Board of Directors

Ephraim Mwaura, B.Com, Dip. CyberSecurity

President & Executive Director

As the President, Ephraim wears many hats including oversight of day-to-day operations, strategic planning, fundraising and long-term goal setting for the organization. He has extensive leadership and management experience, demonstrated success as a community servant, and a history of building capacity in the not-for-profit sector. Apart from being a Board member, he is an ex-officio member of the program committees and a member of the Council consisting of Regional Chairs from 19 regions across the Country. He is tasked with championing the organization and advocating its mission to both internal and external stakeholders

He is multi-talented with extensive skills and experience in Social Work, Communications, IT, Cyber Security, Event Management and Resource Mobilization. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Management Science from the University of Nairobi, School of Business and a CyberSecurity Diploma.

Linkedln: www.linkedin.com/ephraimmwaura
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Catherine Matimu BASc. Major Family and Community Social Services

Board Secretary / Newcomers & Settlement Program Director

Catherine is a Kenyan Canadian who lives in Brampton, Ontario. She is an entrepreneur having owned and managed Baraka Art & Décor for over 15 years in Canada, earning awards in various International Trade Shows. She is a Certified Life Skills Coach having earned her certification at George Brown College. Catherine holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Science, Family Community Social Services from Guelph University and Social Service Worker Diploma from at Sheridan College where in the final year she focused on immigration and Settlement counselling studies.

Linkedln: www.linkedin.com/catherinematimu
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Raphael Fernandes OLY

Board Chair / Sports & Recreation Program Director

Raphael is a former Kenyan Olympian. He has 29 Years of Banking experience with The Royal Bank of Canada, with Independent, Corporate, Multinational, Commercial, National Sales & Relationship Management. His notable strengths are leading by example with a positive and professional attitude. He has the ability to deal effectively at all levels with Personal & Business Clients as an Event Coordinator & Planner and Master of Ceremonies. He has excellent focus on principal and protocol, respect for diversity in the community and strong interpersonal communication skills. He portrays diplomatic personality, camaraderie and expertise with Integrity, Accountability, Collaboration, Diversity & Inclusion.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/raphaelfernandes
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Terry Ortlieb

Seniors Outreach Program Director

Terry joined the Kenyan Canadian Association as a volunteer in the Newcomers Settlement Program in 2020 and has been an exceptionally active program committee member. She has also served in other committees including ad-hoc COVID-19 Response, Women and Gender Affairs Program Committee, Outreach Committee and Social Economic Empowerment Program Committee. She has also been serving at the KCA Secretariat as a volunteer Social Worker. She has managed to make a huge contribution in KCA despite being a newcomer. She previously worked in Munich, Germany before immigrating to Canada as Dental Assistant. She was also an ordained Pastor by Kingdom Citizens International Bible Church working with Seniors and Youth.

She has a Physiological Diploma in gerontology specialized with seniors with Dementia Schizophrenia from IAK Nursing school in Munich, Germany. She is certified in First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Emergency situations. Terry is multilingual in Kiswahili, English, German, and French. While in Germany she attended University of Freiburg LGS for German language and achieved a B certificate. She further attended Deutchkurse B2+ in Inligua Munich languages school in Munich Germany

. She also lived in Strasbourg France and attended University of Strasbourg for French language studies.

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Yvonne Ouko, Bsc. Business Statistics, ACCA II

Social Economic Empowerment Program Director

Yvonne is based in Calgary, Alberta Province and she brings solid experience in social economic empowerment having volunteered as Treasurer in Wakenya Pamoja Uganda and KenCan Baraka Women Group.

She will oversee major KCA initiatives under Social Economic Empowerment Program including establishment of a Diaspora Sacco and Bereavement Fund.

Yvonne is an ACCA Finalist and Strathmore Business School Alumni. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Statistics from Makelele University in Kampala, Uganda.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/yvonneouko
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Jackie Kariuki B.Ed - Business Studies & Economics

Women & Gender Affairs Program Director

Based in Toronto, Jackie is focused on empowering women having lived the life of an immigrant woman and her volunteer experience with community organizations both in Canada and USA.

She is a trained teacher having graduated with a Bachelor of Education Degree from Kenyatta University and has many years of experience working with professional and religious organizations.

Her motto to women is “go out there to be the best person that you can, to achieve whatever your dreams are and don’t forget to give back to the community”.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jackiekariuki
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Philice Masinde

Health & Wellness Program Director

Philice was born and raised in Kenya until 2016 when she moved to British Columbia - Canada with her family. She later on moved to London, Ontario in 2019 to study at the University of Western Ontario and where she resides to date. She graduated with Master of Nursing from University of Western Ontario and Bsc. Nursing from MMUST (Kenya).

Her interest in working with KCA is guided by her professional background as a Graduate Nurse and experience working with grassroot organizations both in Kenya and here in Canada. While in Kenya she worked with a not-for-profit organization dealing with HIV/AIDS, Women, Youth, and Gender Specialties. As the team leader in the health section of the organization, she participated in project planning, management, and evaluation as well as holistic community advocacy and mitigation aspects of health/wellness program. She also volunteers through Prostate Cancer Canada and BCNET. She currently works in a Long-Term Care facility.

She is particularly attracted to the KCA’s open move to work with other stakeholders to address issues related to settlement of marginalized persons including Kenyans and other minorities by elevating their personal/social and economic status.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/philicemasinde
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Christine Kweri

Careers, Education & Research Program Director

Terry joined the Kenyan Canadian Association as a volunteer in the Newcomers Settlement Program in 2020 and has been an exceptionally active program committee member. She has also served in other committees including ad-hoc COVID-19 Response, Women and Gender Affairs Program Committee, Outreach Committee and Social Economic Empowerment Program Committee. She has also been serving at the KCA Secretariat as a volunteer Social Worker. She has managed to make a huge contribution in KCA despite being a newcomer. She previously worked in Munich, Germany before immigrating to Canada as Dental Assistant. She was also an ordained Pastor by Kingdom Citizens International Bible Church working with Seniors and Youth.

She has a Physiological Diploma in gerontology specialized with seniors with Dementia Schizophrenia from IAK Nursing school in Munich, Germany. She is certified in First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Emergency situations. Terry is multilingual in Kiswahili, English, German, and French. While in Germany she attended University of Freiburg LGS for German language and achieved a B certificate. She further attended Deutchkurse B2+ in Inligua Munich languages school in Munich Germany

. She also lived in Strasbourg France and attended University of Strasbourg for French language studies.

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Yvonne Ruttoh

Director - Health & Wellness

Based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Yvonne is a Registered Nurse and holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Aspen University, Colorado, USA.

She has been a nursing professional for over 25 years both in Canada and Kenya. She has worked in various positions in Canada as Nurse including being a Community Health Nurse in the Government of Northwest Territories.

Health and Wellness is an area of great interest to her. She is dynamic, passionate, compassionate, dedicated and motivated in helping people make the necessary changes in their lives in order to lead healthy lives. As healthcare professional with experience working with the marginalized communities, her focus is to promote health and wellness in all age groups.

As a minority community, there are numerous individuals with obesity, diabetes and other chronic illnesses most of which are a result of lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, poor stress management, and social isolation.

Mental health is another area of interest to her as she have experienced first-hand the effects of COVID-19. Her focus is to provide the necessary knowledge and support to the community as well as advocate for policies that promote health and wellness among all age groups.

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/yvonne-ruttoh
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Shuaib Adam

Africa Regional Director - International Relief & Development (IRD) and Tourism, Trade & Investments (TTI) Programs

Shuaib is a Kenyan Canadian now based in Nairobi since October 2021. He will be Global Head of the IRD program mainly which in the foreseeable future will be focusing on Sub-Sahara Africa.

While still in Canada he joined Kenyan Canadian Association in May 2021 and has been a very active member of the Sports & Recreation Program.

He is both a veteran security and intelligence professional and a Kenyan Sports personality having represented Kenyan in Olympics and other international competitions. He was awarded a Head of State Commendation by the President of Kenya for his achievements.

Shuaib is currently the President of International Police Organization (IPO) - Africa Command and Secretary General of Kenya Olympians Association (KOA) and holds other prominent positions in Sports, Security and Intelligence Agencies across the globe.

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/shuaib-adam-hsc-oly

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