For the past decade, Mona has worked to ensure all community members feel valued, included, and heard. She leads outreach programs that engage Black and other marginalized groups, builds community partnerships, and promotes equity. Her dedication has earned her the Inspiring Women Award, the King Charles III Coronation Medal, and the Gale-Walker Community Award.
Mona is an effective communicator with strong organizational and resilience skills. She collaborates with various organizations to deliver community-focused services and consistently evaluates outreach efforts to recommend meaningful improvements. She also educates others on diversity, equity, and inclusion through presentations and training programs, including Train the Trainers Resilience Training and Intercultural Leadership Training.
She currently serves as the Project Coordinator and Cultural Navigator for AFRO’s Support Through Generations program and is the Executive Director of AFRO. In these roles, she works with the board to make key decisions that benefit both the organization and the wider community.
Mona Loffelmann
Meet Our Staff
Barii Shafi
Admin Assistant
Hi! I’m Barii, the new Admin at AFRO and likely your first point of contact when you reach out.
I’m passionate about holistic health and wellbeing, and building meaningful connections. My background is in Public Health with over 10 years of experience in nonprofit and community spaces. From research, and admin support to outreach and event planning—I’m excited to work with you here at AFRO.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with loved ones, volunteering, being out in nature and listening to a good lecture or podcast. I’m always learning, so feel free to share your interests if we get a chance to connect!
Eden Eyasu
System Navigator
Isinino Ali
Executive Assistant
Founder and Executive Director
Eden Gebrekidan was born and raised in Eritrea and immigrated to Canada in 2013. Since then, she has supported fellow newcomers through interpretation, translation, and volunteer work at St. John’s Catholic Elementary School in Kitchener.
As a Black African woman, Eden understands the barriers faced by racialized communities and is committed to helping newcomers access services and feel represented. Now serving as a System Navigator with AFRO, she is dedicated to supporting African and Black families and believes that collective action and giving back are essential to building a future of equality and empowerment.
Isinino Ali Sheikh was born and raised in Nairobi Kenya and came to Canada when she was 14 years old. She’s been volunteering with AFRO for over two years and was a part of the AFRO youth.
As a black Muslim girl, she understand the challenges that many minorities face on a daily basis. She is passionate about highlighting the lack of representation in the black community, racial profiling, lack of social support and social network. She chose to continue with AFRO as a System Navigator because she wants to give back to the community and change lives for the better.
“You don’t have to be loaded to help. I believe all you need is to be passionate and motivated. There’s no better motivation than seeing a grateful smile from someone whose life has been made better by your effort.”
Youth Facilitator
Hanan Roble
Hanan Roble is a second-year psychology student at Wilfrid Laurier University. She has been involved with AFRO for over a year, beginning as a volunteer and later becoming a youth facilitator in the spring, which led to her full-time role through the Canada Summer Jobs program. Hanan has a passion for helping and supporting children, whether through babysitting or volunteering, and she enjoys serving her community by providing translation services.