Meet Asma

A Journey of Service

When Asma Alwahsh arrived in Canada from Jordan in 2012, she carried with her a deep commitment to community and a belief that every person deserves the opportunity to belong. Settling in the Waterloo Region, she quickly recognized the challenges newcomers face — language barriers, cultural adjustment, and the struggle to find meaningful connections in a new country.

Rather than simply observe these challenges, Asma chose to act. She enrolled at Conestoga College, earning a post-graduate certificate in Volunteer Management — a field that would become the foundation of her life's work. Her education equipped her with the tools to mobilize communities, and she wasted no time putting them to use.

Asma began her professional career as a Settlement Worker, helping newcomer families navigate the complexities of building a new life in Canada. Her talent for connecting with people and understanding their needs led to her appointment as a Program Lead at the YMCA, where she designed and delivered programs that served some of the region's most vulnerable residents.

But Asma's most transformative contribution has been the founding of the Canadian Arab Women's Association (CAWA). What began as an informal community group in 2016 grew into a registered non-profit by 2018, serving Arab women and their families across the Waterloo Region and Guelph. Through CAWA, Asma has built a vital bridge — connecting women to each other, to essential resources, and to opportunities for active citizenship.

Today, as CAWA's Executive Director, Asma oversees programs in settlement assistance, education, employment readiness, and community engagement. Her work has not gone unnoticed: she is a 2025 Nominee for the Women of the Year Awards in the Community Service category and a 2026 Nominee for the Business Excellence Awards — recognition of both her social impact and her leadership.

Asma is running for Ward 2 City Councillor because she believes that the same skills that built CAWA — listening, connecting, and advocating — are exactly what our ward needs at the council table.