Leadership Team
MARIAM AL KASSAB
PRESIDENT
Appointed as the Give To Learn To Grow Foundation's president in 2020, brings over 25 years of leadership in high-growth sectors. Her mission is to support underprivileged children in East Africa, Canada, and the USA through education. With a robust background in business development, operations management, and strategic planning, Mariam aims to expand the Foundation's impact globally. Her adept communication and relationship-building skills underscore her commitment to empowering children and fostering community engagement.
BARWAKO NALAYEH
Chief Financial Officer
Barwako brings a decade of experience from U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Services, focusing on wealth planning, commercial banking, and custom lending. She's adept at collaborating with affluent individuals, business owners, and non-profits to establish financial strategies. Previously, she worked as a family consultant, aiding troubled families in Atlanta, GA, promoting stability and financial self-sufficiency. Barwako has also served in administrative roles for Boys and Girls Club Toronto and Red Door Family Shelter. She holds a degree in Social Work.
DR. LAMEES KHORSHID
HEALTH PSYCHOLOGIST
Dr. Khorshid, a Clinical Health Psychologist based in Los Angeles, coaches individuals, families, executives, and athletes. She also teaches at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and holds certifications in Biofeedback, Neurofeedback, and Medical Hypnosis. As a public speaker, she addresses health behavioral change for organizations like the American College of Preventive Medicine. Dr. Khorshid volunteers with the Los Angeles Caregivers Group and Habitat For Humanity. She earned her degree from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and completed her Health Psychology residency at the Cleveland Clinic.
Abdulqani Ahmed
Project Manager
With over three decades of experience, excels in community leadership. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kentucky and a computer programming diploma from the Career Development Institute in Toronto. His educational journey fueled his engineering career, while he remained actively engaged in community service. As President of the North York Immigrants and Cultural Support Group, Abdulqani oversaw operations, fundraising, budgeting, and training programs, successfully integrating newcomers into Canada. He remains dedicated to community betterment.
Khaild Bowe
Community Outreach Coordinator - Canada
A dedicated Community Outreach Coordinator at the Give To Learn To Grow Foundation, Khalid is pivotal in fostering community engagement and building strong stakeholder relationships. With a background in urban planning and a proven track record in outreach, he has developed and implemented successful programs that address community needs and promote positive change. Their experience includes years as a business owner in Toronto, honing skills in event planning, volunteer management, and community development. He holds a degree in Urban Cities and Regions Planning from York University and a Real Estate License from Humber College.
Deqa Gelle
Director of Communications
Deqa Gelle brings over a decade of expertise in recruitment, HR marketing, and branding to her role. She deeply understands how recruitment and marketing intertwine with personal and corporate branding, a synergy she wholeheartedly embraces at the Give to Learn To Grow Foundation. Here, she crafts strategies that not only attract top talent but also elevate the organization's brand, making a meaningful impact. Deqa's journey is one of empowerment and connection, where every word spoken and every strategy crafted echoes the essence of humanity, making a tangible difference in the world.
Timothy Nasib Kelley
Art Program & Community Engagement Coordinator
Nasib, a dedicated student volunteer, has been an essential part of GTLTG since he was eight. As Art Program Director, he designs and oversees art programs that provide students with a creative outlet to express their emotions and develop their talents. Nasib is also highly skilled in fundraising and donor engagement, effectively communicating the organization's successes and initiatives. In addition to these roles, Nasib creates and edits impactful videos for the foundation's campaigns, amplifying their message and reach. His passion for art and education is evident in every project he leads, inspiring others to get involved. Nasib's unwavering dedication continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the students and communities he serves.
Mubarak Ahmed
Project Coordinator
Mubarak graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences of Health, majoring in Psychology and Criminology. His multidisciplinary program enabled him to analyze health issues, particularly social determinants. While studying, he collaborated with health services and volunteered in smoking cessation programs. His passion for sports led him to physiotherapy, where he now works full-time in Ottawa, administering treatment plans and therapeutic exercises. Committed to community well-being, he volunteers at the Distress Centre and aligns with initiatives supporting underprivileged children globally.
Leadership Advisors
JAMA IBRAHIM
ATTORNEY
Founding partner of Ibrahim & Rao LLP, specializes in U.S. Immigration and Nationality Law. He handles deportation cases, green card applications, visas, and naturalization matters. With extensive litigation experience, he represents clients globally in U.S. Immigration Courts and before the Board of Immigration Appeals. Ibrahim's multilingual background enriches his practice, ensuring personalized immigration solutions. A member of AILA, he actively engages in community advocacy and speaks at immigration events.
OMAR DEGAN
LEAD ARCHITECT
Omar Degan is an architect specialising in Sustainability and Emergency Architecture. He holds a MSc in Architecture for Sustainability at the Polytechnic of Turin (Italy) and CUHK (Hong Kong). Postgraduate school in Habitat and Cooperation-Emergency architecture at the Polytechnic of Turin. He worked in emergency contexts in Europe, South America, Asia and West of Africa. He is now focused on the post-conflict reconstruction of East Africa.
Zainab Alkassab
Zainab, an Early Childhood Educator, holds a Bachelor's in Sociology Honors, Psychology, and a Master’s in Marketing Communication. Raised in Canada, she's committed to nurturing children's learning. As a mother and educator, she believes in each child's potential for well-being. Her goal is a Doctorate in Educational Psychology to support immigrant children's development.
School Staff
Samwel Ombati Obonyo
Headmaster
Mohamed Siciid Cabdi Xuseen
Community Liaison Officer
Wilson Komole
Head of Department: Social Studies
Erick Isese Onyango
Head of Department: Early Childhood Development (ECD)
Halidi Twaha Muhammad
Head of Department: Physical Education (PE)
Kelvin Okoth
Head of Department: Languages
Faadumo Farxaan Caabi
Teacher
Cabdilaahi Maxamed Cali, Caabi
Head of Department: Foreign Language Assistance
Monicah Anyango Ogongo
Teacher
Vallary Musanga
Teacher
Mohamed Saeed Jamac
Head of Department: Information and Communication (ICT)
Abdirahman Jama Eid Farah
Teacher
Cabdiraxmaan Ahmed Nuux
Assistant Principal
Isaac Wetsuli Nawade
Teacher
Collince Ochieng
Head of Department: Science
Charles Onyango Otieno
Teacher
Collins Athanas Wanzala
Head of Department: Math
Omer Abdillahi Ali
Teacher
Hussein Abdi Ismail
Lunchroom Supervisor
Ubah Sahardid Khalil
Teacher
Zena Ochanda Achieng
Teacher
Maxamed Cabdulle Maxamud
Water Coordinator
Ahmed Abdikani Mohamed
Teacher
Joakim Mwanza Akumu
Teacher
Abdisamad Awil Mohamed
Water Coordinator
Abubakar Wampongo
Teacher
Rahma Mohamed Cawil
University Student Intern
Cabdirisaaq Jama Jidhbool
Hydrology Manager
Maternal Child Health Clinic
Dr. ahmed abdirizak Ahmed Warsame
Dr. Mustafe Dahir
Xamda Jaamac Ducaale
Nurse and Midwife
Security Officer
AHMED CARAB ISMAIL AXMED
.
Siciid Xirsi Maxamed
.
Ahmed Maxamed Muxumuud
.
Yaasin Awil Jama
.
School Custodians
Xamdi Maxamuud Cismaan
.
Khadra Ali Ilmi
Amaal Siciid Maxamed
.
Shamsa Yuusuf Aadan
.