Alphonse Ahola

Executive Director

Francophonie Albertaine Plurielle (FRAP)

Alphonse is the executive director of FRAP, the Francophone Settlement Agency in Edmonton and Fort McMurray. PhD in Anthropology at the University of Alberta and recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Scholarship, his community involvement led Alphonse to becoming vice-president of the Graduate Students Association of the University of Alberta, Chair of the Board of Directors of the FRAP and Chair of the Francophone Immigration Network of Alberta (RIFA). Alphonse is a member of the National Advisory Committee for the Francophone Settlement. After a brief career with the Government of Alberta as an External Services Analyst with the Department of Education, Alphonse returned to his community involvement as Executive Director of FRAP. His commitment to the wellbeing of communities was recognized in December 2017 by the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and the ACFA which granted him the Dulari Pritipaul Award. Alphonse is married and has three children.

Celestina Akinkunmi

Manager Settlement and Integration Department

CIWA

Celestina Akinkunmi holds an MSc in Public Policy and Management from the University of London and currently works as the Settlement and Integration Manager at the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association. She has over 8 years’ experience in the nonprofit sector and her works focuses on settlement, integration, community engagement and development related to Canada’s diversified newcomer population. Celestina regularly shares her work with multiple audiences including; students, government officials and community members. She is a humanitarian at heart and her passion and determination to help people is what informs her work in the non-profit sector. She holds her Christian faith very dearly and enjoys spending time with her 3 children and husband. She enjoys reading and has a passion for cooking and decorating.

Angie Barrados

Director, Governance and Engagement, Settlement and Integration Policy

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada / Government of Canada

Angie Barrados is currently the Director of Governance and Engagement in Settlement and Integration Policy, with Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees Canada (IRCC). Throughout her career, Angie has held numerous positions within IRCC, most recently leading the Settlement and Integration Sector’s engagement with the National Settlement and Integration Council on the health of the settlement sector, and prior to that leading integrity and systems development in Settlement Network. Before joining IRCC, Angie worked in the field of social and labour policy for Employment and Social Development Canada.

John Biles

Director of Settlement and Integration for the Prairies and Northern Territories Region (PNT)

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

John Biles is currently the Director of Settlement and Integration for the Prairies and Northern Territories Region (PNT) with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Throughout his career, John has held various positions with the Metropolis Project (an international policy-research network focused on immigration, integration and diversity), as a Special Advisor to the Director General of the policy branch responsible for settlement, and more recently as the Assistant Director for the PNT region. While his interests in settlement, integration and inclusion are fairly eclectic and he has published widely in these broad areas, his interest in how (re)settlement works in prairies and the North has cut across all of his professional experience and he remains seized with these issues today.

Fairborz Birjanian

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS)

Déborah Chevalier

Bi Lingual Urban Coordinator

SAISIA

Déborah Chevalier is a French and Italian descent, whose family came to Canada for a better life. Inspired by her parents journey, she was passionate in humanitarian work, and wanted to help economically disadvantaged person's in all areas of life. She studied at the University of Regina and acquired a double major in Arts: Sociology and Gender Studies. She has always been active in her community and volunteered for various for non-profit agencies who focus on humanitarian work, the environment and animal rights. After acquiring her bachelor's degree, she received an opportunity working with the Société historique de la Saskatchewan as a Project Manager. Later, she received employment at the Regina Open Door Society as the Translation and Interpretation Program Coordinator. In these positions, she worked closely with Francophone and Settlement organizations and took pride in providing support to the community. She is now the Bi Lingual Urban Coordinator and is eager to utilize her knowledge and skills for on-going support to SAISIA.

Aileen Clark

Director of the Continuing Education Division

Université de Saint-Boniface

Dr. Aileen Clark (PhD, University of Ottawa) is Director of the Continuing Education Division, the Language Enrichment Service and the Centre for French Legal Resources, of Université de Saint-Boniface (USB) since 2012. Since her arrival at USB in 2005, she has worked on projects aimed at supporting improved access to French services in several fields including immigration, health and justice. Among other duties as Director of continuing education, she oversees language training in French for permanent residents as well as English-language training for permanent resident students at USB. She also contributes actively to the Réseau en immigration francophone du Manitoba (RIF) as a member of the RIF’s steering committee since the spring of 2016.

Wendy Cukier

Professor, Entrepreneurship & Strategy, and Founder & Academic Director, Diversity Institute

Ryerson University

Dr. Wendy Cukier is a professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy at the Ted Rogers School of Management and Academic Director of the Diversity Institute. She co-authored the bestseller “Innovation Nation: Canadian Leadership from Java to Jurassic Park" and is a leader in disruptive technologies and innovation and former VP of Research and Innovation and more than 200 articles on aspects of diversity, inclusion and innovation. She is the Founder of Ryerson University’s Diversity Institute which has 100 research staff, 100 research associates from around the world and 200 industry partners focused on dimensions of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, future skills, and entrepreneurship. It leads a number of large partnership-based projects aimed at promoting the participation and advancement of underrepresented groups including women, racialized minorities, Indigenous, LGBTQ and persons with disabilities. Including projects such as the Advanced Digital and Professional Training program (ADaPT) and the Newcomer Entrepreneurship Hub. She also leads the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub and a program of research for the Future Skills Centre as well as the new Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship Network (IIE-Net). Wendy’s research-based advocacy was instrumental in the inclusion of annual diversity reporting requirements beyond just gender in the recent federal Bill C-25. Wendy is also a well-regarded champion of social justice, she has pioneered the adaptation of ecological models of complex systems change. She was responsible for the gender plus analysis of more than 1000 social innovation projects as part of the European Union’s SI DRIVE initiative. She spearheaded Ryerson’s social innovation strategy and the University to become Canada’s first Ashoka Changemaker Campus. She also created the Ryerson University Lifeline Syria Challenge which mobilized 1000 volunteers and raised $5m to privately sponsor more than 400 Syrian refugees She has been recognized with the Harry Jerome Diversity Award, the Bob Marley Award, the Canada-Pakistan Business Council’s Female Professional of the Year, the Metropolis Research Award, the CATA Alliance, Sara Kirke Award for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and, 100 Most Powerful Women by WXN. She has been named a YWCA Woman of Distinction, one of the "100 Alumni who shaped the Century" by the University of Toronto and International Women’s Forum 2020 Women Who Make a Difference. Wendy holds a PhD, an MBA, an MA, and honorary doctorates from Laval and Concordia.

Jennifer Freeman

Chief Executive Officer

PeaceGeeks Society

Jennifer Freeman joined PeaceGeeks as its new CEO in April 2020. Her origins in peacebuilding began 18 years ago when she began working in local civil society organizations in West Africa and refugee camps in East Africa, then later moved to work in settlement agencies, nonprofits, universities, and with peacebuilders from over 55 countries. A tech critic at heart, Jen has been at the forefront of developing strategic initiatives and public-private partnerships that leverage digital tools to build greater connection, safety and peace for those who have been displaced around the world.

Dan Hiebert

Professor, Policy Liaison, Executive Committee Member

University of British Columbia

Dr. Daniel Hiebert is a Professor of Geography at UBC who specializes in issues of public policy. Professor Hiebert’s research interests focus on immigration policy, the integration of newcomers into the housing and labour markets of Canadian cities, and the consequences of the growing ‘super-diversity’ of Canadian society. He has participated in a number of public advisory roles, and served as a Co-Chair of the City of Vancouver Mayor’s Working Group on Immigration. He is currently a member of the Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s Advisory Council. He is also engaged in international collaborative projects on migration and diversity policies with scholars in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and the USA.

Melanie Holmgren

Assistant Director of Integration, Settlement Network

IRCC

Melanie Holmgren is an Assistant Director in the Prairies and Northern Territories (PNT) Region with the Settlement Network.  She has worked with IRCC since 2005, first as a Settlement Officer, then as Supervisor and Assistant Director for Citizenship in the PNT region, following that with an assignment as a Senior Program Advisor for Citizenship and Passport Program Delivery in NHQ, before returning to PNT Settlement as an Assistant Director.  She has previously worked at Transport Canada and Service Canada. Melanie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Mathematics from the University of Alberta.

Caitlin Imrie

Director General of Settlement and Integration Policy Branch

IRCC

Caitlin grew up in Ottawa where she completed a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from the University of Ottawa, as well as a M.A. in History from Carleton University with a focus on the History of Medicine in Canada. She joined the Federal Public Service in 1993 and has worked in various areas, including Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, Privy Council Office, Treasury Board Secretariat prior to joining Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in 2008. Before assuming the role of Director General of the Settlement and Integration Policy Branch in October 2020, Caitlin held a number of positions within Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), including the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Minister, Acting Director General of the Refugee Affairs Branch, Director General, Passport Transition, Director General of Citizenship and Passport Program Guidance Branch, and Director General of Migration Health Branch.

Anna Janik-Kelly

Language Training Centre

Red River College

Anna Janik-Kelly leads the implementation of iSTEDY Learner Management System at Red River College Language Training Centre. Building on current functionalities, Anna is working with iSTEDY to allow tracking and reporting of employment related services as well as automating some of the admission processes.

David Kurfurst

Director of Evaluation & Performance Measurement Research and Evaluation Branch

IRCC

David Kurfurst is the Director of Evaluation and Performance Measurement at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), leading the function responsible for assessing the performance and outcomes of departmental policies and programs. The Evaluation Division provides objective, timely and robust evidence, findings and recommendations that support policy analysis and contribute to program improvements. He and his team also lead the advancement of the performance measurement and results regime in the Department, which is fundamental to strong evaluations and effective program monitoring. David is a long-time evaluation and performance measurement practitioner. He has been with IRCC Evaluation for over 17 years, working on many evaluations and numerous performance measurement projects across all sectors and business lines of the department during that time.

Yann Legrand

Manager ( RAP, PSR, OLMC, and the North),

IRCC

Yann Legrand has been working with the Department of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada for over 10 years. He originally started his career in Immigration and he has now been working for over 2 years in Settlement and Resettlement.

Ahmad Majid

Executive Director

SAISIA

Ahmad Majid is of Iraqi descent and his family came to Canada from Kuwait to escape the unrest during the First Gulf War in 1990. After volunteering at different settlement organizations such as the Saskatoon Open Door Society and Saskatchewan Intercultural Association, he found employment with the Saskatoon Open Door Society in the Employment Services Unit in 2014. During this time he performed the role of an Employment Counselor and a Team-Lead where he took pride in working directly with newcomers in their search for employment and as well guiding and supporting his staff to ensure the best service possible. He is been working as the Executive Director of SAISIA for the last year and a half and is eager to work collaboratively with all the settlement organizations in Saskatchewan with the collective goal of continuing to elevate the settlement services for newcomers in Province.

Kari McCluskey

Vicarious Trauma & Resilience Facilitator

Aurora Family Therapy Centre

Kari McCluskey is a facilitator in the Vicarious Trauma and Resilience Initiative at Aurora Family Therapy Centre where she provides workshops and support for settlement service providers who are committed to creating positive transition and integration experiences for Canadian newcomers. In addition, she is a coordinator and instructor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Winnipeg and a graduate student in Peace and Conflict studies at the University of Manitoba. A long-time advocate of empowering youth through education, service learning, and community integration, Kari spent several years in public education facilitating alternative learning programs for youth at-risk.

Chantal Morin

CFA Coordinator

Assembleée communautaire fransaskoise (ACF)

Originally from southern Saskatchewan, Chantal was educated at the University of Regina's Bachelor of Education’s francophone program. In 1995, Chantal worked at the Ferland School and supported the establishment of the "Little Bees" daycare in the school. This was the first francophone daycare in a rural school in Saskatchewan. She has worked as teacher and principal in the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises in the communities of Ferland, Ponteix and Gravelbourg. Seeking a new challenge, Chantal accepted the position of Project Coordinator of the Welcoming Francophone Communities for the cities of Moose Jaw and Gravelbourg. It is a project that is close to her heart. She believes that welcoming newcomers is key to ensuring the sustainability of francophones in our schools and communities.

Queehyung Nam

LINC Program Coordinator

Mosaic Newcomer Family Resource Network

Queehyung Nam has been with Mosaic Newcomer Family Resource Network as the LINC Program Coordinator since 2016. She was involved in the iSTEDY project from the beginning, helping to build the waiting list, childcare, and report card functionality of the system. Mosaic started to use the software since September 2018.

Corrine Prince

Director General, Francophone Immigration and Official languages

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Corinne first joined Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2009 as the Director General of the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO). She served as the Director General for Settlement and Integration Policy Branch with IRCC from January 2013 until 2020, a role that has expanded her connections to settlement partners across Canada. Beginning in fall 2020, Corinne is now the Director General for Francophone Immigration and Official Languages Part VII, within the Settlement and Integration Policy Branch. Between October 2007 and December 2008, Corinne was the Director General of the Labour Market Integration Directorate at HRSDC, responsible for the work of the Foreign Credential Recognition Program, Labour Mobility, the Going to Canada Immigration Portal, and the Skills and Labour Market Information Division (National Occupational Classification system, occupational information and Essential Skills research). Corinne graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science from the University of Ottawa in 1985 and received her Bachelor of Laws from the University of Calgary in 1991. Corinne grew up in northern Saskatchewan and now makes her home in Ottawa, Ontario, with her two children.

Doug Rain

Regional Director - Saskatoon, Labour Market Services, Ministry of Immigration and Career Training

Government of Sakatchewan

Doug Rain is the Director of the Programs and Partnerships unit with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Immigration and Career Training. He is responsible for settlement and language programs along with newcomer employability supports programming. The Programs and Partnerships unit is the primary liaison between the Ministry and provincial service providers to assist newcomers with their settlement, language, and employment needs.

Abdur Rehman Ahmad

Board President

SAISIA

Originally from Pakistan, Abdur has made Saskatoon his new home since 2012. Possessing a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Pakistan, Abdur completed another Masters of Public Health Course (MPH) in 2016 from the University of Saskatchewan (U of S). Having over 13 years’ experience working in the public health and non-profit sector. Abdur had worked on Public Health projects in the global south namely Pakistan and worked with international development agencies based in Austria, Germany and The Netherlands. He currently works with the Saskatchewan Intercultural Association (SIA) as the HR & Culture Manager. He is also the Board President at the Saskatchewan Association of Immigrant Settlement and Integration Agencies (SAISIA). Abdur is thrilled every day to work for an Intercultural organization that is creating an impact in the community by helping Newcomers through employment, language and cultural programs as well as building bridges between Newcomers and Indigenous people. His personal WHY is to create healthy and anti-racist workplace ecosystems that are diverse, inclusive, safe and fun to work in. Where individuals are inspired and fulfilled by creating a positive impact in the Saskatoon community.

Sarosh Rizvi

Executive Director

AAISA

Sarosh Rizvi is the executive director at the Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies and has worked in the settlement and integration sector for many years. He is also the founder and executive director for the Kleos Microfinance group, a woman-centred international development charity in Calgary, and has been named as a Top 40 Under 40 by Avenue Magazine.

Debra Schweyer

WELARC

Debra Schweyer has been with WELARC since 2007 as assessor, regional trainer, and executive director. She has participated in the design and implementation of two databases, – IRAES with the government of Manitoba, and the LARC MB management system with iSTEDY, just for WELARC.

Pranika Shrestha

Manager of the Employment Services Unit

Regina Open Door Society

Pranika Shrestha is the Manager of the Employment Services Unit at Regina Open Door Society Inc., a non-profit organization that provides settlement and integration services to refugees and immigrants in Regina, SK. Prior to working in a leadership capacity, she was an employment counsellor and an HR personnel. Her career is defined by an innate enthusiasm for creating employment programming and opportunities for newcomers to help them overcome barriers to employment. She has an educational background in social work coupled with human resources management. Besides work, she is a new mom who likes to cook, travel and hike.

Kelly Sims

Manager (Urban Centers)

IRCC

Kelly Sims a Manager in the Prairies and Northern Territories (PNT) Region with the Settlement Network.  She has worked with IRCC since 2009, first in an administrative role, and transferred into Settlement as an Officer in 2014, Supervisor in 2017 and Manager of Urban Centers in 2018. She recently returned to work in November 2020 after maternity leave following the birth of her first child. Kelly loves to travel – 19 countries and counting - and is a retired elite-level ringette coach (after taking teams to Western Canadians, Nationals, Czech Republic Challenge Cup and Finland Lion’s Cup).

Vicki Sinclair

Executive Director

Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations

Vicki Sinclair joined the Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations (MANSO) as its first Executive Director in June 2016. She is a member of the National Settlement and Integration Committee, Le Réseau en Immigration Francophone du Manitoba and its Settlement Working Group. She sits on the Immigrant Partnership Winnipeg Council, the Board of Immigration Research West and multiple national settlement advisory and research committees. She has a professional background in journalism and EAL and became a Canadian Citizen in 2009.

Afton Tolley

Program Manager

Global Gathering Place

Afton Tolley has spent the past 12 years at Global Gathering Place, dedicated to providing newcomers with skill development opportunities and increasing their sense of belonging in Saskatoon. Afton has played a critical role in GGP’s implementation of many new programs and initiatives, and made volunteering at GGP an exceptional experience for thousands of volunteers. In her role as Program Manager, Afton contributes project coordination expertise and strength in building community partnerships. Afton is proud to lead a growing team of creative, dynamic, and caring individuals delivering quality group programs and individual support that best meet the needs of refugees and immigrants settling in Saskatoon.

Manuela Valle-Castro

Saskatoon Anti-Racism Network

Dr. Valle-Castro is originally from Chile and has Mestiza (Spanish-Italian and Afro-Indigenous) background. She holds a PhD in Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice and a master's degree in Women’s and Gender Studies, both from the University of British Columbia. Dr. Valle-Castro is an experienced educator who is deeply committed to social, gender, and racial justice and equity. She has extensive experience developing and delivering anti-racist and anti-oppressive curriculum to a diversity of audiences. For the past three years, Dr. Valle-Castro coordinated the Anti-Racism Network. Under this capacity she led coalition building and advocacy work with a range of actors including Indigenous and settler organizations, as well as agencies and organizations that work with newcomers, immigrants, and refugees. Currently Dr. Valle-Castro is the Director of the Division of Social Accountability of the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan.

Grace Van Fleet

Assistant Director of Integration, Settlement Network

IRCC

Grace Van Fleet is an Assistant Director in the Prairies and Northern Territories (PNT) Region with the Settlement Network. She has worked at IRCC since 2011, first as a Senior Immigration Officer adjudicating Pre-Removal Risk Assessments and Humanitarian and Compassionate cases, then as a Supervisor and Manager in the BC-Yukon Region of the Settlement Network, before joining the PNT Region as an Assistant Director. She has previously worked at Veterans Affairs Canada in various roles, the RCMP, and the Canada Border Services Agency. Grace holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Commerce from the University of British Columbia.

Donna Wall

Manager (Small Centers, Language, LIPS and SDI)

IRCC

Donna Wall is a manager in the Prairies and Northern Territories (PNT) Region with the Settlement Network.  She has worked with IRCC since 2007, first as a Settlement Officer and then in 2017 she completed an assignment with Language Development and Design at NHQ to work on the new online training resources for program officers, before returning in 2019 to become the manager of language, small centres and the Local Immigration Partnerships. She previously worked at Canada Border Services Agency. Donna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Saskatchewan.

Lori Wilkinson

Professor in Sociology and Criminology

University of Manitoba

Lori Wilkinson is a Professor in Sociology and Criminology, University of Manitoba. She is also the Director of Immigration Research West. Her recent research focuses on the settlement experiences of refugee youth, the social and economic consequences of COVID-19 on immigrants and refugees.

Alice Wong

Director, Newcomer Integration Newcomer Supports Branch Workforce Strategies Division

Alberta Labour and Immigration

Alice Wong is the Director of the Newcomer Integration Unit with Alberta Labour and Immigration. She is responsible for settlement and language programs and immigration services, including pre-arrival, outreach and foreign qualification recognition. Alice is also involved in a number of federal and provincial committees where she develops and maintains her working relationships with her federal and provincial counterparts and voices Alberta’s perspective and position as it relates to settlement, integration and FQR issues. Prior to this position, she has been in different roles gaining board perspective in the areas of labour market and immigration policies, advanced education and investment attraction.

Dr. Sally Zhao

Chief Executive Officer

The Immigrant Education Society (TIES)

Dr. Sally Zhao is the Chief Executive Officer of The Immigrant Education Society (TIES). She has received her Doctoral degree in ESL Testing and Assessment, a Master of Arts degree in Language and Communications, and a Master of Education degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) in the UK. Prior to joining TIES, Sally worked at various post-secondary institutions as an educator and researcher. Sally is passionate about volunteering, and a big believer in collaboration. She currently sits on the Alberta Mental Health and Addictions Council, and has been closely involved with the ATESL (Alberta Teachers of English as a Second Language) board, the Bow Valley College Research Ethics committee, the Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA) board, and its Governance Committee. In the spirit of “completing vs. competing”, Sally is very proud to present the work of the Calgary East Zone Newcomers Collaborative (CENC) on behalf of its participating organizations.