TFO Canada delivers its trade information, advice and contact services through a team of Canadian-based project professionals and a network of over 40 Associates from around the globe: experts in a wide range of trade-related activities, including sector-specialists for the Canadian import market, trade trainers, and product development and marketing advisors.
TFO Canada’s staff members (listed below) are located at our Ottawa headquarters. To contact a staff member by e-mail, please address it to info@tfocanada.ca and indicate the name of the staff member in the subject line.
OTTAWA HEADQUARTERS
Steve Tipman, Executive Director
Steve Tipman leads the organization in fulfilling its mission of catalyzing economic growth through international trade. Directing the successful execution of TFO Canada’s strategic plan, Steve is responsible for overall administration, operational management, and reporting to the Board of Directors.
With over 24 years of senior management experience in both the private and non-profit sectors, Steve has spent much of his career working in the areas of international trade and development. He spent eight years working at Livingston International, a trade services company focused on customs brokerage and compliance. He also served as a Vice President of fundraising, communications and marketing with CARE Canada and President and CEO of Volunteer Canada.
Steve is a member of the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM) School of Management Sciences International Program and sits on Blue Global Canada Institute’s Advisory Group. Actively involved with Cooperation Canada, He is also a member of its Civil Society Policy Advisory Group, which is co-chaired with Global Affairs Canada and VIDEA. Steve holds an international master’s in business administration degree from the University of Ottawa and is fluently bilingual in both French and English.
Marysabel Gonzalez, Program Director
Marysabel Gonzalez has over twenty-five years of experience working in international trade. She joined TFO Canada in 2008 and has advanced in her career, taking on new responsibilities and challenges within the organization. As Program Director, Marysabel leads the implementation of different programs in Latin America and the Caribbean, and Africa. She is also responsible for the Trade Support Services area in the Organization, developing and leading the execution of TFO Canada’s Canadian market trade information services.
Prior to joining TFO Canada, Marysabel worked as a business development manager in the high-tech sector at « Invest Ottawa ». She has also worked as a diplomat, in the Economic and Commercial section of the Embassy of Venezuela in Canada, where she became very familiar with TFO Canada and its services.
Marysabel holds a bachelor’s degree in international Affairs from the Universidad Central de Venezuela and a master’s in international Trade from Carleton University.
Zakiullah (Zaki) Munshi, Program Director
Zaki Munshi has over sixteen years of experience working in international development. He joined TFO Canada in 2013 as Project Manager-Asia & Middle East and has advanced in his career to currently working as Program Director. Working closely with TFO Canada’s roster of associates (trade and other subject matter specialists) and project management staff, he oversees planning, implementation and ongoing communications with donors/partners for TFO Canada’s projects/programs in Asia and Anglophone Africa.
Prior to joining TFO Canada, Zaki worked as a Project Manager in International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank Group managing advisory projects in the areas of Corporate Governance, Small & Medium Enterprise (SME) banking, Financial Infrastructure and Micro-finance. He has lived and worked in a number of countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and the Pacific Islands.
Zaki is a Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from University of Texas at Austin, USA and an MBA in Finance from Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Hussein Amery, director business development and partnerships
Hussein Amery joined TFO Canada as the Director, Business Development and Partnerships in 2024. As part of the senior management team, he leads business development and strengthens internal processes. He builds relationships with donors and forges strategic partnerships. This includes piloting innovative approaches and business models to support TFO Canada’s strategic plan and leadership in international trade and development.
Internationally, Hussein has served in leadership, advisory, and technical roles with Global Affairs Canada, the International Development Research Centre, international financial institutions, UN agencies, national associations, governments, and private firms. Before joining TFO Canada, he founded and led Integrated Development Enterprise Associates (IDEA Inc.), an Ottawa-based consulting firm. He also established a performance measurement practice in Montreal, leading evaluation assignments with Global Affairs, IDRC, the World Bank, African Development Bank, UNICEF, UNHCR, and the ILO.
From 2005 until January 2015, Hussein served as the Senior Advisor, Business Development, for the Saskatchewan Polytechnic. He established and operated the Ottawa Bureau, leading business development and planning, project design, start-up operations, performance monitoring and performing government relations functions. Hussein holds a master’s in international relations and Honors bachelor’s degree in political science from Western University in London.
Viviane Rossini, CPA – Director of Finance and Administration
With more than 20 years of programmatic and financial management experience in the not-for-profit sector, she specialized in international programs managing GAC-funded projects and training partners in South America, Asia, and Africa. Her experience includes the leadership of a Finance team for a nationally focused, government-endowed environmental fund for five years. Viviane has a master’s degree in business administration, is a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA), and is fluent in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French.
Viviane has joined TFO Canada in August 2025, where she is responsible for all financial and administrative operations, reporting, budgeting, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, donor frameworks, and supporting the organizational strategic planning.
Nahomie Millien, Program Manager - Gender Equality and Social Inclusion
Nahomie JB Millien has over 15 years of experience in international development. She combines deep expertise in project evaluation with gender specialization, advancing gender equality, social inclusion, and results-based project management. She joined TFO Canada as Program Manager, Gender Equality & Social Inclusion (GESI), where she leads the integration of GESI considerations across the organization’s trade-related technical assistance and capacity-building projects.
Before joining TFO Canada, she worked with various UN agencies and international NGOs, where she contributed her expertise in gender analysis, inclusive policy design, and institutional capacity building. She has led and supported initiatives aimed at preventing gender-based violence, promoting women’s leadership, and ensuring equitable access to services in fragile and conflict-affected settings. A recognized speaker and advocate, Nahomie is deeply committed to advancing gender equality within global development frameworks.
She holds dual master’s degrees in project management and project evaluation. She brings a strong intersectional and participatory approach to advancing inclusive economic growth through trade.
Danielle Mulligan, Project Support Manager
Danielle Mulligan has been an integral part of TFO Canada since 1986, bringing decades of experience and dedication to her role as Project Support Manager. She is responsible for overseeing all aspects of office administration, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations and effective coordination with local suppliers. Danielle plays a key role in maintaining TFO Canada’s online database, which includes Canadian importers, trade partners, and exporters from developing countries—an essential resource that supports the organization’s mission to facilitate sustainable trade.
In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Danielle manages the records for TFO Canada Associate roster, keeping detailed and up-to-date information on consultants and collaborators. She also provides vital support to the organization’s accounting procedures, including processing invoices and payments, managing travel claims, and maintaining commitment files. Her attention to detail and organizational skills contribute significantly to the efficiency and reliability of TFO Canada’s internal operations.
Mahmud Hossain, Project Manager - Asia
Mahmud Hossain is Project Manager for the Asia and Middle East Region at TFO Canada, where he has worked since January 2020. He brings extensive experience in private sector engagement, market systems development, value chain strengthening, biodiversity-linked enterprise development, and trade-focused development programs. He oversees project implementation, negotiations, progress monitoring, and quality assurance across Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Jordan under Global Affairs Canada (GAC) initiatives. He also led a three-year research project funded by IDRC, implemented in Vietnam, Cambodia, Nigeria, Madagascar, Senegal, and Ghana. In addition, Mahmud contributes to TFO Canada’s Senior Management and Leadership Team, supporting strategic planning, new business development, and organizational efficiency.
Before joining TFO Canada, Mahmud managed large-scale projects for over 12 years, funded by USAID, DANIDA, SIDA, Irish Aid, SDC, UKAID/DFID, and private sector partners. His international experience includes work in Afghanistan, the Tibetan Autonomous Region (China), and Tanzania.
Mahmud holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree from East West University in Bangladesh and is a Chartered Professional Marketer (CPM). He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing Management Ontario (CIMMO) and the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM).
Fatima Zahra Idrissi, Project Manager – Trade Support Services
Fatima-Zahra Idrissi is Project Manager for Trade Support Services at TFO Canada, a role she has held since July 2025. She leads the planning and execution of initiatives that support trade development, applying her certified Project Management Professional (PMP) expertise and a strong command of project management tools and methodologies to drive organizational goals.
Previously, Fatima-Zahra served for five years as Project Officer for Asia and Middle East region, where she supported the delivery of workshops and seminars, managed program logistics, and conducted research and data analysis to inform strategic decision-making.
Before joining TFO Canada, Fatima-Zahra lived and worked in Morocco, bringing over 12 years of experience in the financial sector, including data analysis, portfolio risk management, and credit risk management. She has built a strong foundation in project management, culminating in her PMP certification and current leadership role. Fatima-Zahra holds a State Engineering Diploma (Master’s equivalent) from the National Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics (INSEA) in Morocco. She is fluent in English, Arabic, and French.
Patrick Ntunga Mico, Project Manager - Africa
Patrick Ntunga Mico is an experienced development professional with a strong background in project management, gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, and international trade across Africa, Haiti, and Canada. He has successfully designed, managed, and monitored complex projects that integrate gender perspectives, promote gender-responsive budgeting, prevent and respond to gender-based violence, and enhance the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises in regional and global markets.
Patrick has held key leadership roles in institutions such as the Rwanda Gender Monitoring Office, MIGEPROF, RWAMREC, and Best Legacy Foundation. He has collaborated with governments, civil society organizations, and international partners including PROMUNDO, UN Women, UNFPA, Sida, COMESA, ICGLR, EAC, and Global Affairs Canada.
Fluent in French and English, Swahili, and Kinyarwanda, Patrick holds a master’s degree in social studies with a focus on Gender and Development, along with several international certifications in gender auditing, gender mainstreaming, and gender statistics. He combines technical expertise, strategic leadership, and cross-cultural experience to lead high-impact projects that advance gender equality and inclusive international trade.
Janin Mendoza, Project Manager - Latin America and the Caribbean
Janin Mendoza joined TFO Canada in March 2022 and currently serves as the Project Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). In this role, she leads the design, implementation, and monitoring of projects across the LAC region. Janin also served as Project Manager for Trade Support Services (TSS) from December 2023 to June 2025, where she contributed to the development of communication materials, conducted research on the Canadian market, and helped disseminate trade-related information through internal and external communication channels.
Janin has more than 15 years of project/program management experience at international, governmental, and pro-profit organizations. She had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects promoting sustainable development, capacity development, and climate change resilience. Areas of expertise include strategic planning, stakeholder analysis, capacity building, project management, public policies, result based management and monitoring and evaluation.
Janin holds a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from the Universidad Central de Venezuela, a master’s in environmental management from Simon Bolivar University and a Project Management Diploma and Management Certificate from University of Winnipeg.
Brenda Garcia, Project Manager - Africa
Brenda is Project Manager for Africa. She is responsible for the design, implementation, and monitoring of projects within Africa.
Prior to joining TFO Canada, Brenda pursued a master’s degree in international development at Sciences Po Paris, through which she specialized in project management and diplomacy. She was trained in project design, implementation and negotiation for humanitarian and development projects. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from McGill University in Montreal.
Brenda has experience working with NGOs, international organizations as well as with the private sector. She namely worked for Equitas International Center for Human Rights in Montreal, as well as for the International Economic Forum of the Americas, both in Montreal and in Paris.
Waleed Bajai, Project Accountant
Waleed Bajai joined TFO Canada as Project Accountant in April 2022. He is responsible for accounts payable and receivable activities, as well as tracking country-based financial expenses, including reviewing financial reports from local partners. Waleed also supports the project management team with day-to-day financial transactions related to the organization’s projects.
Prior to joining TFO Canada, Waleed served as Senior Finance Officer at the Oxfam Novib country office in Kabul, Afghanistan. In this role, he provided financial and donor compliance support to the country office and local partners at the field level. He also acted as a safeguarding focal point and was a member of the investigation team. Before that, he worked as an Accountant and HR Focal Point with Welthungerhilfe (WHH), offering financial support to the program team and local partners in the field.
Waleed also worked with the International Manufacturing Organization (IMO) as a Finance Assistant, where he was responsible for daily financial transactions and bookkeeping. He holds a master’s degree in financial management from the Indian School of Business Management and Administration, and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and administration from Amir Sher Institute of Higher Education in Afghanistan.
Ines Mungayizi, Project Officer
Ines Muganyizi joined TFO Canada in November 2022 as Project Officer for Africa. Her role is to support the Director and Program Manager in coordinating trade missions and delivering workshops and seminars to partners and stakeholders in Africa. She is responsible for supporting program logistics, data collection, conducting research and overall program support.
Prior to joining TFO Canada, Ines lived and worked in Tanzania in areas of program design, coordination, and implementation, across agriculture and development finance sub-sectors.
Ines holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in public policy from Connecticut College (USA) and McGill University (Canada) respectively.
Diana Romero, Project Officer
Diana Romero is Project Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean, Francophone Africa, and Haiti at TFO Canada. Originally from Mexico, Diana brings a strong background in international development and economic cooperation. She has worked with international programs and is fully trilingual in English, French, and Spanish.
Diana holds a specialization in International Economics and Trade. Her linguistic skills and cultural fluency make her a valuable asset in facilitating collaboration and ensuring effective communication with diverse stakeholders.
Ashraf Hossain Bhuiyan, Project Officer
Ashraf is Project Officer for Asia and Anglophone Africa at TFO Canada. He is a finance specialist with over 11 years of experience in development finance, investment analysis and financial management. Before joining TFO Canada, Ashraf held various positions at the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), the largest development finance institution in Bangladesh, which has expanded its operations across Eastern and Southern Africa. He worked in Malawi, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, managing off-grid energy funds for The World Bank. He also oversaw a USD 2 billion portfolio of projects in infrastructure, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. Additionally, he contributed to technical assistance projects supported by UN agencies, bilateral, and multilateral donors.
Ashraf has advised clients on credit processes, loan pricing models, fund structuring, management, and facility capitalization processes. He has in-depth expertise in structuring electrification and off-grid solar funds in Eastern and Southern Africa.
Ashraf holds an MBA from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, and a master’s degree in international development from Cornell University, USA. Ashraf is a Certified Development Project Manager (CDPM) and an active contributor to scholarly and policy-oriented publications. His writings focus on electric mobility, energy policy, and renewable energy, reflecting his thought leadership in sustainable development finance.
