Staff

Samya Hasan – Interim Executive Director

Samya is the Interim Executive Director at CASSA. She was a Project Manager at CASSA and led the CapaCITY Creators and South Asian Gift of Life projects in 2015 – 2016. Samya attained her Masters of Public Policy degree from the University of Toronto’s School of Public Policy and Governance in June 2013. Prior to her Masters, Samya attained an Honours Bachelor of Arts with high distinction in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Toronto. Samya has a particular interest in social policy and is passionate about poverty reduction in Canada.  She has written Masters level policy papers on transportation, immigration & race relations, child care, housing, international development, economic development & innovation, health care, and City branding.

Prior to her employment at CASSA, Samya worked at the Affordable Housing Office in the City of Toronto as a Research Associate and Policy Consultant. During her time at the Affordable Housing Office, Samya worked on various housing-related files including Toronto Community Housing Special Working Group, Toronto Renovates, and Affordable Homeownership. As a Toronto Urban Fellow, Samya worked at the Municipal Licensing and Standards division at the City of Toronto, conducting a by-law review of the limousine industry in Toronto.

Samya also has experience in the not-for-profit sector through her volunteer work with the Orphan Sponsorship Program and Beauty for Breast Cancer. Samya was the past President and Donor Liaison of the Orphan Sponsorship Program through which more than 135 orphans in over 22 developing countries are given financial support on an annual basis. Samya is also the President and Founder of Beauty for Breast Cancer, a not-for-profit organization that provides financial support to breast cancer patients in Pakistan.

Augustine Jegasothy – General Manager

Augustine graduated from Bharathiar University – Coimbatore, India, with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He moved to Canada in 2009 as a skilled migrant and he was the Community Partnerships Manager with Social Services Network of York Region for the last 6 years. Augustine was also Board Chair of TESOC Multicultural Settlement Services for five years. He is an active Board Member of “York Regional Police District 5 Liaison Committee, York Region’s Social Planning Council & Mennonite Church of Eastern Canada.

Augustine also has diverse international experience including working as the Head of Office for International Committee of Red Cross and International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Sri Lanka prior to his Canadian migration. He has performed needs assessment for resettlement facilities requesting humanitarian aid and relief assistance, which took him to countries in conflict; such as Sudan, Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia. He also assisted with emergency evacuations and with tracing programs for family reunification in Nauru Island. He is a member of the Disaster Management Panel of the International Organization for Migration.

He has also participated in refugee assistance training programs in Geneva, Switzerland. His humanitarian work, especially with post-war refugee assistance in Eastern Sri lanka, has brought him a high-level award from the UN Secretary General Baan Ki Moon, awarded in September 2009. He is fluent in seven south Asian and mid-eastern languages.

Augustine Jegasothy received Council of Agencies Serving South Asians (CASSA) service excellence award 2014 in recognition of the exemplary work among vulnerable communities, particularly in and among South Asians.

Ayman Almaghrabi – Project Manager

Ayman is the Project Manager at CASSA. He has over a decade experience in project management, implementation and research. In 2002, he attained his Bachelor in Medicine. Believing in equity and empowering vulnerable groups, he directed his career towards projects and research in not-for-profit and charity sectors. Ayman is a certified Project Management Professional, PMP® and is a member of Project Management Institute, USA and Project Management Toronto Chapter. Currently, Ayman is leading Investment in Youth Project in collaboration with Toronto Public Health where an enthusiastic group of youth are building their leadership skills. He is also leading South Asian Gift of Life Projects in partnership with Trillium Gift of Life Network, TGLN. Prior working at CASSA, Ayman worked for many international NGOs and implemented tens of projects in the umbrella of social justice, community awareness and equity.

Farhat Hasan – Finance Coordinator

Farhat works as Finance Coordinator at CASSA.  She has over a decade of experience in accounting in non-profit sector.  She is responsible for all aspects of bookkeeping including budgets, financial reports, payroll, banking needs, cash flow analysis and more. She also assists with the annual audit and updates the management about the fundraising needs of the organization from time to time.

Fareeha Aziz – Project Coordinator

Fareeha Aziz has over seven years of experience working in the areas of social justice, law reform and transitional justice issues. She brings her years of experience working with the South Asian community including in Sri Lanka, India, Nepal and Thailand. Fareeha has conducted many training programs and been part of several research and publications in the areas of human rights, conflict transformation, peacebuilding and good governance. Prior to joining CASSA, Fareeha worked at the South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario. She holds a Masters in Law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University. She is a Mediation Coach and an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practitioner. Fareeha presently works at CASSA in the capacity of Project Coordinator for the legal education project, where she engages and promotes the accessibility of legal information for marginalised groups and advocates for social justice.

Jassi Ranauta – Project Coordinator

Jassi is the Intercultural Collaborative Project Coordinator at CASSA. He is currently completing his Master in Environmental Studies at York University. His ongoing research and community work is focused on developing links between the Punjabi diaspora and Indigenous-led environmental justice movements in Canada by exploring intersecting lived experiences and the urgency and potential for solidarity. Jassi also holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Human Rights from Carleton University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and History from the University of British Columbia. Since 2012, Jassi has worked in the settlement sector and grassroots social justice community organizations to support and advocate alongside immigrant and refugee communities and environmental justice movements across Canada.

Natalie Narine – Membership Coordinator

Natalie is the Membership Coordinator at CASSA. As the Membership Coordinator, Natalie is responsible for for maintaining relationships with all member agencies and individuals via email, telephone, or in person. Creating and distributing monthly newsletters, providing information on grants for member agencies and helping build capacity of grassroots member agencies. As well, connecting with various agencies doing similar work to meet common objectives and goals and arranging team work sessions and events for member agencies and individuals.
Natalie has had over 10 years’ experience working in the Social Services Field. Her employment background consists of working with with a vast range of many populations such as: children aged 2.5-5 years old, dual diagnosed children, youth and adults with intellectual and developmental barriers, newcomers, individuals from various socio-economically marginalized populations, as well as individuals from the LGBTQ community.

A strong believer in equity and social justice for all is what led Natalie to CASSA where she continues to advocate, engage, and support marginalized populations.

Rezwana Khalil – Intern

Rezwana Khalil is a Placement Student and the Health Equity Summit Coordinator at CASSA. Rezwana’s experiences include working with marginalized populations such as: seniors, youth, and racialized communities. Her passion is to be an advocate of social justice, equity and to empower individuals belonging to minority communities.

Wilhelm Pieters – Intern

I am currently completing my final semester at Centennial College enrolled in the Social Services Program. Prior to Centennial College, I studied automotive engineering abroad specifically in Malaysia for 3 years. While in the Social Services Field, I discovered I enjoy working with marginalized groups such as youth and newcomers regarding issues pertaining to access, equity, anti-oppression, and diversity. Which is one of the reasons I decided to complete my student placement at CASSA. Presently, I am working for Amazon as a Dispatcher and also as a Fleet Manager.