Emel’s professional journey is driven by a deep commitment to fostering community and belonging for everyone, especially within the immigrant sector. With a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Culture from the University of Calgary and an ACE TESOL Certificate, she has over seven years of experience in non-profit leadership, partnerships, marketing/communications, and ESL education. Excelling in engaging diverse groups and leading impactful social media campaigns, Emel is dedicated to empowering newcomers to Canada. Her work has been pivotal in creating an inclusive environment, advancing community development, significantly improving immigrants’ and their families’ experiences, and fostering a strong sense of belonging in their new environment.

Mona has over 15 years of experience as a tier one leader. She has led marketing, partnership and strategy teams across diverse industries, including retail, finance, travel and tech, achieving remarkable success in driving business development and customer acquisition goals. Her expertise spans brand management, loyalty and engagement strategies, and stakeholder collaboration. With a proven track record of developing innovative partnerships and identifying revenue opportunities, she is committed to driving transformative growth for the ICC.

An experienced, committed leader, Heather’s career has been built around improving the livelihoods of equity-deserving groups, both at home in Canada and around the world. She was the CEO of Fora: Network for Change, an organization dedicated to advancing the meaningful participation of young women and gender-diverse youth leaders in decision-making spaces. Prior to joining Fora, she managed complex, multi-country girls’ education and women’s health interventions across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America for Right To Play and CARE Canada. She also has the unique experience of having worked in corporate relations and strategic partnerships with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Chloe completed her Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations at the University of Toronto and her Master’s Degree in International Security at Sciences Po, Paris School of International Affairs. She has worked in a variety of non-profits, supporting a wide range of causes including literacy education, international press sector development, and economic inclusion for refugees in Canada. She is dedicated to advancing positive change by building strong community connections.

Elizabeth holds an MSc in International Migration and Public Policy from the London School of Economics and an Honours BA from the University of Toronto. She has previously worked at institutions including the International Labour Organization, the World Trade Organization, and the Migration Policy Institute. 

Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys exploring local galleries and making full use of the resources available at public libraries. Elizabeth proudly identifies as Taiwanese-Canadian.

Born and raised in Venezuela, she later moved to France, where she gained her initial professional experience in customer service and administrative assistance roles. She recently settled in Canada and is open to new challenges.

A multicultural and creative individual with a deep passion for languages and a strong desire to help people. She loves spending time outdoors, walking her dog along scenic trails in her spare time.

Salomé believes in the power of travel to foster community and cultivate cross-cultural understanding. Salomé’s journey to Canada started in 2017 for a Bachelor’s in Hospitality & Tourism Management and a minor in Caribbean Studies.

Salomé’s diverse upbringing, born in Belgium to French and German roots and a youth spent living across Europe and the Caribbean, is what fuels their passion for building intercultural connections and supporting newcomers’ sense of belonging. Fluent in English, French, and Italian, with some Spanish and German, Salomé enjoys exploring new languages in their spare time.

With ten years of experience working in the settlement sector, Prianka has dedicated her time to mitigating the structural and systematic barriers newcomers face. Prianka emphasizes the importance of building collaborative and mutually beneficial partnerships to ensure organizations are well-positioned to support newcomers on their path to success in Canada. Prianka holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counselling and is currently working on her Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

After 14 years overseeing the operations of the volunteer organization she co-founded in Peru, Shadia moved to Montreal to pursue a Master’s in Educational Leadership. As a former education and social entrepreneur, she has a mission-driven spirit and loves working for a purpose. She has long experience implementing volunteer cooperation programs, connecting volunteers with educational institutions, leading and coaching youth teams, and building strategic partnerships at local and overseas levels. During the last few years, Shadia has also worked in education and leadership programs at reputable institutions such as McGill University and Fanshawe College.

Shadia is passionate about learning technologies and international development; she loves travelling, meeting new cultures, and enjoying the simple moments that make her life extraordinary. As much as she misses her sunny Peru, she has also learned to find joy in Canada’s cold weather, which she now calls home.

Mojoyin was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and immigrated to Canada in her early teenage years. In her professional journey, she has extensive experience in volunteering and various associated programs. Mojoyin’s passion for inclusion and helping others has led her to actively create and participate in various initiatives to impact the community positively.