Election Details
We are thrilled to extend a warm invitation to all our valued members for the upcoming Annual General Meeting.
Details
Date: Saturday, 7 February 2026
Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM (AGM will begin ON TIME)
Fee: Free Admission
Attendance: 2026 Members Only
FAQ
Attendance
Q1: Who can attend?
A1: All members in good standing who paid their membership in 2026 are eligible to attend and cast their vote during the meeting.
Membership
Q2: I would like to become a member, how do I do that?
A2: If you are not currently a member but you would like to become a member, please fill out the membership form found here: https://eccao.com/become-a-member/.
Then submit your membership payment to payment@eccao.com.Q3: How do I know if I am a member in a good standing?
A3: Please send an email to info@eccao.com and we will verify your membership status and advise you if you need to reinstate your membership.
Q4: Is there a deadline to become a 2026 ECCAO Member in order to vote in the 2026 BoD elections?
A4: Yes, the deadline to become a member to be able to vote in the 2026 Elections is Friday, 6 February 2026 at 11:59 PM (Ottawa time). See Question 1 above.
If you can’t pay the membership online, you can bring cash at the AGM.Note: this is only the deadline to be able to vote in the 2026 elections. You can still become an ECCAO member to attend events, participate in activities, etc. at any point.
Proxy Voting
Q5: What if I cannot attend, but I would like to vote?
A5: Members in good standing who have paid their 2026 membership fees are eligible to vote by proxy at the ECCAO AGM on Saturday, 7 February 2026.
To cast a proxy vote, please send an email to the Election Committee at elect@eccao.com, and make sure to CC (copy) the member who will be voting on your behalf on that email.
Q6: Is there a deadline to submit my proxy by email?
A6: Yes, the deadline to submit your proxy by email is Friday, 6 February 2026 at 11:59 PM (Ottawa time), to allow for proper processing by the Election Committee.
Voting
According to Article 2.2.10 of ECCAO’s By-law of Incorporation, a candidate must receive at least 50% of the total votes + 1 vote cast to be elected. For example, if 40 members vote (in-person and by proxy), a candidate must receive at least 21 votes to secure a position on the 2026 Board.
ECCAO Email Addresses
We understand that there are 3 separate email addresses listed above and their purposes may be confusing. We want to reiterate and clarify the purpose of each email address listed:
Info (info@eccao.com): Use this email for general inquiries, such as checking your membership status, upcoming events, etc.
Payment (payment@eccao.com): This email is for e-transfers only (e.g., event fees, membership payments). Do not send messages to this address.
Elections (elect@eccao.com): Use this email for any election-related questions and to submit your proxy voting request.
Election Candidates
We are pleased to introduce the candidates for the 2026 ECCAO Board of Directors. These dedicated community members have stepped forward to contribute their time, skills, and passion in service of ECCAO’s mission. We invite you to learn more about each nominee and their vision for strengthening our community in the year ahead.
I am Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim, currently a practicing wireless communications designer in the cellular communications industry. I received my Ph.D. degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Manitoba in 2016. I was a post-doctoral fellow Carleton University as well as with the Memorial University of Newfoundland besides being a senior per-course instructor.
Besides my career, I am deeply passionate about singing and playing Arabian flute (Nay) which I have been doing actively in the ECCAO choir throughout year 2025. I have lots of other hobbies as well such as soccer, playing chess, kayaking, hiking and ping pong. I’ve been living in Canada for 15 years.
I moved across different provinces before finally settling in Ottawa in 2020. I am looking forward to join the ECCAO Board to contribute to the growth and prosperity of our community.
My primary goals are to diversify the programs, activities and events for all age groups in the community. I am confident that I will have a strong and positive role in ECCAO’s leadership as well as serving our amazing community diligently. I have attached a photo for the website as well. I look forward to the AGM on February 7th.
My name is Dahlia Nawwar, and I am a second-generation Egyptian-Canadian and a nominee for the ECCAO Board of Directors. I previously served on the Board for four terms, including as Vice-President in 2011, and temporarily acted as President during that period. Through this experience, I bring both institutional knowledge and fresh ideas focused on strengthening community engagement, social connection, and a genuine sense of belonging within ECCAO.
I grew up in the Egyptian diaspora while maintaining strong ties to my heritage through frequent visits to Egypt and my involvement in the former ECCAO-run Arabic school. There, I learned Egyptian Arabic alongside folkloric dance, traditional songs, culture, and history. These experiences deeply shaped my appreciation for Egyptian identity and community.
I am passionate about celebrating and preserving the richness of Egyptian culture (language, cuisine, music, art, dance, film, and pop culture) and sharing it meaningfully with both our community and the broader public.
If elected, I hope to help organize events and initiatives that positively represent Egyptians, encourage collaboration, and foster wider participation. I look forward to hearing community members’ ideas and working together to ensure ECCAO continues to grow and serve its members effectively.
My name is Dr. Faika El Nakib, and I have been living in Ottawa with my family since 2006. I graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, and hold a Master’s degree in Internal Medicine. Over the years, I’ve worked as an academic advisor in Ottawa, where I’ve enjoyed helping students find their way through the education system and reach their goals.
I joined the ECCAO in 2007 and later was elected to its Board of Directors for two terms. During that time, I was involved in organizing and taking part in several community events and activities that brought people together and strengthened our sense of connection.
It would be a pleasure to join the board again this year. I believe that our community can benefit from new ideas and more activities that bring people together and get them more involved in the Canadian society.
My name is Dr. Ghada Badr, and I have been proud to call Ottawa home since 2001. Originally from Alexandria, Egypt, I hold a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Carleton University, where I graduated with honours and received the Senate Medal Award.
My professional journey spans academia, research, and public service. I have served as a Professor at the University of Ottawa and at King Saud University, where I founded the first Bioinformatics Research Group and Laboratory in Riyadh. I later transitioned to the Government of Canada and currently work as an IT Manager at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), leading a diverse team delivering impactful national initiatives.
I have been a member of ECCAO since 2002 and have participated in many of its cultural and community activities, including supporting the Art Academy. Community engagement, mentorship, and volunteer service have always been important to me.
I am seeking to join the ECCAO Board to help strengthen community connections, support inclusive programs, promote a positive and modern image of Egypt in Canada, and encourage greater involvement—particularly among younger generations.
My name is Lina Mahgoub, and I’ve been living in Ottawa since 2019. I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, and I spent many years working in a publishing company. Cooking has always been something I loved, and when I came to Canada, I finally followed that dream and started my own food truck. Seeing people enjoy my food and leave happy makes my day.
I love our Egyptian community and would love to see it grow stronger and more connected. I also care a lot about getting younger generations involved and making them feel that this community is theirs too. I believe we need to create activities and events that speak to everyone, even if they’re different from what we personally grew up with.
I want to join the ECCAO Board because I truly want to give back. I’d love to help bring more events, gatherings, and workshops to life, for newcomers to Canada as well as those born here, and help build a more welcoming and active community for all of us.
My name is Dr. Mervat El Tair. I am a retired family physician who practiced medicine in Canada for 30 years, including 21 years serving the Ottawa community. I am honoured to have been a member of ECCAO for the past 26 years.
Over the years, I have been actively involved with ECCAO by organizing and participating in many community initiatives, most notably volunteering with the Ottawa Mission for 11 years, helping organize blood drives, and participating in the Dragon Boat Race. I have also taken part in multiple charity events, including 10 km and half-marathon walks to raise funds for various causes.
My passion lies in supporting both the Egyptian and Canadian communities. If elected, my goals are to support current members, assist newcomers, expand ECCAO’s membership, and strengthen outreach with other communities.
Thank you for considering me for the 2026 ECCAO Board of Directors. I look forward to contributing to a successful and impactful year.
My name is Mohamed Samy Hosny, retired High Tech engineer, originally from Alexandria Egypt.
I came to Canada with my wife Sherine about 38 years ago and I have 3 kids.
I was involved with ECCAO for more than 20 years in different community committees, most notably, as an organizer of the ECCOA Dragon Boat team. I have also served in 2 ECCOA boards.
I am Sameh Abaza, a professional System Technologist with a diverse career spanning over 20 years in the media industry. Alongside my technical and media expertise, I serve as a university lecturer, a role that has refined my communication and leadership skills.
I have been an active member of the ECCAO community, attending and supporting various events such as the Art Academy, the Choir, and the Parliament event. My commitment to service extends to the broader Ottawa community, where I have volunteered at ‘The Ottawa Mission’ to support the homeless and those in need.
I am motivated to join the ECCAO Board to leverage my 20 years of professional experience and my deep connection to our community’s activities. My goal is to enhance ECCAO’s digital and media presence while fostering a spirit of volunteerism and inclusion. I look forward to contributing to a successful year for ECCAO.