Chair, Steering Committee
Germaine Basita has more than 20 years experience in peace-related research and work with INGOs in Africa and in the US, her particular interest being in capacity building for grassroots organizations. Germaine was a senior advisor to the American Agency for International Development (USAID) during the 1993 political crisis in Burundi that lasted a decade. A public servant since 2009 with the Ontario government first, and later with the Canadian federal government, she managed community services and government-sponsored settlement programs for new comers in the London-Sarnia region for six years before joining the public service. Germaine holds a PhD in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master’s degree in Social and Public Policy with a certificate in peace studies from Duquesne University. Her commitment is to actively engage in collaboration between Canada and Africa to support the African Union’s Agenda 2063
International Development & Partnerships
Dr. Angi Yoder-Maina is the Director of the Resilience Institute for Strength and Empowerment (RISE) at Florida State University and the Director of Green String Network (GSN), a Kenyan NGO. With over 30 years of experience working in conflict-affected countries, she has developed a healing-centered approach to empower communities and promote resilience. The GSN network has developed practical healing-centered peacebuilding programs where community Circle Keepers facilitated peer support groups an understanding of trauma's effects, initiate healing processes, and foster community cohesion to develop communal strategies for sustained healing and reconciliation. Dr. Yoder-Maina's healing-centered approach is the culmination of her experiences gained over the past 30 years while working in conflict-affected countries around the world. Her dedication to empowering communities and promoting resilience has been a driving force throughout her career, and her work continues to make a significant impact on the lives of those affected by trauma and conflict.
Advisory Committee – International Partnerships
Dr. Claudia Petrescu is the Associate Vice President for Graduate Education and Internationalization Initiatives, Illinois State University, USA. She is an experienced higher education leader who served in leadership roles such as Vice Provost for Graduate Education &Dean of the Graduate School at Kansas State University, Chief Strategy Officer, and Dean of Graduate School at Oakland University in Michigan. Dr. Petrescu is a tenured professor of in the Department of Politics and Government at Illinois State University. Her research interests are in the areas of nonprofit management, capacity building, executive transitions, strategic planning, evaluation and organizational change. Claudia has been published in journals such as the International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, International Leadership Journal, Nonprofit Management and Leadership among others. Dr. Petrescu is also a recent graduate of the American Council of Education (ACE) fellowship program. She holds a doctorate degree in Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh (2002); and obtained graduate degrees from Duquesne University (2000), the National School of Public Administration and International Relations, Bucharest, Romania (1995), and Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania (1993).
Atlantic memberships
Charlotte Craig is a writer, horticulturist, activist and “professional people person.” She studied communications and horticulture at Algonquin College in Ottawa and has a background in administration and management. She has worked with Indigenous NGOs and in Non-Profit housing, and has close ties to the LGBTQ+ and Disability communities. Charlotte has fingers in many grassroots pots, including a decade of advocacy for the rights of workers, women, new Canadians and people of color. She has recently taken interest in equitable urban planning and autonomous community development, and considers herself an amateur "policy critic." In her spare time, Charlotte can be found in her community garden plot or making art.
Entrepreneurship
Aline Muyubira has a solid experience of over 20 years in customer service and human resources management acquired both in Africa and North America. As a business woman since 1995, Aline is the manager and financial advisor of Manaf Tours and Travel Agency, a family-owned business established in East Africa, with a branch in Nepean, Ontario. Aline Muyubira finds time to combine her business responsibilities with volunteer work in her community to engage in leadership activities, notably with the African League of Canada, as well as the Canada for Africa Group. Aline trained in economic sciences in Burundi, and pursued professional training in business management and accounting from Maastricht, Holland.
Strategy & Stakeholder Engagement
Rokhaya Gueye wears many hats: she is a mentor, a coach, a community organizer, a carpenter, an interpreter, and a serial entrepreneur. As a community leader, Rokhaya has, for the past 27 years, volunteered her time by working tirelessly to help various non-profit organizations both locally and abroad. Rokhaya’s volunteer work spans on several organizations including: the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Carpenters Local 27; Delegate at the Toronto & York Region Labour Council; Ambassador and Mentor at the Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN); Mentor at the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) and career coach with Building Up. She also sits as member to boards of Directors, founding member and advisor for several non-for-profit organizations ad as an entrepreneur, she is the co-founder of Global Connection Venture and Afya Choices.
Youth Champion
Géraldine Tematio is currently a Project Manager for the Francophone Private Sponsorship Network at ACFOMI. A practitioner in social innovation and project management, she has collaborated with UNESCO, GIZ, and the European Union on initiatives that strengthen communities, advance gender equality, and promote women’s empowerment. Geraldine holds two master’s degrees in social innovation and international business administration. Fully bilingual in French and English, she is committed to developing inclusive projects and fostering social innovation and leadership within immigrant communities.
Communications & Community Outreach
Janvier Nahimana is currently the Associate Producer at CBC Radio-Canada, Halifax, NS. Janvier believes that volunteering is a glue that ties communities together. He founded Mutcho Radio to give voice to his community in Halifax, Nova Scotia and to connect people from different walks of life. Janvier does not miss a chance to struck a conversation whenever an opportunity presents itself. Sharing stories is his way of celebrating life. Janvier’s background is in arts and multimedia. He built his career as a multimedia professional, photographer, Web and Graphic designer travelling around Europe. He worked five years as a communications manager at the Centre national de coopération au dévelopment in Belgium and was the cofounder and Art Director of the community journal director IWACU Burundi. Janvier is now based in Halifax since 2014. He worked at the African Diaspora Association of the Maritimes (ADAM) and with the support from African Nova Scotian affairs, he created the Mutcho Cultural Group, a non-profit organization to develop a project in celebration of the Decade of People of African Descent (DPAD). Janvier Nahimana holds a Master’s degree in Arts from Moscow Arts Academy, and has certificates in Leadership and Project Management.
Programs advisor
Prime Nyamoya is currently is a senior consultant at Toronto’s CHOC FM 105.1. He specializes in Macroeconomics, Public Finance, and the Financial Sector. Prime’s professional career spans more than 40 years which includes teaching at the university level and in the private sector; and numerous consultancies with international financial institutions. Highlights of Prime’s experience includes work with the African Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank, the EU, and UNDP. As a senior consultant, Prime provided technical and institutional support to Comoros, Tchad, Gabon, Sénégal, and Djibouti governments in varied functions, particularly with their finance departments. Prime holds a bachelor's degree in applied economics (Management) from the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium (1972) and two postgraduate degrees: a Master’s degree in public administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1976), and in Economics from Boston University (1979). In addition, Prime completed a certificate program at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University.
Francophone portfolio
Francophone portfolio
Jimmy Bankamwabo is an international expert in public sector reform and modern public management, with extensive experience supporting international organizations and governments across more than ten African countries. His work focuses on strengthening public financial management systems, institutional capacity, and results-based governance. Based in Canada, Jimmy collaborates with l’ Institut COMPASS as Director of University Relations and Development, where he contributes to capacity-building initiatives and partnerships with academic institutions. He is also actively engaged in diaspora-driven development initiatives, supporting the economic empowerment of women and immigrant youth through organizations such as InnovYeng, Entrepreneurship Féminin and the Canada for Africa Group. Jimmy holds a master's degree from the Faculty of Economics, Social and Political Sciences of the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, and a BA degree from the Faculty of Economics and Management of the University of Burundi.
Events coordinator
Ramatoulaye (Rama) is a student at university of Ottawa in Economics and politics. She values teamwork, reliability, and initiative, and is eager to contribute these qualities in community work, especially with CANAFGROUP.
Research Assistant
Zaquia Kadra is an urban studies student based in Toronto, Ontario. She is passionate about climate resilience, urban development, and equitable solutions for communities facing environmental challenges. At CANAFGROUP, she contributes to research and initiatives supporting sustainable development in Africa.
IT & Multimedia Communication Ofiicer
With over 10 years of dedicated experience in the multimedia industry, Emmanuel brings a wealth of expertise to his role. His core competencies include graphic design, web design, audio and video production, and photography, allowing him to deliver comprehensive creative and technical solutions that bridge digital innovation with impactful communication strategies. Based in Moncton, New Brunswick, Emmanuel combines his leadership at BridgeHouse Agency—a creative hub focused on crafting digital dreams into stunning realities—with hands-on multimedia skills to drive engaging content and IT-supported initiatives