Over the past years, Mr. Lawrence Florkiah has been an active community member and has initiated and led family empowerment and youth development projects. He has served in board positions with community and non-profit organizations, including the Federation of Liberian Associations in Canada (now Liberian Association of Canada), Liberian Friendship Society of Canada and Kwan Family Support Resources Council. In addition, Lawrence is a former community animator with the Edmonton Multicultural Coalition and has been a member since 2016.
Mr. Florkiah has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts Degree in Organizational Leadership and is a member of Delta Epsilon Tau international honour society. He also has a diploma in Business studies.
Lawrence currently works with the Ministry of Children’s Services, Government of Alberta.
Dr. H M Ashraf Ali has been trained in sociocultural anthropology and health promotion for public health. Dr. Ashraf has more than fifteen years of teaching and research experience in gender, economic development, food security, poverty, race and racism, and health issues. He has been teaching anthropology at MacEwan University since 2016.
Driven by a passion for building connections and empowering communities, Kathryn Dragowska has dedicated herself to fostering development and inclusion. She has contributed to various volunteer initiatives, including securing grant funding for heritage projects and supporting multicultural engagement through English tutoring.
With a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in Human Resource Management and minoring in Strategic Business Management, Kathryn brings a blend of academic knowledge and entrepreneurial expertise. Over the past eight years, she has honed her skills in digital marketing, specializing in brand development, search engine optimization, and strategic content creation.
In December 2024, Kathryn joined the Edmonton Multicultural Coalition as General Secretary, where she continues her commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through impactful initiatives.
Shital Saley is a Programmer Analyst at Edmonton Public Schools. She has had a keen interest in the arts, such as dancing and painting since childhood. So far, she has performed in over 30 dance shows for renowned organizations. Shital is also a digital content creator with a substantial following on various social media platforms. With her combination of technical and cultural expertise, she is committed to contributing to the growth of EMC.
In December 2024, Shital joined the Edmonton Multicultural Coalition as a Board Member, where she continues her commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through impactful initiatives.
We are pleased to introduce William Tomwell Chea as the Board Director for Public Relations of the Edmonton Multicultural Coalition Association of Edmonton. William holds a Bachelor of Science degree and is a trained mental health professional with frontline experience as a Psychiatric Aide and Youth Addictions Worker.
He brings valuable expertise in psychiatric care, youth support, and community engagement, along with a strong commitment to advocacy, communication, and culturally responsive services. William is dedicated to strengthening public relations and fostering meaningful connections between the organization and the diverse communities it serves. He also continues to expand his clinical skills through advanced training in counseling and mental health services.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2025)
President – Dr. Ashraf HM Ali
Vice President – Lawrence Florkiah
Board Member – Edith Ebakole-Ukhun
Treasurer – Anupama Deshpande
Board Member – Mr. William Chea
Secretary – Kathryn Dragowska
Board Member – Shital Saley
BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2023 – 2024)
President – Dr. Ashraf HM Ali
Vice President – Lawrence Florkiah
Secretary – Edith Ebakole-Ukhun
Treasurer – Anupama Deshpande
Public Relations Officer – Ms. Mary Joe Aissa
Board Member – Mr. William Chea
Board Member – Ms. Dee Haisma
Board Member – Mr. Manny Bautista
BOARDS OF DIRECTORS (2021 – 2022)
President – Edrick Andrews
Vice President – Nigel Logan
Treasurer – Lawrence Florkiah
Secretary – Giselle General
Public Relations Officer – Dr. Ashraf Ali
Executive Director – John Gaye
Director – Hansa Thaleshvar
Director – Tigist Dafla
Director – Abdul Hussein daash