Sonia Di Mezza
Chief Executive Officer
Sonia is the daughter of Italian migrants, who migrated to Australia in the 1950s.
She is a human rights lawyer and solicitor and has set up a legal aid project in the camps of Khartoum, Sudan; set up a human rights project in Pakistan for Afghan widowed refugee women and their children; worked as a Resettlement Consultant for UNHCR in Lebanon; worked for a child labour rights NGO in India for the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Kailash Satyarthi; and as a refugee lawyer in Australia.
Sonia has held the role of CEO of Loddon Campaspe Multicultural Services, in Bendigo for the past three years. Her other recent roles include Deputy CEO of a disability advocacy NGO in the ACT; CEO of a domestic violence NGO in the ACT; and Deputy Chair of the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council of Multicultural Affairs. Sonia is the co-author of a book relating to the memoir of an Indian woman who contracted HIV in an arranged marriage.
Madhuri Keswani
Business Manager
Madhuri Keswani joined MARSS nine months ago as a Business Manager, overseeing financial management, accounting, human resources, and information systems. Her role includes proactive financial oversight, budget development, and sustainable grant management, along with contributing to Board presentations.
Previously, she led financial process improvements at Focus ACT, worked on digital finance transformation projects at Genpact India, and gained extensive audit, accounting, and finance experience at Ernst & Young. Madhuri holds a CPA from CPA Australia and a CA from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
Joshua Alexander
Team Leader – Settlement Services
With a career deeply rooted in humanitarian work and crisis relief, Joshua Alexander has dedicated his expertise to assisting migrants, refugees, and displaced individuals in some of the world’s most challenging circumstances. Drawing upon extensive experience gained from working in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya with UNHCR, Solomon Islands, Tanzania, to Cairo Egypt working with Sudanese refugees in community Development.
Joshua is an excellent communicator and administrator with a strong understanding of the humanitarian and settlement sector.
Joshua is a degree qualified team leader for MARSS, overseeing MARSS’ settlement programs and initiatives. He has been with MARSS for more than 3 years and in that time has had responsibilities for delivery of education and training programs, casework with MARSS’ clients, communication, and stakeholder liaison including with ACT Government, and NGO service providers in the sector. Education programs he has led have included project management, grant management, English language, driving skills, and community leadership. Joshua is well connected to MARSS’ community organisations.
Joshua has a strong background in humanitarian focussed organisations and programs.
As a senior Claims Assessor with Deloitte, Joshua provided coordinated assistance to vulnerable clients facing disadvantage in respect of claims. In this role, he advised Deloitte clients on legislation, policy, procedures, payments, and services.
He spent volunteer time with the Australian Red Cross focused on its homelessness programs. He delivered meals, coordinated events to provide support to the homeless, assisted the elderly with housing needs and provided support to new migrants.
Joshua was a youth employment consultant supporting employment opportunities for jobseekers. This role included service provision on all sides of the employment process, working with jobseekers, and educating employers on their roles and responsibilities. So, he understands the employment service ecosystem.
Eman Basheer
Team Leader – Community Development
Eman Basheer, with a Master’s degree in Architecture, has over eight years of experience in refugee settlement services. She focuses on case management and community engagement, particularly assisting Arabic-speaking refugees. Eman has worked with the International Organization for Migration and contributed to the Iraqi Christian community in Canberra. She is dedicated to improving the lives of refugees through her extensive experience and advocacy.
Kamal Ahmed
Multicultural Youth Program Officer
Kamal Ahmed, born in Sudan and raised in Egypt and Australia, has been with MARSS since April 2023. With a Diploma of Community Service, Kamal is passionate about empowering young people. He provides guidance and support to help them navigate challenges and build brighter futures.
Erdem Can
Settlement Officer
Erdem Can, a skilled migrant from Turkey, joined MARSS in April 2023. With a bachelor’s degree in counselling and extensive experience in school counselling, Erdem focuses on casework for refugee and migrant clients. He provides culturally informed support, particularly for clients from Middle Eastern and North African backgrounds, ensuring they feel heard and understood.
Madina Lodeen
Settlement Officer
Madina Lodeen, a law student at the University of Canberra, works as a Settlement Officer and Youth Mentoring Program Officer at MARSS. She also serves as a Board Member of the Canberra Afghan Community. Madina provides essential support to newly arrived migrants and refugees, drawing from her own experiences to foster an inclusive environment. She is dedicated to empowering individuals to build stable, fulfilling lives in their new home.
Domenic Torcasio
Community Development & Multicultural Employment Officer
Domenic Torcasio has been with MARSS for over 2.5 years, having worked across several key roles including Housing Officer, Multicultural Events & Settlement Officer, and now Community Development & Multicultural Employment Officer. He holds a Diploma in Community Services and has a background in business management, with a strong commitment to community empowerment. Domenic coordinates employment-focused programs, leadership workshops, and inclusive multicultural events. He has successfully secured support from significant donors and continues to make a lasting impact by building confidence, skills, and connection within Canberra’s diverse communities.
Rose Hamid
Settlement Officer
Rose Hamid, born in Iran, holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic Language and Literature and a Diploma in Community Services. As a Settlement Officer at MARSS, she helps migrants navigate the challenges of settling in a new country. Fluent in Farsi, Arabic, and Dari, Rose offers direct communication and emotional support to her clients, drawing from her own experiences as a migrant. She is passionate about empowering others and believes in the transformative power of connection.
Patrick Shore
Admin Officer & IT/Social Media Support
Patrick Shore has been with MARSS for over two years, beginning as a dedicated volunteer before progressing into ongoing roles across the organisation. He first supported the Program for After School Studies (PASS), which offers free academic support and mentoring to young migrants and refugees aged 8 to 25 from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. In this role, he helped coordinate tutoring sessions and contributed to creating a welcoming learning environment. Patrick now works as an Admin Officer, providing front office support while also assisting with IT and social media. He is committed to supporting the community and takes pride in helping clients feel connected, informed, and supported throughout their settlement journey.
Ramya Bathula
Accounts & Business Support Officer
Ramya Bathula, originally from India, moved to Australia in 2015 and holds a Master of Professional Accounting. She joined MARSS in March 2024, handling accounts payable, receivable, payroll, and other accounting operations. Ramya also assists with budgeting, grants, and report preparation, bringing her extensive experience in accounting and financial analysis to her role.
Iyad Al Bool
Driving Instructor
Iyad Al Bool, originally from Jordan, has been a driving instructor at MARSS since July 2023. Having moved to Australia in 2019, Iyad understands the challenges of immigration. He helps fellow immigrants obtain their driver’s licenses, which are crucial for employment and independence. Iyad takes pride in his work and is honored to be part of MARSS.
Sooshiant Kiafar
Driving Instructor
Sooshiant Kiafar’s journey from Iran to Australia was driven by a desire to build a better life and contribute to the community. As a migrant, he overcame the challenges of mastering English and adapting to a new culture.
Through determination, he completed various courses, culminating in his driver training instructor certification a year ago. Sooshiant is dedicated to promoting road safety and supporting fellow migrants, empowering them to drive with confidence and responsibility. Inspired by the resilience of his students, he is committed to making Australia’s roads safer, one lesson at a time.
Lynne Johnson
Cultural Community Development Officer
Lynne Johnson has over 40 years of experience as a sewing educator and textile artist. She coordinates sewing and craft programs at MARSS, teaches practical skills, and manages various community initiatives. Lynne is passionate about empowering women and has been instrumental in setting up online learning during the COVID lockdown.