Immigrant Advisory Table

IMMIGRANT ADVISORY TABLE (IAT)

The Immigrant Advisory Table (IAT) is a committee of community members who were born outside of Canada that represent a diversity of Wood Buffalo Region and work together strategically.

Drawing on the varied experience and expertise of its members, the IAT:

Advises on newcomer needs, gaps and barriers;
Provides insight on Local Immigration Partnership activities and community integration needs from the perspective of individuals with lived experience of having moved to Canada;
Shares information between the Local Immigration Partnership and community groups, including ethno-cultural associations where possible;
Promotes the work and values of the Newcomer Interagency Network through community channels and networks;
Serves as a champion of welcoming and inclusive communities.

Meet the Immigrant Advisory Table Members

Returning Members

Angie Goredema

Angie Goredema was born in Zimbabwe and came to Canada in 2006. She is passionate about social justice and human rights. Angie was a scholar at the Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) which took place in the United States. She is a recipient of the 2020 Canadians for a Civil Society Award. She also received the AC Award and was named the 2020 Professional of the Year with Diversity Magazine. She is an author, motivational speaker, and a mother of three. Angie loves shopping, drinking tea and taking pictures.

Jane Njoroge

Jane Njoroge is originally from Kenya, East Africa. She came to Canada in June 2013 and has been living in Fort McMurray since November 2014.

She is a social worker by profession and currently works at the YMCA of Northern Alberta as a wellness worker. Jane and her family have been blessed in this city, and she loves the community for its uniqueness and diversity.

Passionate about building a thriving community, Jane volunteers actively with Emergency Social Services, Social Justice, Social Action, and is an honoured member of Coalitions Creating Equity Wood Buffalo. She is proud to be a member of the Immigrant Advisory Table (IAT). As an advocate, one of the many hats she wears as a social worker, her role on the IAT allows her to be a voice in identifying human rights issues and barriers that hinder immigrants’ equal access to services and resources. She is committed to supporting education initiatives that promote a more inclusive community and appreciates the ongoing efforts to ensure equity and belonging.

For Jane, home is where the heart is—and her heart is in Fort McMurray.

Samantha Campbell

Samantha Campbell hails from the beautiful, sun-kissed Caribbean island of Jamaica—renowned for its reggae music, Rastafarian culture, athletics, and Blue Mountain coffee. She relocated to Canada in December 2013 and has lived in Fort McMurray ever since.

She is a registered Social Worker and currently works at Waypoints. With over seven years of experience in the field, she is deeply passionate about advocating against sexual violence in society. She holds both a diploma and a bachelor’s degree in social work and is currently pursuing her master’s in social work at Wilfrid Laurier University, with plans to graduate in 2026.

As an immigrant living in Canada on Treaty 8 Territory, Samantha has achieved a great deal despite facing various challenges. With the love and support of the community, she has succeeded, recognizing that her challenges are not unique. This realization motivated her to get involved with the Immigrant Advisory Table (IAT) as a way to give back and address service gaps for immigrants. She has been a member of the IAT since 2021.

Shella Akumchi

Shella Akumchi and her family moved to Fort McMurray from Calgary in October 2019. She is a Certified Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) with a background in accounting. She is passionate about giving back to the community and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Rosilita Jn-Pierre

New Members

Alexandra Tarasenco

Alexandra has called Canada home for the past 15 years, after moving from the Republic of Moldova. She is passionate about supporting newcomers as a way to give back to the community that helped her and her family on their own settlement journey.

Over the years, Alexandra has served on the board of the Multicultural Association (2015-2017), worked as a Welcome Center Coordinator, and is involved with Fort McMurray Ukrainian Cultural Society. She holds a Master’s in Management and Leadership in International Context from Sweden and is currently pursuing a PhD in Leadership Education at the University of Southern Maine.

As a member of the Immigrant Advisory Table, Alexandra hopes to contribute to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for newcomers in the Wood Buffalo region, drawing on her own experiences and the support she received along the way.

Ella Awojobi

Ella Awojobi’s passion for service and growth has shaped her life and HR consulting career, leading her to volunteer for various community causes. She is committed to using her skills and experience to mentor young adults, helping them find and develop their purpose. Her goal is to impact lives positively, without bias or discrimination.

Volunteering for causes she believes in and supporting the city of Fort McMurray in every possible way brings her joy and fulfillment—alongside the love of her husband and children.

Kristy Rosario De Graves

Kristy Rosario De Graves is originally from the Dominican Republic, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in International Business. She has been a resident of Fort McMurray since 2022. As a newcomer, she had to adjust to a different culture, language, and lifestyle, giving her a deep understanding of the challenges immigrants face while learning to thrive in a new environment.

Her love for and experience in the nonprofit sector led her to apply and work with the YMCA Settlement Services Programs during her first couple of years in the community. After the birth of her daughter, Kristy chose to pursue a career in the real estate industry and is now a licensed Real Estate Agent in Fort McMurray.

Kristy is honoured to be part of the Immigrant Advisory Table and remains committed to serving the community.

Mercy Carlos

Mercy was born and raised in the Philippines. She came to Canada in 2006 as a Live-In Caregiver, and her family joined her in 2010.

She has been the owner of MVP Modern Barbers since 2019 and is a licensed Financial Advisor and Insurance Broker.

Mercy is passionate about giving back to the community and volunteers with various organizations in Fort McMurray. She enjoys connecting with people from diverse ethnic groups and looks forward to meeting more members of the community.

Patricia Christie

Patricia is a dedicated and results-driven Manager of Community Business Services with a strong background in supporting local entrepreneurs, small businesses, and economic development initiatives.

With a passion for community impact, she leads programs and services that foster business growth, build local capacity, and connect stakeholders with resources and opportunities.

With over 25 years of experience in business support and community engagement, training and development, Patricia brings strategic insight, operational leadership, and a collaborative approach to helping communities thrive through innovation, partnerships, and inclusive economic development.

Purva Sharma

Purva Sharma is a passionate community leader, cultural ambassador, and advocate for inclusivity. A resident of Fort McMurray for over 19 years, Purva brings a wealth of experience and dedication to supporting newcomers and enriching the cultural fabric of the Wood Buffalo region.

From her longstanding volunteer work with the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo to her role on the Hindu Society’s executive team, Purva has demonstrated a deep commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and creating welcoming spaces for all. Her leadership in organizing major cultural events—such as Alberta Culture Days and the Multicultural Expo—and other Indian community initiatives, along with her efforts in promoting Indian culture and religious awareness, exemplifies the spirit of collaboration that the IAT embodies.

As a successful entrepreneur and role model, Purva inspires others to give back, stay rooted in community values, and strive toward building a more inclusive Fort McMurray. Through her business, she has helped many new community members.

She was honoured to be selected as a Woman of Inspiration in 2019 and has since received additional recognition, including the Top 50 Under 50 Canadian Business Award, a Community Business Award, and a Chamber of Commerce Award.

Jinky White, Patricia Christie, & Eesha Lochee