George graduated from the University of Toronto in 1988, and from there he went on to receive his license as a registered professional engineer. He worked successfully in the federal public service in various fields, leading large national programs and organizations of diverse specialists. He represented Canada internationally at both the OECD and IPCC. George worked for over 34 years, the last ten at the senior level, before retiring in 2021.
Today, George is busy volunteering for various causes he supports, such as helping build homes for those wishing to enter the home ownership market, as well as coaching and mentoring new
immigrants to Canada in addition to public servants.
George has called Ottawa home for over 20 years, and he has three grown daughters. He enjoys spending time spoiling his grandsons and woodworking for family and friends.
Mark is a Founding Partner at The Greater Return, a mission-oriented private investment firm focused on investing in early-stage companies looking to change the world. He is also the Chairman of Invert Inc., an Ottawa-based company that funds and supports projects that reduce or remove CO2 from the atmosphere.
Mark is the former President & co-CEO of Canopy Growth Corporation. He holds law degrees from the University of Ottawa and the University of Cambridge and was voted one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2018.
Currently, Mark serves as a Fellow at the Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship at the Toronto Metropolitan University and is past Chair of the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa.
Saruul Ayurzana, CPA, CMA, has over 20 years of corporate finance and accounting experience. Her passion lies in bridging financial data with forward-thinking strategies that help a company achieve its corporate goals, and drive success. She is a seasoned people manager who is well-equipped to face challenging and complex projects head-on. She also enjoys being a mentor—especially to the younger generation.
Saruul worked in finance/accounting in a wide cross-section of industries and sectors. These include telecommunications, high-tech, call center, defence, waste services, hospitality, and retail/wholesale. Throughout these experiences, she contributed to boosting profitability and streamlined processes to improve efficiency.
Katya is a communications professional with over twenty years of experience leading strategic communications, issues management, stakeholder engagement, marketing campaigns and public affairs initiatives.
Katya joined the public service in 2019 and has held several roles, including her most recent with Employment and Social Development Canada as Communications Manager.
Corina is a first-generation immigrant from Romania. For the past ten years, she has worked in various capacities at United Way Oakville, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and the Regional Services Branch of the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration/Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. In these roles, Corina has gained extensive knowledge of community programs and services. She has also provided community development and capacity-building advisory services to municipalities, First Nations, and both local and regional organizations.
In addition to her community work, Corina boasts over 10 years of experience in the HR field, which includes international assignments. She thrives on using her skills to build and manage relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders. Corina holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology and is currently pursuing an MA in Refugee Protection and Forced Migration Studies at the University of London, UK.
Fatymah Dido is a Manager at Environment and Climate Change Canada. She was a successful participant of the first cohort of the Mosaic Leadership Development Program, launched by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, to increase diversity in the executive group in the federal government.
She is a seasoned internal audit practitioner, dedicated to making things better by improving risk management, internal controls, processes, and governance. She has adapted successfully to different mandates, cultures, and challenges from working in private sector and multiple departments. She is also a big fan of continuous improvement and learning.
She served on the Board of Directors of the Ottawa Distress Centre, where she used her financial and strategic planning expertise to support the Treasurer and develop the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan. She also volunteered with the Quebec Health Department through “Je contribue” campaign during the COVID pandemic.
She is bringing her living experience of first-generation immigrant.
Victoria is a senior international development and humanitarian professional. She is originally from Ottawa, however, has spent ten of her last eighteen working years overseas supporting programs in Mali, Guinea, South Sudan, Kenya, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and the wider Asia Pacific Region. She has travelled extensively in countries affected by natural disasters and conflict. Her experience includes working with refugees and internally displaced populations abroad.
Child and women’s rights have remained central in her career, including while serving in roles with Save the Children International and Oxfam Canada. She has also worked with Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Victoria specializes in strategy development, program management and learning. She previously served as a volunteer career mentor with OCISO.
Rahul was elected to OCISO’s Board of Directors in October 2019. He has previously served on the Nominations Committee, Search Committee, and Governance Committee.
He is currently the Managing Partner at Upswing Solutions and has formerly been the Executive
Director of the Global Alliance for Humanitarian Innovation and a senior official at the United Nations.
Rahul, a recent immigrant to Canada, serves on the Board of his local community council. He is deeply committed to the vision of a welcoming Canada that has embraced both him and his family.
Imaan first joined OCISO as a volunteer from 2017 to 2019, participating in the after-school program for newcomer children. In 2022, she transitioned to volunteering as a tutor for YOCISO, providing homework support to a student on a weekly basis. These experiences have provided her with firsthand knowledge of how OCISO's programs help students and foster their sense of belonging in Canadian society.
Imaan currently works at the Privy Council Office within the Government of Canada as a Senior Policy Advisor. Her primary responsibility is to prepare policy advice for the Prime Minister and Cabinet on employment-related policy and funding proposals. Before joining the Privy Council Office, she held positions at the Department of Finance, where she was an active member of the Anti-Racism Committee.
She holds an MPhil in International Relations and Politics from the University of Cambridge (UK) and a Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management from Carleton University. At Carleton University, she received the Carleton University Medal for the highest academic achievement and was nominated for the Rhodes Scholarship.
