Cendrine joined CEED Concordia as an Administrative Assistant in October 2021. She is currently doing her third year of her Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management at Concordia University with a minor in International Business. She is very involved with university committees and associations devoted to women leadership and empowerment, mental health awareness and support, and sexuality and gender comprehensive education. Cendrine is passionate about international issues and finding ways to empower communities around her, which is why she is very excited to be part of CEED and is eager to contribute any way she can!

Khadijah joined the CEED team in 2021 as Project Administration Officer. Past projects include working in a consulting role with the Social Development Commission in Jamaica by helping entrepreneurs at a grassroots level develop their business plans to receive funding. With a degree in International Development and a minor in African Studies from McGill University, she is passionate about creating a more equitable society and supporting the African diaspora. Her mission is to empower those to become more financially independent and to foster a global sense of community.

Prior to joining the CEED team in 2021 as a Project Coordinator overseeing CEED’s Youth Social Entrepreneurship Program, Simarjit was an intern in CEED’s Tech Ed program where she had the opportunity to teach coding to Ugandan youth. Now in her capacity as Project Coordinator she plays an essential role in supporting aspiring entrepreneurs who have sustainable business ideas. Furthermore, Simarjit balances her work at CEED with her studies in Computer Engineering and her role as Web Developer and Virtual Events Coordinator at Waste Not, Want Not and her involvement with MEDLIFE Concordia. She looks forward to deepening her involvement with CEED and is happy to be a part of this young, dynamic team!

Melissa joined the CEED team in 2021 as Communications and Events Coordinator while completing her double major in Journalism and Policy Studies. She has a keen interest in sustainable development and women’s issues that she hopes to explore further during her time with the organization. Prior to her work at CEED, Melissa worked as Chief Electoral Officer for the Arts and Science Federation of Associations. As someone who benefited from a bicultural upbringing, Melissa looks forward to contributing to the effort to bring more cross-cultural opportunities to Concordia students.

Geneviève joined CEED’s team in 2021 in the midst of a global pandemic as the Project Assistant to the Internship Coordinator and the Communications and Events Coordinator. Her interest in international affairs runs deep, having previously worked at Global Affairs Canada and the Vietnam National Tourism Board. She wishes to help CEED in its mission to build better communities for tomorrow while strengthening the exchange of ideas between Canada and the rest of the world.

Samita first got involved with CEED as an intern in summer 2018 as part of the Environmental
Sustainability Project. With her team, she developed a curriculum for composting workshops in high
schools, as well as participated in climate change mitigation through tree planting. She then went on to
accomplish another internship in Sustainability and Education in Jamaica to continue to grow her
experience at the international level. With a bachelor’s degree in Human Environment and Sustainability, Samita
is passionate about climate justice, community development and urban agriculture. She is excited to
pursue this relationship with CEED Concordia and participate in the growth of the organization by taking
on her role as the new Internship Coordinator.

Hawa has experience in Recruitment, Business Development, Event Planning, Finance, and Public speaking. Today, she uses her diverse experiences for the causes that matter most to her: the sustainable development of the African continent and Youth Empowerment.

 Before CEED, she collaborated with different organizations based in Montreal on events that bring a wealth of artistic, entrepreneurial and finance-related knowledge to the table. She organized events such as Conference about Impact investing, Cultural galas and art expositions.

As a Concordia alumna, she is eager to impact positively her former university with her role, where she graduated with a bachelor in commerce – finance. She sees CEED as a platform to improve the knowledge of Concordia Students in terms of cross-culturalism, sustainable development, and innovation. The organization has the potential to be a bridge between Montreal student-body and Africa and other parts of the world. She sees CEED as a platform to show another definition of development. Not only thanks to aid but rather innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

Marrion Aber holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Management from Gulu University in Uganda.

Prior to working at CEED as a Project Assistant, Marrion worked for Straight Talk Foundation Uganda as a Peer Educator under the Better Life for Girl’s project. She has also worked as a Research Assistant with a variety of organizations such as the strategic consultancy Thuso, Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Uganda and FODMAN International Uganda. Furthermore, Marrion had the privilege of working as an Election Observer with the FARAJA African Foundation for the 2021 general elections in Uganda. Lastly, Marrion has worked as a Sales Executive with Jubilee Insurance, a Loan Officer with Platinum Credit and as a Contract Monitor with Africa Freedom of Information Center (AFIC).

Marrion is very passionate about serving the community and working with young people to
positively change lives and make the world a better place for all.

Ongaya Geoffrey Laika, joined the CEED Uganda team in April of 2018 as security and maintenance assistant. He is passionate about environmental sustainability and believes youth are the change agents needed to tackle climate change. “I am very happy to be a part of CEED’s team because of its multi-cultural environment and how hard this organization is working to bring positive changes to the lives of people.”

Joel Ocan has been working as a security and maintenance assistant since 2018. “What I enjoy most about CEED is every day I am exposed to new and great ideas from interns, staff and friends of CEED. Above all, I love being a part of a team that empowers youth with skills. LONG LIVE CEED UGANDA.”

Sunday joined CEED in April 2011 and currently works as a Security Officer. He has received trainings in brick laying and concrete, driving, and painting and often applies these skills within the CEED compound in Gulu.

Miriam joined CEED in May 2014 and currently works as an Office Attendant and in the kitchen when interns are present during the summer months.

Miriam holds a Uganda Advance Certificate of Education. In addition, she received training in the field of Marketing through the UAP Insurance Company located in the Gulu district. Her training includes basic data collection methods and data entry that was organized by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics. She has also acquired a certificate in Microsoft Office Application.

Eunice joined CEED in April 2011 and works as an Office Attendant and in the kitchen when the interns are present during the summer months. She has received a certificate in Catering. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, reading, and watching movies.

Margaret Acan, joined the CEED Ugandan team in June 2019. She holds a Bachelor degree in Business Administration having  majored in Accounting from Gulu University. She is currently still pursuing a post Graduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management while studying CPA professional course with the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda.

Prior, she worked with Charity for Peace Foundation as the Finance and Administration Officer for relatively three years where she ensured transparency in accountability.

“I am very grateful to be part of CEED Uganda and I would like to appreciate everyone for the love and the warm welcome they have given me. I strive to ensure that there is integrality and transparency in accountability when it comes to handling resources of CEED Uganda.”

As Deputy Director, Luke Ofungi helps youth in the northern region of Uganda to become positive change agents in their communities. Luke has seven years of experience in the humanitarian and nonprofit sector and prior to that he earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Nkumba University in Uganda.

In 2013, Luke served as a Volunteer with the Uganda Scout Association and the R.A.I.S.E Program Foundation where he facilitated trainings on how youth can play a role in information sharing and ways of reducing the spread HIV/AIDS and the Malaria epidemic in slam areas in Kampala and equipping students with ICT skills and knowledge outside the classroom environment such as startup innovations.

Prior to taking on the role of Deputy Director, Luke worked as an intern with CEED where he worked on the Youth Advocacy and Communications Project that offers young people an opportunity to use communications skills and technology to share their experiences and ideas to a wide range of listeners and viewers. Due to the success of that project, and the resulting skills that he developed, Luke earned a position in the organization in 2018 as a Program Assistant where he supervised 20 inspiring youth from Uganda and Canada.

During this time, Luke gained experience in cross-cultural communication and team dynamics while strengthening his resolve to promote social change. Luke’s passions include leadership development, human rights, refugee and humanitarian action, as well as youth empowerment.