About us
Canada for Lebanon
Canada for Lebanon is a humanitarian initiative dedicated to delivering urgent aid to communities affected by crisis in Lebanon.
In close collaboration with organizations including the Lebanese Red Cross, Lebanese Food Bank, American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), Health Partners International of Canada (HPIC), and Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the initiative mobilizes life-saving support where it is needed most.
Canada for Lebanon operates with urgency, accountability, and compassion. Guided by strong partnerships and a proven ability to deliver, it is focused on one clear objective: to deliver immediate, coordinated humanitarian assistance that saves lives in Lebanon.
Our Mission
Canada for Lebanon is a humanitarian initiative dedicated to delivering urgent aid to communities affected by crisis in Lebanon.
Through strategic partnerships with trusted organizations such as the Lebanese Red Cross, Lebanese Food Bank, American Near East Refugee Aid, Health Partners International of Canada, and Doctors Without Borders, we mobilize critical supplies, including food, medical aid, and essential resources, ensuring they reach the most vulnerable populations quickly, safely, and responsibly.
Our Vision
We envision a future where no community in crisis is left without support, and where humanitarian response is defined by speed, coordination, and trust.
Canada for Lebanon strives to be a leading force in global humanitarian action—leveraging strong partnerships, community leadership, and proven delivery systems to ensure aid reaches those in need with maximum efficiency and dignity.
Our vision is to build a world where:
- Life-saving aid is never out of reach
- Vulnerable populations are protected and supported
- Global communities come together to respond effectively and compassionately in times of crisis.
In the face of devastation, we aim to be a constant: reliable, responsive, and unwavering in our commitment to humanity.
Meet Our Committee
Canada for Lebanon is guided by a dedicated committee of experienced leaders, humanitarian experts, and community advocates committed to delivering life-saving aid.
The committee ensures that all initiatives are:
- Strategically coordinated
- Accountable and transparent
- Responsive to evolving humanitarian needs
Areas of Expertise
Our members bring experience in:
- Humanitarian relief and emergency response
- Logistics and supply chain coordination
- Fundraising and donor engagement
- Community outreach and advocacy
Through their leadership, Canada for Lebanon maintains strong partnerships with trusted local and international organizations, ensuring that aid is delivered efficiently, ethically, and with maximum impact
Abbis Mahmoud
Founding Chair
Abbis Mahmoud is a Lebanese Canadian entrepreneur, humanitarian, and community advocate dedicated to driving impactful initiatives in Canada and globally. He is the founder of DreamMind Group (est. 2007), a diversified enterprise spanning hospitality, publishing, real estate, and construction, where he integrates business leadership with social responsibility. With over 30 years of experience in hospitality and event management, he brings strategic leadership and operational expertise to advancing sustainable, community-focused impact.
In 2020, he founded Operation Ramzieh in honour of his late mother, initially responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario. The initiative has supported over 273,000 individuals through the delivery of essential food and supplies.
humanitarian efforts in partnership with organizations including Doctors Without Borders, Health Partners International of Canada (HPIC), Airlink, and the Government of Lebanon—delivering millions of dollars in medical aid, large-scale food shipments, and critical resources to communities in need.
Building on this experience, he will personally accompany the first cargo flight to Lebanon to oversee the delivery of humanitarian aid to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Lebanese Red Cross, ensuring that critical resources are received, coordinated, and directed to the communities most in need with urgency, accountability, and care.
Lawry Trevor-Deutsch
Co-Chair
Lawry is an Ottawa-based business and economic development consultant, entrepreneur, and founder of Strathmere Associates International Ltd., with over 30 years of experience in Canada and internationally. His work includes advising the World Bank and CIDA on initiatives such as democratic reform in Ukraine and the Global Development Learning Network.
He is recognized for his community leadership, with two citations from the City of Ottawa, and has long supported small businesses, entrepreneurs, and youth through over 20 years of volunteer service with Scouts Canada.
Lawry holds a BSc and MSc in Biology from Carleton University, a joint MBA from McGill University and the University of Manchester, and is a Fellow of LEAD International.
Nash Gangji
Treasurer
Nash is a financial leader with over 25 years of experience managing complex operations across real estate, hospitality, and service-based businesses. As CFO of Dreammind Inc. since 1998, he has built and led the financial systems supporting a diverse portfolio of properties and ventures.
Known for his hands-on approach, Nash specializes in financial management, compliance, and operational efficiency—ensuring organizations remain strong, accountable, and positioned for sustainable growth.
As Chair of a humanitarian foundation, he brings a focus on financial transparency, responsible governance, and the effective use of resources to support meaningful, lasting impact.
Dia Alhennawi
Webmaster & Online Presence Committee Lead
Dia is a Computer Engineer specializing in branding, marketing, and digital innovation, with expertise in website development, visual media, and AI-driven business solutions. He supports organizations in building cohesive brand identities, enhancing visibility, and optimizing operations through the integration of strategic design and advanced technology.
His work includes collaboration with The Bridge, a non-profit, community-based research centre in downtown Ottawa operating under the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. Through this engagement, he has contributed to initiatives grounded in the Bridge Model™, supporting research and program development that address complex social and health challenges, including homelessness, poverty, substance use, isolation, and mental illness.
By combining technical expertise with a strong understanding of community impact, Mr. Alhennawi delivers innovative solutions that strengthen organizational capacity and support meaningful, evidence-based outcomes.
Lama Aggad
Media Producer,
Lama is a Canadian media producer, presenter, and humanitarian with over 15 years of experience engaging diverse communities across Canada. She is the founder of Lama TV, a widely recognized Arabic-language media platform connecting professionals, policymakers, and multicultural audiences nationwide.
She is also the President and founder of the Multicultural Community Association (MCA), established in Oakville in 2023 and now a registered non-profit. MCA promotes cultural diversity, strengthens community connections, and advances advocacy, with a focus on supporting Palestinian voices.
Through MCA and Lama TV, she leads local and international humanitarian efforts, supporting homeless and low-income communities in Canada while delivering large-scale aid abroad. Her initiatives include major shelter campaigns providing over 1,000 tents to Gaza and hundreds more to Syria following the earthquake, along with ongoing aid efforts for Lebanon.
Through her work, Lama mobilizes resources, raises awareness, and connects Canadian communities to global humanitarian action, delivering meaningful support to those in crisis.
Victoria Gilchrist
Doctoral candidate in Microbiology and Immunology
Victoria is a doctoral candidate in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Medicine, specializing in Pathology and Experimental Medicine. Her research focuses on advancing innovative cancer therapies, and she has received multiple competitive scholarships and the Outstanding Trainee Award from the CHEO Research Institute.
Beyond her research, Victoria is a committed leader in wellness, mentorship, and community engagement. She founded the CHEO Research Institute Student Wellness Committee and was recognized with the Faculty of Medicine’s Graduate Studies Wellness Champion Award.
She is also a strong advocate for accessible science and patient engagement, leading initiatives like the Cancer Immunotherapy Coloring Book and contributing to the BioCanRx Learning Institute. Her work bridges research and patient communities to promote inclusive, patient-centered care.
Victoria’s commitment to service extends to humanitarian efforts through her involvement with Canada for Lebanon, where she supports initiatives aimed at helping vulnerable populations.
Abad Hamam
Entrepreneur and business leader
Abad Hamam is an entrepreneur and business leader with established expertise in the construction materials and real estate sectors. He is the founder of Flooreno Building Supplies, Dragona Flooring, and Olive Branch Properties, where he has built a strong reputation for delivering quality products, dependable service, and sustained investment growth.
His work spans building supply distribution, flooring solutions, and real estate development and holdings. Through his ventures, Mr. Hamam supports contractors, developers, and investors by providing the materials, strategic insight, and operational efficiency required to successfully execute projects and create long-term value.
Recognized for his practical leadership and business acumen, Mr. Hamam continues to expand his portfolio while maintaining a focus on quality, innovation, and strong client relationships.
Halla Rafati
Public Relations & Communications
Halla Rafati, President and Founder of Halo & Co., began her career in marketing, communications and public relations in 2000 with the San Antonio Spurs and the launch of a WNBA team in her home state. From there, her passion for travel and tourism led her to pursue a career abroad.
Her first stop was Beijing, where she was Lifestyle Procurement Manager for an international trading company. She then accepted a role as the Northern European Regional Marketing Coordinator for the Jordan Tourism Board. In 2008, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts recruited her as the Director of Public Relations at Four Seasons Hotel Amman.
In January of 2012, Halla set off on a new adventure, moving back to North America, as she made her way to Toronto to serve the role of Director of Communications and Public Relations at the flagship hotel in Toronto.In 2016, after nearly a decade of experience working internally with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Halla took her knowledge of travel and tourism, hospitality and economic development and married it with her strong business acumen and enthusiasm for entrepreneurship, and introduced the world to Halo & Co. Having never worked at an agency before, she designed one that she would hire if she were the client.Since founding Halo & Co., Halla's leadership has led the business to tremendous growth and success, and her approach to delivering results to clients is attributed to always functioning as anextension of the brands she represents.
With over two decades of experience in marketing,communications and public relations, her skills and abilities serve as invaluable assets to every organization she represents.