Farah Aqrabawi is a graphic designer with 7 years of experience, specializing in designs that elevate brand narratives. Drawing inspiration from her background in architecture, she approaches design with a focus on functionality and user experience, allowing her to create designs that not only look great but also serve a purpose. Farah believes that thoughtful design has the power to inspire and drive change. Her work reflects a passion for community, culture, and the transformative power of effective design.
Tola is a client experience professional who has spent the last 8 years working with tech startups across industries such as digital media, cryptocurrency, and private lending. With a Bachelor’s in Mass Communication and a post-graduate degree in Global Business Management, Tola prides herself in understanding clients’ business needs and effectively communicating with stakeholders to achieve the right results.
Samantha is an accomplished digital strategist and nonprofit finance leader with over 15 years of experience. She specializes in financial management, change management, and technology implementation to realize improved operations using automation. Sam has spent most of her career in the nonprofit arts and culture sector, supporting organizations with financial management, CRA compliance, digital strategies, strategic planning, and business planning.
Calista Nyembwe is a results-driven professional with a knack for vibrant storytelling, both through events and communication roles. She spent nearly a decade at the City of Ottawa as a 311 Agent, specializing in bridging the gap between residents and municipal departments to improve city services.
Her passion for advocating for others led her to complete a Paralegal Education diploma from Humber College and work closely with an immigration lawyer to prepare refugee claimants’ applications and hearings to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. She then pivoted to completing a Bachelor of Arts in Diaspora and Transnational Studies from the University of Toronto, focusing on Africa and the Caribbean. Her passion for these regions’ rich cultures, histories, and traditions underscores her commitment to fostering unity among people from diverse backgrounds.
Calista has a proven track record of community involvement, including her role as a Program Facilitator and Coordinator at Rise in STEM, a nonprofit organization dedicated to marginalized youth in Toronto. Additionally, her current volunteering role as a Peer Facilitator for Women’s Health at Women’s Hands has allowed her to engage in event planning, leadership, community engagement, innovative campaign creation, and relationship building. As an art enthusiast, Calista always brings creativity and vibrancy to her work and community involvement.
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 with a proven track record in leading marketing, partnership, and strategy teams across various industries, including retail, finance, travel, and tech. At the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, she spearheads partnership efforts across the organization, encompassing events, venues, deals, and commercial partnerships, ensuring a holistic and strategic approach to partnership development while delivering value for our members and sponsors. Throughout her career, she has consistently driven business development and customer acquisition goals while building strong brand management and loyalty strategies. Known for her ability to create innovative partnerships and identify new revenue opportunities, Mona is committed to driving transformative growth for the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.
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.