Meet the Staff

Chief Operating Officer

A Certified Project Manager who believes in a ‘people-first’ approach to business, Matthew James Martel is the Chief Operating Officer at the Black Business Initiative (BBI). He was born in Cape Breton, moving to Halifax to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Dalhousie University, followed by a Master’s degree in Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation from the Sobey School of Business. A serial entrepreneur, Matthew also has an extensive background in leadership, Human Resources, change management, and strategic planning. Prior to welcoming the opportunity at BBI, he held roles at the Halifax Regional Municipality, Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette, and also served on the Fusion Halifax Board as the Director of Entrepreneurship. With an aptitude for strategic thinking and solving complex problems, Matthew enjoys working with groups to troubleshoot challenging issues and he leverages these skills to support his team and organization. Matthew’s ability to observe and to understand the contributions of different facets of a company allows him to effectively work with individuals and teams to innovate organizational processes. Matthew is passionate about Canadian entrepreneurship, especially working to foster and grow minority-led enterprises. He resonates with the saying that, “One moment can change a day, one day can change a life, and one life can change the world.” Matthew is proud that in his current role, he can use his expertise to have a positive social and economic impact on the African Nova Scotian entrepreneurial experience and the Black business community. Matthew is considering pursuing a Doctorate degree and further certifications, such as the Institute of Corporate Directors Designation. When he is not in the office, Matthew is an avid camper who enjoys being outdoors surrounded by nature, which gives him the opportunity to practice mindfulness and gratitude.

Gabriela Mkonde

Accounting Assistant

Raised in Zimbabwe and Tanzania, Gabriela moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia to complete a Bachelor of Administration with a major in accounting and a minor in management at Mount Saint Vincent University. Gabriela is currently the Accounting Assistant at the Black Business Initiative. Before joining BBI, Gabriela worked with youth as a Day Camp Leader and with students as an Athletics and Recreation Facility Assistant. Passionate about community and social impact, Gabriela has led and been a part of many fundraising campaigns. She was a lead organizer for a Feed Nova Scotia food drive and a charity event in Tanzania to raise awareness and funds for those living with Cystic Fibrosis. From her volunteer work and experience in event organization, Gabriela has honed her communication skills, her ability to adapt to situations, and her ability to work with diverse groups. Gabriela is a self-driven and dedicated member of the team. She is passionate and knowledgeable about her work. Adept at paying attention to detail and providing information efficiently, Gabriela is an asset to her team as she is able to pull data to inform organization’s projects. Gabriela believes in the payoff of hard work, citing that the results may take time, but willpower and patience will yield positive outcomes. A multi-linguist, Gabriela enjoys learning new languages. She is currently enrolled in the CPA Atlantic program and is working towards receiving her CPA designation. When Gabriela is not studying, she enjoys playing and watching soccer, as well as cooking with her friends and family.