Board of Directors
Board Chair
Ghazala Fauzia
As one of CMW’s founding members, Ghazala has witnessed the non-profit’s tremendous growth. She feels honoured to have been part of all stages of organization’s development by volunteering in various roles, from leadership to event planning to strategic planning to being a CMW speaker to providing trainings, etc. Her involvement with the CMW has helped her grow as a person, a professional, and a community leader by learning and enhancing organizational development skills. Ghazala says the non-profit is an integral part of her life. She has made friends with people coming from different parts of the world. Ghazala is always willing to adapt to the changing needs of the CMW, switching roles as needed. The CMW greatly benefits from her insights as a registered social worker and a skilled psychotherapist. Ghazala is trained in several therapeutic treatment modalities, providing effective help to teens, adults, couples, and families based on their needs, beliefs, and value system.
Vice chair
Tahira Bilal
Tahira comes from a diverse educational and professional background. She has years of experience working as a physician and is certified as a Canadian Red Cross First Aid Instructor. Tahira is also incredibly passionate about public speaking. During her free time, she likes to conduct presentations for various non-profits and social groups in the community about first aid. Tahira hopes to keep using her exceptional communication skills, whether through a presentation, monologue, or training to continue and educate and those around her.
Director
Howida Sayeed Ahmed
Howida graduated from the University of Khartoum with an undergraduate degree in Mathematical Science and later enrolled in the Conestoga College’s Computer Programming and Analyst program in Canada. She has 15 years of experience in information technology, business analysis, and systems and application analysis. Howida is passionate about doing community work and helping others. She sits on different committees and organizations, including Mubaraka, which is an international aid organization supporting orphans. Howida is also on the Sudanese Canadian Association’s committee. As one of CMW’s founders, she holds the non-profit close to her heart. Howida says she finds great motivation and strength in the passion of CMW members. She hopes the organization’s work will continue to make a positive change and help Muslim women become great leaders in the community.
Director
Rita Alexander
Rita Alexander is an Economist with the Government of Canada, currently working at FedDev Ontario, where she contributes to economic analysis, policy development, and stakeholder engagement to support inclusive economic growth and regional prosperity. She holds a Master of Public Service and a Bachelor of Arts, Honours Economics, from the University of Waterloo. Previously, Rita held policy and data-focused roles at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, where she contributed to work on artificial intelligence governance, digital transformation, and responsible technology policy.
Rita is passionate about advancing equitable access to education and opportunities, particularly for women, youth, and underserved communities. She is proud to serve on the board of the Centre for Mutual Wellbeing, where she hopes to contribute her experience in public policy, strategic thinking, partnerships, and economic analysis to support the organization’s mission and strengthen its impact in the community.
Director
Kathryn Schellenberg
Kathryn Schellenberg chose to make the Kitchener-Waterloo area her new home when she retired as a faculty member from the University of Michigan-Flint. In that career, she taught sociology courses and served as a Department Chair and Graduate Program Director. Her areas of research included: the volatility of high-tech work, the impact of information technologies on policing, the treatment of expat workers in the United Arab Emirates, and the feasibility that poor persons could utilize on-line resources to represent themselves in civil legal matters. Beyond career-related pursuits, Kathryn has participated in a wide range of volunteer activities. Recent examples include: working with a student organization to promote democratic principles in Tunisia, fostering kittens for a local humane society, playing the organ at church, and, serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children who have placed in the jurisdiction of the Family Court.