I was happy to see integration to Algonquin territory and indigenous culture related programming in 2014 WOW. Please continue to involve local Aboriginal organisations and…

Linda Manning
WOW 2014 participant, Senior Fellow, University of Ottawa
All the WOW events that I went to were great – WOW does give a sense of a community trying to improve its attraction and retention!

Caroline Andrew
Professor, University of Ottawa
OLIP helps to unite and share scarce resources for greater impact by working together in the field of student education.

Walter Piovesan
Associate Director of Education, Ottawa Carleton District School Board
The WOW seminar on immigrant women’s nutrition and health was a step in the right direction towards closing the gap between academic researchers and service providers.

Josephine Etowa
Associate Professor, School of Nursing, University of Ottawa
The work and expertise that OLIP brings to our community is so important as it helps us to build bridges and break down silos.  I look forward to our continued work together. 

Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa
We are very pleased to have done the “Opportunity Cost of Not Investing in Interpretation” report – it is so important to have clarity on these challenges and…

Hindia Mohamoud, Director, OLIP
The Ottawa Chinese Community Service Centre is so happy to have joined the OLIP Health and Wellbeing Sector Table. It is clear that OLIP cares about immigrants and refugees and…

Wendy Tang, Ottawa Chinese Community Service Centre
The target beneficiary of the work of OLIP is the whole community. In this short period we have planted together important seeds for Ottawa’s development.  

Dick Stewart
OLIP Council
The OLIP Council is committed to leadership.  In only a few years, we have a common vision and priorities, and are up to the task of implementing the Ottawa Immigration Strategy.

Salimatou Diallo
OLIP Council Vice Chair, Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario
My nomination is an indication that our hard work in building Canada is recognized. All we do is to serve the community in return for embracing us when we needed it.  

Mehdi Mahdavi
Ottawa Immigrant Entrepreneurship Awards Nominee

Mary Roman

April 23, 2024

Mary Roman is an accomplished professional with over 15 years of leadership experience in the settlement and integration sector, serving immigrants and refugees to integrate into their new communities, in North America, EU, and MENA region As a first-generation immigrant to Canada, Mary understands the unique lived experiences of OCISO’s clientele, and she is committed to honouring those differences as she leads her team and the services OCISO delivers While in Metro Vancouver for the past eight years, Mary worked with ISS of BC, as well as DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society, in multiple leading roles. She also served as an advisor on several boards, committees, and councils that support racialized communities. Mary brings to her new role at OCISO- Ottawa, which started in 2022, a fresh and innovative vision to our community. She hopes to foster an inclusive workplace that embraces multiculturalism, anti-racism, equity, and justice. She is passionate about activism, advocacy, and policy change. Mary has a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBCH), and a Post Graduate Diploma – Family Medicine & Psychology from Cairo University, Egypt and she is fluent in English, French, and Arabic.