About Us Leadership – Algebra Society

Nadine Miville, President

A Muslim by choice with training in the Maliki School, Nadine Miville has worked and studied internationally. With over 15 years’ experience in international education, project management and communications she has a deep understanding of the value and importance of knowledge when provided for growth. Miville also provides support to women during critical life stages such as pregnancy birth and postpartum. She studied at the International School of Brussels, Dalhousie University (Social Anthropology and International Development), Saint Mary’s University (International Development) and Al-Akhawayn University in Morocco (Islamic Studies, Politics of North Africa). Miville is a co-founder of the Algebra Society.

Captain Barbara Lois Helms, Education Director

A New Jersey native and Muslim by choice with training in the Hanafi school, Barbara Helms serves as the first-ever female Muslim chaplain in the Canadian military and Chaplain at Ottawa’s oldest mosque. A professional psychotherapist and pastoral counsellor, Helms has over 30 years experience as a Muslim community educator and counsellor. She holds masters degrees in Islamic Studies (McGill University) and Counselling Psychology (Athabasca University), while currently pursuing a doctorate in Ministry at the University of Toronto. Captain Helms is a co-founder of the Algebra Society.

Naima Sidow, Secretary

Descended from a line of East African religious scholars in the Shafi’i school, Naima Sidow became a Hafithah, memorizing the entire Qur`an, in just eight months. A prolific Tajwid master with an Ijazah (expert certification) in the narration of Hafs, Sidow served as headmistress and teacher trainer of a scriptural sciences academy. She has organized interfaith social services initiatives in partnership with the Salvation Army and Chabad; coordinated numerous conferences; and participated in a U.S. State Department leadership convention. Sidow is a co-founder of the Algebra Society.

Yusuf Abdi, Treasurer

A chartered accountant and auditor, Yusuf Abdi is a regular volunteer at tax clinics for low-income individuals and has provided pro-bono accounting services to many non-profits and charities; such as the Algebra Society.

Mohamad Jebara, Educational Coordinator

A young scholar & prolific writer, Mohamad Jebara creates engaging content for the Algebra Society, pro bono. Known as the Cycling Cleric, Jebara spearheads an annual 500-mile bike-ride to support charities like the Red Cross, United Way and Habitat for Humanity. A skillful educationalist with unique skill set in Ancient languages, Scriptural Sciences & contextual history, he has lectured at prestigious universities around the globe. Jebara is a qualified officiant having presided at over 1,200 marriages, some being interfaith unions. He is an author, artist, poet, and athlete.

Hiba Hafiz

Dr. Hafiz is an assistant law professor at Boston College and previously served as Harry A. Bigelow Fellow at the University of Chicago Law School. She received a B.A. in Philosophy from Wellesley College, a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Yale University, and a J.D. from Columbia Law School. Her legal work includes protecting trafficking victims and holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for supracompetitive drug prices. Hafiz enjoys developing innovative pedagogic tools to help students unlock their potential.

Rick Whittaker

A Muslim by choice, Whittaker is a motivational leader with executive experience engineering business development, strategic corporate investment, and venture capital. A passionate pianist, he is an entrepreneur who has founded four companies.

Basma Musmar

With over twenty years experience as an executive in the high-tech industry, Basma’s current entrepreneurial passion is running a Pilates studio and helping clients with conditioning and rehabilitation. She is the winner of Consumer Choice Award for Business Excellence and holds a Computer Science degree from Kuwait University and a management certification from Harvard University.

Andre Boyer

Father Boyer was ordained a catholic priest in 1974 and completed a Master of Applied Theology Degree from the Jesuit School of Theology Berkeley California in 1987. A member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, he has experience as a Parish Priest on First Nation reserves and in urban parishes. A certified Executive Coach with the International Coach Federation, Boyer brings his coaching expertise to the Algebra Society. Boyer is a descendant of the Cree Indian Nation.

Rabiah Qureshi

A life-long learner with a thirst to discover and learn new things – always seeking to improve herself. A professional researcher, mentor and entrepreneur, Qureshi is on a lifelong journey to explore creative ways to empower and uplift others; part of what attracted her to the Algebra Society

George Brown

An educator, community leader, and entrepreneur, George Brown has dedicated his life to empowering those on the peripheries of society, which is why he joined the Algebra Society as an advisor. Chair of a United Way community investment committee, Brown holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University’s Graduate School of Business

Stuart Chambers

A professor of Media Ethics at Ottawa University, Professor Chambers is a paraplegic who has overcome many obstacles to live a successful independent life. As an educator, Chambers trains students to conduct research and produce materials that examine topics from multiple angles while thinking outside the box. Chambers overlooks the Algebra Society’s curricula making suggestions to maintain the highest level of quality.