ACS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Research Analyst & Bilingual Language Specialist
Abdelkrim is a seasoned professional with a Master's in Criminology from Middlesex University. International Chevening Scholar, he holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resources and a Bachelor's in Translation, with vast experience in research, communications, PR, and project management in public and diplomatic sectors. Abdelkrim is passionate about foreign languages, geopolitics, and social sciences. He contributes his translation, communication, and social research expertise to diverse ACS initiatives.
Ashley holds an M.A. in Education and Society from McGill University and an Honours B.Soc.Sc. in Conflict Studies and Human Rights, with a minor in Sociology from the University of Ottawa. She has previous experience in the government, non-profit and academic sectors. At ACS & the Metropolis Institute, Ashley oversees the successful delivery of research and evaluation projects such as the Canadian Index for Measuring Integration, knowledge mobilization initiatives like the Metropolis North America Migration Policy Forum, and tasks related to strategic planning, financial and operational administration, and human resources management.
Ashley holds a Master's degree in health sciences with a specialization in Indigenous & Northern health from Lakehead University. She has 3 years of experience in health research, related to community health and social issues for marginalized groups across diverse urban, rural, and remote geographies. She is passionate about health equity, anti-racism, and the health of Indigenous communities. Her current research with ACS focuses on housing sustainability for Inuit communities in Nunavut.
A career diplomat who has represented Canada for three decades on migration and protection issues, she has also managed large immigration programs around the world. Today, she continues her commitment to highlighting good practices to welcome, integrate and include migrants and people in exile, particularly within the Francophonie.
Job Titles:
- Director of E - Learning and Web
Chris leads the development of e-learning and other web-related initiatives. He has a background in the sciences, holding a BSc in Marine Zoology from the University of Newcastle, UK. He has further qualifications in online education and learning management systems, and is a confident content creator. Chris worked as both a teacher and a senior manager before moving into the field of e-learning.
Hubert Lussier is a retired federal public servant who spent most of his career at Canadian Heritage. As Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) of Canadian Heritage, he advanced programs, policies, and legislation related to diversity, language, and citizen engagement.
Job Titles:
- Concordia University Research Chair
Jean-Philippe Warren holds the Concordia University Research Chair in Quebec Studies and is a professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. Jean-Philippe Warren is the author of over 200 public and scholarly articles. He has published works on a wide variety of subjects related to the history and sociology of Quebec society.
Job Titles:
- Director of Communications and Marketing for Finance Montréal
Julie is the current Director of Communications and Marketing for Finance Montréal and, by association, for the FinTech Station and the Fintech Canada Forum. She is responsible for the organization's visibility strategy and managing its various communication channels, from events to traditional public relations and digital.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Coordinator
- Executive
Elizabeth Leier holds Master's in political science from Concordia University and is currently conducting her doctoral research in international development and global politics at the University of Ottawa. Her research interests include climate politics, migration and the Anthropocene. Elizabeth has experience working for NGOs and Non-Profit organizations. Elizabeth helps to coordinate and support various ACS-Metropolis projects.
Job Titles:
- Events and Program Manager
Emma holds a dual B.A in political sciences from Cardiff University (UK) and Sciences Po Bordeaux (France) and obtained a dual M.A in international relations from Laval University (Canada) and Sciences Po Bordeaux with a special research focus on visual representations of migration in the EU and at the US/Mexico border. She has experience in NGOs, local human rights charities, research centers and project evaluation consulting.
Farid Rohani is a successful entrepreneur, senior executive, and community leader. In addition to his many interests and business activities, Farid has volunteered for and led many large organizations as a committed and active citizen since coming to Canada from Iran as a young boy. Farid has held several important management positions, both locally and internationally.
Fatmata is a recent graduate, holding a Masters of Public Health from Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Santé Publique (EHESP) and a Masters in Social Science Research in Health from Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (EHESS), both in France. Before joining the team in 2020, her previous research centered on the global mental health movement, transgenerational trauma, and resilience.
Herve Holds a Master's in Applied Computer Science from Concordia University. He has previous experiences as a software developer and his area of expertise focuses around web development. He is primarily responsible for the implementation of web-related contents including working with a wide range technologies to ensure the proper functioning and integration of various websites and supporting IT infrastructures in the organization.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- President
- Author
- President and CEO of the Association for Canadian Studies
Jack is President and CEO of the Association for Canadian Studies and the Metropolis Institute. He holds a Ph.D. in Canadian History from Concordia University. Prior to 1998, he served as executive director of the Quebec branch of the Canadian Jewish Congress. He is an author and contributor to academic publications, government reports and newspapers across the country in the fields of immigration, multiculturalism, diversity, human rights and official languages. Following three decades of wide-ranging research on public opinion and demographics, he is regularly consulted by media and government bodies alike for his expertise and insights on issues of import in the public sphere. He has taught and lectured at McGill University, the Université du Québec à Montréal and Concordia University, offering courses ranging from public policy to the history of immigration and minority groups, to sports in Canada.
James has a B.A. in Political Science from McGill University and an M.A. in Public Policy and Public Administration from Concordia University. His past experience spans the community, non-governmental and political sectors. Since joining ACS in 2001, he has played a fundamental role in the evolution of the organization through the creation and development of key networks and partnerships. James oversees the coordination and programming of ACS-Metropolis' national conferences, seminars, forums and other events.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board, Ottawa, Ontario
Jane was recently retired as Assistant Chief Social, Health, and Labour Statistician at Statistics Canada. Throughout her career, Jane was responsible for a wide range of social statistics derived from census, survey, and administrative data sets, including statistics on demography, education, labour, income, health, justice, ethno-cultural origin, language, immigration and Aboriginal Peoples. She was also responsible for Statistics Canada's Microdata Access Program, including the Research Data Centres.
Job Titles:
- Project Coordinator
- Research Assistant
Lisa has extensive experience in the private and public sectors, with an eclectic professional background and range of interests, from science communication to immigration, arts and culture. Since joining ACS in November 2019, Lisa has been responsible for writing research reports and grant proposals. She is currently engaged in a long-term, major diagnostic of the settlement and immigration sector in Canada.
Lucinda Chodan is former senior vice-president, editorial, of Postmedia, overseeing the newsrooms of more than 120 news brands across Canada. She also served as editor in chief of major newspapers in three Canadian provinces: the Montreal Gazette, the Edmonton Journal and the Victoria Times Colonist.
Before becoming an editor, she was an award-winning reporter whose work appeared in the Gazette as well as national publications.
In 2023, she was recognized as a national "champion of truth" by News Media Canada for her
Marika Warner is the Director of Research and Evaluation at MLSE LaunchPad, a developmental sports facility for youth facing barriers in downtown Toronto. Marika's portfolio focuses on program evaluation, longitudinal research, and university partnerships, emphasizing positive youth development and corporate social responsibility in professional sports.
Michele completed his PhD in Human Geography at Wilfrid Laurier University in 2016. He also holds a Master's degree in Geography from The University of Iowa, and a Master's degree in Rural Sociology from Auburn University. Michele has research experience on a variety of population health topics, including the social ecology of COVID-19, the relationship between diabetes and food insecurity, immigrant health, and access barriers to health services.
Miriam holds a PhD in Religious Studies from Oxford University and has a background in research, education, community outreach and advocacy. She is the Managing Editor of ACS-Metropolis' flagship publications, Canadian Issues, Canadian Diversity and the recently launched Metropolis eBook. Miriam also collaborates on eLearning course development and on national and international research initiatives. Her current research focuses on the costs of prejudice and discrimination and the evolution of multiple identities in Canada.
Neelam Sahota is a senior executive with over 20 years' progressive experience in financial management, strategic planning, risk management and operations in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. The cornerstone of her career has been taking a strategic approach to developing innovative business strategies to maximize collective impact.
She is a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (FCPA, FCGA) and an alumnus of the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University. Neelam has extensive experience in board governance, having served in several capacities. She is currently Governor of the Board of Simon Fraser University (Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee), Co-Chair of the Surrey Local Immigration Partnership, a member of the Advisory Board of OMNI TV at Rogers Communications and Solid State Industries. She has served as Chair of the Board of Surrey Libraries and Treasurer of the Immigrant Employment Council of BC. Neelam received the BC Libraries Trustees Association (BCLTA) Provincial Trustee of the Year Award in 2021 and the Surrey Board of Trade Community Leader of the Year Award.
Paul received his Ph.D. in Sociology from Arizona State University in 2006. Paul's current research focuses on immigrant integration and inclusion, the social and economic impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable populations, mental health and resiliency, as well as issues impacting the English-speaking community of Quebec. In his prior role, Paul was a research and evaluation manager for the Human Early Learning Partnership at the University of British Columbia.
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor With Carleton's University 's School of Journalism
- Special Advisor
Randy Boswell is an associate professor with Carleton's University's School of Journalism and Communication. He was previously a longtime writer and editor with the Ottawa Citizen and Postmedia News, pioneering a national beat focused on Canadian history and identity. He has guest edited a number of editions of Canadian Issues/Thèmes canadiens over the past decade with the Association for Canadian Studies. He continues to publish feature stories, political commentary and more as a freelance journalist.
Ravindra's work focuses researching the social and economic impacts of COVID-19 on indigenous peoples and newcomers in North America. He has extensive experience in policy research, data analysis and survey management gained through working with public sector and development agencies in Nepal. Prior to joining ACS, Ravindra worked on household surveys to monitor impacts of COVID-19 on economically vulnerable populations in South Asia for the World Bank Group. He received his Master's in Agricultural Engineering from Purdue University (USA).
Sarah has managed a wide range of multidisciplinary projects at the ACS since joining the team in 2008. From international projects to local initiatives, she brings experience and passion to the work that she does. Prior to joining the ACS, Sarah worked at McGill University and the federal government. When she's not at work, Sarah enjoys exploring the great outdoors with her husband and rambunctious toddler.
Job Titles:
- Events and Communications Coordinator
Shania holds an honours B.A. & Sc. in Communications Studies from Concordia University with a background in Sociology as well as a DEC in Cinema and Communications from Dawson College. Shania has experience working with Non-Profit organizations as a Communications Officer and Digital Marketing Manager. In addition to that, she also has resided on Concordia's Student Council sitting on multiple committees including the BIPOC committee. In her previous role, Shania planned and coordinated several projects and events including a national business summit.