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
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 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 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 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