About ONE Hub

The Ottawa Newcomer Entrepreneurs Hub (ONE Hub) is an initiative developed by the coalition partners World Skills, OCISO, & OCLF along with the support of our community partners Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre and Vitesse Re-Skilling Canada, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

The ONE Hub aims to remove barriers to self-employment and to support the social and economic integration of current and aspiring entrepreneurial newcomers by providing them with training, business support, funding advice, networking and mentorship opportunities, and by connecting them with other key players within the ecosystem.

Our Partners

World Skills Employment Centre

Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO)

Ottawa Community Loan Fund (OCLF)

Vitesse

Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre

Our Funder

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

ONE Hub Team

Grace Sheng

Manager and TESL Trainer, World Skills Employment Centre

Grace has been working in entrepreneurial training for the past 5 years and started managing the ONE Hub program in June 2020. In addition, as a certified TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) Trainer for the ONE Hub program, Grace introduces aspiring immigrant entrepreneurs to the theoretical concepts and definitions of entrepreneurship with a focus on improving clients’ language skills.

Maricris Taeza

Business Development Advisor, OCISO

With a digital marketing background, Maricris has helped numerous businesses grow by developing, implementing, and optimizing campaigns — whether it’s brand awareness, demand generation, client engagement, or lead generation. Her core competencies encompass search engine optimization (SEO), content strategy, social media marketing, and search engine marketing (SEM).

Her experience extends to uncovering business opportunities, strategies, and solutions; coaching; connecting clients with government resources; and fostering partnerships with stakeholders.

Since 2020, she has been volunteering as a Pre-Arrival Mentor for aspiring digital marketers immigrating to Canada.

Danielle Kerr

Outreach & Engagement Specialist, World Skills Employment Centre

Danielle has many years of experience working with families from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and an Emphasis in Linguistics, her interests focus on the tools of communication. Danielle is also TESFL-certified (Teaching English as a Second Language) and holds a certification in small business marketing.

Sara Tavasoli

Intake, Assessment and Referral Counsellor, World Skills Employment Centre

Sara has over 5 years of experience in newcomer integration and settlement in Ottawa and has worked as a TESL certified English teacher, workshop facilitator and Workplace Language Training instructor.

Zuhal Karim

Mentorship Coordinator, OCISO

Zuhal is a seasoned professional with nearly 8 years of experience in training, job matching, and Human Resources. Passionate about fostering diversity and inclusion, I believe that setting clear, achievable goals provides direction and purpose, serving as a roadmap for personal and professional success.