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Staff
Leadership Team
Executive Director
Fauzia Mazhar
Phone: 226-499-2269 ext. 4001
Email: fauzia.mazhar@cmw-kw.org
Fauzia Mazhar
Fauzia Mazhar has more than 18 years of experience in the local social profit sector, much of it in leadership and management. She holds a Master of Social Work degree with specialization in community, policy, planning, and organizations (CPPO), and a post graduate Leadership and Management Certificate from Wilfrid Laurier University. Fauzia has also completed Community Leadership Training by Leadership Waterloo Region. Her work experience includes managing a neighbourhood-based community centre and a large-size service hub, as well as leading community collaborations and social change initiatives. Fauzia has worked at House of Friendship, The Working Centre, Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre, and Family and Children’s Services of Waterloo Region. She has served as the President of Pakistan Canada Association, Council Member and Chair of the Belong Group for Immigration Partnership Waterloo Region, and as a member of the Board of Directors of Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery.
In 2010, Fauzia joined hands with a handful of women in K-W to start the modest initiative to empower Muslim women to be leaders and change makers, able to address stereotypes and misconceptions about Muslim women through community outreach and bridge-building. The initiative grew to an organization, which is now known as Coalition of Muslim Women of Kitchener-Waterloo. Fauzia has provided consistent leadership to CMW since its inception, overseeing strategic planning, program/service planning, coordination, financial planning, funds development, volunteer recruitment, engagement, outreach, and alliance building.
Fauzia has a big-picture outlook and a growth-focused mindset. She is a community builder and an engaged citizen, passionately bringing people and groups together to build a welcoming, inclusive, and safe community. Fauzia is also an optimist who likes a good laugh.
DIR. of Programming and Services
Sarah Shafiq
Phone: 226-499-2269 ext. 4002
Email: sarah.shafiq@cmw-kw.org
Sarah Shafiq
Sarah started out with the CMW as a volunteer and member. Over time, she became the supervisor of Together Against Islamophobia and Youth Leaders 4 Change programs. Sarah is deeply engaged in the community as a member of the Interfaith Grand River and as a member of Waterloo Region’s Crime Prevention Council. Having received her Doctorate in Sociology from the University of Notre Dame, USA, she is currently teaching at Martin Luther University College, Wilfrid Laurier University, as adjunct faculty. Sarah grew up in Pakistan and considers herself to be a bridge between her childhood home and Canada.
DIR. of Funds Development and Communications
Mehreen Shahid
Phone: 226-499-2269 ext. 4003
Email: mehreen.shahid@cmw-kw.org
Mehreen Shahid
Mehreen Shahid comes to the CMW team with a background in psychology, journalism, publishing, fundraising, and communications. After moving to Canada in 2011, and owing to life circumstances, she switched careers and entered the field of journalism.
As an immigrant and a woman, Mehreen faced several challenges when making her way through Canadian society. Where dealing with a new culture, new language and new system was exciting, it required an attitude guided by improvisation and quick-thinking.
Work brought her to small-town Orillia in 2015. The move opened up a world of opportunities and a chance for further self-development. As a reporter for the local newspaper, Mehreen was able to experience Canada in a way very few people get to. Her job not only made her a feature at every local event, but the interaction with people also made her feel at home in the community.
Mehreen has worked extensively in the field covering municipal politics. She has interacted with politicians at all levels and understands bureaucracy at the various levels. Mehreen has also worked with several non-profits, helping with communications and fundraising campaigns. She displays a keen interest in projects that address gender diversity, minorities, housing, and climate change.
Mehreen made her move to the K-W area earlier in spring of 2021 and came across the work being done by the CMW. She found that the non-profit’s passion matched her own drive to deliver change in the community. Mehreen looks forward to helping create a sustainable financial future for the various programs offered by the coalition by sharing stories of fabulous achievements by staff and stakeholders.
Bookkeeper and Admin Assistant
Rowba Mohamd
Phone: 226-499-2269 ext. 4004
Email: rowba.mohamd@cmw-kw.org
Rowba Mohamd
Rowba came to Canada 15 years ago and has been actively involved in the community in numerous ways. As a mom of two young kids, and someone familiar with both the Canadian and Syrian cultures, she became very active with the local community centre in 2015 after a wave of Syrian newcomers arrived in Canada. She volunteered time with refugee families, offering them help as needed to ease them into their settlement. Rowba helped with matters related to education/school, health, shopping, general translation and much more. In 2019, she graduated from TriOS College with a diploma in Honours Business Administration and subsequently from Conestoga College with a diploma in Office Administration. In 2021, she joined the CMW to give back to the community by leveraging her knowledge and experience.
Programming Team
Coordinator, Women Building Women Program
Uzma Bhutto
Phone: 226-499-2269 ext. 4005
Email:Â uzma.bhutto@cmw-kw.org
Uzma Bhutto
Uzma has been fortunate to embark on experiences across the globe, working and travelling in the developed and developing world. These experiences have instilled in her the capacity to appreciate diversity and respect integrity, both required to support communities in today’s dynamic globally interconnected environment. She was the first among her MBBS cohort in Pakistan to obtain a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Waterloo. Through her enriching experiences she has gained valuable understanding of global health issues/problems, with a focus on female and mental health issues. While at University of Waterloo, she worked on an under-researched topic, Domestic Violence against South Asian Women in Ontario, by connecting theoretical concepts and job practice. She has also contributed several years working toward better mental health in diverse communities.
Uzma had been involved with CMW for more than 10 years. Currently, she is the coordinator of CMW’s Women Building Women program. At work and beyond, Uzma’s passion is to serve communities by making an impact on the ground, assisting all people, especially newcomers, to achieve their full potential. She has also received recognition for her work, such as The Leading Women/Leading Girls Building Communities Recognition Award that celebrates women and girls whose volunteer work has improved the lives of others in their community. Uzma has also received the Five-Year Service Award from CMW, and she is on her way to receiving her 10-Year Service Award for her commitment and time given to the non-profit. Uzma works closely with CMW’s executive director to coordinate and optimize opportunities for racialized Muslim women. Uzma really enjoys working with community members, partners, sponsors, donors, and CMW’s incredible volunteers.
Coordinator, Towards Violence Free Homes Program
Wisam Osman
Phone: 226-499-2269 ext. 4006
Email:Â wisam.osman@cmw-kw.org
Wisam Osman
Wisam came to Canada 12 years ago with a undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Statistics. Since her arrival, she has been engaged in the community in different ways. Wisam started a Moms & Toddlers interactive group with her friends that welcomed everyone. Over time, she became very active in the local Sudanese community, helping and organizing social events, ladies’ gatherings, and youth activities. In 2012, Wisam joined the CMW as a volunteer and shortly after became a member. She has served the CMW in many capacities, including more than four years as a board member. Wisam believes everyone can give back to the community because we allare gifted in a special way.
Coordinator, Together Against Islamophobia
Mifrah Abid
Phone: 226-499-2269 ext. 4007
Email:Â mifrah.abid@cmw-kw.org
Mifrah Abid
Mifrah Abid has a post-graduate degree in English with a gold medal from the University of Pune, India. She was a college lecturer for several years before immigrating to Canada in late 2017. She earned a diploma from the London Language Institute to become a certified ESL trainer. Mifrah worked closely with several refugee and immigrant ESL learners, many of whom were Muslim women. She has a significant corpus of volunteer work in various community initiatives like Halton Environment Network, Recycling Revisited, Islamic Relief, and the Coalition of Muslim Women of Kitchener-Waterloo. Mifrah hosts and produces the podcast, ‘Across Her Table’ [Link: https://anchor.fm/acrosshertable] that celebrates Canadian Muslim women with immigrant roots. She has volunteered at the Tazkiyah Academy, Milton, teaching Muslim children. Mifrah has also served on the city of Kitchener’s Heritage Committee. She believes that societies are stronger when their diverse communities understand each other better.
Coordinator, Anti-hate Services
Maryam Farooque
Phone: 226-499-2269 ext. 4008
Email:Â maryam.farooque@cmw-kw.org
Maryam Farooque
Maryam did her Master’s in International Women Studies and then worked as assistant lecturer at University of Karachi in Pakistan. She then worked as a community research coordinator at Shirkat Gah, a Karachi-based women’s resource centre, where she focused on women empowerment, domestic violence, and family law.
Maryam has also worked as a manager in the food and beverage industry for over five years. She now lives in Kitchener with her family and enjoys interior designing, photography, and spending time with family and friends.
Contact
Email: maryam.farooque@cmw-kw.org
Youth Programming Lead
Munise Gültekin
Phone: 226-499-2269 ext. 4009
Email:Â munise.gultekin@cmw-kw.org
Munise Gültekin
Munise is an enthusiastic and motivated researcher and practitioner in the field of international education with academic and professional experience in Turkey, Germany, Lebanon, the United States and Canada. She went to Boğaziçi University, Turkey for an undergraduate in Foreign Language Education and to the University of Pennsylvania, USA, for an International Educational Development master’s program. Munise is interested in the role of education in social cohesion and inclusion and the social and political rights of marginalized populations. She likes engaging in volunteer activities, connecting with people, and learning from others. Outside of work, she enjoys cycling, dancing, and tasting world cuisines. In her role at the CMW, Munise looks forward to building youth leadership, and supporting racialized youth and women in developing digital communication skills to challenge racist, Islamophobic, and xenophobic narratives.
Youth Engagement Lead
Fatima Awan
Phone: 226-499-2269 ext. 4010
Email: Fatima.awan@cmw-kw.org
Fatima Awan
Fatima is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Waterloo, studying Political Science, Legal Studies, and minoring in Public Policy and Administration. She is immensely passionate about volunteering and community service, accumulating over 1,000 volunteer hours in 2021. Fatima was awarded the Young Adult – Woman of the Year Award 2021 and the honorable Principal Award 2020. She has been involved in over five youth committees and initiatives in the last four years. Fatima is involved with City of Cambridge Youth Advisory, Region of Waterloo’s Youth Initiatives, Youth Force, University of Waterloo PART Member, and much more. Through her work with CMW, she hopes to create evolutionary initiatives and programs for the youth of the Waterloo Region.
Community Support Workers
Bouran Abbas
Phone: 226-201-0361
Email: bouran.abbas@cmw-kw.org
Languages: English, Arabic
Bouran Abbas
Bouran Abbas, CMW Arabic-speaking community support worker
Bouran Abbas moved to Canada in 2021 from Lebanon and quickly became involved in the Kitchener-Waterloo community. She helps those around her by using skills gained from years of social work experience, dealing with the vulnerable and refugees. Bouran has collaborated with various local groups to help Arabic-speakers overcome challenges they face in the community. She is directly involved in helping others understand and gain control of their situations, access practical support, and managing problem solving in a better way.
Bouran has a master’s in psychosocial support and dialogue, as well as a bachelor’s in social work and sociology from Lebanon. She has worked for the United Nations for more than 25 years, providing support in the field of mental health. In addition, Bouran was the chair of the Community Based Rehabilitation Centre for Disabilities program in Lebanon for more than 10 years.
Rahmah Omar
Phone: 226-978-6572
Email: rahmah.omar@cmw-kw.org
Languages: English, Somali, Arabic
Rahmah Omar
Black/African Community Support Worker
Rahmah Omar has lived in Waterloo Region for over 25 years. Upon arriving in the region, she pitched in the neighborhood and community to help fellow Somalis as an interpreter for school and medical appointments. Rahmah then volunteered with the YMCA, working with newcomers and helping them better access and know their surroundings.
This led to her finding work with different non-profit agencies in the region, such as the Community Information Centre of Waterloo and Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region.
Rahmah has now been with the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre as a freelance interpreter/translator since 2008. She is also one of the founding members of the Coalition of Muslim Women of Kitchener-Waterloo. Rahmah’s passion to empower and advocate for women and children has now led her to be part of CMW’s TVFH team.
Tuba Sangar
Phone: 226-201-4736
Email: tuba.sangar@cmw-kw.org
Languages: English, Dari, Pashto, Farsi, Urdu
Tuba Sangar
Farsi/Dari Community Support Worker
Tuba has an undergraduate degree in Journalism from Afghanistan after which she worked as women’s cricket team manager with the Afghanistan Cricket Board. She has volunteered with the Afghan Women Journalist Union since 2015, working for Afghan women growth, empowerment, and development in journalism. Tuba also has a one-year diploma in Leadership and Advocacy and in 2016 she also promoted women’s athletics when she participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program, a U.S. Department of State premier professional exchange program.Â
Tuba moved to Canada in 2021 and joined CMW as a Community Support Worker in 2022.
Eda Ozturk
Phone: 226-201-4792
Email: eda.ozturk@cmw-kw.org
Language: English, Turkish
Eda Ozturk
Turkish Community Support Worker
Eda Ozturk is a motivated and passionate social worker, who has academic and work experience in both Turkey and Canada. She holds undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in Sociology. After moving to Canada, Eda changed her career path to social work with a dream of trying to promote social justice and provide everyone equal access to resources, especially to marginalized and vulnerable groups.
She has worked for several non-profit organizations, playing various important roles in supporting different events. As CMW’s Turkish Community Support Worker, Eda is looking forward to enhancing the lives of Turkish women in Waterloo Region. She looks forward to supporting racialized women and aims to listen to their concerns and needs. Eda also strives to connect them to local resources and initiatives that will help them improve their circumstances, and mental/physical health.
Munazza Abbasi
Phone: 226-899-6382
Email: munazza.abbasi@cmw-kw.org
Languages: English, Urdu
Munazza Abbasi
South Asia Community Support Worker
Coalition of Muslim Women of KW
Munazza, originally from Pakistan, has a undergraduate degree in Sociology and Legal Studies from the University of Waterloo. As a young immigrant, who came to Canada with her family, Munazza has personally experienced challenges immigrants usually face. But she has learned to navigate the system not only as a Pakistani immigrant but also as a Canadian who grew up here.
Having been through the struggles of immigrants, Munazza decided to become actively involved in the community through initiatives of empowerment for marginalized and at-risk populations. She has worked with many non-profits, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters and multiple women’s groups in her hometown, Toronto. Munazza has also been a host for CMW’s Tea and Tales with Muslim Women program.
She is motivated to create a happy, healthy, and safe space for everyone.