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Our Leadership

Board of Directors

Our board of Directors is a group of dedicated volunteers that meet on monthly basis to set the strategic direction of our organization.

Following the Policy Governance Model, they provide financial oversight, strategic planning, analysis of needs and trends, and linkages to help move us towards achieving our organization's mission and vision.

Meet the Board of Directors

Miekela Singh, Board member

Miekela joined the IWC board in 2018.

She is a Canadian of Indian descent. She grew up in Dundas and spent her early working years in Hamilton. Miekela currently works at the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, in corporate governance. Miekela is called to the bar in Ontario and also serves on the board of the Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights (CLAIHR). She has a deep interest in corporate accountability, social impact, and community building. One of her personal mottos, courtesy of Aaliyah, is “dust yourself off and try again.”

Luc Bonaventure Amoussou, Board member

Luc joined the IWC Board in January 2021. He is currently the regional director of College Boréal in Hamilton and the region of Niagara. Educator and professor, he has always been at the service of immigrants and displaced people around the globe.

Luc holds a PhD from the University of Toronto with expertise in political science and religion. He is focused in the question of political resistance against domination and the interconnection between politics and various religions. After many years of teaching and doing humanitarian work with immigrants all over the globe, he is dedicating his time in forming and welcoming newcomers and students from various parts of the world who choose to come to College Boreal.

His motto is to always dare great things (Perseverance coded message on Mars 2021) for the betterment of other and the world. He believes in succeeding together and is a great and excellent team builder with a special sense of humour.

Rebecca Smyth, Board member

Rebecca joined the IWC Board in January 2021. They are a Program Administrator at Metrolinx in Toronto, Ontario and hold previous project and research management experience at the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University and World Vision Canada. Completing their undergraduate degree in international affairs, they also hold a Masters in Applied Politics from Wilfrid Laurier University. Much of the expertise they bring to the Board is rooted in their experience in non-profit and post-secondary sectors, both in Canada and abroad on human rights, equity, diversity and inclusion and education-related programs.

Erin joined the IWC Board in 2018. 

She is a human rights lawyer who currently works as a Senior Investigator with Human Rights Services at Ryerson University. Passionate about diversity and human rights, Erin previously taught a course on these topics at Mcmaster University and also worked in national and international refugee law with Legal Aid Ontario and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. 

Luc Bonaventure Amoussou, Board member

Luc joined the IWC Board in January 2021. He is currently the regional director of College Boréal in Hamilton and the region of Niagara. Educator and professor, he has always been at the service of immigrants and displaced people around the globe.

Luc holds a PhD from the University of Toronto with expertise in political science and religion. He is focused in the question of political resistance against domination and the interconnection between politics and various religions. After many years of teaching and doing humanitarian work with immigrants all over the globe, he is dedicating his time in forming and welcoming newcomers and students from various parts of the world who choose to come to College Boreal.

His motto is to always dare great things (Perseverance coded message on Mars 2021) for the betterment of other and the world. He believes in succeeding together and is a great and excellent team builder with a special sense of humour.

Rebecca Smyth, Board member

Rebecca joined the IWC Board in January 2021. They are a Program Administrator at Metrolinx in Toronto, Ontario and hold previous project and research management experience at the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University and World Vision Canada. Completing their undergraduate degree in international affairs, they also hold a Masters in Applied Politics from Wilfrid Laurier University. Much of the expertise they bring to the Board is rooted in their experience in non-profit and post-secondary sectors, both in Canada and abroad on human rights, equity, diversity and inclusion and education-related programs.

Gentiana Collaku, Board member

Gentiana joined the IWC Board in 2015. Gentiana was born in Albania, the Mediterranean’s hidden gem.

Her passion to support immigrants’ issues is rooted in her belief that the world is one country. She is an internationally trained professional with experience working and living in several countries. Her educational background includes law, mediation, and mental health studies. Gentiana’s international and personal life experiences have helped to her develop counselling and advocacy skills and her passion to promote intercultural awareness and the concept of unity in diversity. She currently works for the Hamilton Public Library where she promotes services and community capacity building. Her personal motto is “to live a purposeful life, serve humanity, and let integrity distinguish her actions.”

Blake McCall, Board member

Blake joined the IWC Board in January 2021. Passionate about workers’ rights, migrant justice, and climate change — Blake has spent the better part of the last decade supporting these issues in various capacities and campaigns.

Blake grew up in a small town in southern Alberta and moved to Hamilton for University in 2007. There, he finished with a Master’s Degree in Work and Society in the School of Labour Studies. He currently works for the City of Hamilton as bus operator. Blake’s personal motto is “a just world is possible if we want it.” Meaning a that we can make the world just and fair if we collectively do the work to change it.

Krista D'Aoust, Board member

Krista joined the IWC Board in Dec 2020. She grew up in the Hamilton area, and has moved around for school and work, including having spent time in Mongolia with Voluntary Service Overseas.  Krista is a social worker, currently working in the non-profit world at Neighbour to Neighbour’s Hamilton Community Food Centre.  Loving to get her hands dirty in the soil, growing food and plants in the garden is where you’ll find her when the weather is good. People’s right to food and a healthy life is a key philosophy that motivates her, and she also believes in the power of laughter.

Vagish Sharma is a certified Project management professional (PMP) and currently working as Senior Project Specialist with Deloitte Canada . He has more than 8 years of work experience working across companies, industries, start-up’s, multilateral organizations and NGO’s .

 

Vagish has completed his MBA and worked on projects with UN’s, Greenpeace, USAID for which he was selected as Global Social Fellow by University of Waterloo, East Asia Future Leader by Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Young Pacific Leader by United Nations.

 

He has recently moved to Canada and feels passionate to counsel and teach New immigrants. He believes that counselling and early handholding to new immigrants should attract and retain more skilled workers and their families in Canada.

Shalini Duggal has over 13 years of executive experience in Human Resources, Marketing, and Communications. Currently, she serves as the Chief People Officer of Wattpad and WattpadWebtoon Studios.

 

Before this role, she served in various leadership roles at Centrilogic, Achievers, Ontario Telemedicine Network, and SCM Insurance Services. Shalini is a member of the Neythiri Executive Women’s Council, Forbes HR Council, Canadian Learning Council Research Advisory Board, Canadian Society Training Development Board, and the Canadian Professional Sales Association.

 

She holds certifications as a Certified Training and Development Professional, Certified Sales Professional, and Emotional Intelligence Coach. Shalini is also currently pursuing an executive MBA in Leadership

Nidhi Nagori, Board member
Nidhi joined the board in January 2021. Born and raised in India, Nidhi immigrated to Canada in 2019 and currently works with the Internal Audit Department of Lincoln Electric Company. A CA and CPA by profession, Nidhi enjoys adding value by suggesting process improvement measures. Being an immigrant herself, she understands newcomer struggles first hand pushing her to advocate for better opportunities for all immigrants alike. Nidhi’s personal motto in life is to “have equal opportunities for all- when we all come work together, we grow together.”
Nidhi Nagori, Board member
Nidhi joined the board in January 2021. Born and raised in India, Nidhi immigrated to Canada in 2019 and currently works with the Internal Audit Department of Lincoln Electric Company. A CA and CPA by profession, Nidhi enjoys adding value by suggesting process improvement measures. Being an immigrant herself, she understands newcomer struggles first hand pushing her to advocate for better opportunities for all immigrants alike. Nidhi’s personal motto in life is to “have equal opportunities for all- when we all come work together, we grow together.”

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