Chapters & Global Ambassadors
Alumni chapters groups offer a wide variety of activities for local alumni and students abroad on co-op and exchange terms.
Israel
Avi (BMath '05, Computer Science)
Avi has lived in Israel for the past three years. His experience living in Israel, Canada, US, Switzerland, and travelling throughout Europe and Asia has given him the opportunity to meet diverse peoples living in different situations with differing outlooks on life. As a proud Waterloo alumnus, Avi likes to keep in touch with the university and with Tamer Ozsu, the former head of the school of computer science.
An avid mountain biker and road cyclist, Avi also likes to drive his Jeep off-road. Avi volunteers with StandWithUs fellowship, a non-profit program that teaches young Israelis about the ongoing Middle East conflict, and how to speak about it. Avi looks forward to helping alumni who are visiting Israel to get the best of what the country has to offer.
Shmuel (DGOGY '89, Gerontology)
Shmuel has helped Israeli causes since 1993, by strategically transforming ideas and vision into concrete and tangible results.
Shmuel hails from Toronto, Canada. He studied at University of Waterloo, and received a Diploma in Gerontology in 1989. As a Gerontologist by profession, his priorities have always been to lift barriers to improve quality of living. Shmuel’s career in senior positions at notable organizations in Israel has brought him to work closely with an array of leaders in politics, education, security, and faith.
Bowman is an Experiential Jewish Educator, and communicates on a broad spectrum of topics related to current, relevant issues. As a Torah Scribe (Sofer STaM) he teaches on the wisdom of the sacred letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
Shmuel joined Operation Lifeshield at the time of it’s founding in 2006. As Executive Director of Operation Lifeshield (and the Canadian sister organization, Project Life Initiatives), Shmuel raises funds and awareness globally, supervises an international network of volunteer pro-Israel activists, and is responsible for OL activities in Israel – including placement of accessible bomb shelters, as well as briefings with mayors & security chiefs of towns & cities threatened by enemy rockets. Hundreds of shelters have been deployed under his watch, and thousands of Israeli lives protected. Shmuel Bowman is regarded as an expert in the field of passive defense and humanitarian NGO relief efforts.
Shmuel and his wife Leah (a licensed Israeli Tour Guide) have five children and a cat.
Pakistan
Mahmood is a brand strategist and management systems consultant. In 2011 he set up his own small business consultancy to work with high potential startups and SMBs to develop amazing products and scale business. In parallel, Mahmood spends a lot of time mentoring and coaching young founders and CEOs.
Mahmood is a founding member of the Insaf Professionals Forum - a global network of Pakistani professionals focused on building a more peaceful and prosperous Pakistan. He is also co-founder of "The Good News" - a community driven news website that aims to spread positivity and optimism in and about Pakistan.
He is also involved with several non-profit ventures working in education, health and community building.
Mahmood was born in London, UK and grew up in Karachi, Pakistan. He went to school at the prestigious Karachi Grammar School from 1985-2000. He re-settled in Karachi after graduating from the University of Waterloo (2000-2004) with a honours degree in Operations Research (B.Math) and a minor in Computer Science.
Mahmood is easily accessible and happy to help with advice and connections. He enjoys connecting with high school and university students as much as he does with professionals and entrepreneurs. He is committed to developing a thriving UW alumni community in Pakistan and to leverage the Waterloo brand for the betterment of Pakistan and Pakistanis.
Qatar
Salman Shaban is a 3rd generation (G3) family business owner and the senior business operations manager for Lucky Group, a leading metal recycling group established in 1973 with global headquarters in Dubai, UAE. A truly global businessman, Salman has visited more than 75 cities, in over 25 countries around the world and has lived in six different countries, including Pakistan, Oman, New Zealand and Qatar.
His business specialties include project management, business development, quality control, marketing collaterals, IT systems implementation, material processing and commercial management.
Salman applied to become a Global Ambassador because he wanted to add value to the international community by sharing his Waterloo experiences and discussing opportunities with alumni and students.
He is also looking forward to reminiscing about his Waterloo days. “This program gives me an opportunity to give back to Waterloo in whatever small way possible and return to the memorable life experiences that Waterloo has given me,” he said.
He currently shuttles between Dubai (UAE) and Doha (Qatar). Doha is a regional destination of choice for the international MICE market and an emerging international city determined to become a hub for arts culture and sports. Salman hopes to bring alumni living in his region together to network and enhance each other’s careers and businesses.
United Arab Emirates - Dubai
Harrison (BASc '04)
Harrison is the Group Chief Strategy Officer at e& (etisalat), the global technology and investment group, based in the UAE. He was previously a Partner at Siris Capital (technology private equity firm in New York), Partner at McKinsey and Company with operating experience in technology in the Canadian telecom industry. He is excited in helping co-lead the alumni chapter in the GCC and is looking forward to expanding his network.
Alex (BASc '09)
Alex Scott leads Solana Superteam MENA. His goals are to grow web3 talent, deal flow and new tech adoption across the Middle East & Africa. Previously, Alex led product and data engineering teams at Amazon International Retail. He also co-founded TransFi, a web3 company in Dubai and worked with Ledger the hardware wallet company where he launched a smart contract security API. Alex helped launch the UK Alumni Chapter and is excited to activate his second alumni region in the UAE.
Don't see your area?
We are always looking for alumni leaders to help foster connections amongst alumni living or working in the same area. If you’re interested in partnering with the University, please complete our volunteer form, and one of our Alumni Relations team will be in touch to discuss opportunities available with our chapters or becoming an ambassador!
Update your contact information
Stay connected so you don’t miss out on special event invitations and activities hosted by Alumni Chapters and Global Ambassadors in your area.