Meet the Board of Directors
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Melissa Farhad
President
Melissa Farhad holds a Bachelors Degree in International Business and a Masters Degree in Management, and has been involved with CCAR since its inception. She started out as a dedicated volunteer and was elected to the executive board in 2018, becoming the Vice - President in 2020.
Melissa was honored to be voted into the role of the President of CCAR in 2022 and has been re-elected in July 2025.
Being a proud Assyrian, Melissa has always made a point of seeking out, and passionately supporting, any local Assyrian organizations. While growing up in Germany, she was an active member of the ABDG Verein (Assyrian community group) in Wiesbaden. After relocating to Canada, Hamilton in 2009 she continued her volunteerism by fundraising for and supporting a number of local Assyrian run events and programs. Seeing a need for an organization that would preserve and promote Assyrian heritage and culture in Hamilton, she helped found the Bet Nahrain Assyrian Heritage Centre in 2015, and is still an active board member.
Melissa takes great pride in being Assyrian, and holds dear our traditions, both ancient and modern, and the collective stories that tie us together as a nation, and tell of our resilience and hope. She feels blessed and honored that she gets to work alongside equally devoted and passionate individuals in helping Assyrians take their place and find their voice in Canada.
Feel free to contact Melissa at president@ccarofficial.ca or 905.730.9098
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Umta Shino
Vice -
President
Umta Shino joined the Centre for Canadian-Assyrian Relations (CCAR) when she was elected as a Board of Director and Secretary in October 2015. She was elected President in April 2018 and served as President until July 2022. During her time on the CCAR Board, she helped to plan three Christmas in Assyria Concerts, a Christmas Recital, two Kha B’Nissan Galas and contributed to other events, such as dinner lectures and online lectures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Umta was elected Vice-President in July 2022. She was re-elected as Vice-President in July 2025.
Umta graduated from the Bachelor of Applied Arts Degree Program in Paralegal Studies from Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning in June 2010 achieving honours standing during her studies. She is a paralegal licensee who has been in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario since 2010.
Umta is very passionate about giving back to the Assyrian community. She dedicates countless hours to CCAR. She is approachable and enjoys speaking with members of the Assyrian community to discuss what it is that they would like to see come to life for our community here in Canada. She has an open-door policy and welcomes your input.
Feel free to contact Umta at vice-president@ccarofficial.ca
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Jessica Khangaldi
Secretary
Jessica Khangaldi is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Toronto, specializing in Middle Eastern and Equity Studies. With a strong interest in international development and social justice, her long-term goal is to build a career with the United Nations, where she hopes to contribute to meaningful global change.
Born and raised in Canada, Jessica has developed a deep commitment to supporting her community in different ways, whether through volunteer work, cultural engagement, or academic pursuits.
Growing up in an Assyrian household, she was fortunate to be surrounded by strong cultural influences that fostered a deep pride in her heritage, language, and history. This background has shaped not only her academic interests but also her desire to create spaces where underrepresented voices and cultures can be celebrated and uplifted.
Alongside her studies, Jessica has taken on roles in community organizations and initiatives that reflect her passion for equity, culture, and advocacy. She looks forward to continuing this work as she furthers her academic and professional journey.
Feel free to contact Jessica at secretary@ccarofficial.ca
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Robin Shabo
Treasurer
Robin was born in Baghdad, Iraq but has called Canada home for the past 30 years. Like many other Assyrians, he and his family were forced to flee their homeland during the Iraq-Iran war in 1990, and spent the next three years in Greece as refugees. He immigrated to Canada in 1993, and has been in Hamilton, Ontario ever since.
Robin is fluent in both Assyrian and English, and is able to understand a little bit of spoken Arabic. He has earned a diploma in Desktop and Mobile support from Trios College, and is currently working for Rogers Communications as a technical support agent.
He started out as a dedicated volunteer and was elected to the executive board in 2020 and is honored to fulfill his new role of treasurer in 2022.
Robin loves Assyrian culture and history, and he has always looked for ways to help our people back home and in the diaspora. He hopes that in his lifetime we will be able to see Assyria exist as a country - as it already does in all of our hearts.
Feel free to contact Robin at treasurer@ccarofficial.ca
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Dani Rassim
Public Relations & Community Outreach
Dani Rassim was born in Nineveh, Iraq, a land deeply rooted in the history and heritage of the Assyrian people. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering before embarking on his journey as a business owner and entrepreneur. In 2010, Dani immigrated to Canada, where he built a successful career in the fields of cosmetology and aesthetics, combining his entrepreneurial spirit with a dedication to excellence and service.
While his professional accomplishments are impressive, Dani’s greatest passion lies in his Assyrian heritage. Growing up surrounded by the rich traditions, stories, and values of his community, he has carried this cultural pride with him to Canada. Dani is devoted to preserving and promoting Assyrian history, ensuring that the stories of one of the world’s oldest civilizations are passed down to future generations. He sees it as his mission to share this vibrant culture with the broader Canadian community, fostering awareness, understanding, and appreciation.
Through his leadership, community involvement, and entrepreneurial drive, Dani Rassim continues to bridge the past with the present, honoring his roots while building opportunities for cultural connection and celebration in his new homeland.
Feel free to contact Dani at publicrelations@ccarofficial.ca
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Ramona Khnanisho
Membership Chair
Ramona Khnanisho has been volunteering with CCAR since 2016, first sharing her love of dance as a member of the Assyrian Dance Company. She has performed in three Christmas in Assyria concerts as well as several Kha b’Nissan Galas, bringing joy and cultural pride to the community.
In 2020, Ramona co-founded Assyria’s Literary Circle (ALC), a space created to learn, share, and celebrate Assyrian culture, history, and traditions while building stronger connections within the community.
She has also been teaching dance at the Nusardil Festival for the past seven years, inspiring younger generations to embrace and express their heritage through music and movement. Most recently, Ramona traveled to Iraq with Gishru to celebrate Kha b’Nissan, an experience she describes as truly unforgettable and deeply meaningful, developing an even further connection to her heritage.
Though born in Canada, Ramona has always held tightly to her Assyrian roots. Her passion, pride, and dedication shine through in everything she does, and she continues to play an active role in nurturing and strengthening the Assyrian community.
Feel free to contact Beth at membership@ccarofficial.ca
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Beth Keary
Media & Marketing
Beth Keary holds degrees in Media Communications, Social Media Marketing, and Graphic Design, giving her a well-rounded foundation in both traditional and digital forms of communication. This combination of expertise allows her to approach education and professional work with creativity, innovation, and a deep understanding of how messages are shared and received in today’s world.
Beth’s career as a teacher and educator has allowed her to merge her academic knowledge with practical experience, creating dynamic and engaging learning environments for her students. She is passionate about fostering creativity, building critical thinking skills, and helping learners make meaningful connections between media, technology, and personal expression.
Her background in social media marketing and graphic design further enhances her ability to communicate effectively and visually, ensuring that her work resonates with diverse audiences. Beth is dedicated to inspiring others, empowering students, and contributing to initiatives that bring together education, communication, and design to make a lasting impact.
Feel free to contact Beth at media@ccarofficial.ca