Team Profiles

Meet Jessica, 

Build ON Director

Hello! My name is Jessica and I am the Director for the YMCA-YWCA Build ON program. I grew up with a parent in the Canadian Forces and moved around a lot, but I still consider myself an East coaster! I love my job and my Y family. I was an Information and Referral Specialist at the YMCA-YWCA Newcomer Information Centre before joining the Build ON team. My ultimate enjoyment is to travel and experience different cultures and languages. I strongly believe everyone has an amazing story to tell and I’m looking forward to helping you with yours as you settle in Canada! 

Meet Noeul,

Build ON Program Coordinator

Hello! My name is Noeul Kang, and I am the Program Coordinator for Build ON. I hold a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in English literature as well as a diploma in hospitality. After graduation, I worked with clients from diverse backgrounds for over five years in the client service industry, including teaching students with learning difficulties such as Autism and working as an English-Korean interpreter/translator. After I immigrated to Canada, I faced many hurdles in assimilating to Canadian culture and job search. As a newcomer myself, I can say that I can deeply relate to your situation and am ready to be your support system for your successful integration and settlement in Canada. I love helping people. My passion is significantly aligned with the Build ON team: Helping newcomers to have a smooth transition to integrate and settle in Canada. I’m eagerly anticipating meeting all of you, and I await opportunities to help you out on your meaningful settlement journey to Canada.
 

Meet Masuma

Build ON Employment Consultant

Hello! My name is Masuma Hussaini and I am an Employment Consultant with Build ON. I have a Masters in Economics with some business and start-up courses and more than 12 years’ experience working closely with university students, business women and different programs. I am a newcomer to Canada and I greatly empathize with new immigrants' challenges and concerns. I had a similar situation with my first few months in Canada, such as not having much information about culture and experiencing culture shock, not being familiar with job search, having concerns with education and much more. I made it and you will too! I’m looking forward to meeting with you in our program.

Meet Marie Merci,

Build ON Employment Consultant

Hello! My name is Marie Merci Uwase and I am an Employment Consultant with Build ON. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and I have been working with immigrants for a year and a half. Being an immigrant myself and having experienced some of the hardships that newcomers go through, I understand the challenges and the vulnerability that newcomers can face in a new environment. This is why I am determined to help make a difference in the lives of newcomers by helping them achieve their professional and personal goals while they look forward to enjoying their new community.
 

Meet Hector, 

Build ON Employment Consultant

Hello everyone! My name is Hector, business professional with simultaneous interpretation, translation, communications, and Public Relations experience. I am fluent in French, English and Spanish, with over twenty years of professional experience with large businesses corporations, government, military, and community organizations. Very focused in customer service and commitment in all we do. My mission at YMCA is to utilize my professional background at the service of newcomers and help families transition in the best way possible to a new life in Canada. It is a privilege and an honor to be assisting immigrants like myself to be the best they can be in this new land of opportunities!! At your service…!

Meet Sungmi,

Project Facilitator- Pre Arrival Mentoring 

In Partnership with Build On, OCISO pre-arrival mentoring helps newcomers destined to Ontario prepare for employment within their chosen field. As Project Facilitator, Sungmi connects internationally trained professionals (Mentees) with Professionals (Mentors) who live and work in the province of Ontario. She provides one on one orientation sessions with mentees, clarifies long and short-term career goals and matches those who are eligible with a professional who will provide one on one mentoring support online.