OLIP Executive

Deborah Tunis
Vice-Chair, OLIP CouncilMs. Tunis brings over 40 years of leadership experience in the Canadian public service in a variety of policy areas, including immigration, international…

Deborah Tunis
Vice-Chair, OLIP Council
Ms. Tunis brings over 40 years of leadership experience in the Canadian public service in a variety of policy areas, including immigration, international trade, social development and housing. In 2015, Ms. Tunis was named Special Coordinator for Syrian Refugee Resettlement, helping to lead the initiative that welcomed tens of thousands of Syrian refugees to Canada. In this key role, she coordinated provinces, municipalities, settlement agencies, donors and others to provide supports to Syrian refugees.
Saint-Phard Désir
Executive Director, Conseil Économique et Social d'Ottawa CarletonCo-Chair, Socio-civic Integration Sector Table
Born in Haiti, Saint-Phard Désir came to Canada in 1990. He completed his education at the University of Ottawa where he obtained a Master in Business…

Saint-Phard Désir
Executive Director, Conseil Économique et Social d'Ottawa Carleton
Co-Chair, Socio-civic Integration Sector Table
Born in Haiti, Saint-Phard Désir came to Canada in 1990. He completed his education at the University of Ottawa where he obtained a Master in Business administration.
In 2004, commissioned by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, Saint-Phard was the author of the guide "Finding a job, practical guide for the French-speaking newcomers" to help French-speaking immigrants find work in their fields of expertise. Then he left Canada to work in different organizations including Lutheran World Relief in the United States. In February 2007, he returned to the Conseil Économique et Social d'Ottawa Carleton (CÉSOC). He was the Project Coordinator of the Réseau de soutien à l’immigration francophone de l’est de l’Ontario for five years and since July 2012 he has assumed the general management of CÉSOC.
Clara Freire
General Manager, Community and Social Services DepartmentCity of Ottawa
Clara is honoured to lead the City’s Community and Social Services Department. She brings a passionate commitment to resident and community service…

Clara Freire
General Manager, Community and Social Services Department
City of Ottawa
Clara is honoured to lead the City's Community and Social Services Department. She brings a passionate commitment to resident and community service and strives to be an ally that promotes equitable and inclusive municipal services and workplaces. This commitment has guided her 30-year community service career, with the past 22 years working with the City of Ottawa.
During her career at the City, Clara has worked primarily in human services and on corporate programs. Clara was previously the Director of Employment and Social Services, where she led a workforce of more than 500 dedicated staff in providing employment and financial assistance and other life-stabilizing support services to residents who face multiple barriers. Before that, she collaborated with internal and community partners to lead the Community Funding Framework and various corporate-wide strategic initiatives. These included the Municipal Immigration Strategy, the Older Adult Plan, the Women and Gender Equity Strategy, the Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan, Equity and Inclusion Lens, and Youth Futures. In March 2020, Clara led the first phase of the City of Ottawa’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Human Needs Task Force, which focused on responding to immediate, medium, and long-term community needs, including food security, homelessness and sheltering, and outreach and social services.
Clara has worked closely with community, municipal and provincial partners to position City of Ottawa services to be responsive to the community's dynamic needs and contribute to improved social and economic well-being.
Clara is fluently bilingual, speaks Portuguese, has a master’s degree in social work, is a registered social worker, and has completed several leadership training programs, most recently the Telfer Executive Leadership Development Program. 
Dominique Dennery
Chair, OLIP CouncilBorn in Haiti, Dominique came to Ottawa at the age of three. A Black Canadian fluently bilingual in both official languages, she grew up immersed in immigrant…

Dominique Dennery
Chair, OLIP Council
Born in Haiti, Dominique came to Ottawa at the age of three. A Black Canadian fluently bilingual in both official languages, she grew up immersed in immigrant communities in the city, where she has lived, aside from a few years overseas, for sixty years.
She has 25 years of experience working with groups and organizations to help them reach their goals and potential. Her work in recent years included leading high-level consultations across the country on topics such as immigration, housing, gender-based violence, and racism. Dominique holds degrees and diplomas in French literature, management, leadership coaching, change management and facilitation. Her commitment to meaningful equity and anti-oppression work spans her entire career.
In addition to her work as a facilitator and coach, Dominique is a sculptor, and her work has appeared in places like Gatineau City Hall, Parc Toussaint Louverture in Montreal, and private collections in Canada and overseas. As a former board member of the Ottawa Art Gallery, she worked to explore the intersection of artmaking and a sense of community, particularly in marginalized communities.
Well recognized for both her art and her mediation, facilitation, and coaching work, Dominique is the recipient of numerous awards and honours, including the Key to the City of Montreal, the Gold Facilitation Impact Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Regroupement Affaires Femmes, and a Mosaique Intercultural Award for her work as a trailblazer. In 2018 she was selected as one of the 100 Accomplished Black Women in Canada.

Myriam Mekni
Executive Director, Catholic Centre for Immigrants OttawaMyriam Mekni is the Executive Director of the Catholic Centre for Immigrants, Ottawa. Previously, she served as Managing Director of Rising Tide Community…

Myriam Mekni
Executive Director, Catholic Centre for Immigrants Ottawa
Myriam Mekni is the Executive Director of the Catholic Centre for Immigrants, Ottawa. Previously, she served as Managing Director of Rising Tide Community Initiatives and as the former Executive Director of MAGMA, the Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area. Before immigrating to Canada from her home country of Tunisia, Ms. Mekni worked for Apple, the British Council, and the U.S. Embassy. Fluent in English, French, and Arabic, Ms. Mekni studied mathematics and literature in Tunis. In her recent role, Ms. Mekni brings more than a track record of leadership experience. Dedicated to empowering new and established Canadians alike, Ms. Mekni’s vision is informed by a spirit of inclusion that is friendly, informed, and enduring. Ms. Mekni served as Chair of Greater Moncton’s Local Immigration Partnership. Recently designated one of the most inspiring immigrants in the Maritimes, and one of the Top 20 Under 40 in the Greater Moncton Area, Ms. Mekni is also a passionate advocate for women’s rights and proudly sits on the governance committee for the New Brunswick Women’s Council, where she also acts as interim co-chair. In August 2021, Ms. Mekni was appointed to be a member of the Human Rights Commission of New Brunswick. She also co-chairs The Community Task Force on Homelessness and Downtown Security, which has been created to mobilize stakeholders and resources to meet the challenge of homelessness and social issues.
Mary Roman
Executive Director, Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO)Mary Roman is an accomplished professional with over 15 years of leadership experience in the settlement and integration sector, serving immigrants and…

Mary Roman
Executive Director, Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO)
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.
Ümit Mustafa Kiziltan
CitizenÜmit Mustafa Kiziltan’s career spans various sectors, including academia, civil society, Indigenous engagement, and public service. From 2006 to…
