Rob has worked in the refugee and immigrant-serving sector for much of his professional career, starting as a volunteer when in university, and then at the International Centre in Winnipeg for 14 years, followed by CCIS for 11 years. Rob worked in other areas of the charitable sector for a decade, primarily with the homeless population experiencing complex and severe mental health and addictions issues, before returning to CCIS at the beginning of 2023. 

Rob has worked as a volunteer, counsellor, team lead, coordinator, program developer, manager and director in the areas of volunteer management, employment, skills training, at-risk youth, community development, family support, child care, child intervention, special projects, and inter-agency, regional and national networking. He was recognized at the “Mentor Level” as an Immigrant Settlement Professional by AAISA in 2006 and received the Pulse of Social Work Award from Calgary & Area Child & Family Services in 2005, and the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2006. 

Rob was born and raised abroad, to Canadian citizens, resettling in Canada at age 16, due to the Lebanese Civil War. He has three adult children: his son who lives in Switzerland, and his twin daughters who live with him here in Calgary. One of Rob’s degrees is in Anthropology, and he continues to explore his interest in the field.