Board of Directors
Sumayyah Petrus
Born in Montreal, Sumayyah Petrus is of mixed cultural heritage. She has many interests in life, from art and painting to community organization, reading, enjoying nature and spending time with family and friends.
Sumayyah is the President and has been serving Nisa Support for a number years and enjoys working within the Montreal and greater communities.
In addition, she has offered numerous workshops through Nisa Support on Islamic Geometric Art and thoroughly enjoys the process of connecting through art.
Samina Uddin
Samina Uddin is the Founder of Nisa Support and currently serves as its Vice President and Treasurer. She is an ICF-certified Professional Certified Coach (PCC), facilitator, and community leader with more than 600 hours of coaching experience supporting women across different stages of life.
Passionate about women’s wellbeing and growth, Samina has dedicated many years to community service and leadership. Through her coaching, facilitation, and volunteer work, she strives to create compassionate and empowering spaces where women can connect, grow, and contribute meaningfully to their families and communities.
She also operates an international coaching practice, offering one-on-one and group coaching focused on emotional intelligence, self-awareness, relationships, leadership, and purposeful living.
latifa naim
Latifa Naim is an engineer by training and a certified professional coach, with advanced graduate studies in business administration. She brings together technical expertise, strategic leadership, and a deep commitment to personal development.
As Outreach Director and Board Member at Nisa Support, Latifa focuses on building partnerships, strengthening community engagement, and supporting initiatives that empower individuals and foster meaningful social impact.
Her multidisciplinary background and dedication to service enrich Nisa Support’s mission. Latifa contributes thoughtful leadership, coaching insight, and a collaborative spirit to the organization’s continued growth.
riham ahmed
Riham is an accredited Heart of Design Instructor—one of only a few worldwide—trained directly by Peter Gould. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Systems Intervention and a Bachelor’s in Human Relations from Concordia University, where she has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in systems thinking, organizational development, and human relations.
With over a decade of experience, she designs and delivers workshops, courses, and leadership programs for diverse audiences, from children to adults. She has also supported and helped launch several entrepreneurial and community initiatives, most recently a digital nomad co-working space in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
Riham is passionate about supporting leaders to grow into ethical, compassionate, and self-aware individuals grounded in character, integrity, and excellence.
MAARIYA KHAN
Maariya Khan is a certified Forest School instructor with over a decade of formal training in the Islamic sciences, including a postgraduate certificate in Hanafi Studies from the Irshad Centre, Leicester.
A long-standing member of the Nisa Support community, Maariya previously served as the organization's administrator before joining the Board of Directors. She brings together nature-based wellbeing facilitation, scholarship in the Islamic tradition, and an intimate understanding of Nisa Support's day-to-day operations.
Maariya is committed to programs that support women holistically — body, heart, and spirit — and to spaces where lived faith and personal growth meet without compromise.
DIANE VALENTE
A dedicated homeschooling mother with a strong commitment to education and community, she brings both leadership and practical experience to her work.
Having served on the board of a local homeschooling co-op, she played an active role in supporting families and shaping enriching learning opportunities.
Prior to focusing on home education, she built a solid professional foundation with 10 years of experience in accounting, developing keen organizational and financial management skills that continue to serve her in both her household and community endeavours.
SANA LARI
Sana holds a Master's degree in Human Systems Interventions and a bachelor's in Human Relations. Sana has designed workshops, retreats, and programs for all ages to help people interact in a positive way together. She also teaches at her local homeschooling coop since many years where she loves to design fun and engaging content for the leaders of the future.
Sana has been volunteering since she was a young child, always having had a love of giving back to others. Throughout the years she has been an active volunteer, on different boards and volunteering regularly, with a special focus on organizations that help women and children.
Sana is especially passionate about using her skills and knowledge to serve the community. She strongly believes a connected community is the center of mental health and wellbeing for each individual and essential for growth, learning and happiness.