OLIP Team
Nyamulola Kambanji
Director of Finance & Operations &
Project Manager, Welcoming Ottawa Week
Nyamulola holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and Electronic Commerce from the University of New Brunswick…
Nyamulola Kambanji
Acting Director of Finance & Operations & Project Manager, Welcoming Ottawa Week (WOW)
Nyamulola holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and Electronic Commerce from the University of New Brunswick. She has 20 years combined experience working in banking, research and not for profits, both in Zambia and Canada. Her expertise includes community partnership development, program management, research, creative design and photography. During the last 9 years, she has worked on key government funded projects mandated to improving immigrant integration in Ottawa. In the last 4 years, she has worked as the lead for the Welcoming Ottawa Week (WOW) initiative and played a critical role in its expansion and subsequent success. In addition, Nyamulola is a freelance photographer and her work is showcased in the photo exhibit “Faces and Stories of a Welcoming City” (2016 - 2019). She is also the founder of “Immigrants of Ottawa” a project that showcases the contributions and successes of new Canadians.
Yusra Osman
Equity Ottawa Project Lead
Yusra is an equity specialist, registered social worker, and researcher. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from Carleton University. Yusra has over ten years of experience…
Yusra Osman
Equity Ottawa Project Lead
Yusra is an equity specialist, registered social worker, and researcher. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from Carleton University. Yusra has over ten years of experience in front-line work with diverse communities. She has worked as a mental health and trauma counsellor, social work educator, anti-racism specialist, and has facilitated a variety of events, consultations, and trainings related to the well-being and inclusion of newcomers, Black communities, and other community groups.
Mo Kasrawi
Partner Relations Officer
With over a decade of experience in stakeholder engagement, community-based planning, and cross-sector collaboration, Mo brings a deep commitment to newcomer inclusion and system-level change….
Mo Kasrawi
Partner Relations Officer
At OLIP, Mo leads multi-sector engagement and supports partners in advancing the Ottawa Immigration Strategy. With over a decade of experience in stakeholder engagement, community-based planning, and cross-sector collaboration, Mo brings a deep commitment to newcomer inclusion and system-level change.
Mo’s professional background spans Canada, Europe, and the Middle East, with leadership roles in education management, project coordination, and community development. Before joining OLIP, he served as Director of Student Affairs at a private international high school in Ottawa, fostering relationships across school boards, families, and community partners, and steering initiatives that strengthened student wellbeing and engagement. His earlier work in Vienna and Beirut included managing complex partnerships between governmental and non-governmental organizations, coordinating national and international projects, and supporting marginalized communities through evidence-based programs and collaborative governance.
A trilingual communicator (English, French, Arabic) with strong intercultural competency, Mo is recognized for building trust, facilitating productive dialogue, and bringing clarity and structure to multi-stakeholder environments. He is committed to advancing equity, meaningful collaboration, and coordinated action across Ottawa’s immigrant-serving ecosystem, so that newcomers can not only arrive safely in the city but also build a sustainable and fulfilling life here.
Jean-Pierre Niyitanga
Communications and Events Officer
Jean-Pierre has over 10 years of experience in the field of journalism and communication. Mostly recently, he communication strategies, content creation as well…
Jean-Pierre Niyitanga
Communications and Events Officer
Jean-Pierre has over 10 years of experience in the field of journalism and communication. Mostly recently, he worked with two national associations where he took charge of communications and marketing initiatives including developing and implementing communication strategies, content creation as well as social media management. An excellent communicator and avid storyteller, Jean-Pierre is fluently bilingual and a dedicated self-starter who can work both independently and as a member of a team. Jean-Pierre holds a master of Journalism from Carleton University.
Magdalene Cooman
Executive Director
Magdalene Cooman brings over two decades of dedicated leadership and expertise as a champion for newcomer and immigrant integration with significant experience in Ottawa and across Canada.
Magdalene Cooman
Executive Director
Magdalene Cooman is the Executive Director of the Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership (OLIP), bringing over two decades of dedicated leadership and expertise as a champion for newcomer and immigrant integration with significant experience in Ottawa and across Canada.
A proven strategic leader, Magdalene holds a Master’s degree in Migration and Diaspora Studies from Carleton University and has a deep-rooted history in the settlement and employment sector. Her professional experience includes serving as Senior Director at the World Skills Employment Centre, where she played a key leadership role in advancing employment programs for newcomers. As the Interim Associate Director for Immigration and Senior Researcher at the Conference Board of Canada, she facilitated evidence-based planning, multi-stakeholder relationships, and knowledge mobilization initiatives. She has also contributed significantly to governance, serving as the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Immigrant Women Services Ottawa.
Magdalene is a passionate advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion. She has been a strong supporter and strategic collaborator of OLIP’s work for many years, notably the Welcoming Ottawa Week (WOW). With an extensive network of over stakeholder relationships across the Federal, Provincial, and Municipal governments, SMEs, and the settlement ecosystem, she is committed to mobilizing partners and driving systemic change to ensure equitable access for all newcomers.
