Board of Directors

Ephraim Mwaura, B.Com

President

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 18 regions across the Country. He is tasked with championing the organization and advocating its mission to internal and external stakeholders

He is multi-talented with extensive skills and experience in Community Service, 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.

Linkedln: www.linkedin.com/ephraimmwaura
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Catherine Matimu

Board Secretary / Director - Newcomers & Settlement

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. She graduated at Sheridan College with Social Service Worker Diploma. Her final year focus of study was on immigration and Settlement counselling.

Linkedln: www.linkedin.com/catherinematimu
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Raphael Fernandes OLY

Board Chair / Director - Sports & Recreation

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
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Fatma Nadhir, B.Com

Director - Social Economic Empowerment

Fatma is an experienced professional Realtor® in the GTA. She has strong analytical, problem solving and relationship building skills and is keen on making a positive impact in the lives of others. Her service-oriented nature and passion to help others is her driving force with the main goal being to build stronger financial stable families and communities. She has an accounting background with experience in Finance and Human Resources Management.

Mobile: www.linkedin.com/in/fatmanadhir
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.fatmanadhir.com

Esther Makori, BA (Hons) UofT

Director - Careers, Education & Research

Esther has wealth of experience and skills in community service, careers and human resource management. She is dedicated to supporting immigrants, racialized and marginalized groups. She holds a BA (Hons) in Human resources from University of Toronto and CPA II (Accounting) from Strathmore University in Nairobi, Kenya.

She is an entrepreneur having successfully established a training and recruitment agency focused on supporting and creating employment opportunities for immigrants, graduates and professionals who are seeking for opportunities to exploit their potential while contributing to the Canadian economy and gaining the ever-needed Canadian experience.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/esthermakori
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sanjit Kaur

Director - Women & Gender Affairs

Based in Ottawa, Sanjit is an experienced Entrepreneur with a demonstrated history of working in various industries from Travel & Tours, QM Auditing Processes, Education, Franchising and Direct Selling Industry. Highly skilled in Business Planning, Operations Management, Coaching, Entrepreneurship, and Team Building. Has strong business and Service background accrued from a variety of Industries, with different roles and expectations. Recently trained and certified as a Rapid Transformational Therapist (RTTP)under Uk’s top Therapist Marisa Peer, she plans to start working with teenagers and young adults, affected by past traumas and experiences. Sanjit currently owns and operates two Kumon educational franchises in Ottawa.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sanjitkaur
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Farhan Kever

Director - Communications / GTA West Regional Chair

Farhan's focus starts and ends with creating the best place to work for workforce. He truly believes that in the digital age an empowered, inspired, inclusive, diverse and adaptable workforce is fundamental to any company's success. He also believes that through the power of technology, and volunteering we can build bridges between hope and possibility in the workforce and in the world. He is the President of Net Consult Inc, Treasurer at the International Police Association (IPA Canada Region 2), President of Kutchi Cultural Association in Canada, a board member of The ALOO Foundation, the Professional Criminologists Association of Kenya and Past President of The Rotaract Club of Mombasa.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/farhankever
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Terry Ortlieb

Director - Seniors Outreach

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.

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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