
Chapters4Change encourages participants to own their role in creating equitable spaces. Owning means courage, accountability, and committing to personal, professional, and systemic change.

🔥 Transformative leadership emerges when participants take responsibility for their role in change.

#4: W — Weave

Integrate learning into action, community, and systems.
Weaving is how Chapters4Change turns insight into impact. Participants bring learning into their workplaces and communities — co-creating spaces of belonging, inclusion, and equity.

🌿 In our approach, transformative leadership is woven into daily practice and relationships.

Essence:
At Chapters4Change, learning transforms into leadership when insight is intentionally woven into everyday practice, relationships, and systems — creating lasting, collective impact.

Examples of Our Learning Tools

Learning Circles
Interactive Presentations
Community Programming
Guest Speaking & Advocacy
Author Interviews
Book Recommendations with Interactive Learning Resources

The Innovator's Journey

Watch our conversation with Nicole Norris from Georgian College about the creation of Chapters4Change!

Learn More

Chapters4Change Advisory Circle

Jennifer Looney (she/they) Co-Founder

Jennifer Looney (she/they) is the Co-Founder of Chapters4Change, where she also serves as an Educational Developer and Facilitator. She is a dedicated and experienced professor, changemaking faculty, transformative teacher, and innovator at Georgian College who promotes Equity, Justice, and DIBs (Diversity & Inclusion to promote Belonging).

Jennifer is a queer, neurodivergent person who brings this unique perspective to her work, creating more inclusive and empathetic learning environments. She holds a Master of Arts in Education from Central Michigan University and values education as a way for people to “Read to Learn and Learn to Change.” Jennifer is a strong advocate for mental health, self-care, self-compassion, and wellness and believes that people engage and thrive in learning environments where they feel safe, heard, and accepted for their true authentic selves.

Jennifer received the 2022 Board of Governors Award of Excellence Academic through Georgian College.

Janice Desroches (she/her), Co-Founder/Director

Janice Desroches (she/her) is the Co-Founder and Director of Chapters4Change, where she also serves as an Educational Developer and Facilitator. A settler on Turtle Island (Canada), she is deeply committed to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, decolonization, and accessibility (EDIDA) in educational and research environments.

With over 20 years of experience in post-secondary, research, and professional development contexts, Janice brings both academic expertise and lived experience as a neurodiverse woman to her work. This perspective informs how she designs learning experiences, anticipates diverse needs, and fosters inclusive cultures that value collaboration, reflection, and culturally responsive practice.

Through Chapters4Change, she co-designs and facilitates transformative professional development for K–12 educators, including equity-centred literature circles that promote social justice understanding, inclusive leadership, and systemic transformation. She integrates research-informed strategies, participatory practices, and arts-based learning to help educators implement actionable solutions.

Passionate about building meaningful relationships and practical approaches, Janice supports organizations in embedding EDIDA principles to drive sustainable, transformative leadership. Her MA research in Social Justice and Equity Studies explores the possibilities and limitations of equity-centred literature circles as a form of experiential, social justice–oriented professional development for K–12 Ontario educators.

Outside of work, she is a mom to three, a lover of music and art, and finds grounding through connection with others and the land.

Publications

Desroches, J. (2025). The possibilities and limitations of the Savvy Ally Literature Circle as a form of experiential social justice-oriented transformative professional development for K-12 Ontario educators (Master’s thesis). Brock University. https://hdl.handle.net/10464/19616

Collins, K., pierson, sarah, Desroches, J., Bagga, G., & Crosby, M. (2025). The need for deep rest: Six stories of critical grief pedagogy. JPHE : Journal of Praxis in Higher Education, 7(1), 52–74. https://doi.org/10.47989/kpdc622

Shaneeka Forrester (she/her)

Shaneeka Forrester is a Cree educator and community advocate, registered with Brunswick House First Nation. Raised in the Greater Toronto Area, she has long been engaged with the Urban Indigenous community, contributing to cultural and educational initiatives across the region.

Shaneeka began her academic journey at George Brown College, studying Child and Youth Work, and later pursued Indigenous art at OCAD University. She paused her studies to embrace motherhood full-time, and in 2025, proudly completed her Master of Education at York University. She is currently pursuing a PhD at York, with a research focus on cultural revitalization through land-based education in urban contexts.

A passionate knowledge-sharer, Shaneeka has developed educational displays for her children’s school in Simcoe County, highlighting key topics such as Orange Shirt Day, Truth and Reconciliation, Red Dress Day, and Indigenous excellence during National Indigenous History Month. She regularly collaborates with educators and administrators to integrate Indigenous perspectives into classrooms.

Her public speaking engagements include a 2022 Red Dress Day address at the Bradford West Gwillimbury Library, invited by the community organization Rise Up, and a presentation for Orange Shirt Day hosted by the Barrie Native Friendship Centre. In 2023, she participated in a panel discussion for International Women’s Day.

Since 2022, Shaneeka has been a monthly contributor to RTOERO, writing articles that center Indigenous knowledge and education. Her work continues to inspire dialogue, learning, and meaningful change within both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.