Our Team



Astrid Arumae
Project Lead, Founder & CEO
Astrid is an entrepreneur and social innovator.
I have found my purpose in combining entrepreneurial skills, business acumen and passion for social innovation in launching the Covid-19 Help Hub in March 2020 as I saw my community facing an unprecedented crisis. Soon after, the idea for Marché Commun emerged and I’m so excited to see how innovation, technology and more human business models can benefit our community. When I’m not busy running the non-profit, I enjoy time with my family, cooking and listening to BBC Radio2 or Marc Maron.
I have found my purpose in combining entrepreneurial skills, business acumen and passion for social innovation in launching the Covid-19 Help Hub in March 2020 as I saw my community facing an unprecedented crisis. Soon after, the idea for Marché Commun emerged and I’m so excited to see how innovation, technology and more human business models can benefit our community. When I’m not busy running the non-profit, I enjoy time with my family, cooking and listening to BBC Radio2 or Marc Maron.

Paul Simard
Consultant, Business Development and Operations
Paul is an intrapreneur and entrepreneur who has spent much of his career on social and community impact. He is currently the Director of Community and Impact Partnerships with The UN Refugee Agency in Canada, as well as the founder of huMENity, a peer-driven community focused on supporting men's wellness. Last and most importantly, he is the father of three girls.

Alex Bar
Marketing Partner
Alex Bar, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of RedBox Media, a boutique Montreal based creative agency. Also co-founded MTLàRabais.com and RestoMania.ca. Passionate about events, technology, marketing and business strategy. We decided to join this particular project because we have a lot of friends and clients in the restaurant and event industry who have suffered badly due to Covid-19 restrictions. We feel there is an urgent need in the Quebec market for a fair and honest solution in the food delivery industry. We were approached for a collaboration by many companies but Marché Commun is the only one whose team and vision really felt right to us.

Cassandra Owoyemi
Copywriter
Cassandra Owoyemi is a copywriter who creates delicious content for the digital world to consume. She relishes working with socially responsible/non-profit organizations and entrepreneurs that are helping to improve our world.

Alexis Smith
Copywriter
Fancying herself a language architect, Alexis Smith works as a copywriter, content editor and screenwriter. Being a part of the Marché Commun team has reinvigorated her sense of social and environmental responsibility. She recently stopped using corporate delivery players and now chooses a local platform for her late night taco cravings.

Ying Sun
Project Management
As a professional engineer and MBA graduate, Ying is enthusiastic about using technology to benefit communities.

Marianne Lorthiois
Grant writing, Communications and Content Contributor
Marianne supports initiatives that contribute to building a more resilient society, particularly in the cultural and sustainable development sectors. By identifying funding opportunities and revenue streams, coordinating projects and spreading the word, she helps turn ideas into durable structures. She graduated from Grenoble Business School and Laval University (MBA Management) and specializes in the management of nonprofit organizations.

Michael Mbabazi
Finance & Accounting
Originally from Burundi, I arrived in Montreal in January 2019 to study Finance at Concordia University. After being personally hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, I realized I wanted to work in an environment where I could directly impact communities. Joining the Marché Commun initiative has allowed me to achieve that goal as well as being an extremely rewarding experience.

Jacqueline Trudel
Project Management
Jacqueline Trudel attends Concordia University where she studies Human Environment and Sustainability. She is very passionate about environmentalism and social justice. This is her second internship which is actively working towards a sustainable and just future for all. Her first internship was with Mind, Heart and Mouth where she helped promote food security locally. In both projects, she has gained new skills in management and leadership so she can one day start her own business.

Ted Strauss
Operations & IT support and early contributor
Ted is a busy IT professional and also runs a non-profit Sur Place Media

Anthony Shannon
Tech Lead
Anthony William Shannon is a serial technology entrepreneur from Montreal, Canada. He has over 10 years of experience working in technology, helping startups to large corporations leverage software to innovate & enhance their operations, while incubating ventures of his own in media and entertainment. He co-founded MUVE, and his consultancy arm, Good Companies, along with a team of expert technologists, designers and builders. His focus is on developing technologies which have the potential for positive impact disruption. He has a passion for solving worldwide problems, and regularly works and consults with top industry professionals at the intersection of talent technology & innovation.

Joey Primiani
Designer
I believe technology and good design can play a pivotal role in reshaping the world and the ways we are seen, heard and felt. I love creating technology to push the boundaries of what is possible and to help make a difference and work from the heart to help solve some of the world's largest problems like COVID today.

Our Partners

Government of Québec

Chasseurs Courrier

Sur Place Media

GOOD Companies

RedBox Media

Coop Carbone
Special Thanks to Concordia University and the SHIFT Centre for Social Transformation