Meet Shabnam Naz Ansari, a remarkable individual whose journey is an inspiring blend of resilience, expertise, and compassion. With a multifaceted background, Shabnam Naz Ansari is the Founder and Executive Director of The Volunteer Well, a Canadian Federally registered charity. This transformative initiative underscores her commitment to the betterment of both individuals and communities.
Boasting over 25 years of senior management experience within industrial, banking, insurance and financial services, Shabnam’s journey has been a testament to her dedication. She’s been at the forefront of driving sales, revenue growth, and product development across diverse markets. Her strategic insight has been instrumental in cultivating business expansion through tactical partnerships and targeted customer engagement.
Shabnam’s profound understanding of the financial services landscape, spanning insurance, banking, fund management, and brokerage, led her to establish her own Insurance Brokerage alongside her husband, Ahmar Hussain. Their brokerage offers end-to-end services, from sales and management to customer support and claims handling across a broad spectrum of insurance risks.
Earning her Master of Business Administration with a focus on Finance and Marketing from the Institute of Business Administration in 1996, Shabnam has further enriched her expertise with a slew of prestigious insurance qualifications. These include LOMA-Georgia, FLMI, ACS, and UND in Life and Health Insurance, Customer Services, and Underwriting.
Beyond her professional achievements, Shabnam’s heart shines through her philanthropic endeavors. She has consistently dedicated her time and skills to giving back, volunteering with organizations like My Women Support. Her involvement in their Community Development Program showcased her commitment to empowering women and addressing pressing social issues, including Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and mental health. A quote that resonates deeply with Shabnam’s outlook on life is by Khalil Gibran: “Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life.” This encapsulates her resilience and determination to forge a positive path despite personal hardships.
But what truly sets Shabnam apart is her profound “Why” behind the charity. Her journey has been shaped by a challenging marital experience, a painful divorce, loss of custody of her kids, and a search for deeper spiritual understanding and enlightenment. This led to the birth of the Volunteer Well, a platform that extends compassion, inclusivity, and peace to humanity regardless of background. Shabnam impact resonates through the charity’s mission, which she embodies as the “walk the talk” arm of her charitable efforts. Her story serves as a guiding light, showcasing how one individual’s determination and empathy can create ripples of positive change that touch lives across continents.
Amelia Vellozo is a seasoned finance professional who brings extensive expertise in financial management and community service to her role as Director of Finance & Accounts at The Volunteer Well. Currently serving as Accounting Manager at Krones Machinery Company Limited, Amelia excels in financial statement preparation, analysis, and cross-functional collaboration. Her dedication to fostering community connections is reflected in her previous volunteer roles, including serving on a school’s Parent Council and her current position as Assistant Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Canorient Christian Association, a nonprofit focused on youth engagement and community outreach. Amelia’s career is marked by impactful roles, including her tenure at Weber-Stephen Canada Co., Repath Industries Limited, and Canerector Inc., where she honed her skills in credit management, problem-solving, and financial integrity. Her attention to detail, leadership, and commitment to empowering communities align seamlessly with The Volunteer Well’s mission to create lasting social impact through generosity, unity, and strategic financial stewardship.
Nico has professional experience with over 13 years in teaching, course coordination, and business strategy.
He is skilled in market analysis, supply chain optimization, and training program development.
He provides confidential counsel to executives on reputation management, change communications, and strategic messaging in regulated and high-stakes environments, particularly where public trust, scrutiny, or stakeholder alignment are at risk. As a Board Director at VolunteerWell, with 10+ years of cross-sector experience across public affairs consulting, sector advocacy, professional associations, and nonprofit governance, he brings both operational and governance-level perspective to communications challenges.
Senior leaders engage Philip for independent perspective, narrative clarity, and steady guidance during moments where trust, reputation, or alignment truly matter. His work supports organizations communicating effectively with government, communities, employees, and the public, ensuring messages land with purpose and precision.
His background spans public affairs (Navigator), sector advocacy (Restaurants Canada), cultural and heritage communications (Lost Tribe), and strategic advisory work in highly regulated contexts. Across all of it, he focuses on translating complex priorities into accessible messaging, supporting sound decision-making during sensitive periods, and strengthening organizational credibility over the long term.
He is drawn to work that contributes to the public good, including roles within government, Crown corporations, and mission-driven organizations where communications plays a critical role in trust-building and community impact.
