Christine Lwanga, Chair-Regina
Mrs.Christine Lwanga immigrated to Canada in 1989. Her family (spouse –Dr. Steven Lwanga and six children) have lived in Saskatchewan (Saskatoon and Regina) since. Christine is a Social Worker by profession and is currently a PhD. Candidate at the University of Manitoba.
A community development worker by profession Christine has worked on various projects in the immigrant, multicultural and the larger Canadian society, and at the international level prior and after immigrating to Canada. Christine has served both in employment capacity and as a volunteer in leadership positions on numerous community organizations, at the provincial, national and international level. She has served as the President, Vice President and a general Board member in various organizations and has been a founding member in various organizations including Uganda Canadian Association of Saskatchewan (UCAS), Daughters of Africa International (DOA), Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Museum (SACHM), and the African Canadian Resource Network (ACRN).
In respect to ACRN- Christine plans to share her skills to contribute in areas of organization and community development, research and policy development; program development and implementation; plus human resource development. Her goal in serving at the Board level is to establishing a professionally run and respected organization that can promote policy change that can support the successful integration and settlement of African Canadian in Saskatchewan.
For educational background: Christine holds a BSWSA degree (Social Work and Social Administration) from Makerere University, Uganda; MBA from Nairobi University, Kenya; and MSW from University of Regina, Saskatchewan.
Christine Lwanga was appointed as a Human Rights Commissioner (1994-2003) by Saskatchewan government; she received Saskatchewan's Centennial Medal in 2005 and has received a number of other community and institutional awards.
Meka Okochi, Past Chair
Meka holds a Master’s degree with Distinction in Environmentally Sustainable Process Technology, from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden and a PhD degree in Environmental Systems Engineering from the University of Regina. He is a professional engineer with work experience in business development and technology research and innovation in the energy and urban infrastructure sectors.
Previously, Meka was Vice President, Economic Development for the Regina Regional Opportunities Commission, the agency responsible for economic development and tourism for the Regina region. Prior to that, he was Vice President for Innovation & Business Development at Communities of Tomorrow (CT), a private-public economic development partnership focused on creating innovative infrastructure solutions for municipalities. He has also been Leader, Business Development for SaskEnergy, where he worked to implement better and cleaner energy solutions, create new revenue streams for the company, and attract new businesses to Saskatchewan.
In 2012, Meka ran for Mayor of Regina; an experience he describes as his greatest leadership development exercise so far. In 2013, he was named as one of the top 40 under the age of 40 shaping the future of Saskatchewan, and awarded a CBC Saskatchewan Future 40 Certificate of Merit for Distinction in Business.
Having studied and lived around the world in countries spanning Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, as well as in Australia, Meka, together with his wife, Funke, Meka enjoy staying current on global affairs, travelling, meeting new people and learning about new cultures.
Isabelle Nkapnang D, Vice Chair-Regina
Since her arrival in February 2012, Isabelle Nkapnang has volunteered with many organisations including the African Canadian Resources network (ACRN) and Association Canadienne Française de Regina (ACFR), the Agency in Charge for Francophone minorities in Regina. Between 2013 to June 2015, she was the Treasurer of ACFR, a position she cumulated in previously with that of the Secretary. From 2015 to date she is the Vice President of ACRN, and is involved in various projects that highlight bilingualism, multiculturalism, diversity, tolerance and anti-discrimination.
Isabelle also volunteered with the African Francophone community in Saskatchewan, promoting the organisation’s involvement and participation in multicultural programming and activities. She was also a Director with the Regina Multicultural Council and helps to organise and promote RMC events such as Mosaic. With the RMCP heritage she volunteered at different positions helping visitors to understand more better the Canadian history.
Isabelle is an Agronomist who holds a Msc. degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Maiduguri, a PhD in rural Economics from the Catholic University of Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. She will soon complete a Master’s degree in Public Administration. She is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with more than one decade experience in Economic Development, Agricultural extension and research, and communication. This broad education and professional background helped her to be more responsive to multiculturalism, which go beyond racial, ethnic, and gender diversity.
Having studied, work and lived around the world spanning Africa, Europe and North America. Isabelle enjoys giving her time to her community, travelling, meeting people and learning about cultures. She resides in Regina and works as an Accounting Operational Officer with the Indian Residential School Secretariat (IRSA).
Isaac Kwasi Egyir- Secretary- Saskatoon
Isaac Kwasi Egyir is a Board Member of ACRN. He has served on the Project Committee. He has the passion for helping and volunteering for community development organizations. His area of interest is in Finance, Administration and Project Management. He has served on a number of boards of community development organizations in Africa, Europe, and Canada.
He has an MBA (International Business and Marketing), Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration (Finance and Banking) and a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) designation from USA. He currently works with one of the Financial Institutions in Canada.
Akinsola Omolola - Director of Nomination and Membership - Regina
Akinsola Omolola holds a Bachelor of Science in architecture from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria.
He is a registered intern architect with the Saskatchewan Association of Architects (SAA) and currently works with KRN Tolentino Architecture in Regina.
When not working, Akinsola volunteers in the community and in the church he attends, watches soccer and passionately spends quality time with his family.
Mr. Paulin Mwangala Apipila - Director of Governance- Moose Jaw
Mr. Paulin M. Apipila is a board Member of ACRN. Serving as a Director of Governance Committee. Originated from DRC. He hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from University of Lubumbashi ( DRC), certificate Financial Accounting at Varsity College( South Africa), Diploma of Business Technology at Cape Peninsula university of Technology( South Africa). Certified Tourist Guide and Travel Drumbeat Academy (South Africa). Founder of Orbit Mind South Africa and community leader in Congolese community. Active Volunteer at Scalabrini Center (South Africa)., And lived in South Africa for more than 10 years, and worked in Tourism industry as Operations Manager for nine years in South Africa.
Arrived in Canada (Saskatchewan), November 2014 with his family. And serve as General Treasurer in SCND (Congolese based organization in Sask.). He is an active volunteer person in several organizations in the Province of Saskatchewan: (Rubarb Production, Moose Jaw Multicultural Center). He is a community Board Member at the newcomer committee Services (from February 2015 to current).
He works at Christian Horizons as DSP and Staff Relations Representative: he is interested in Policy making, Governance, Public administration, Social and community belonging.
He spends great time with his small family while not active outside the home. Very dynamique and open mind person.
Abdi Gure- Director of projects - Regina
I am a Canadian of Somali origin and a resident of Regina, SK. Previously trained in public relations/public health and currently designated as health and safety administrator (HAS) as well as construction safety officer (CSO). I am also CLC journeyman.
Before immigrating to Canada I have extensively worked in the humanitarian field both in Kenya and Somalia with various international and local organizations such as ARC, UNHCR, ICRC, and others.
After moving to Canada I continued my involvement in the non-profit sector in Winnipeg where I worked with the Manitoba Somali Association (MSA) as a program manager helping the new comers in Winnipeg, MB. I was also a founding member of the now ceased Edmonton Global Relief and Development Center in Edmonton, Alberta.
After moving to Regina, SK in 2010 and realizing the need for a community based organization to assist and advocate for the Somali Canadians in the province and the new immigrants from East Africa, I spearheaded the formation of the Prairie Somali Canadian Community Centre in which I was elected as president, a position I continue to serve in my second term, providing immigration, integration and youth based services for the community members in Regina and the surrounding vicinity.
Kiumbura Githinji, Acting ACRN Director
Kiumbura migrated to Canada with his family braving the very cold winter of 2012 under the skilled worker immigration program.
He is married to Nancy Wanjiku, a doctor (Ophthalmologist) and is a loving dad of four, two girls and two boys.
Between November 2014 and October 2016, Kiumbura held the position of Advisor with Sun Life Financial providing solutions to a growing portfolio of 100 plus clients with a suite of Life, Health and Wealth products.
As a mature professional, Kiumbura brings to ACRN 23 years of marketing and business development experience working with diverse products and services in Africa, Europe and Canada.
Kiumbura has been awarded and decorated for excellence and innovation all along his career.
Before migrating to Canada, Kiumbura held the position of business development advisor and worked with two international agencies - Intra Health International and USAID in a joint project designed to build capacity in the health sector in Africa.
He is very excited to play his role in ACRN where he hopes to make a meaningful impact to the community in Saskatchewan and Canada. He is optimistic too for a greater collaboration with the African community in Canada to exploit the full potential and wealth of multiculturalism stimulating faster integration and social economic inclusiveness.
Kiumbura is passionate about community development and is involved in various voluntary activities which include:Kenyan Community in Regina (KCR) where he is the President, Regina Qu’Appelle Heath Region as a Patient/Family Advisor, Open Door as a Translator, Regina Centre for Good Governance as a Directorand finally, Harvest City Church/Christian Academy as a board member.
The ACRN board is happy to have Kiumbura Githinji join the team in the capacity of Acting Executive Director. We are looking forward to a very exciting time as we implement innovative ideas to exploit Africa’s rich heritage and multiculturalism aiming to integrate our communities for the social economic well being of all people groups in Saskatchewan/Canada.
