Roohi Ahmed
Chair of the Board and Founding Member
Roohi is a federal public servant with over 25 years of work experience in international affairs, trade, science and technology. She has also worked in the NGO, UN and political spheres. She is President of the India Canada Friendship Circle, Advisor to the Canada Pakistan Business Council, former Foreign Policy Liaison for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and has undergraduate and post-graduate degrees from Canada and the UK respectively. Previously, as Director of Special Programs at the Canadian Institute of International Affairs, she organized the annual CIIA foreign policy conference where she first introduced in 1995 the role of religion in international affairs to Canadian officials.
Sabreena Ghaffar-Siddiqui
Director and founding member
Sabreena obtained her PhD from the department of Sociology at McMaster University. She is a Professor of Sociology, Social-Psychology, and Criminology at Sheridan College. She also conducts fieldwork in the areas of migration, race/ethnicity and identity and is an expert on topics related to immigrant/refugee integration, discrimination, and public policy, amongst others. She is also a public speaker and a regular media commentator for various national news outlets.
Nuzhat Jafri
Director and founding member
Nuzhat is the Executive Director of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW). She is also the Principal of Fair Practices Consulting and has worked in leadership positions in the public and private sectors. In the community she has served as a chair and member of various organizations including CCMW, ACCES Employment, The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, and South Asian Family Support Services.
Zul Kassamali
DIRECTOR, TREASURER AND FOUNDING MEMBER
Zul Kassamali has worked tirelessly to overcome prejudices and to right social injustices through positive action. He has over 50 years of solid experience in establishing, managing and working with not-for-profit, interfaith and other community organizations, and sitting on many boards, commissions and councils. Currently, he is the President of The National Alliance for the Advancement of Pluralistic Societies, Co-Chair Canadian Interfaith Conversation, President of the Toronto Area Interfaith Council, President Pluralism in Motion, to name a few. Zul also contributes to his community through social engagements.
Rumi Keshavjee
Director and founding member
Rumi is the CEO of a successful business, Tropical Treats, which specializes in manufacturing and copacking of juices, teas and ice cream for customers across twenty countries. The business is now in its 23rd year.
Masud Sheikh
Director and founding member
Masud retired after working 27 years with IBM and subsequently as a management consultant. He is now a thought leader whose letters are frequently published in The Globe and Mail.
Eiraj Sohail
DIRECTOR, HON. SECRETARY AND FOUNDING MEMBER
Eiraj is an Investment Professional. He previously worked at Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan within the Private Equity team. Eiraj has experience mentoring and volunteering with non-for-profit organizations including: Skills for Change (where he is a Board Member), Muppies, Project Ramadan, and SMILE.