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 Manager
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
Leila Sarangi, Community Program Manager
Leila Sarangi has over 17 years’ experience as a front-line trauma counsellor, project manager and community-based researcher. She has provided leadership on community development projects both locally and internationally, with a focus on working with women and girls who have experienced gender-based violence. She co-chairs the Transitional Housing and Support Program Network, and is an active participant on the City of Toronto’s Community Advisory Committee on Poverty Reduction.
(416) 252-7949 x 225
lsarangi@womens-habitat.ca
Sushma Subedi, Finance and Operations Manager
Sushma Subedi is a finance professional with over 9 years of experience in both private and not for profit sector. Prior to joining Women’s Habitat, Sushma worked at Furniture Bank for over 5 years, most recently she served as Controller. She has expertise in managing overall finances of Not for Profit Organization.
Sushma is a Chartered Professional Accountant of Ontario (CPA, CGA) and holds Master’s degree in Business Studies with finance specialization from Tribhuvan University. She has also completed certificate in Not for profit and Charity Finance leadership from CPA Ontario.
(416) 252-7949 x 233
Sojie Tate, Communications and Human Resources Manager
Sojie Tate has over 10 years Human Resource experience in the public, private and not for profit sector. She worked in the recruitment industry for 5 years before entering the public sector as a Parliamentary Assistant. Prior to joining the Women’s Habitat team, she worked for 5 years at North York Women’s Shelter. Sojie has a strong commitment to social justice and is active in the feminist community.
(416) 252-7949 x 244
state@womens-habitat.ca