Staff
Senior Leadership Team
Executive Director
Fauzia Mazhar
Phone: 226-340-2759
Email: fauziam@centreformutualwellbeing.org
Fauzia Mazhar
Fauzia Mazhar has more than 18 years of experience in the local social profit sector, much of it in leadership and management. She holds a Master of Social Work degree with specialization in community, policy, planning, and organizations (CPPO), and a post graduate Leadership and Management Certificate from Wilfrid Laurier University. Fauzia has also completed Community Leadership Training by Leadership Waterloo Region. Her work experience includes managing a neighbourhood-based community centre and a large-size service hub, as well as leading community collaborations and social change initiatives. Fauzia has worked at House of Friendship, The Working Centre, Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre, and Family and Children’s Services of Waterloo Region. She has served as the President of Pakistan Canada Association, Council Member and Chair of the Belong Group for Immigration Partnership Waterloo Region, and as a member of the Board of Directors of Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery.
In 2010, Fauzia joined hands with a handful of women in K-W to start the modest initiative to empower Muslim women to be leaders and change makers, able to address stereotypes and misconceptions about Muslim women through community outreach and bridge-building. The initiative grew to an organization, which is now known as Centre for Mutual Wellbeing (previously, Coalition of Muslim Women of Kitchener-Waterloo). Fauzia has provided consistent leadership to CMW since its inception, overseeing strategic planning, program/service planning, coordination, financial planning, funds development, volunteer recruitment, engagement, outreach, and alliance building.
Fauzia has a big-picture outlook and a growth-focused mindset. She is a community builder and an engaged citizen, passionately bringing people and groups together to build a welcoming, inclusive, and safe community. Fauzia is also an optimist who likes a good laugh.
Director, Administration
Sarah Shafiq
Phone: 226-344-8921
Email: sarahs@centreformutualwellbeing.org
Sarah Shafiq
Sarah started out with the CMW as a volunteer and member. Over time, she became the supervisor of Together Against Islamophobia and Youth Leaders 4 Change programs. Sarah is deeply engaged in the community as a member of the Interfaith Grand River and as a member of Waterloo Region’s Crime Prevention Council. Having received her Doctorate in Sociology from the University of Notre Dame, USA, she is currently teaching at Martin Luther University College, Wilfrid Laurier University, as adjunct faculty. Sarah grew up in Pakistan and considers herself to be a bridge between her childhood home and Canada.
DIRECTOR, operations
Wisam Osman
Phone: 226-344-6613
Email: wisamo@centreformutualwellbeing.org
Wisam Osman
Wisam came to Canada 12 years ago with a undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Statistics. Since her arrival, she has been engaged in the community in different ways. Wisam started a Moms & Toddlers interactive group with her friends that welcomed everyone. Over time, she became very active in the local Sudanese community, helping and organizing social events, ladies’ gatherings, and youth activities. In 2012, Wisam joined the CMW as a volunteer and shortly after became a member. She has served the CMW in many capacities, including more than four years as a board member. Wisam believes everyone can give back to the community because we allare gifted in a special way.
Director, Finance
Farjana Ismail
Phone: 226-344-1209
Email: farjanai@centreformutualwellbeing.org
Farjana Ismail
Farjana Ismail is an accountant with a Master’s of Business Administration degree, She currently has her CGA 4th level accreditation with over 7 years of experience in the non profit sector in Canada. Farjana has expertise in budgeting, financial analysis, audit preparation and day-to-day accounting activities. She also has google professional cyber security certification and intuit accounting professional certification. She is very detail oriented and pays attention to organizational success through precise data management and collaborative teamwork. With her careful analytical mind, as well as careful computation skills, she is able to perform precise auditing tasks, ensuring that financial transactions are accurately represented.
Outside of the office, you can find Farjana visiting different places, cooking, gardening, spending time with her family.
Associate Director, Outreach
Taghrid Mohammad
Phone: 226-344-3806
Email: taghridm@centreformutualwellbeing.org
Taghrid Mohammad
Taghrid Mohammad arrived in Canada in 2000 with a Mechanical Engineering degree and a passion to build a meaningful life. Her journey across manufacturing, administration, and retail—most notably at Hudson’s Bay—shaped her into a compassionate mentor and steady leader. She has supported newcomers in overcoming workplace barriers and helped women gain confidence and direction in their careers. Known for her empathy, curiosity, and people‑first approach, Taghrid creates safe, inclusive spaces where teams feel valued and supported. She is driven by a deep commitment to helping individuals grow, thrive, and reach their full potential within their community.
Administrative Team
Executive Assistant
Katie Ford
Phone: 226-344-9396
Email: katief@centreformutualwellbeing.org
Katie Ford
Executive Assistant
Katie Ford is the Executive Assistant at the Centre for Mutual Wellbeing (CMW), where she supports the leadership team. In her role, she works closely with staff, volunteers, and community partners to ensure CMW’s programs and initiatives remain organized, responsive, and grounded in community care.
Katie plays a key role in strengthening internal coordination and external communications. She is passionate about strengthening CMW’s voice through intentional communications and engaging social media content.
With a background in recreation, administration, and event coordination, Katie brings a collaborative, detail-oriented, and solutions-focused approach to her work. She is deeply committed to equity, inclusion, and community-centred leadership, and is proud to contribute to CMW’s mission of amplifying the voices of racialized women.
Outside of work, Katie enjoys curling, running, reading, and staying active in her community. She believes in the power of teamwork and meaningful connection — values that guide both her professional and personal life.
Anti-Hate Services Team
Coordinator, Anti-hate Services
Maryam Farooque
Phone: 226-722-2449
Email: maryamf@centreformutualwellbeing.org
Maryam Farooque
Maryam is a dedicated community leader and equity advocate based in Kitchener, Ontario, with a strong focus on anti-racism, social justice, and inclusive community development. She currently serves as a Program Coordinator with Anti-Hate Services at Centre for Mutual Wellbeing, where she leads community outreach, delivers education and training, and supports individuals impacted by hate and discrimination through a trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach.
Maryam has extensive experience building trust-based relationships with diverse communities, including Indigenous, Black, racialized, and newcomer populations. Her work involves coordinating cross-sector partnerships with municipal stakeholders, law enforcement, and community organizations, as well as managing hate incident data collection, analysis, and reporting to inform advocacy and systemic change.
In addition to her role with Anti-Hate Services, Maryam is an Outreach Coordinator with Peace for All Canada, where she leads engagement for the Community Legal Information Project (CLIP). Through this work, she improves access to legal information for individuals experiencing housing insecurity and other vulnerabilities by bringing accessible, community-based legal education directly to those most in need.
Maryam is an active member of the Immigration Partnership’s Belonging Steering Group (BSG) and contributes to the Waterloo Region We Belong Campaign, supporting initiatives that foster belonging, inclusion, and social cohesion across the region.
Her leadership and impact have been recognized through the Leading Women, Building Communities Award, presented by MPP Catherine Fife in 2024, as well as an Acknowledgement Award from Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) in 2025 for her contributions to addressing hate and strengthening community-police partnerships.
Maryam holds a Master’s degree in Women’s Studies and brings a unique combination of lived experience, grassroots engagement, and systems-level thinking to her work. She is passionate about advancing equity, amplifying community voices, and creating safer, more inclusive communities for all.
Transitional Housing Team
Case Manager
Stephy Lopaz
Phone: 226-344-3839
Email: stephyl@centreformutualwellbeing.org
Stephy Lopaz
Stephy Lopaz is a warm and dedicated social work professional with a Master’s degree in Social Work and a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Practice from India. With over 9 years of combined experience in India and Canada, she has worked in counselling, community services, shelter support, and case management, helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges with compassion and care.
For Stephy, supporting people is more than just a profession — it is her purpose. After moving to Canada as an international student in 2021, Stephy continued pursuing her passion for working closely with people from diverse backgrounds and communities. She strongly believes in creating people-centered, inclusive, and supportive environments where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered.
Outside of work, Stephy enjoys a little bit of everything — gardening, singing, long walks, exploring the countryside and beaches, and learning different forms of artwork and creativity. She loves finding joy in simple moments and bringing warmth and positivity into the spaces around her.
House Manager
Yalda Hussaini
Phone: 226-344-9106
Email: yaldah@centreformutualwellbeing.org
Yalda Hussaini
Yalda is our Dar-al-Aman House Manager. Yalda has several years of experience in residence and community support settings, supporting residents with safety, conflict resolution, and day-to-day operations. She is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming community, assisting residents in navigating challenges, and implementing effective policies to maintain a safe and supportive living environment
Case Worker, Housing
Nasim Rasoulipour
Phone: 226-201-4736
Email: nasimr@centreformutualwellbeing.org
Nasim Rasoulipour
Community Connector, Arab Community
Iman Al-Sama'neh
Phone: 226-344-6238
Email: imana@centreformutualwellbeing.org
Iman Al-Sama’neh
Iman is a Certified Community Caseworker with a diploma in Social Work and Indigenous Studies, with experience supporting newcomers and vulnerable populations through settlement, housing, and community-based services. In her work, she focuses on connecting individuals and families to resources, building life skills, and creating inclusive, culturally responsive supports that foster wellbeing and belonging. Iman has also worked as a Caseworker and Volunteer Coordinator and served as an Arabic Peer Researcher with the University of Toronto, contributing to community-based research that amplifies newcomer voices and informs service delivery.
Community Connector, Farsi/Dari Community
Zeynab Izadi
Phone: 226-344-6937
Email: zeynabi@centreformutualwellbeing.org
Zeynab Izadi
Community Connector, Black/African Community
Oluwanifemi Oladimeji
Phone: 226-344-6239
Email: oluwanifemio@centerformutualwellbeing.org
Oluwanifemi Oladimeji
Oluwanifemi is a community connector at the Centre for Mutual Wellbeing. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and two postgraduate certificates from Conestoga College in Global Business Management and Management in Community Services.
Oluwanifemi has over 15 years of experience in public service, having previously served as a Higher Executive Officer at the Ministry in Nigeria. In her current role, she focuses on building relationships within the community, coordinating workshops and programs, and connecting residents and the community with resources and services that support their wellbeing.
Youth & Child Program Coordinator
Nikoletta Zoltan
Phone: 226-344-5169
Email: nikolettaz@centreformutualwellbeing.org
Nikoletta Zoltan
Gender-Based Violence Team
GBV Case Worker & Peer and Community Services Worker
Sehrish Manzoor
Phone: 226-344-4020
Email: sehrishm@centreformutualwellbeing.org