BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2022- 2023)
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.
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.
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Giselle General immigrated from the Philippines as a teenager and has lived in Edmonton since 2008. She completed a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Alberta and ran a family business growing up. Her current career is in the non-profit sector in the legal field, helping those who cannot afford legal advice. In addition, she volunteers for numerous boards in the Community, is a columnist for the Alberta Filipino Journal, and actively contributes to various artistic, environmental, and medical causes. |
Nancy Elbenhawy is an online counsellor and life coach at The Serene Academy, providing relief, education, and therapy to improve the quality of life to Newcomers, Canadian and Non- Canadian status clients with support to face some of the adversities in life. Nancy believes anyone coming to Canada should be allowed to thrive and reach their highest potential with the right help to provide the necessary tools to do so. I am passionate about making a difference in the lives of those who come to Canada by setting the first steps to gear them toward their dreams and aspirations. Whether or not they start with little or no resources, the Serene Academy is a great place to help make it happen. In addition to managing The Serene Academy, I hold youth activities where I work one-on-one with ESL children. Nancy is also a member of CASP, CACCF, and Edmonton REACH. In addition, she is certified in Suicide Prevention in Emergency Departments and Schools. Nancy holds a BA in Psychology and a Diploma in Addiction, Suicide Intervention and Hypnotherapy. |
Hansa Thaleshvar was a successful school trustee; she went on to become a town councillor and eventually a long-serving mayor of Cold Lake. She had many opportunities to work with the First nation in (Cold Lake) Community in social events as well as in economic development and social issues facing the region.
Currently, she is serving on the Strathcona County Diversity Committee. On 27th Aug 2020, they organised the first-ever Treaty 6 Flag Raising ceremony.
Hansa is also an active member of the Hindu Society of Alberta. She served on the Board for 5 years, two years as President and has been an active volunteer since 2006. Through many events including interfaith presentations and guests visiting from different organizations, she has enjoyed meeting people of different cultures, religions and backgrounds.
Hansa has extensive skills in strategic planning, board development, research, budgeting, organizing workshops and social events.
BOARDS OF DIRECTORS (2021 – 2022)
President – Edrick Andrews
Vice President – Nigel Logan
Treasurer – Lawrence Florkiah
Secretary – Giselle General
Public Relations Officer – Dr. Ashraf Ali
Director – Hansa Thaleshvar
Director – John Gaye
Director – Tigist Dafla
Director – Abdul Hussein daash