Meet the Team
Sharing a commitment to its Mission Statement and to the Assyrian people, our Board Members set organization policies, review and approve projects, guide local activities, and oversee the organization’s financial integrity and transparency. All members are volunteers and receive no salary.
Diklat Georgees
President
The preservation of our indigenous Assyrian identity is dependent on our existence in our homeland. Otherwise, we face extinction as we abandon our roots and face cultural assimilation while living in the global diaspora.
The Assyrian Aid Society is a trusted organization whose sole focus is to support our Assyrian people so that they can survive and thrive in our ancestral lands.
While I have always been a supporter, I feel that volunteering to serve the initiatives of the
Assyrian Aid Society of Canada allows me to actively participate in the fight to preserve our identities in our native land, and simultaneously keep the Assyrians in the diaspora connected to their roots via community events.
Merna Moshe
Vice - President
This summer, I had the opportunity to return to my homeland after being away for 15 years. Being in my ancestral land gave me a new perspective about what being Assyrian means to me.
Seeing those remaining in the homeland sparked my drive to preserve our ancient language, our beautiful lands, and to preserve the Assyrian Identity so that future generations can experience Assyria as my ancestors did.
This is why I joined Assyrian Aid Society (AAS) of Canada. My aim is to give back to my community, while working towards building a sustainable future for those remaining in the homeland.
Nada Benyamin
Treasurer
Assyrian Aid Society (AAS) was born from the need of the people to fill a void and it has over the years proved to be trustworthy and capable.
I have visited the homeland many times, and witnessed first hand how valuable their work is. AAS attracted me personally the most for their work in preserving our ancient Assyrian language by establishing and running the Assyrian schools that deliver full curriculum in our Assyrian language. For a nation that is threatened with extinction, this is one significant effort.
By volunteering for AAS-Canada, I am honoured to contribute my part in helping our nation survive in our ancestral homeland.
Atour Sworesho
Outreach Director
The preservation of our indigenous Assyrian identity is dependent on our existence in our homeland. Otherwise, we face extinction as we abandon our roots and face cultural assimilation while living in the global diaspora.
The Assyrian Aid Society is a trusted organization whose sole focus is to support our Assyrian people so that they can survive and thrive in our ancestral lands.
While I have always been a supporter, I feel that volunteering to serve the initiatives of the
Assyrian Aid Society of Canada allows me to actively participate in the fight to preserve our identities in our native land, and simultaneously keep the Assyrians in the diaspora connected to their roots via community events.
Tony Shamoil
Treasurer
I recall the educational initiatives provided by Assyrian Aid Society (AAS) in Iraq to my siblings and myself while living in the homeland.
Now as an Assyrian who has completed his education while living in Canada, I hope to serve AAS-CA in aiding the organization that helped me begin my educational journey so long ago, especially when the focus was on preserving our ancient Assyrian language.
I believe we as a community have the ability to empower each other through hard work and education. As the community grows more in this direction, future generations will follow the same example to do more to help those in need and thus create a thriving Assyrian community wherever it may be.
Ornina Ochana
Project Development Director
Growing up, I was always attending Assyrian Aid Society (AAS) events with my family. The music, food and community shaped my understanding of what it means to be a Canadian Assyrian. As a university student, I had the opportunity to raise money for the AAS through ACSSU fundraisers. I got to see how AAS works to establish schools, provide humanitarian aid and fix infrastructure issues in our communities back home.
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I joined AAS in the hopes that we can continue to shape the lives of young Canadian Assyrians and maintain a connection with people living back home.
Samantha Kakoz
Communications Director
I had the privilege of volunteering with an Assyrian student organization (ACSSU) during my time in university, and it really shaped my perspective of our community and fueled my drive to continue advocating for our people both back home and in Canada. I feel passionate about preserving Assyrian culture and traditions, and I feel strongly about the fact that our community organizations are fundamental to keeping us connected to our Assyrian identity in the diaspora. I joined the Assyrian Aid Society of Canada because I want to be a part of a long-standing organization that has continuously advocated for equal rights for Assyrians in the homeland and their future.