WHO WE ARE
FocalOttawa is an intergenerational initiative dedicated to promoting and helping local businesses—amidst the pandemic now more than ever—through our buy-local campaign. We believe passionately in the transformative power of buying local products to strengthen individual local companies and in turn, the Ottawa economy.
Founding Team: Alice Yang, Heather Liu, Hser Pwa La, Mansi Sethi, Myar Mosleh, Naya Holman, Rachel Lowenburg, Soumaya Boubekeur, Zaina Zaraki, Jarrod Nichol, and Steve Georgopoulos
OUR TEAM
Zaina Karaki
Head of Sales
Zaina is the secretary at Sir Robert Borden High School’s Key Club. Spending time with family and friends, meeting new people and reading are a few of the many things she enjoys doing. She is also very passionate about giving back to the community. She loves making a positive difference while working with like-minded people.
Naya Holman
Head of Marketing
Naya chose to volunteer with the FocalOttawa initiative as she notices the tough times that local businesses are in due to COVID and wants to make a direct impact. She is grateful for the experience as she is learning and growing every day. She loves playing sports like soccer and baking all types of desserts.
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Soumaya Boubekeur
Head of Website Design
Soumaya is an alumna of the Gloucester High School Key Club. She is currently a first-year student at the University of Ottawa in the International Management program. Soumaya likes to learn languages, shop, volunteer and make a positive impact on people around the world no matter how small!
Mannie Chhabra
Co-Head of External Affairs
Mannie is an alumna of Canterbury Key Club. She is currently attending McMaster University where she is completing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Behaviour. She loves service and volunteering and hops on any opportunity that allows her to help make a difference.
Rachelle Choi
Co-Head of External Affairs
Rachelle is a 12th-grade student and a member of the Key Club at Colonel By Secondary School. She is passionate about service and dedicated to the betterment of our community with the help of the rest of the driven and hardworking FocalOttawa team.
Annabel Lu
Sales Associate
Annabel is in grade 11 and a member of the Colonel By Secondary School Key Club. She loves volunteering and getting involved in the community. She is so happy to be a part of this initiative together with a great team, and for the opportunity to contribute to our local youth and businesses. In her free time, she also enjoys reading, dance and debating!
Xue Feng Shi
Marketing Associate
Xue Feng is an 11th-grade co-president of OCV High School’s Key Club and she's very passionate about Ottawa’s local businesses and community. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, listening to music, and reading.
Jill Reeves
Sales Associate
Jill loves giving back to her community, as well as reading, cycling, speed skating, and learning about biology!
Jarrod Nichol
Advisor
Coach, consultant, advisor, and volunteer. Always looking to help make a difference.
Maren Rea
Advisor
I am a General Manager of Staples located in Centertown on Bank street. I have been a manager in retail for over 18 years. I am a proud member of the Kiwanis club of ottawa. When I am not working I spend my time with my children Annika and Kyler.
Don Keyes
Honorable Advisor
He is a Proud 42 Year member of the Kiwanis Club of Ottawa and a 40 year member of Kiwanis International's Legion of Honor.
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Steve Georgopoulos
Founder
A proud 30 Year Member of the Kiwanis Club of Ottawa, Steve is known as a mentor and ambassador for many organizations. Steve has a proven track record of success in hospitality, fundraising, volunteer work and attaining personal goals. He is also a 25-year member of Kiwanis International's Legion of Honor.