We are proud to celebrate 18 outstanding women who have been selected as this year’s Ron Ghitter CM Scholarship Fund. Each recipient will receive a $2,500 scholarship to support their education and career goals.
These extraordinary women whose journeys span countries, cultures and lived experiences personify resilience and ambition to building their futures while enriching communities they now call home.
We’re honored to stand beside them and grateful to Ron Ghitter CM Scholarship Fund for investing in women’s potential and helping remove barriers to opportunity.
Congratulations to all our 2025 recipients from around the globe.
• Afrah Abdelwahab
Afrah’s goal is to re-establish her healthcare career in Canada. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, has begun the Canadian licensing process, and plans to enroll in SAIT’s Medical Laboratory Assistant program. Alongside her studies, she works as an interpreter supporting newcomers and is passionate about serving her community through health and wellness.
• Bayush Solomon
Bayush came to Canada alone in 2019 and rebuilt her life with resilience. After training at CIWA and Bow Valley College, she pursued her passion for healthcare and enrolled in the Practical Nursing program. Now nearing graduation and preparing for her provincial exam, she is committed to compassionate, culturally sensitive care and giving back to her community as a future nurse.
Chioma is a Nursing student at the University of Calgary and a Support Worker providing compassionate, person-centred care to individuals with diverse needs. These experiences have inspired her goal of becoming a registered nurse specializing in pediatric or community health. As a widowed mother balancing studies and family, this scholarship would ease her financial burden and allow her to focus on her education and giving back to the community that welcomed her.
• Hajar Laasmi
Hajar, originally from Morocco, is a mother of two with over 12 years of IT experience and a Master’s degree in Networks and Systems. She holds certifications in CompTIA A+, Microsoft 365, and Microsoft Azure. Now pursuing a career in cybersecurity in Canada, she is completing a Certificate in Operational Security. With CIWA’s support, this scholarship would help her achieve her professional goals.
• Hanan Kalifa
Hanan is a computer science graduate with additional training in interpretation and translation. She is an active community member dedicated to supporting children and families. Hanan is passionate about contributing to her community and continuing her professional growth in the education field. She aims to complete the Education Assistant Program. Her goal is to work as an Education Assistant in a supportive, inclusive school environment where she can help students gain confidence, reach their potential, and feel valued.
• Helen Belay
Helen Belay arrived in Canada from Ethiopia as a young mother seeking safety and family reunification. After surviving domestic violence and rebuilding her life while caring for a child with high-level ADHD, she found her purpose in healing and service. She is now pursuing her pharmacy license and further studies in mental health, committed to helping women and families access care, regain stability, and rise again.
• Julieta Perez
Julieta, originally from Colombia and with experience in Spain, is a finance professional with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Master’s in Finance. Her background includes credit analysis at Banco de Bogotá and corporate finance at Homecenter. Now based in Calgary, she has completed CIWA’s Bridging the Gap for Foreign Accounting Professionals program and is eager to contribute her financial expertise and cross-cultural experience to the community.
• Kholod Mohamed
She is an internationally trained dentist with extensive clinical experience, currently working toward Canadian licensure. She has begun the NDEB equivalency process and is pursuing a Master’s in Dentistry at McGill University. In the short term, she plans to obtain a Dental Assistant license to gain Canadian experience while continuing toward full licensure.
• Olamide Umeri
Ola is a mother of three who arrived in Canada from Nigeria last year with hope and determination for a better future. She is a certified clinical pharmacist with a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Clinical Pharmacy and over 10 years of experience in both community and hospital settings. Since arriving, she has registered with the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada and has completed two of the three required exams, currently awaiting her second exam result. Outside of her professional pursuits, she enjoys playing Scrabble, biking with her family, and volunteering in her community to support other families.
• Olutoyosi Grace Unachukwu
Grace is a Public Health Researcher with experience in study design and national nutrition surveys focused on women and children. She is pursuing the Health Analytics program at McMaster University to strengthen her skills and understanding of Canada’s healthcare system.
Her goal is to improve health outcomes through data-driven prevention and accessible health resources, and the Ron Ghitter CM Scholarship Fund would support her in achieving this.
• Queeneth Udeh
Queeneth is a Payroll Administrator and Accountant who immigrated from Nigeria to pursue professional growth in Canada. With a strong interest in fair and transparent payroll practices, she aims to become a certified payroll professional. This scholarship would support her continued development and help her make a meaningful impact in Canadian workplaces.
• Selam Gebru
Selam holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication and has a strong passion for people, storytelling, and creative expression. She currently works part-time in customer service in Calgary, where she enjoys connecting with others and helping create positive experiences. Selam is also learning photography and is excited to grow her skills in visual storytelling. She values community, personal growth, and meaningful human connection. Selam is grateful to be selected as a recipient of the 2025 Ron Ghitter CM Scholarship and looks forward to continuing her journey in the media and creative fields.
• Shewit Woldegiorgis
Shewit was born and raised in Ethiopia. She holds a Diploma in Secretarial Science and Office Management and previously worked as an Administrative Assistant with the United Nations. She arrived in Calgary in 2023 as a Convention Refugee, leaving her family behind, and hope for reunification soon. After working a survival job while adjusting to life in Canada, she chose to pursue a long-term career and began the Dental Assistant program, where she is now two months into her studies. She is committed to learning, serving others, and building a stable future for her family, and deeply grateful for CIWA’s support and for this scholarship, which will help her continue her educational journey.
• Tsedey Araya
Tsedey, a newcomer from Ethiopia and mother of two, holds an MBA in Sustainable Business Leadership. She works part-time with the Calgary Board of Education and volunteers with newcomer support organizations. Preparing for her Early Childhood Educator Level 2 Certificate, she is passionate about children’s growth and dreams of inspiring others while using her skills to make a meaningful impact.
• Treasure Odigie
Treasure is a graduate chemical engineer with experience at TotalEnergies and SLB, specializing in process optimization, upstream operations, and sustainable practices. She also founded The How To Series, a youth-led initiative advancing career readiness and quality education. Passionate about linking knowledge with opportunity, she is committed to a sustainable energy future and empowering young people to thrive.
• Wendy Gonzalez
Wendy came to Canada from Guatemala with her family in 2021. She is pursuing a Master of Arts in Environmental Practices, building on her background as an Environmental Sciences teacher and her experience with global organizations.While raising three children and caring for her husband with reduced mobility, Wendy continues to advance her work in climate action, social equity, and resilient communities. Guided by her faith, she sees this scholarship as a blessing that affirms her path of growth and service.
• Yevheniia Matveiuk
Yevheniia grew up in Donetsk, Ukraine, and built an 18-year career as an accountant after earning two university degrees. After immigrating to Canada with her family, she is rebuilding her life and retraining as a bookkeeper under Canadian standards. Motivated by her children, she aims to become a certified bookkeeper supporting small businesses or community programs.
Congratulations to all our recipients!
Each of these outstanding women has demonstrated remarkable perseverance and vision as they pursue their goals, overcoming challenges to reach this milestone. These women are not just recipients of a scholarship; they are the leaders, changemakers, and role models of tomorrow. Their journeys are proof that with determination, anything is possible, and we can’t wait to see all that they will achieve in the years to come.
We would also like to express our deepest gratitude to Ron Ghitter, KC, CM for his generosity in making this life-changing opportunity possible. Your support is truly making a difference in the lives of these women and will leave a lasting impact on their futures. Thank you, Ron, for your continued commitment to empowering women around the world!
Our heartfelt congratulations to the recipients once again!