Kombe Mohamed
President
is a professional working in the public sector. He has been an active volunteer in his community, from tutoring economically disadvantaged students in math and English to working with non‐profit organizations such as the Regina Open Door Society, which provides settlement and integration services to refugees and immigrants in Regina. Mr. Mohamed received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Economics from York University in Toronto and is currently pursuing a Master's in Applied Economics & Policy Analysis at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan.
Dr. Lamees Khorshid
co-health and behaviour coordinator / health psychologist
is a Clinical Health Psychologist in Los Angeles, California, where she serves as a coach and consultant for individuals, families, executive leaders, and top athletes. She also is a professor at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles, California, and holds certifications in Biofeedback, Neurofeedback and Medical Hypnosis. Dr. Khorshid is a public speaker for various hospitals and corporations, having given presentations in health behavioral change for organizations such as the American College of Preventive Medicine and the Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. In her spare time, she volunteers with the Los Angeles Caregivers Group and Habitat For Humanity. Dr. Khorshid attended The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and completed her Health Psychology postdoctoral residency at the Cleveland Clinic.
Barwako Nalayeh
operations Manager & secretary/treasurer
experience includes 10 years as a Client Sales Associate at U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth services, where she provided support in the areas of wealth planning, commercial banking and custom lending. In addition, she has worked with affluent individuals, business owners and non‐profit organizations to plan, establish and assist with their overall financial strategies. Early in her career, she served as a family consultant at the Children & Teenagers Foundation in Atlanta, Georgia, where she worked directly with troubled families for solutions to increase stability, decrease risk factors, and encourage financial self-sufficiency, mental and physical health and overall well-being. Previously, Ms. Nalayeh served as Program Secretary for Boys and Girls Club Toronto, and as Secretary for Red Door Family Shelter, a Toronto nonprofit registered charity that provides emergency shelter to homeless families and individuals. She earned a degree in Social Work from George Brown College in Toronto.
Mariam Al Kassab
Program Development Advisor
Mariam Al Kassab's journey in education started back in 2002. Her life purpose is to make a difference in the world through education an her love of learning has lead her to pursue this through education. Originally from Baghdad, Iraq, Mariam grew up in Canada, stumbling upon the incredible world of Montessori when in Vancouver, looking for a preschool for her daughter.
As a mother she was extremely inspired by the teachings of Maria Montessori and as a teacher she noticed first hand the positive effect of her philosophies in a child's learning environment. She is passionate about giving the right tools to parents and children to explore, discover and learn together so she pursued a degree in Montessori Teaching at the North American Montessori College.
In 2007, she moved to the UAE with her family with a dream to make a difference finally became a reality, by establishing her first Kidz Venture Nursery & Play Area location in Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai, in 2011. Since then, through her venues, she has watched many children learn, grow and thrive. Many children have overcome many labels that society has given them to go on to begin their schooling.
In June 2014, KV Kids Club and Daycare opened its doors in Dubai and in September 2016 KV Nursery opened in Abu Dhabi.
Mariam's goal in setting up Kidz Venture was to create and provide learning environments that nurture capable, confident and self-assured children in their formative years. Little did she know the love and joy this job would gift her, let alone the friendships formed with parents and colleagues. Kidz Venture is the combination of 11 years of learning, love and hands on experience, coupled with the passion and dedication of her amazing team who aim to make a difference in as many children as she possible can give the gift of learning through play.
Abdulqani Ahmed
Project Manager
Abdulqani Ahmed is an esteemed professional with over thirty years of experience in the work force. Once Abdulqani immigrated into North America, he immersed himself into obtaining his degree. He graduated at the top of his class from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Then in Toronto, from the Career Development Institute Abdulqani received a diploma in computer programming. His educational background spearheaded his engineering career, although, that did not deter from being active with community involvement.
Throughout the years, Abdulqani became a leader in his community. He founded the North York Immigrants and Cultural Support Group. The non-profit organization was initiated to provide resettlement assistance for new comers to Canada. During his years as the President his role included, managing the daily operations, planning and executing initiatives to raise funds, distributing planned budgets, along with monitoring financial records. Abdulqani was also tasked with reviewing the portfolios of current and projected initiatives to evaluate progress and determine their next steps. Lastly, he developed training programs, which counseled newcomers in housing and immigration. He achieved his goal in integrating new comers into Canada. His passion of helping others in his community came to fruition, and he continues his work with the community on a daily basis.
Samia Ahmed Mohamed
Community Relations Advisor – Canada/East Africa
Samia Moahmed graduated with a Bachelors degree of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies in Criminology and Sociology in Honors from York University in 2017. The double major she chose to pursue in undergrad was to further her knowledge about the criminal justice system and get closer to her objective of attending law school and becoming a lawyer. Samia is a member of the Somali Immigrant Aid Organization, where she has helped organize an academic conference focused on youth resiliency, hate, racism and radicalization. During this conference Samia moderated a panel discussion with esteemed professors and doctors. She is currently an active volunteer for her community and advocates the importance of hard work and education. When she completes her law degree, she hopes to work for the disadvantaged and less fortunate who are deeply neglected by society.