As a grass-roots, volunteer organization, our members wear many hats and are passionate about helping youth in Ethiopia through our projects and mission. Learn more about who we are and what we do below.
Unity is strength. . . when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. –Mattie Stepanek
Rani Hussein (Founder/President)
Rani was born and raised in Ethiopia where she spent her childhood in Addis Ababa. She pursued a higher level of education in Canada. She holds a Bachelor Degree (Economics) and Social Work (Diploma). Currently, Rani is a consultant at Canada Immigration and Employment Consulting Services Inc.Being on Board of Directors at Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) for over 5 years, she gained immense experience in promoting human development, understanding empathy, and changing the vision of new comers to a brighter future.As the president of Calgary Ethiopian Community Association (CECA), she overcame challenges that associated in meeting the organization’s goals smoothly and effectively. As spokesperson for the community, she ensured the community’s well-being.
Chimoné Dalton (Vice-president)
“My first visit to Ethiopia was in 2013. I learned about the rich history, the unique cultures, and the motivated people that comprise Ethiopia. When I heard APPHASS provides opportunities to directly make a difference, I enthusiastically become involved. In the summer of 2014, I returned to Ethiopia and was able to see first-hand how donations through APPHASS flowed into the community and supported the lives and education of children. I am proud to be a part of this organization and look forward to furthering our impact.” Chimoné is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Calgary. She enjoys teaching undergraduate students laboratory skills, molecular biology techniques, and bioinformatics.
Leif Prebeau-Menezes (Treasurer)
Leif completed his BSc and Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Calgary. He has diverse experience in field operations, project management, IT and engineering services. Leif has travelled extensively and counts Ethiopia as one of his favorite country to visit, teach and volunteer. On his free time he enjoys reading, running, coaching and playing soccer. Leif shares a home with a former RCMP service dog.
Chantelle Anderson (Secretary)
Chantelle has been helping raise awareness in her community and organizing fundraising events for over 20 years. Her APPHASS career began three years ago as a volunteer and now she helps lead the charge in her role as Secretary of the Board. Chantelle strongly believes in the Right to Education and giving back to the community, both of which she is able to foster with her involvement with APPHASS.
Dale Greene (Public Relations Liaison)
Dale is a successful engineer who has held various positions in 15 years of professional practice. He is currently employed as the office manager for an professional engineering partnership responsible for delivering success of energy storage projects that range in cost from $5 to $50 MM. When not at work, he can be found volunteering to make his community a better place. Community focus is important to Dale – including supporting the valuable initiatives of APPHASS.
Elias Gedamu (Sponsorship Liaison)
Elias is an entrepreneur who believes in giving back to communities through the application of sustainable programs and providing opportunities for people to achieve their own personal success. He became involved with APPHASS because of the organization’s core values and dedication to building a better future. He is excited about the most recent project; the development of a Girl’s Centre. The Centre aims to provide girls with an equal opportunity for achieving their long term goals. A few of his successes include 8 patents (one licensed to Samsung), 7 publications, and building H3ALTH TECHNOLOGIES INC. from the grassroots.
Lashitew Gedamu (Senior Networking Advisor)
Lash has trained several Master of Science and PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, research associates and assistants, technicians and undergraduates in his laboratory at the University of Calgary. As part of capacity building in molecular biology in Ethiopia, Dr. Gedamu has organized and provided training in laboratory-based Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics course at different institutes and universities in Ethiopia.
Adel Ben-Harhara (Volunteer)
Adel is a manager of the Project Management Office, for the Alberta Cancer Prevention Legacy Fund, under the Alberta Health Services (AHS). Prior to that he has spent over 8 years working for IBM, as a Transition Executive, within the Consulting and Outsourcing business division. Adel was asked if he would serve as part of the APPHASS team, and has been dedicating his time since 2010 as part of a giving back mission.
Romie Christie (Volunteer)
Romie is a former journalist and producer with CBC Radio, and manager with National Mental Health non-profit organization. Romie has a unique leadership background in both the communications and people development sectors. For over 3 decades, she has demonstrated this through leadership roles with the Mental Health Commission of Canada and as a Producer and Journalist with CBC Radio. Her career-long communications experience coupled with superior interpersonal skills enable her to work with individuals and cross functional teams. These attributes have also equipped her to develop creative content for national communications strategies and then to execute programs. A driving goal throughout her career has been to communicate information in a practical and accessible manner, and to inspire members of the public with new and useful knowledge. She is committed to making a difference for disadvantaged children and youth in Ethiopia, and to provide opportunities for them to thrive over time and become active members of their communities.
Million Tafesse (Volunteer)
Million holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, an Immigration Practitioner Certificate and a Certificate in Career Development from the University of Calgary. He is also a Commissioner of Oaths allowing him to offer support as an immigration consultant. Prior to becoming certified as an Immigration Consultant, Mr. Tafesse gained invaluable experience in assisting new Canadian residents in finding work and new careers as a Certified Career Advisor at a refugee and settlement agency. In the six year period as an Employment Counsellor and Career Advisor, more than 1000 newcomers to Canada benefited from the knowledgeable advice and counselling Mr. Tafesse provided. As a Certified Immigration Consultant, Mr. Tafesse has helped people change their lives for the better with a range of services, including temporary resident permits, family class immigration, appeals before the Immigration Refugee Board, as well as business and economic class immigration applications. His education, experience and drive allow Mr. Tafesse to excel in providing a broad range of immigration services to those in need.
Rani was born and raised in Ethiopia where she spent her childhood in Addis Ababa. She pursued a higher level of education in Canada. She holds a Bachelor Degree (Economics) and Social Work (Diploma). Currently, Rani is a consultant at Canada Immigration and Employment Consulting Services Inc.Being on Board of Directors at Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) for over 5 years, she gained immense experience in promoting human development, understanding empathy, and changing the vision of new comers to a brighter future.As the president of Calgary Ethiopian Community Association (CECA), she overcame challenges that associated in meeting the organization’s goals smoothly and effectively. As spokesperson for the community, she ensured the community’s well-being.
“My first visit to Ethiopia was in 2013. I learned about the rich history, the unique cultures, and the motivated people that comprise Ethiopia. When I heard APPHASS provides opportunities to directly make a difference, I enthusiastically become involved. In the summer of 2014, I returned to Ethiopia and was able to see first-hand how donations through APPHASS flowed into the community and supported the lives and education of children. I am proud to be a part of this organization and look forward to furthering our impact.” Chimoné is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Calgary. She enjoys teaching undergraduate students laboratory skills, molecular biology techniques, and bioinformatics.
Leif completed his BSc and Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Calgary. He has diverse experience in field operations, project management, IT and engineering services. Leif has travelled extensively and counts Ethiopia as one of his favorite country to visit, teach and volunteer. On his free time he enjoys reading, running, coaching and playing soccer. Leif shares a home with a former RCMP service dog.
Chantelle has been helping raise awareness in her community and organizing fundraising events for over 20 years. Her APPHASS career began three years ago as a volunteer and now she helps lead the charge in her role as Secretary of the Board. Chantelle strongly believes in the Right to Education and giving back to the community, both of which she is able to foster with her involvement with APPHASS.
Dale is a successful engineer who has held various positions in 15 years of professional practice. He is currently employed as the office manager for an professional engineering partnership responsible for delivering success of energy storage projects that range in cost from $5 to $50 MM. When not at work, he can be found volunteering to make his community a better place. Community focus is important to Dale – including supporting the valuable initiatives of APPHASS.
Elias is an entrepreneur who believes in giving back to communities through the application of sustainable programs and providing opportunities for people to achieve their own personal success. He became involved with APPHASS because of the organization’s core values and dedication to building a better future. He is excited about the most recent project; the development of a Girl’s Centre. The Centre aims to provide girls with an equal opportunity for achieving their long term goals. A few of his successes include 8 patents (one licensed to Samsung), 7 publications, and building H3ALTH TECHNOLOGIES INC. from the grassroots.
Lash has trained several Master of Science and PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, research associates and assistants, technicians and undergraduates in his laboratory at the University of Calgary. As part of capacity building in molecular biology in Ethiopia, Dr. Gedamu has organized and provided training in laboratory-based Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics course at different institutes and universities in Ethiopia.
Adel is a manager of the Project Management Office, for the Alberta Cancer Prevention Legacy Fund, under the Alberta Health Services (AHS). Prior to that he has spent over 8 years working for IBM, as a Transition Executive, within the Consulting and Outsourcing business division. Adel was asked if he would serve as part of the APPHASS team, and has been dedicating his time since 2010 as part of a giving back mission.
Romie is a former journalist and producer with CBC Radio, and manager with National Mental Health non-profit organization. Romie has a unique leadership background in both the communications and people development sectors. For over 3 decades, she has demonstrated this through leadership roles with the Mental Health Commission of Canada and as a Producer and Journalist with CBC Radio. Her career-long communications experience coupled with superior interpersonal skills enable her to work with individuals and cross functional teams. These attributes have also equipped her to develop creative content for national communications strategies and then to execute programs. A driving goal throughout her career has been to communicate information in a practical and accessible manner, and to inspire members of the public with new and useful knowledge. She is committed to making a difference for disadvantaged children and youth in Ethiopia, and to provide opportunities for them to thrive over time and become active members of their communities.
Million holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, an Immigration Practitioner Certificate and a Certificate in Career Development from the University of Calgary. He is also a Commissioner of Oaths allowing him to offer support as an immigration consultant. Prior to becoming certified as an Immigration Consultant, Mr. Tafesse gained invaluable experience in assisting new Canadian residents in finding work and new careers as a Certified Career Advisor at a refugee and settlement agency. In the six year period as an Employment Counsellor and Career Advisor, more than 1000 newcomers to Canada benefited from the knowledgeable advice and counselling Mr. Tafesse provided. As a Certified Immigration Consultant, Mr. Tafesse has helped people change their lives for the better with a range of services, including temporary resident permits, family class immigration, appeals before the Immigration Refugee Board, as well as business and economic class immigration applications. His education, experience and drive allow Mr. Tafesse to excel in providing a broad range of immigration services to those in need.
