Meet the SECC Leadership Team

At South Essex Community Council, our leadership team’s mission to inspire excellence and unity through purposeful leadership drives everything we do. We believe in the power of community and the strength of collaboration, and our dedicated team embodies these values. Together, we work to serve the diverse needs of our community, with each team member bringing a unique set of skills and experiences to the table. Get to know the faces behind our mission and see how, through purposeful leadership and a commitment to unity, we’re making a difference. 

Carolyn Warkentin (she/her)

Executive Director

Tim Friesen (he/him)

Executive Assistant

Debbie Daher (she/her)

Financial Resources Manager

Elham Sana (she/her)

Outreach and Development Manager

 As Manager of Outreach and Development , Elham  leads strategic efforts to secure sustainable funding and ensure the financial resilience of SECC’s transformative programs. Originally from Afghanistan, Elham holds a bachelor’s degree in law and extensive experience with the Ministry of Interior Affairs and the USAID Promote project. Elham joined SECC in September 2023, bringing her passion for public service and community development. She has since fostered impactful partnerships, secured vital resources, and contributed to empowering vulnerable populations, all while driving initiatives that sustain SECC’s mission to create lasting, positive change. 

Jennifer Moore (she/her)

Human Resources Manager

Luis Palacios (he/him)

Data Specialist IT Services

Luis oversees data management and governance at SECC, enhancing efficiency across departments. With over 12 years of experience as a Reporting Manager and Business Intelligence Developer in a non-profit educational organization, Luis brings expertise in data analysis and visualization. He takes pride in optimizing processes to ensure efficient and secure data storage, enabling the team to focus more on their mission and less on manual tasks. Luis views SECC as a family, where everyone contributes to the community and the shared goal of improving lives, and he finds joy in bringing clarity and a positive spirit to his role.

Laura Fanjoy (she/her)

Settlement Services Department Coordinator

Natasha Schartner (she/her)

Marketing and Communications Department Coordinator

Mariana Harrietha (she/her)

Career Hub Department Coordinator

Mark Wybenga (he/him)

Volunteer Services Department Coordinator

Rachelle Ligotino (she/her)

Community Home Support Services Department Coordinator

Vicki Noland (she/her)

Children & Youth Services Department Coordinator

Yinghua Zhao (she/her)

Language and Learning Services Department Coordinator