Director, Family and Settlement Services

Sherman is the Director of Family and Settlement Services at MOSAIC. He has a Master of Science in Applied Social Studies Degree from United Kingdom, and is a registered social worker. He has worked in the field of social service for more than thirty years in Canada, Hong Kong, USA and Britain. Sherman takes a leadership role within the BC settlement sector. He is currently Co-chair of Corrections Canada Pacific Region Ethnocultural Advisory Committee, as well as a member of the Transit Police Chief’s Community Council. With decades of experience building consensus and collaborations across refugee-serving agencies, Sherman provides strategic guidance to the MVRRT team.

Senior Manager, Refugee Services

Gini is Senior Manager of MOSAIC’s Refugee Services Cluster, of which MVRRT is a part. She has extensive experience in non-profit management including program development, human resources, contract management, financial oversight as well as a decade of experience in the settlement sector. Gini enjoys building relationships with others including government funders, community stakeholders and other service providers. She brings enthusiasm and passion to MVRRT—providing senior oversight to guide project deliverables. Before joining MOSAIC, Gini served as the Executive Director of Mount Pleasant Family Centre Society for the past 10 years.

Manager, MVRRT

Introducing Hamidullah Abawi, the MVRRT Manager at MOSAIC—a dedicated and seasoned leader, philanthropist, and humanitarian. Holding a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the American University in Dubai, Mr. Abawi brings a wealth of invaluable expertise to the table. His influence extends far beyond MOSAIC, owing to his extensive network and his prior senior roles in both national and international organizations. Notably, he distinguished himself as the Country Director of Street Child UK, orchestrating critical aid for over 100,000 Afghans in dire need, while overseeing a substantial funding portfolio and a team of over 1600 staff.

Mr. Abawi's illustrious career encompasses roles such as Senior Advisor to the Minister of Education in Afghanistan and leadership of the Education Cluster in collaboration with the United Nations. As a pivotal member of the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) in Afghanistan, he represented INGOs and NGOs in high-level consultations and advocacy meetings. Beyond his responsibilities at MOSAIC, Mr. Abawi concurrently serves as the CEO of Street Child in Canada. His fervent dedication to humanitarian efforts propels him to international conferences as a distinguished speaker, where he imparts his expertise and insights. With an extensive global network of humanitarian organizations and donors, he spearheads positive change and secures vital support for impactful initiatives.

Project Facilitator

Ahmad Tamim Sharifzai is a dedicated member of the Metro Vancouver Refugee Readiness Team, serving as a Project Facilitator since August 15 2022. Having migrated to Vancouver, Canada from Afghanistan in August 2021, following the tumultuous events of the Taliban's takeover and the collapse of the Afghan government, his journey reflects resilience and determination.

Sharifzai brings a wealth of knowledge, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, and boasting 16 years of experience collaborating with international research and media organizations such as the BBC, National Geographic, and the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit.

His invaluable expertise enhances MVRRT’s community feedback and research activities, making Sharifzai an asset to the project team. .

Health Coordinator

Masoud Rahmani holds the position of MVRRT Health Coordinator at MOSAIC, and is penholder for the development of the MVRRT Health Resource Package for newcomers. He possesses a Medical degree from Kabul, Afghanistan, and holds distinguished international qualifications in Health Management and Health Care Administration acquired from institutions in India and the United States. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Rahmani actively engages in voluntary roles, including serving as a Director for Umbrella Coop and contributing to charitable initiatives such as Blood Transfusion Canada and the Harvard School of Medicine. Prior to his move to Canada, he played a crucial role in managing health projects for the Canadian Embassy in Kabul, notably spearheading the establishment and operation of Afghanistan's National Blood Safety and Transfusion Services. His contributions are internationally recognized through publications, and he was honored with the USAID International Leadership and Management award in 2010 for his exceptional achievements in Afghanistan.

Housing Resource Development Consultant

Amrit Cojocaru is a PhD Candidate in Equity Studies and In-Service Faculty Associate at Simon Fraser University. Prior to working in teacher-education, Amrit worked as a classroom teacher, learning support team (special education) teacher, and social development teacher in the Surrey School District. Her research explores ways to decolonize refugee education in resettlement host countries with a focus on equity. She holds a Master of Education from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Education in Special Education from the University of British Columbia. At MVRRT, Amrit is developing accessible info resources to help new refugees self-navigate Metro Vancouver’s housing.

Graphic Narration Consultant

Kelly Chen graduated from Emily Carr University of Art and Design in 2018. Known as Scarlet Wings Kaili (SWKart), Kelly is best known for her graphic novel series, Halfsoul, which focuses on various mental illness and recovery issues. She is dedicated to advocating for mental health wellness and reducing stigma, and is currently applying her artistic talents to narrating the many challenges new refugee arrivals encounter when navigating Metro Vancouver’s housing, health, employment and education landscapes. Check out samples of SWKart’s portfolio at: https://www.swk-art.com/

Web/Graphic Designer

Chaileen Kim graduated from OCADU in 2017. She has worked across multiple industries as a creative lead for organizations such as the UN, KPMG and more. She also served as a TA at OCADU, a highly regarded design university in Canada for a 4th year program for 3 years.