Legal Team

Experienced legal team advocating for immigrant rights, cultural heritage, and empowerment.

LegalTeam

Dedicated team empowering communities, fostering inclusivity, and creating meaningful change.

Lucas Misente

Founder/CEO

Laureen Owaga

Researcher

Peter Nyamiaka

Settlement Officer

Dr. Elizabeth Onyango

Researcher

Pastor Geoffrey Killy

Minister of the Gospel

📍 Ontario, Canada

All Nations SDA Church

Toronto, Canada
PastorApr 2022 – Present · 4 yrs 2 mo

University of Kigali

Kigali City, Rwanda
LecturerJan 2014 – Jul 2022 · 8 yrs 7 mo

University of Kigali

Kigali Province, Rwanda
PastorMar 2013 – Jul 2022 · 9 yrs 5 mo

Kigali English SDA Church

Kigali City, Rwanda
PastorJan 2011 – Mar 2013 · 2 yrs 3 mo

Mount Kenya University (MKU)

MBA2010 – 2013

Master of Business Administration – Strategic Management

University of Eastern Africa, Baraton

Bachelor's1999 – 2006

Bachelor's Degree – Theology

Geoffrey Nyambaka, CRSP

Regional HSSE Manager at CSA Group

📍 Greater Toronto Area, Canada

Achieved global, multi-site registration to the Occupational Health and Safety Management System standard ISO 45001:2018, and the Environmental Management System standard ISO 14001:2016.

CSA Group

Greater Toronto Area, Canada
Regional HSSE ManagerApr 2020 – Present · 6 yrs 2 mo

CSA Group

HSE Manager – CanadaNov 2016 – Apr 2020 · 3 yrs 6 mo

Array Marketing

EHS ManagerOct 2014 – Nov 2016 · 2 yrs 2 mo

Molson Coors Canada

Toronto Brewery
EHS SpecialistMay 2013 – Oct 2014 · 1 yr 6 mo

PepsiCo Canada

Mississauga
Corporate H&S SpecialistJan 2010 – Apr 2013 · 3 yrs 4 mo

Pronamic Distribution – Sysco Foods

Mississauga, ON
H&S Co-ordinatorJun 2005 – Aug 2009 · 4 yrs 3 mo

Federation of Ontario Naturalists

Environmental AnalystSep 2002 – May 2005 · 2 yrs 9 mo

Environment Canada

Project Delivery Asst.Sep 2001 – Sep 2002 · 1 yr 1 mo

Western University

Post Grad Diploma2009 – 2010

Occupational Health and Safety Management

Humber College

Certificate2020 – 2021

Construction Project Management

York University

Course2000 – 2001

Project Planning & Implementation; Business and Environment

Kenyatta University

BES Hons

Environmental Studies

Lawi Njeremani

Social Impact Advisor · Author · Corporate Speaker · Turfgrass Management

📍 Greater Guelph Metropolitan Area, Canada

Author of "The Gigantomachy of Samaismela" and "The Trouble with Kenya: McKenzian Blueprint". University of Guelph Turfgrass Management graduate; Social Consciousness Theorist; Lateral thinker; Host of "The Samaismela Show".

PQADVANCEMENT

Ontario, Canada
FounderOct 2022 – Present · 3 yrs 8 mo

Lions Clubs International

Guelph, Ontario
VolunteerMar 2023 – Present · 3 yrs 3 mo

SkwlCafe

FounderJan 2017 – Present · 9 yrs 5 mo

SkwlCafe

Canada
Turf Care SpecialistSep 2022 – Aug 2023 · 1 yr

Cutten Fields Golf Club

Guelph, Ontario
InternJun 2023 – Dec 2023 · 7 mo

Lions Clubs International

Kenya
Volunteer – Multi-RolesJul 2009 – Jun 2020 · 11 yrs

VELOCITY Project Management

Westlands, Nairobi
Strategy ConsultantMar 2011 – Dec 2016 · 5 yrs 10 mo

Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan Fund

Nairobi
ConsultantJun 2014 – Feb 2016 · 1 yr 9 mo

United Way Kenya

Founding Board MemberJun 2008 – Dec 2012 · 4 yrs 7 mo

Rotaract

Kenya
Volunteer – Multi-RolesNov 2003 – Dec 2009 · 6 yrs 2 mo

University of Guelph

Associate's2022 – 2025

Turf and Turfgrass Management

Kenya Institute of Mass Communication

Diploma1999 – 2002

Mass Communication / Media Studies

Velocity Project Management

Certificate2011 – 2012

Project Management

Dr. Delessa Bulcha Neger, PhD

Director of Research, Programs & Strategic Partnerships

📍 African Centre Toronto (ACT) · Greater Toronto Area, Canada

Over 17 years of leadership experience in higher education, government, and community development. Committed to advancing equity, public education, and community empowerment through evidence-based programs and collaborative engagement.

African Centre Toronto (ACT)

Greater Toronto Area, Canada
Director – Research & PartnershipsPresent

University of Gondar & Bule Hora University

Adjunct ProfessorCurrent
  • Community Development & Equity Programs
  • Research Leadership & Strategic Partnerships
  • Higher Education & Academic Leadership (17+ yrs)
  • Public Education & Community Empowerment
  • Government Relations & Policy

Lucas Mirera Misente

Senior IT Support Analyst at iA Financial Group

📍 Canada

Senior IT professional with expertise in user security administration, Windows environments, and end-user support. Resourceful, able to work independently within a team, multitask, manage deadlines, and adapt to change.

iA Financial Group (Industrial Alliance)

Toronto, Canada
Senior IT Support AnalystNov 2017 – Present · 8 yrs 7 mo

Systems

Active Directory

Windows Server

Disaster Recovery

Languages

English (Full Professional)

Swahili (Native / Bilingual)

Certifications

A+ · N+ · ITIL

Security+ · CCNA

CISSP (in progress)

BSc. Electrical & Electronics Eng.

Diploma – Information Technology

  • Raise the Bar – Service Standards Award
  • Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorist Financing Awareness Training

The legal department becomes a true business partner with proactive collaboration

African Centre in Toronto understands that the more proactive a legal department is, the better it can provide operational staff with effective solutions for risk control. 

ACT believes that Legal team play an active role and work closely together with colleagues as business partners rather than reactively waiting on input from others will be perceived by everyone involved as providing greater value. They can therefore earn more respect when negotiating contracts or dealing directly with clients

The level of involvement improves when automation takes on the mundane tasks that are keeping the department overworked and frees them to provide better service for other departments. For example, contract management tools make it easier to quickly create documents and accelerate the contract life-cycle. 

Awareness of how much risk your company can tolerate

As a lawyer, you may be in the habit of attempting to mitigate all risks. In contrast, your job in the Legal Department is to advise of risk and understand how much risk the business can accept to keep things moving forward. Manage risk, don’t run from it. Law firms are about reducing risks, but companies are about maximizing profit. Figure out a way to say “Yes,” not to say “No.” (unless it’s illegal). When “No” is the right answer, present alternatives that accomplish the business goal.

Define and communicate legal department KPIs

Valuing a legal team’s contribution also means measuring and communicating it internally. It is the head of a legal department’s role to set up performance indicators: quantitative elements on case management, budget for purchasing legal services, etc., and to communicate them internally. In the end, it is the curiosity and willingness of lawyers to leave their legal comfort zone and move into “business”, a less controlled and therefore riskier field, that will make it possible to change perceptions and have their contribution to a company’s performance appreciated at its true value.