Kiela Caudillo President

Kiela Caudillo has been a member of the SODS Board of Directors since 2020. Originally from Mexico, Kiela moved to Saskatoon 12 years ago to pursue a Master’s degree at the University of Saskatchewan. She has worked with the university in various roles, including Research Assistant, International Student Recruitment Officer, and International Partnerships Specialist. Currently, Kiela works at the Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatoon Campus as an International Project Coordinator and manages international opportunities for underrepresented students.

Kiela is also a multi-entrepreneur and has co-founded three small businesses in Saskatoon. She participates in multiple community events to support fundraising initiatives, from volunteering to planning and performing. Kiela believes in the importance of helping and supporting the community in every way possible.

In addition, Kiela co-founded the Latino Canadian Cultural Association Inc., which is a not-for-profit organization that promotes and preserves culture and identity within the Latin American community while sharing it with the rest of the citizens of Saskatchewan.

Kiela is committed to supporting women in business and promoting higher education for new immigrant women. Volunteering with the SODS Board of Directors has allowed her to be directly involved in initiatives and programs that benefit newcomers, while improving the local economy and social services.

Omar Abuelela Vice President

Omar Abuelela is a passionate marketing professional who earned his MBA degree in 2015 with marketing as his major. He is currently working as a Senior Marketing Specialist for Federated Co-operatives Limited. He has more than a decade of related marketing experiences, and has handled all phases of both the technical and creative elements of marketing projects and initiatives. He is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a member of the American Marketing Association.

Omar moved to Canada from Egypt in 2018 and has been residing in Saskatoon since then. After moving to Saskatoon and before taking up his current position at Federated Co-op, Omar had the opportunity to be part of the settlement sector and to interact with refugees as a volunteer, interpreter and PATH Facilitator at Global Gathering Place.

Prior to his immigration to Canada and in addition to political activities, Omar was engaged in civil society. At university, he was elected president of the student union. Later, he served as a member of the city’s 6th of October Board of Trustees, and headed the marketing committee for the 100 Days initiative - one of the Masrena NGO’s projects to motivate Egyptian youth to volunteer and connect them to initiatives that needed their expertise.

Tyler Nguyen Treasurer

Tyler Nguyen is a second-generation immigrant born and raised in Saskatoon to parents who immigrated from Vietnam almost 40 years ago. He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan, earning his Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from the Edwards School of Business. Tyler now serves as the Economic Intelligence Manager at the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA), where he drives Saskatoon's economic voice and empowers informed decision-making through data and information.

Beyond his professional role, Tyler is deeply involved in community engagement. He has served as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saskatoon and actively volunteers for local events in curling and dodgeball. Tyler also sits on the Board of Directors of BGC Saskatoon.

Tyler's commitment to valuing people's uniqueness is why he serves on the Board at SODS. He is dedicated to creating an inclusive and supportive environment in Saskatoon where individuals are appreciated for their unique contributions and identities. Tyler aspires to continue his leadership journey, driving positive change and fostering a community that embraces diversity and collaboration.

Abid Sherali Board Member

Abid Sherali holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Finance and has also completed a diploma in Business Management. He has been working for Scotiabank for over 12 years and is currently a District Vice President for Saskatchewan North. He moved to Saskatoon in 2011 from Toronto, lived and travelled in various rural communities across Saskatchewan, and relocated back to Saskatoon in 2018.

Abid truly understands the struggles newcomers face when they land in Canada as he, his family, and his parents have gone through the same struggles. He would like to serve and help community members, especially newcomers, to settle as smoothly as possible and guide them with his resources.

Abid has been involved in many newcomer initiatives in Prince Albert, including the Prince Albert Muslim Association, and has also spent time with many organizations to help newcomers. He and his wife are very passionate about helping newcomers and serving the community, as they understand the struggles of newcomers and are in a position to guide them. Abid’s skill set and experience include proven leadership and management, human resources and people management, strategic relationships, change management, small business and diverse knowledge of Canadian banking.

Nikita Rathwell Secretary

Nikita Rathwell is a lawyer and partner at McKercher LLP in Saskatoon, practising in the areas of Indigenous and Aboriginal law and litigation. Her focus is on Aboriginal law and insurance litigation and Indigenous governance issues.

Nikita's mother's family immigrated to Canada from India in the 1960s, when there was almost no support system in place for New Canadians. This background has made Nikita understand the importance of an organization such as SODS and its mission to help New Canadians make Saskatoon feel like home. Nikita previously sat on the SODS Board of Directors from 2021-2023. After taking a break to welcome her first child, Nikita is eager to rejoin the Board.

Adedoyin Ajayi Board Member

Adedoyin Ajayi is the Legal Services Manager with the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC), one of the Crown Corporations under the Ministry of Social Services. Before joining the SHC, Adedoyin worked as an Investigator/Advocate with the Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth. She advocated and investigated matters concerning services provided to the children and youths by a provincial ministry, an agency of the government or a publicly funded entity. In addition, she worked as an associate lawyer where she practised general law, including but not limited to immigration, family, criminal, real estate, and corporate/commercial law. Adedoyin attended the LL.M. program at the University of Saskatchewan on full scholarship in 2012 and was called to the Saskatchewan Bar in 2018.

Adedoyin moved to Canada alone as a student and experienced first-hand the challenges and struggles of being part of that demographic. She enthusiastically advocates for newcomers and their benefits to the Canadian economy. In addition, she is passionate about gender equality, intercultural awareness, diversity and inclusion and women's empowerment. In her spare time, she has volunteered as a mentor with the Canadian Advisory of Women Immigrants and currently sits on the Board of Revision with the City of Saskatoon. She is excited to use her knowledge, legal expertise, and experience to help improve the governance of an organization that is passionate about building a sustainable and inclusive Canadian economy.

Madhurja Ghosh Board Member

Madhurja Ghosh (he/his) moved to Saskatoon 10 years ago as an international student and has since made connections with people from diverse backgrounds. Madhurja finished his Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting, with distinction, at Edwards School of Business. He is currently working as an Auto Claims Adjuster at SGI. He has volunteered with the University of Saskatchewan Alumni Association, Saskatoon Sharbojonin Puja Porishod (SSPP), USASK Connects Mentorship Program, and in various spheres of the society in his own limited capacity. 

In his journey, the focus is to engage with the community and create cross-cultural relationships with communities, organizations and groups that will make him a true global human being. Madhurja's aim in life is to touch as many lives as possible in the profoundest ways imaginable. Madhurja was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022 in recognition of his social service to the community.

Biswa Patra Board Member

Biswa Patra is an accomplished researcher, mentor and advocate, as well as an entrepreneur. He currently works as a researcher at the University of Saskatchewan, with a M.Sc. degree in Chemical Engineering from the same university. He has launched his own startup, Algal Earth, to tackle climate challenges and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, in a merger with King Tide Carbon, is forging global partnerships across Colombia, the United Kingdom, West Africa and India. He serves on the advisory board of King Tide Carbon, to drive oceanic CO2 sequestration, and provides expertise to Cellular Goods PLC, UK.

Currently Biswa plays key roles as Co-President of the Rotary Riverside Club and General Secretary of the India Canada Cultural Association (ICCA). His leadership expertise is grounded in past positions, among them those of Treasurer on the ICCA board, VP of Operations and Finance for the India Students' Association, and Director of Fundraising for Engineers Without Borders. 

Biswa is a dedicated advocate of education and community service. He has volunteered as a Let's Talk Science ambassador, engaging high school students in science activities. He also volunteers and supports Canada's Asha for Education, raising funds for underprivileged students' education in rural India. His dedication to strengthening local and global communities reflects his unwavering commitment to making positive change.

David Camarador Board Member

David Camarador has always striven to bridge the inequities in communities he serves in, aiming to create a space for anyone and everyone to succeed. Growing up in Swift Current, he saw firsthand the challenges of visible minorities, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, and Indigenous people in a rural setting. He recognizes the intersectional lens required to strengthen inclusivity, ensuring a holistic approach to target the root cause of issues and not only the symptoms.

He completed his Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Saskatchewan and is currently a Human Resources Business Partner at the Saskatchewan Health Authority. He has been heavily involved in non-profits and volunteering with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters Saskatoon, JDC West, the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan (MCoS). As a member of the MCoS Board of Directors, David sits on the governance and risk mitigation committees, working on strategic priorities, succession planning, and overall board responsibilities.

Cynthia Hernandez Board Member

Cynthia Hernandez is the Director of Finance at the Saskatoon SPCA. Cynthia's experience in international accounting includes practice in various industries and in the non-profit sector. She is internationally educated, holding Bachelor’s degrees in both Accounting and Arts. Born and raised in Mexico, she has lived in three countries in the past 20 years and speaks English and Spanish fluently.

Cynthia came to Canada in 2008. As a newcomer, she realized the importance of community support. The resources made available to her by different organizations in the city helped her feel welcomed and created a sense of belonging. Over the years, she has volunteered with different organizations in Saskatoon and enjoys interacting with people from diverse backgrounds.

Echo Qin Board Member

Echo Qin is a CPA, CMA, MBA with extensive experience working in the financial management field for various organizations and industries. Currently, she is with Deloitte, serving various clients in the capacity of fractional Controller or Director of Finance.

Echo has helped all the organizations she worked for or with to improve efficiency, internal controls and compliance in the accounting and finance function. In addition, she provides insights from her experience and technical understanding to help the organizations set meaningful and value-driven strategies to achieve long-term sustainability and growth.
As a wife and mother of two young boys, Echo enjoys travelling and participating in local events with her family. She has also led various initiatives at Deloitte to support local charities.