This spring our Nomination Committee, composed of 5 volunteers from across Canada, advertised to fill 5 number of spots on our Board of Directors. We were overwhelmed with gratitude by the number of strong applications (over 120 in all!) and engaged Amnesty members who participated in this exciting yet at times challenging process. All Amnesty members have the right to participate in the governance of our organization and vote for its leaders. The 2023 Board election closed on Sunday, June 18th following our annual AGM and online governance sessions including the Opening Governance Session and Candidate Introduction workshop encouraging dialogue between candidates and members prior to voting. Please join us in welcoming Agapi Gessesse; Board Chair, Aidan Sander; Director, Hannah Ahamedi; Director and Sarah El Gharib; Director to Amnesty Canada’s Board of Directors. These new Board members all bring unique perspectives and experiences. We look forward to working with them and their valuable contributions to Amnesty.
Agapi Gessesse is a powerful, influential and fearless changemaker. For more than decade, Agapi has worked to enhance the lives of marginalized youth through her work with Toronto Community Housing and United Way Greater Toronto. She is currently the Executive Director of the CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals.
Aidan Sander has been a dedicated member of Amnesty International since he was fifteen. He is currently pursuing a medical degree as part of the Queen’s University Accelerated Route to Medical School in Kingston, Ontario. Aidan is also an alumnus of Pearson United World College in Victoria, British Columbia.
Hannah Ahamedi is a long-standing member of Amnesty International who has taken various leadership roles on the local, regional and national level over the past seven years. She is a graduate student at the University of Cambridge completing her MPhil in African Studies as a Gates Cambridge Scholar. She also holds a B.A (High Distinction) from the University of Toronto in Peace, Conflict and Justice Studies, Diaspora and Transnational Studies, and History.
Sarah is an influential journalist, advocate, and academic known for her commitment to anti-oppression and human rights. She currently serves as Director of Content at the environmental alliance Age of Union, where she leads editorial strategy. She previously held the title of Content and Communications Manager at Global Citizen Canada.
If you are interested in getting to know Agapi, Aidan, Hannah or Sarah better, we encourage you to read our Leadership and Governance page. Looking to be part of the change? Register to be an Amnesty Member and be at the heart of everything we do.
Of course with welcoming four new faces to our Board we had to say goodbye to previous Members. We want to thank you all for your time on the Board. The innovative ideas and leadership skills you contributed to Amnesty have successfully helped our organization make actionable change during difficult times. We wish all of you a great future ahead.
