Myriam Mekni
Executive Director, Catholic Centre for Immigrants Ottawa
Myriam Mekni is the Executive Director of the Catholic Centre for Immigrants, Ottawa. Previously, she served as Managing Director of Rising Tide Community Initiatives and as the former Executive Director of MAGMA, the Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area. Before immigrating to Canada from her home country of Tunisia, Ms. Mekni worked for Apple, the British Council, and the U.S. Embassy. Fluent in English, French, and Arabic, Ms. Mekni studied mathematics and literature in Tunis. In her recent role, Ms. Mekni brings more than a track record of leadership experience. Dedicated to empowering new and established Canadians alike, Ms. Mekni’s vision is informed by a spirit of inclusion that is friendly, informed, and enduring. Ms. Mekni served as Chair of Greater Moncton’s Local Immigration Partnership. Recently designated one of the most inspiring immigrants in the Maritimes, and one of the Top 20 Under 40 in the Greater Moncton Area, Ms. Mekni is also a passionate advocate for women’s rights and proudly sits on the governance committee for the New Brunswick Women’s Council, where she also acts as interim co-chair. In August 2021, Ms. Mekni was appointed to be a member of the Human Rights Commission of New Brunswick. She also co-chairs The Community Task Force on Homelessness and Downtown Security, which has been created to mobilize stakeholders and resources to meet the challenge of homelessness and social issues.