Our Team

  • Genevieve has over two decades of experience in leadership, project management and operations with UN agencies, government and civil society organizations in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada. Her work is focused on housing and human settlements, gender equality, food security, and inclusive, climate resilient cities. Her background in urban and regionalplanning informs her practical, systems-oriented approach to housing policy, program delivery, and rights-based, sustainable development.

    She holds a MSc in Urban Planning from the University of Toronto, a MA in International Development from Dalhousie University and a BA Honours in International Development from Trent University.

  • Celestina Arubike is the Manager of Finance and Operations at Rooftops Canada. A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA) with an MBA, Celestina brings a wealth of experience spanning both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors.

    Having built the foundation of her career in for-profit organizations, Celestina made a purposeful pivot over a decade ago to the not-for-profit sector — driven by a deep commitment to mission-driven work that prioritizes community needs. Today, she brings more than ten years of senior-level not-for-profit experience to Rooftops, where she oversees the financial and operational functions that support the organization's programs and mission.

    Beyond her professional role, Celestina is an active volunteer with several community organizations — a reflection of the same commitment to service that shapes her work every day.

  • Efemena manages Rooftops Canada’s Women’s Spaces: Implementing Equal Rights to Land, Housing and Livelihoods in Angola, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda project. She is a seasoned international development expert distinguished by her proficiency and qualifications at the crossroads of law, human rights, human resource management, and community organizing.

    Over the past decade, she has achieved remarkable success in steering large and mid-scale projects supported by international development donors implemented across North America and several African countries, showcasing her expertise in advancing and safeguarding human rights across diverse domains. In her career in the non-profit sector, she has developed proposals and legal documents, crafted engagement frameworks, policy and legislative papers. She has actively engaged in social audits, effectively managed and implemented projects, and provided training and strategic learning opportunities to communities and organizations, among other responsibilities. Efemena is also a pro bono trainer at the African Coaching Network.

  • Maisha Timmerman is the Communications Officer at Rooftops Canada, where she leads storytelling and communications efforts that highlight our impact and partnerships. She is also an alumna of the Rooftops Canada Young Professionals Program, through which she worked with international partners in Angola and Uganda, supporting communications initiatives and photography to amplify local housing work.

    Maisha is passionate about the nonprofit sector and using communications as a tool for change. She has previously worked on campaigns that supported organizations in communicating their impact and engaging broader audiences.