Anna is Together Project’s Co-Founder and Co-Director, Management Lead. With her expertise in strategy, partnerships, resource development, governance and communications, Anna focuses on scaling out the Welcome Group Program. Working closely with her Co-Director, Anna has helped refine the program to better serve government-assisted refugees, CUAET Ukrainian Arrivals and refugee claimants. She has supported the development of a new model of hybrid social support that includes both online and in-person volunteer engagement. Anna is a dedicated swimmer.
Andrew is the Co-Founder and Co-Director, Programs Lead at Together Project, responsible for designing and delivering the initiative’s Welcome Group Program, as well as building strong, cross-sectoral partnerships that have allowed for the program’s establishment and growth in multiple cities across Canada. He also leads Together Project’s impact measurement and works with research partners to share insights about community engagement in refugee integration with policymakers and practitioners. Andrew has over 15 years of experience working on community development, sustainability, and social impact projects across Africa, Europe, and North America, often at the intersection of the nonprofit, private, and public sectors.
Jennilee is the Communications and Programs Outreach Specialist at Together Project. For over twenty years, she has served newcomers in many ways: as a school settlement worker, journalist, community advocate, school board researcher, federal public servant, and as the founder of Filipino Talks, an initiative that builds bridges between Filipino families and Canadian school boards. She has an MA in Immigration and Settlement Studies, a BA in International Studies, and a post-graduate certificate from the Humber School for Writers. She is the author of Reuniting with Strangers— a novel about caregivers and family reunification across the Filipino-Canadian diaspora. Jennilee believes in the power of stories to increase civic engagement, to shine a spotlight on communities, and to capture moments of joy.
Ahmed is the Ontario Programs Lead at Together Project, but before he became an official part of the team, he successfully completed two matches as a Welcome Group volunteer. With his professional background in business development and operations and his personal background as a refugee and newcomer, Ahmed has the compassion and vision to help the Together Project team manage multiple relationships with volunteers, refugees, and stakeholders. His past work is full of successful collaborations with global names in technology, and he brings his expertise to expand the reach and operations of Together Project.
Hila Douhouré-Sibailly is a dedicated advocate for gender equity and social inclusion based in Moncton, New Brunswick. With a background in nonprofit work and research, she brings a deep understanding of community engagement and newcomer support. As the founder of Solidarité Africaine pour Haiti, she also leads initiatives that empower girls and women in Haiti through education and affirmations.
Mohamud is the British Columbia Programs Lead at Together Project. He is a non-profit leader with a strong commitment to the well-being of newcomers and refugees. As someone with lived experience as both a refugee and an immigrant to Canada, Mohamud brings a deep understanding of the challenges faced during resettlement. In his career, he has supported newcomers from diverse backgrounds, and he remains passionate about helping others navigate their settlement journey with dignity, hope, and practical support.
Ale brings a background in higher education, project management, and community engagement. She is passionate about creating inclusive, strengths-based programs that support newcomers and foster belonging while empowering them to thrive in their new communities. Ale approaches challenges with creativity and a collaborative spirit, finding thoughtful solutions that make a lasting impact.
Farah Kurji is a seasoned leader in the Social Impact sector with experience across Canada, the U.S., and Central Asia. As Head of Social Impact Business Integration at TD Bank Group, she leads efforts to embed purpose and social impact across the enterprise.
Previously based in New York with H+K Strategies, Farah advised organizations on integrating social impact into business strategy. Her early career at Roshan in Afghanistan, part of the Aga Khan Development Network, deepened her belief in business as a force for good.
A lifelong volunteer, Farah’s community commitments are shaped by her family’s newcomer journey. She chairs Together Project’s Steering Committee, serves on the Board of Volunteer Canada, and holds an MBA from Ivey Business School.
As a former refugee, Mohammed was among the Ethiopian-Canadian leaders who opened Canada’s first dedicated Harari heritage and community space in what is now the Harari Heritage Centre. He has been a Welcome Group volunteer since 2016, making him one of Together Project’s longest-serving volunteers. As someone who has been helping to deliver and improve the Welcome Group Program over many years, Mohammed is bringing an array of volunteer expertise, community leadership, and a global vision for Together Project.
Leith Bishop is a former executive in the not-for-profit sector in Toronto. She has expertise in strategic operations and organizational design. Her professional specialty is around issues of inclusion and belonging. Together Project’s commitment to a new model of connecting newcomers and volunteers to accelerate integration attracted Leith to the organization right from its early days. She was invited to join the Steering Committee in September 2019, and to become Steering Committee Chair from January 2021 to August 2025.
Diane Brokenshire is passionate about building inclusive communities and supporting newcomers. With her own newcomer experiences in Asia, Europe, and the U.S., she understands the challenges of integration and the importance of meaningful connections. With a career in human resources and strategy development, Diane has helped individuals and organizations grow through mentorship, leadership development, and advancing gender equity. She is committed to supporting newcomer communities through volunteering with Together Project and other organizations that foster inclusion and opportunity. As a steering committee member, Diane brings her strategic insight, people-first approach, and passion for supporting others to help advance the mission of Together Project.
Rahel Gettu is a newcomer to Canada, a mother, and advocate who is passionate about helping families feel seen, welcomed, and connected. Her own settlement journey showed her how powerful community support can be when families are navigating new systems and environments. This experience continues to guide her commitment to building spaces where newcomers feel a strong sense of belonging.
Professionally, Rahel serves as National Operations and Communications Coordinator at IDEA, supporting inclusive employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Before moving to Canada, she worked with the United Nations on programs focused on social justice and health equity. Rahel also co-founded Black Newcomer Moms Grassroot initiative, creating peer support and connection for Black newcomer mothers and families raising neurodivergent children. As a parent advocate with TDSB’s Parent Involvement Advisory Committee, Rahel works to strengthen support for immigrant families navigating schools and community services.
Jordan MacInnis began her career as a news and current affairs researcher at the CBC and has worked in media ever since. As Director of Domestic Programs at Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), an international NGO, she oversees media education and training that supports journalists and journalist safety. She has an Honours BA from McGill University and lives in Toronto.
Hanen Nanaa, Syrian war survivor and refugee, founded Books Art Music (BAM) Collective– a Toronto Arts for Youth Award finalist and recipient of the Mayor of Toronto Community Safety Award. Hanen is a Senior Advisor at the Toronto Transit Commission, a Master’s student in Public Policy, Administration, and Law at York University, and a founding member of Waard Ward Collective. She was a senior political advisor for the Minister’s Regional Office – Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and a regional advisor for the federal member of parliament at the House of Commons. She studied Migration and Refugee Studies at the University of Oxford and majored in Politics and Governance with a minor in Law at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her numerous awards include the Pam McConnell Award for Young Women in Leadership, the Alterna Prize for Women’s Social Leaders, the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award, and the Youth Award of the Year.
Alex, a newcomer to Canada, brings strong financial experience and a commitment to creating a welcoming community for refugees. Having previously been a newcomer in both the UK and the US, she understands the challenges of integrating into a new country, which fuels her passion for making a difference through Together Project. Professionally, Alex works in strategy and partnerships at Worldpay and was previously a Senior Manager at Bain and Company in their Financial Services practice. She brings a wide range of financial and strategy expertise to Together Project.
