Effat Ghassemi

Executive Director

Effat Ghassemi has been involved with the immigrant and refugee communities since 1988. Her professional career is dedicated to serving newcomers to Canada for their settlement and integration.  She has demonstrated determination and passion towards building a welcoming community in Mississauga.

Her community work has touched thousands of newcomer families upon their arrival by providing guidance and support in terms of employment, business start up, continuing education, network building and other settlement issues.

She is a tireless advocate for gender equality and racial harmony. Her efforts have been directed towards increasing social inclusion and innovation as means to sustaining vital services.

She is well known for serving on many advisory committees for different causes, for example, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI), Peel Newcomer Strategy Group (PNSG) and Mississauga Summit Tasks Force. She is a motivational speaker, mentor and role model to her peers and immigrant communities.

She has obtained her Master Degree in Immigration and Settlement Studies and is currently working towards her PhD in Family Relations and Human Development at the University of Guelph.