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Who We Are
Mothers Matter Canada creates and oversees innovative, data-driven, community-based programs that address social isolation and economic vulnerability for mothers - empowering them and their children to achieve sustainable livelihoods and fulfilling lives.
Together with our national network of delivery partners, we create welcoming environments that provide education, social support, advocacy and encouragement.
We are inclusive – welcoming and respecting the rights of all persons.
Our Staff
Languages spoken at Mothers Matter Canada: Arabic, English, French, German, Gujrathi, Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, and Urdu.
Amy Robichaud
CEO
Amy is the daughter to Lore, granddaughter to Rae, and great granddaughter to Rita.
Prior to accepting the role of CEO at Mothers Matter Centre, Amy served as Executive Director of Dress for Success Vancouver, Director of Engagement at the Minerva Foundation for BC Women, and as a development and governance consultant to organizations such as the RBC Foundation, the Global Centre for Pluralism, and the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Amy’s passion for practical ways to generate equity, create economic inclusion, opportunity and prosperity for all informs everything she does, including her volunteerism. She is serving her second term as Chair of the Women's Advisory Committee for the City of Vancouver where she advises Council and staff on enhancing access and inclusion for women and girls to fully participate in City services and civic life. She has previously served as Chair of the Dress for Success Canada Foundation, and was nominated for the YWCA Vancouver's Women of Distinction Awards in 2023.
Amy and her husband have lived all over Canada and now happily and humbly call the unceded, ancestral and traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and Sel̓íl̓witulh Nations home, along with their pets and overgrown library
Amy is the daughter to Lore, granddaughter to Rae, and great granddaughter to Rita.
Prior to accepting the role of CEO at Mothers Matter Centre, Amy served as Executive Director of Dress for Success Vancouver, Director of Engagement at the Minerva Foundation for BC Women, and as a development and governance consultant to organizations such as the RBC Foundation, the Global Centre for Pluralism, and the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Amy’s passion for practical ways to generate equity, create economic inclusion, opportunity and prosperity for all informs everything she does, including her volunteerism. She is serving her second term as Chair of the Women's Advisory Committee for the City of Vancouver where she advises Council and staff on enhancing access and inclusion for women and girls to fully participate in City services and civic life. She has previously served as Chair of the Dress for Success Canada Foundation, and was nominated for the YWCA Vancouver's Women of Distinction Awards in 2023.
Amy and her husband have lived all over Canada and now happily and humbly call the unceded, ancestral and traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and Sel̓íl̓witulh Nations home, along with their pets and overgrown library
Amy Zhou
Project Manager / Innovation Projects
Amy is a Project Coordinator of Program Innovations at Mothers Matter Canada. She holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Gender Studies from Simon Fraser University. Committed to reducing inequities, Amy is passionate about developing innovative, culturally appropriate programming methods that address the evolving needs of diverse communities and drive meaningful community change.
In her current role, Amy leads the Men Like Me (MLM) program, a bilingual (French and English) initiative designed to prevent gender-based violence (GBV). Focused on engaging newcomer and refugee men, MLM promotes positive masculinities and healthy mindsets, strengthening family relationships and empowering participants to become allies in the fight against GBV.
Amy is a Project Coordinator of Program Innovations at Mothers Matter Canada. She holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Gender Studies from Simon Fraser University. Committed to reducing inequities, Amy is passionate about developing innovative, culturally appropriate programming methods that address the evolving needs of diverse communities and drive meaningful community change.
In her current role, Amy leads the Men Like Me (MLM) program, a bilingual (French and English) initiative designed to prevent gender-based violence (GBV). Focused on engaging newcomer and refugee men, MLM promotes positive masculinities and healthy mindsets, strengthening family relationships and empowering participants to become allies in the fight against GBV.
Danielle Rees
Professional Development Manager
Danielle works as a remote member of the Mothers Matter team. She holds a Master's degree in Education. Growing up as a first-generation Canadian, she experienced first-hand the power of education to positively impact peoples’ lives. She is honoured to work with mothers across the country committed to achieving their education goals. In her spare time, Danielle enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, reading, and volunteering.
Danielle works as a remote member of the Mothers Matter team. She holds a Master's degree in Education. Growing up as a first-generation Canadian, she experienced first-hand the power of education to positively impact peoples’ lives. She is honoured to work with mothers across the country committed to achieving their education goals. In her spare time, Danielle enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, reading, and volunteering.
Jason Chabot
Chief Financial Officer
Jason Chabot is a graduate of the University of British Columbia where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours degree in 1997. He went on to receive his Chartered Professional Accountant designation in 2000 after articling with KPMG in the Fraser Valley. Upon moving to Vancouver in 2001, he left public practice to become a Director of Finance, working for a non-profit organization in the Gastown area for over twelve years.
When not crunching numbers, Jason fills his free time with creative writing, and his efforts have culminated with three-book publishing deals through HarperCollins Canada and Turner Publishing Company in the United States. Away from his computer, Jason also enjoys playing classical piano, ballroom and Latin American dancing, and caring for the fish in his saltwater aquarium.
Jason Chabot is a graduate of the University of British Columbia where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours degree in 1997. He went on to receive his Chartered Professional Accountant designation in 2000 after articling with KPMG in the Fraser Valley. Upon moving to Vancouver in 2001, he left public practice to become a Director of Finance, working for a non-profit organization in the Gastown area for over twelve years.
When not crunching numbers, Jason fills his free time with creative writing, and his efforts have culminated with three-book publishing deals through HarperCollins Canada and Turner Publishing Company in the United States. Away from his computer, Jason also enjoys playing classical piano, ballroom and Latin American dancing, and caring for the fish in his saltwater aquarium.
Kiran Bhullar
Director of Multicultural HIPPY (East)
Before joining Mothers Matter Centre in September 2023, Kiran served as the LINC and Strategic Initiatives Manager at the Regina Immigrant Women Centre (RIWC). Over her dedicated 8+ years with RIWC, she oversaw various newcomer settlement and integration programs, including the successful establishment and coordination of the
Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program from 2019 to 2023. Kiran's profound dedication lies in fostering social change and supporting
immigrants, particularly vulnerable mothers and families, on their settlement journey in Canada.
Kiran also devoted her time and expertise as a volunteer on the SAISIA (Saskatchewan Association of Immigrant Settlement and Integration Agencies) Board of Directors for
over four years, culminating in her service as the SAISIA Board President during the 2022-2023 term.
Her academic journey began with a Master of Arts in English degree from India, followed by her immigration to Canada. Here, she furthered her education by completing a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree at the Ontario Institute of Studies for Education (OISE), University of Toronto. Prior to entering the settlement support sector, Kiran taught high school students in Ontario for several years. To enhance her skills and knowledge in addressing the unique challenges of the non-profit sector, she successfully earned a Nonprofit Management Extension Certificate from Mount Royal University.
Outside her professional commitments, Kiran finds joy in cooking, reading, and cherishing quality moments with her family.
Before joining Mothers Matter Centre in September 2023, Kiran served as the LINC and Strategic Initiatives Manager at the Regina Immigrant Women Centre (RIWC). Over her dedicated 8+ years with RIWC, she oversaw various newcomer settlement and integration programs, including the successful establishment and coordination of the
Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program from 2019 to 2023. Kiran's profound dedication lies in fostering social change and supporting
immigrants, particularly vulnerable mothers and families, on their settlement journey in Canada.
Kiran also devoted her time and expertise as a volunteer on the SAISIA (Saskatchewan Association of Immigrant Settlement and Integration Agencies) Board of Directors for
over four years, culminating in her service as the SAISIA Board President during the 2022-2023 term.
Her academic journey began with a Master of Arts in English degree from India, followed by her immigration to Canada. Here, she furthered her education by completing a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree at the Ontario Institute of Studies for Education (OISE), University of Toronto. Prior to entering the settlement support sector, Kiran taught high school students in Ontario for several years. To enhance her skills and knowledge in addressing the unique challenges of the non-profit sector, she successfully earned a Nonprofit Management Extension Certificate from Mount Royal University.
Outside her professional commitments, Kiran finds joy in cooking, reading, and cherishing quality moments with her family.
Monique Best
Director of Francophone Programs
After three years as the HIPPY Ottawa program Coordinator, Monique joined the Mothers Matter Centre Summer 2020. Result driven and with a solid work ethic, she promotes and oversees the growth of programs offered in French (HIPPY, SMART & Bond to Literacy), supports new Francophone program sites’ coordinators and promotes Francophone HIPPY delivery to existing sites. She also develops and delivers pre-service and in-service training to Francophone HIPPY Coordinators and Home Visitors.
Monique has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a PhD in Intercultural Relations; she studied in Moncton, New Brunswick and then in Sherbrooke, Québec. Life and work experiences shaped her career path to pursue working with and for refugee and immigrant families’ growth and well being. She loves to take on new challenges and projects, such as the Collaborative Learning Communities for the French Eastern Ontario Public School Board, CEPEO, and the first Pop Up Book Distribution event in Ottawa with First Books Canada. During her free time, she enjoys baking, yoga and discovering new paths during her nature walks.
After three years as the HIPPY Ottawa program Coordinator, Monique joined the Mothers Matter Centre Summer 2020. Result driven and with a solid work ethic, she promotes and oversees the growth of programs offered in French (HIPPY, SMART & Bond to Literacy), supports new Francophone program sites’ coordinators and promotes Francophone HIPPY delivery to existing sites. She also develops and delivers pre-service and in-service training to Francophone HIPPY Coordinators and Home Visitors.
Monique has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a PhD in Intercultural Relations; she studied in Moncton, New Brunswick and then in Sherbrooke, Québec. Life and work experiences shaped her career path to pursue working with and for refugee and immigrant families’ growth and well being. She loves to take on new challenges and projects, such as the Collaborative Learning Communities for the French Eastern Ontario Public School Board, CEPEO, and the first Pop Up Book Distribution event in Ottawa with First Books Canada. During her free time, she enjoys baking, yoga and discovering new paths during her nature walks.
Natasha Irvine
Chief Communications Officer
Natasha Irvine is a non-profit communications professional with a passion for making a positive impact in communities by sharing their stories. Natasha is especially dedicated to amplifying the voices of women and newcomers to Canada.
Prior to joining Mothers Matter Centre, Natasha was Communications Director at Dress for Success Vancouver where she developed their ambassador program which has been replicated across many Dress for Success affiliates. She believes that by reducing barriers and creating equity for women, we create an inclusive and supportive society for all.
Beyond work, the place where Natasha thrives is in the water. She is a Master's Swimmer continually seeking to improve her strokes and a wild swimming enthusiast who never passes up a chance to dive into new waters. Natasha lives with her husband and two daughters in East Vancouver on the unceded ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Natasha Irvine is a non-profit communications professional with a passion for making a positive impact in communities by sharing their stories. Natasha is especially dedicated to amplifying the voices of women and newcomers to Canada.
Prior to joining Mothers Matter Centre, Natasha was Communications Director at Dress for Success Vancouver where she developed their ambassador program which has been replicated across many Dress for Success affiliates. She believes that by reducing barriers and creating equity for women, we create an inclusive and supportive society for all.
Beyond work, the place where Natasha thrives is in the water. She is a Master's Swimmer continually seeking to improve her strokes and a wild swimming enthusiast who never passes up a chance to dive into new waters. Natasha lives with her husband and two daughters in East Vancouver on the unceded ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Reem Abdulkader
Director of Multicultural HIPPY (West)
Reem coordinated the HIPPY program in Winnipeg, Manitoba for 5 years. During this time she trained and mentored 11 home visitors. Her background as a settlement worker allowed her to have a wide range of experience navigating the needs of vulnerable communities and supporting them to thrive and succeed in their new home in Canada.
Reem has a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and pharmaceutical science and she is currently a country trainer in Positive Discipline in Everyday parenting with multiple trainings in child development. She is fluent in Arabic and English and loves to be outdoors to enjoy the beauty of nature.
Reem believes the HIPPY program has the power to create great bonds, celebrate diversity, and build healthy communities. She believes that supporting a mother in supporting her child is what creates uplifting communities.
Reem coordinated the HIPPY program in Winnipeg, Manitoba for 5 years. During this time she trained and mentored 11 home visitors. Her background as a settlement worker allowed her to have a wide range of experience navigating the needs of vulnerable communities and supporting them to thrive and succeed in their new home in Canada.
Reem has a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and pharmaceutical science and she is currently a country trainer in Positive Discipline in Everyday parenting with multiple trainings in child development. She is fluent in Arabic and English and loves to be outdoors to enjoy the beauty of nature.
Reem believes the HIPPY program has the power to create great bonds, celebrate diversity, and build healthy communities. She believes that supporting a mother in supporting her child is what creates uplifting communities.
Sardonna Ng
Accounting Assistant
Sardonna holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management with an accounting background.
Working at the Mothers Matter Centre, a workplace that is committed to diversity, she has a strong sense of belonging within the team. "It's great to feel like my contributions are valued and that we are all
working together towards common goals."
Outside of work, she is enthusiastic about playing board games, indulging in reading pursuits, and baking.
Sardonna holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management with an accounting background.
Working at the Mothers Matter Centre, a workplace that is committed to diversity, she has a strong sense of belonging within the team. "It's great to feel like my contributions are valued and that we are all
working together towards common goals."
Outside of work, she is enthusiastic about playing board games, indulging in reading pursuits, and baking.
Susanne Nahm
Chief Operating Officer
Susanne has a background in business and international trade. Having tired of working in the business world, Susanne began at HIPPY in 2003 and has not looked back. Susanne began as the Office Manager and has since found rewarding and challenging work in re-building the Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) database for Performance Management. Susanne supports HIPPY Sites and conducts Site training for ETO. Susanne speaks native German, English and some French and Spanish. She is gold-certified in ETO Administration and ETO Results.
Susanne has a fun side, enjoying belly dancing, and has sat on the board of the non-profit organization, Middle Eastern Dance Association (MEDA), for seven years.
Susanne has a background in business and international trade. Having tired of working in the business world, Susanne began at HIPPY in 2003 and has not looked back. Susanne began as the Office Manager and has since found rewarding and challenging work in re-building the Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) database for Performance Management. Susanne supports HIPPY Sites and conducts Site training for ETO. Susanne speaks native German, English and some French and Spanish. She is gold-certified in ETO Administration and ETO Results.
Susanne has a fun side, enjoying belly dancing, and has sat on the board of the non-profit organization, Middle Eastern Dance Association (MEDA), for seven years.
Yusra Qadir
Chief Programs & Advocacy Officer
Yusra Qadir is the Chief Programs and Advocacy Officer at the Mothers Matter Canada (MMC). She holds a Masters in Sociology and is an Erasmus Mundus Fellow for her Masters in Human Rights Practice. She has over 15 years of senior level experience of designing and implementing programs for gender equality, human rights, and socio-economic inclusion. She has worked at the frontlines supporting forcibly displaced communities especially women, young people and children in conflict affected and fragile contexts in the global south. She has mainstreamed gender equity across emergency, early relief and resettlement programming in Asia, Africa, and North America.
In her current role as the Chief Programs and Advocacy Officer at the MMC, Yusra leads a social innovation lab to advance the Sustainable Development Goals for vulnerable, isolated, and often low-income newcomer mothers in Canada. She champions evidence based approaches to support service delivery partners implement client centric and culturally appropriate programs.
As a mother herself, she truly believes that when mothers thrive, children flourish, and communities prosper.
Yusra Qadir is the Chief Programs and Advocacy Officer at the Mothers Matter Canada (MMC). She holds a Masters in Sociology and is an Erasmus Mundus Fellow for her Masters in Human Rights Practice. She has over 15 years of senior level experience of designing and implementing programs for gender equality, human rights, and socio-economic inclusion. She has worked at the frontlines supporting forcibly displaced communities especially women, young people and children in conflict affected and fragile contexts in the global south. She has mainstreamed gender equity across emergency, early relief and resettlement programming in Asia, Africa, and North America.
In her current role as the Chief Programs and Advocacy Officer at the MMC, Yusra leads a social innovation lab to advance the Sustainable Development Goals for vulnerable, isolated, and often low-income newcomer mothers in Canada. She champions evidence based approaches to support service delivery partners implement client centric and culturally appropriate programs.
As a mother herself, she truly believes that when mothers thrive, children flourish, and communities prosper.
Zouhoura Hadji
Project Coordinator /
Training
Holding a bachelor's degree in art and a master's in heritage project management, Zouhoura is a versatile professional with solid experience in training and digital technology.
Currently a coordinator of training and projects, she is responsible for reviewing and improving the translations of educational materials in French, as well as for administrative tracking and support of Francophone learners.
Training
Holding a bachelor's degree in art and a master's in heritage project management, Zouhoura is a versatile professional with solid experience in training and digital technology.
Currently a coordinator of training and projects, she is responsible for reviewing and improving the translations of educational materials in French, as well as for administrative tracking and support of Francophone learners.
Meg Sauvé
Communications & Projects Coordinator
Originally from Quebec, Meg has lived in British Columbia for over 7 years now. Previously, she has worked for the Ministry of Education of British Columbia and within francophone nonprofit organizations.
A self-defined jack of all trades, Meg holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Multidisciplinary Studies and a diploma in Professional Copywriting and Proofreading, shaping her into a versatile communications professional.
In her spare time, she likes to explore the great outdoors, read, practice aerial yoga, and is the editor in chief and founder of a small press dedicated to uplifting disabled, neurodivergent and chronically ill voices.
Originally from Quebec, Meg has lived in British Columbia for over 7 years now. Previously, she has worked for the Ministry of Education of British Columbia and within francophone nonprofit organizations.
A self-defined jack of all trades, Meg holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Multidisciplinary Studies and a diploma in Professional Copywriting and Proofreading, shaping her into a versatile communications professional.
In her spare time, she likes to explore the great outdoors, read, practice aerial yoga, and is the editor in chief and founder of a small press dedicated to uplifting disabled, neurodivergent and chronically ill voices.
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