Our Team

Fatima is a dedicated Settlement Worker with CBFY, bringing experience supporting newcomer families and youth as they navigate settlement and integration in their new community. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies. Fatima provides client-centred support in both English and Arabic, helping young people and families access community resources, services, and opportunities. Her experience working with diverse populations, combined with her compassionate and culturally responsive approach, allows her to build meaningful connections and support newcomers in achieving their settlement goals.

Rabia relocated from Ontario to Alberta last September and brought experience from her previous roles as Settlement Youth Worker at a not-for-profit organization, as well as Resident Support Worker with the Salvation Army. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a diploma in Social Service Work specializing in immigrants and refugees. Rabia is also a certified Mental Health First Aid Facilitator through the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Outside of work, she like cooking and hiking.

Retaj is a community development and project management professional with over 15 years of experience spanning the social services and international development sectors. Holding an MBA in Project Management, a Master of Arts in Counselling, and a BA (Hons) in Social Sciences, he brings extensive expertise in program leadership, stakeholder engagement, and organizational development. With five years of experience as a Children's Shelter Manager, Retaj led multidisciplinary teams and programs supporting vulnerable children and youth. He also has over a decade of experience managing donor-funded development initiatives in partnership with international organizations, including the European Union (EU), the World Bank, and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). His areas of expertise include project management, strategic planning, fund mobilization, grant alignment, monitoring and evaluation, partnership development, and community impact.

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Jeramel Garlejo holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with a Minor in Computer Engineering. During high school , he volunteered as a Peer Mentor with CBFY's Mentorship Program, where he developed strong relationship-building skills and formed meaningful connections with diverse newcomer students. He later joined the Youth Advisory Council, an opportunity that strengthened his leadership abilities and allowed him to contribute to community initiatives. Encouraged by his Youth Worker, he took on the role of Facilitator with CBFY, gaining experience in leading programs, taking initiative, and helping students build a sense of belonging. In this role, he supported both the Youth Advisory Council and the Transitioning Into Post-Secondary programs, fostering leadership development through workshops and Peer Mentor training. Having once been a newcomer student himself, he is driven by a commitment to positively impact the lives of newcomer youth and help them thrive.

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As a Canadian-born child raised in an immigrant family, Sylvia always recognized that her experience was distinct. As a person of color, her early learning disability was misdiagnosed as ESL. On her first day of junior high, she was placed in an ESL classroom alongside students who did not speak English or know the alphabet. Although her teacher realized the misplacement a month into the school year, administrative rules prevented her from transferring to a regular classroom until the following semester.

This initial mistake introduced her to CBFY. Her journey with the organization evolved from student to volunteer, summer program leader, afterschool program leader, afterschool program coordinator, afterschool program team lead, and ultimately Settlement Worker in Schools (SWIS). She earned a Bachelor of Accounting from the University of Lethbridge, she realized that her true calling is supporting immigrant and students and families. That purpose continues to drive her work today.

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Olga Vasylieva is passionate about supporting newcomer students and families as they navigate a new school, community, and life in Canada. Olga believes that feeling welcomed, understood, and supported can make a big difference in a young person’s journey. Originally from Ukraine, Olga brings her own experience of adapting to a new country and a strong appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. She speaks English, Ukrainian, and Russian. Olga enjoys connecting with students, families, schools, and community partners and finding practical ways to help newcomers feel more confident and connected. She especially values the small moments—building trust, celebrating progress, and helping young people discover new opportunities. Her personal motto is: “Only you can decide what happens in the next chapter.”

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Najibullah Sadaat holds a degree in Law and Political Science with a specialization in Diplomacy. He began his professional journey in high school, working in the media industry for five years, including television.

In 2010, he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, where he served as a diplomat for 11 years and gained extensive experience in international relations, negotiations, and cross-cultural communication.

After resettling in Canada in November 2021, Najibullah worked as a Resettlement Counselor, supporting newcomers as they adjusted to life in a new country. In January 2024, he joined the Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth (CBFY), where he continues to help immigrant and refugee families through community-based programs and services.

Fluent in Pashto, Dari, Farsi, and Urdu, Najibullah brings a strong background in diplomacy, media, and community service to every role he takes on.

Originally from Vancouver Island, Stephanie arrived in Calgary eager to assist in the settlement of newcomer families. Holding a bachelor’s degree with a double major in Political Science and Sociology, she is informed by her education and varied experience working with youth. Ultimately though, it is the stories that drive her passion. Working with youth and their families at CBFY allows Stephanie to interact with newcomers everyday, listening to and learning from diverse lived experiences. In everything Stephanie does, she tries to put herself in other peoples’ shoes. Empathy for the immigrant experience and an understanding that where we are born and who we are born to impacts so much of what we are exposed to, and therefore our perspective. If there is one thing that she's learned, it is that it only takes one person, one moment to change your life forever, to change your perspective. It just takes one person to have an impact. In everything that you do, strive to be that person.

Yan Ling has been working with CBFY as settlement worker for over 12 years. Her passion and dedication in helping newcomer kids and families has been the driving force for her to work tirelessly with fulfilled satisfaction. Settlement services play a crucial role in easing the transition for newcomers, and Yan Ling always tries to making a positive impact on the lives of those she serve. She hopes her care and support can contribute significantly to the success and well-being of kids and families. Yan Ling feels grateful for the positive collaboration and support from team, various agencies, and communities, and recognizes the importance of building strong connections within her professional network in the past years. Yan Ling grows with CBFY, learning and gaining many experience and skills either personal and professional development. Overall she is very happy to work this role.

Combining technical background with the passion for an Individual strength & meaningful purpose, Svetlana sees the “big picture” in detail and thrives in a diverse & inclusive environment.

With a passion for community building and over 15 years of experience in settlement services, Naima is dedicated to helping newcomers integrate successfully into their new communities. As a Settlement Worker at CBFY, she provides comprehensive support and guidance to individuals and families, assisting them with housing, employment, education, and access to community resources.

In her role, Naima takes pride in facilitating smooth transitions for newcomers, helping them overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Outside of work, Naima enjoys spending time with her family and connecting with her community which helps her stay grounded and connected to the diverse communities she serves.

Rahel Gebrehiwot: dedicated Settlement Worker in School BA in Management, MA in Development Studies, fluent in English and Amharic. Excels in fostering integration for newcomer families, advocating for students, and maintaining confidential records. With over six years of experience, my passion lies in bridging cultural gaps and organizing workshops for a positive transition into Canadian society. Adept in needs assessment, community engagement, and crisis intervention. Dedicated to empowering families through effective communication and support.

Khadigah is a dedicated SWIS Worker with over 10 years of experience supporting diverse individuals, families, and youth. With a background in business administration and leadership, she brings strong skills in settlement services, youth programming, community outreach, program coordination, and client support. Khadigah works closely with newcomer students and families to help them navigate school systems, access community resources, build connections, and feel welcomed in their new communities. She is dedicated to creating inclusive and culturally responsive programs that recognize the strengths, needs, and experiences of each individual. Khadigah has extensive experience planning and facilitating workshops, community events, youth programs, and outreach initiatives. At the heart of Khadigah’s work is a simple belief: everyone deserves to feel that they belong. Her goal is to leave every person she meets with a little more confidence, connection, and hope for the journey ahead.

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Kanwaljeet moved to Canada 15 years ago as a skilled worker. Her background is from the beautiful city, named Chandigarh, located in North India. She attained my Masters Degree in English with Linguistics and Applied Linguistics as her main field of expertise. Kanwaljeet also completed my Bachelors Degree in Education there. She moved to the United Kingdom on work visa in 2004 and her journey to work with new immigrants started there. She worked as Bi-Lingual information Advisor helping newcomers with resources to attain language and other skills within the UK. Then, Kanwaljeet moved to Canada. She continued working with new immigrants in Calgary and now with over 15 years of experience in helping newcomers altogether, she proudly acknowledges that serving newcomers is her passion. It is a different sense of accomplishment when you serve a newcomer family and youth, and that brings back the memories of her own journey to settlement in Canada.

Jill is a former school teacher and have worked with youth in many roles in addition to teaching, such as coaching, leading camps and running youth outreach programs. She holds a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Communication and Culture with Distinction, both from the University of Calgary. Jill has found supporting immigrant youth as a Settlement Worker in Schools with CBFY especially rewarding. Her family immigrated to Canada from Turkey many years ago, so she understands some of the challenges that newcomer families face. Jill was born in Istanbul, Turkey and Turkish is my additional language. She has been happy to call Calgary home for many years and think it is a wonderful, welcoming city!

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As an immigrant who underwent diverse refugee experiences in Sudanese refugee camps and lived as an urban refugee in Sudan for over 6 years, Yonas brings a unique perspective to his work. With a 4-year tenure at UNHCR Sudan, serving as both an interpreter and data profiler for minor refugees from Eritrea, he gained insights into the challenges refugees face in their country of asylum. Additionally, Yonas volunteered with CCIS for over 7 months upon arriving in Canada. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Management from the University of Asmara, he possesses a deep understanding of the psychology of refugees and immigrants, enabling him to provide meaningful support. Having personally experienced the importance of guidance in settling in a new country, Yonas find excitement in his role at CBFY. Leveraging his extensive experience both in Canada and abroad, he aims to assist newcomers by offering education, guidance, empowerment, advocacy, and more.

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When you go to bed and still thinking about whether to change one activity to another, when you rejoice at the small achievement of your student and immediately plan the next lesson in your imagination, you realize that you love this work. Iryna worked as a teacher in Ukraine and have possibility to work with children with CBFY. She can help with planning activities for summer camp or other after school programs. It is important to be helpful to both parents and children. That’s why Iryna is here with CBFY.

Kulwinder's immigration journey begins in Canada 13 years ago, and her story is not at all different from other Newcomers. She was born and brought up in North India, a vibrant agricultural land called, Punjab. Kulwinder came to Canada with an experience in the education field and research work on “Education in Human Values” and “Altruism.” She believes in challenging work, perseverance, and life-long learning, as Brian Tracy says, “Continuous learning is the minimum requirement for success in any field.” The process of transition and integration as an immigrant was not easy. But as she became familiar with the people of the country, system, and culture; hardships began to ease, and she started to settle into my new home country without even realizing it.

Foroozan is a certified teacher from Iran and has the Bridge to Teaching certificate from the University of Calgary. She has more than 20 years of experience working with students K-12. She is also a certified Farsi language interpreter, and can speak Azeri and communicate in Turkish. During my work experience in Canada, Foroozan has worked with a culturally diverse population of students and newcomer families, so she is fully aware of their needs and concerns. She is familiar with many community resources, and can connect families to these resources. CBFY's core values and mission to empower the newcomer youth excites her to come to work at CBFY.

Dalal Ayash is a settlement worker with CBFY. She has a bachelor degree in Arts, and an ELL specialist Diploma from Mount Royal University. Dalal has extensive experience in dealing with youth, and can provide help with Youth programs development, in school settlement programs. She am fluent in English and Arabic. Dalal loves what she does at CBFY. It’s a fantastic role.

Adriana's passion for supporting children and youth through their journey as new immigrants reflects a commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive environment for individuals navigating the challenges of relocation. This dedication suggests a genuine interest in providing guidance, resources, and emotional support to help young immigrants adapt and thrive in their new surroundings. Her enthusiasm for this cause likely involves recognizing the unique needs and experiences of young newcomers and striving to contribute to their successful integration and well-being in their adopted communities.

Having immigrated to Calgary from Kenya after living in the Kakuma refugee camp, Ang'er holds a Bachelor's Degree in Human Ecology with a focus on Family Social Sciences from the University of Manitoba. Her journey has been marked by a commitment to working with newcomers, immigrants, and vulnerable populations, aiming to combat poverty and enhance the well-being of individuals and communities. Her experience includes roles with non-profit organizations such as Manitoba Women for Women and the Mustard Seed Calgary, where she served as a Community Outreach Advocate. Currently, Ang'er finds fulfillment as a SWIS worker at the Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth, engaging with and learning from youths and their families from diverse backgrounds. While supporting families in meeting their settlement needs, she also derives personal growth and learning from these interactions. The positive impact and influence of newcomer youths and their families have been instrumental in shaping her life.