Karla Briones
Founder & Chair
An immigrant entrepreneur herself for over 16 years, Karla empowers immigrant entrepreneurs through advocacy, education, and community. A Top 25 Canadian Immigrant, she’s also a columnist, professor, and business leader.
Yasser Ghazi
Vice-Chair
Vice President, Commercial Financial Services at RBC; recognized Forty Under 40 leader. Champions youth mentorship, women’s housing, and local businesses through board service, sponsorships, and community engagement.
DIRECTORS
Dave Donaldson
Director
Retired Dean of Algonquin’s School of Business with 20+ years’ leadership experience. Deeply involved in Ottawa’s civic life, currently chairs Shepherds of Good Hope and serves on multiple public boards.
Paola Gonzalez
Director
Corporate lawyer at Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP, offering bilingual legal support to businesses and nonprofits. Passionate about diversity, community service, and family life in her adopted home of Ottawa
Tatanisha Riggan
Director
Social service worker and founder of Usawa Mindfulness, she blends economic development with wellness. Champions diversity, sustainability, and immigrant entrepreneurship through inclusive mentoring and accessible mindfulness-based community initiatives.
Shawn Hoey
Director
Business and Entrepreneurship teacher with OCDSB and founder of a multi-million-dollar venture. Mentors youth and newcomer entrepreneurs through programs like Summer Company and Futurpreneur, combining education with hands-on experience.
Join the IEC Board of Directors
Do you have a background in finance or accounting, and a belief that immigrant entrepreneurs belong at the centre of Canada's economic story? We'd love to hear from you.
Immigrant Entrepreneur Canada is looking for a new director to join our volunteer board.
We're a grassroots, volunteer-run organization that helps immigrant and newcomer entrepreneurs get the practical support, connections, and market access they don't always find in the traditional business world. Since 2023, we've grown from a small Ottawa community into a national organization, and our board is growing with us.
Expertise we're looking for:
Right now we're especially looking for someone with financial or accounting expertise, ideally a CPA or someone comfortable with treasurer-style oversight. That's the seat we most need to fill. You don't need to have sat on a board before. What matters more is good judgment, curiosity, and a willingness to show up. If you do bring board experience, even better.
What board members do:
Our directors provide strategic advice, governance, and financial oversight, and they pitch in on the occasional policy or process when it's needed. We keep our meetings focused and useful. The board meets four times a year on Zoom, and members also give a few hours a month to committee work like finance or governance. All in, it's roughly three to four hours a month. This is a volunteer role, so directors are not paid, though reasonable expenses can be reimbursed.
Who we're hoping to hear from:
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Financial or accounting experience, with a CPA seen as a strong asset
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Comfort with nonprofit governance, financial oversight, or strategic planning
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Connections across Canada's business, funding, or economic development world
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A genuine commitment to inclusive economic development
We're building an organization that reflects the people we serve. We warmly welcome applications from immigrants and newcomers to Canada, from racialized and underrepresented communities, and from anyone who knows firsthand what it takes to build something in a new country. Lived experience is an asset here, not a footnote.
How to apply:
Send us a note telling us who you are and why this work matters to you, along with your LinkedIn or a short bio. We review applications on a rolling basis, so if the fit feels right, reach out. We'll follow up to set up a conversation.