Team Members
Meet our team of dedicated women who make Afrique au Féminin’s work possible. The diverse backgrounds, experiences and stories of these women is what makes our team so strong.
Rose Ndjel
Rose, a passionate community organizer and leader, joined the Afrique au Féminin team in 2008, occupying several positions before becoming the general director.
What is your favourite thing about working at AAF?
My favourite thing about working at AAF is the smile of women who I have been able to help. It’s their way of saying thank you, and it is very gratifying. Thinking how I can help others is the primary motivation of my work.
What brought you to AAF?
I was drawn to AAF by the cause, and by a passion for community work. I was an accountant by trade, and wanted to put these skills to use to improve the lives of others.
Share a fun fact about you:
When I left Cameroun for Canada, I didn’t really know where I was going – I thought Quebec was a country!
Savita Taheem
Savita is a community organizer, translator and project leader who has been working at Afrique au Féminin since 2017.
What is your favourite thing about working at AAF?
I love being able to help women through my work, by offering translations, and organizing events and activities.
What brought you to AAF?
I was drawn to Afrique au Féminin’s team and comfortable work environment – I like my job!
Share a fun fact about you:
I like to dance. I try to dance correctly, but sometimes I forget the steps!
Jaqueline Palacios
Jackie is a childcare worker who has been with Afrique au Féminin for 12 years.
What is your favourite thing about working at AAF?
My favourite thing about my job is that working for this organization brings out my inner leadership.
What brought you to AAF?
I was a long-standing volunteer before becoming an employee at Afrique au Féminin. It was a natural transition!
Share a fun fact about you:
Like Savita, I love to dance for exercise!
Concepción (Connie) Jarquin
Connie has been working as a social worker for Afrique au Féminin since 2013.
What is your favourite thing about working at AAF? Every day is different, and it is a constant adventure. I love my job because everyone shares the same vision and is dedicated to the mission. This truly creates a family environment where everybody is there for each other. Every single day you make a difference to the quality of people’s lives, helping those who are struggling to build better lives, and to give them hope for a brighter future.
What brought you to AAF? I am very passionate about social justice. There is nothing more rewarding and satisfying than helping a client solve a problem or supporting them through hard times in their life. I learn a lot from my experiences with clients.
Share a fun fact about you: Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved books. Even before I could read, I was fascinated by the words and images. Reading about different characters and their stories has made me more understanding. Everyone has a story and everyone has a different background; I can’t judge someone when I don’t know them or where they come from. Books have also helped me realize that events in our lives often cause us to act a certain way.
Élisabeth Atchadé
Élisabeth is the PAM project coordinator and community organizer, and joined our team in November 2021.
What is your favourite thing about working at AAF?
Definitely the people you meet, the stories they share, the realities you discover from different cultures, the laughter and the support. These are the elements that make a work environment like AAF’s enjoyable and rewarding.
What brought you to AAF?
I was drawn to the job by the mission of Afrique au Féminin!
Share a fun fact about you:
I have a huge interest in classical music and I play the piano.
Leonora Indira King
Leonora is a community organizer who has been working with Afrique au Féminin since the summer of 2020.
What is your favourite thing about working at AAF?
It feels like family. The women that I work with are like my sisters. We share a common purpose to take care of others and as long as we are united on that front, we are flexible in the way we work. Although we work hard, we know how to have fun and enjoy life.
What brought you to AAF?
My work with Brique par Brique and Concordia’s Office of Community Engagement pushed me to develop my relationships with local community groups.
Share a fun fact about you:
I practice kung-fu and I will dance anywhere…
Chloe Hart
Chloe is responsible for communications and fundraising at Afrique au Féminin. She joined the team in May 2020.
What is your favourite thing about working at AAF?
My favourite thing about working with AAF is witnessing the dedication, creativity and expertise of the women on this team. I am constantly inspired by them, and love that my job is mostly getting to tell the public about what they do.
What brought you to AAF?
I found AAF through an internship with the Concordia Office of Community Engagement.
Share a fun fact about you:
I have two parallel careers, one at Afrique au Féminin in the community sector, and another as a dance artist! Although they are completely different jobs, I feel like they are really complementary – each of them make me better at the other! Besides, with this team, I am surrounded by dancers!