Board of Directors

MSS is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Board provides strategic leadership and guidance in line with the vision, mission and values of MSS.

 

 Idrisa Pandit: Founding Director and Secretary:

Idrisa is the founder of Muslim Social Service KW. She is an academic and a passionate social justice worker.  Idrisa has been recognized for her volunteerism and community contributions. Among her numerous awards are the University of Waterloo President’s community award 2017, Ontario’s Leading women leading girls award 2016, Oktober fest Woman of the year award, 2016, and the 2007 Top twenty Canadian Muslim women who inspire award. Idrisa’s research and writings focus on interfaith relations, anti oppression, anti racism, gender and Islam, and the Kashmir conflict.  Idrisa can be reached at idrisa.pandit@muslimsocialserviceskw.org

 

 

 Mahmud Shiblee: Treasurer

Is a Chartered Professional Accountant currently working with a public
limited company as a Financial Analyst in the region of Waterloo. He is also
a volunteer Resource Committee member to the Board of Directors at the
Cambridge Memorial Hospital. Prior to these roles, he was a
senior budget officer with a large international non-profit organization in
the field of health research.He is a listed facilitator with CPA Ontario
and enjoys teaching/tutoring. He likes serving the community, so the community
can serve the nation at their best potential and the nation becomes stronger.

Sue Hummel: Board Director

Sue graduated from the University of Waterloo and remained an active member of the Waterloo Region community through involvement with the Forest Hill United Church as an Outreach Coordinator, the Tri-Faith Sponsorship group, children’s art programs through community partnerships and volunteering with the Chandler Mowat Community Centre. She is a caseworker with the social services department of the Region of Waterloo. Sue is passionate about building bridges and developing a strong sense of community regardless of race or religion.

 

 

 Humera Javed : Board Chair

Humera Javed is the Education and Inclusion Coordinator at the Diversity & Equity Office, Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, Canada. She is a PhD student studying Curriculum Studies & Teacher Development at OISE (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education), University of Toronto. She is interested in issues of diversity, equity, social justice, religious pluralism, intra and inter-faith dialogue, and how they relate to community-building and education.

 

 

Brice BalmerBrice Balmer: Board Co-Chair

Brice is a Professor Emeritus of Luther University College, Wilfrid Laurier University.  He taught courses in the Master of Arts in Theology program, in the field of Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy. Brice is a co-founder of Interfaith Grand River and is an well recognized community leader and author. Brice holds a DMin in spirituality and addiction from University of St. Michael’s College; an MA in regional planning and resource development from the University of Waterloo; and an MDiv from Methodist Theological School in Ohio. As an ordained Mennonite minister he has worked in chaplaincy for many years, especially with people who are marginalized, in Denver, Colorado, and in Kitchener, Ontario. He was also a co-pastor at First Mennonite Church, in Kitchener, for 17 years.

 

Rihanat Al Alwa: Board Director

Rihanat migrated to Canada from Nigeria and is very passionate about building relationships and helping people who are vulnerable. Rihanat is an active member of the Muslim community in Cambridge Ontario. Rihanat holds a Bachelor’s degree, and is currently pursuing an Associate degree in Islamic Education at the International Open University. Rihanat is a member of the Langs Board and is part of the Community Services Committee. She is also a Peer Champion with the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI). Rihanat was a Peer Leader at the Healthy Eating, Healthy Living in Canada program at the Kitchener Downtown Community Health Center (KDCHC). She enjoys spending time with her family and reaching out to her friends.
Farhat Javed: Board Director
Farhat Javed holds a Masters of Social Work (M.S.W.) in Individual, Families and Group Counselling (IFG), from Wilfrid Laurier University. Farhat is extensively experienced in providing culturally sensitive services to diverse populations, including immigrants. She has experience working with youth clients through the Family and Children Services of Kitchener-Waterloo (FCS-KW) and Lutherwood Youth Mental Health Agency (LYMH). At FCS, she worked as a Child Protection Worker and provided preventative and protective service duties as outlined in the Child and Family Services Act. At LYMH, she worked as an Intern Clinician and developed hands-on skills in dealing with complex issues relating to diversity in culture, gender, age, and economic standing through individual/family counselling and group therapy. Farhat has also worked as an Educational Trainer for Planned Parenthood where she led group facilitation activities in the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault, mental health and wellness for newly migrated women of various cultural backgrounds.