Silvia Samsa, Executive Director
Silvia Samsa has worked in the non for profit sector for almost thirty years. She started her career at Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter as a child advocate. At YWCA Toronto, she was the manager of the Arise shelter. As a consultant for YWCA Canada, she worked with shelter staff in Iqaluit to incorporate trauma informed practices. She has presented at various Violence Against Women conferences throughout North America. Silvia has a BA from the University of Toronto and a BSW from Ryerson.
(416) 252-7949 x 231
ssamsa@womens-habitat.ca
Lina Almanzan, Resource Systems Manager
Lina Almanzan started her career in the IT field in 1995 and has worked as a proposal engineer, technical supply manager, program specialist, media and advertising coordinator, and IT manager. With over 15 years’ experience as project manager, she has worked as senior consultant developing complex financial, inventory and production reports for ERP systems. She is responsible for Women’s Habitat’s IT needs, works to serve her Spanish speaking community and manages the resource development team. She holds a B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering with a major in Systems.
(416) 252-7949 x 232
lalmanzan@womens-habitat.ca
Julia Fiddes, Shelter Program Director
Julia Fiddes has been working in the violence against women sector for 13 years. She is a Social Service Worker and Assaulted Women & Children Counselor. Prior to joining the Women’s Habitat team she was with the YWCA Toronto for approximately 10 years. Julia’s career has come full circle since she was a student and relief worker with Women’s Habitat back in 1999 / 2000. She’s very happy to be back with the agency where she started her career.
(416) 252-1785 x 232
jfiddes@womens-habitat.ca
Carla Neto, Community Program Manager
Carla Neto has a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Ryerson University and is currently a candidate for a Masters of International Business Administration with the Westford School of Management, Dubai (UAE). Prior to coming to Women’s Habitat, Carla managed the YWCA Women’s Shelter and Transitional Housing and Support Program for over 10 years where she successfully implemented the Trauma-Informed Service Model and developed a Housing Readiness Program. Carla is a transformational leader and an avid advocate for social justice. Carla chairs the Manager’s group and co-chairs the Transitional Housing and Support Program (THSP) Network where she is the Lead for the Housing Task Group. Carla currently represents Women’s Habitat in two important community networks; the Mimico Lakeshore Community Network (MLCN) and the Lakeshore Affordable Housing Advocacy and Action Group (LAHAAG). These networks focus on social reform issues such as Poverty Reduction, Housing, Transit and Youth Engagement.
(416) 252-7949 x 225
cneto@womens-habitat.ca
Edna Ramos, Finance and Operations Manager
Edna Ramos joined the Women’s Habitat in 2018 as the Finance and Operations Manager. She works with the Executive Director and senior management to develop the annual operating budget for review and approval by the board of directors. She also prepares monthly financial reports and analysis, and contributes to the maintenance of an accurate, up-to-date general ledger.
Edna has spent the majority of his early career in the not-for-profit sector. She worked for the Junior Achievement of Central Ontario and at the Alzheimer Society of Ontario (ASO), both charities for more than ten years. Her last position at ASO was as Senior Accountant managing the general accounting function of the centralized finance group of the Alzheimer Societies of Canada, Ontario and Toronto.
Edna holds a bachelor’s of science degree in business administration, major in in accounting, and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Certified General Accountant (CGA).
(416) 252-7949 x 233
eramos@womens-habitat.ca
Sojie Tate, Communications and Human Resources Manager
Sojie Tate is a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) with over 10 years Human Resource experience in the public, private and not for profit sector. She worked in the staffing and recruitment industry before entering the public sector as a Parliamentary Assistant. Prior to joining the Women’s Habitat team, she worked at North York Women’s Shelter. Sojie has a strong commitment to social justice and is active in her community.
(416) 252-7949 x 244
state@womens-habitat.ca