Board Members
Selim Budak, PhD
Chair
Selim Budak is a dedicated community member with a rich background in communication and journalism. A graduate of the Faculty of Communication Sciences and Journalism in Turkey, he also holds a PhD in the same field. Since 1997, Selim worked in various capacities at Turkey’s prominent Cihan News Agency and Zaman daily newspaper, where he eventually served as the news coordinator until the paper’s government seizure in March 2016.
After relocating to Canada in 2016, Selim began a new chapter in his life and is now a proud Canadian citizen. Currently, he works as a truck driver for Erb Transportation. As a board member of the Grand River Friendship Society, Selim brings a wealth of experience in communication and leadership, contributing to the organization’s mission of fostering connections and understanding between communities.
Outside of his professional and volunteer commitments, Selim is a devoted husband and father of two.
After relocating to Canada in 2016, Selim began a new chapter in his life and is now a proud Canadian citizen. Currently, he works as a truck driver for Erb Transportation. As a board member of the Grand River Friendship Society, Selim brings a wealth of experience in communication and leadership, contributing to the organization’s mission of fostering connections and understanding between communities.
Outside of his professional and volunteer commitments, Selim is a devoted husband and father of two.
Muhammed F. Gunes, BA
Vice Chair
Muhammed is a graduate of the University of Madinah in Islamic Law. He also completed the Woodworking Technology program at Conestoga College in Canada and is currently dedicated to woodworking and wood painting projects.
For the past two years, he has served as the Publishing Director of YANKI, a monthly magazine for the youth of the Turkish community. Published under the GRFS community, YANKI amplifies the voices of young people while fostering understanding between generations by sharing their perspectives with the wider community.
As a Grandriver Friendship Society board member, Muhammed is deeply committed to building meaningful connections with youth and creating spaces for their ideas to be heard. His efforts to bridge generational divides and share the perspectives of young people make him an invaluable board member of the GRFS team.
For the past two years, he has served as the Publishing Director of YANKI, a monthly magazine for the youth of the Turkish community. Published under the GRFS community, YANKI amplifies the voices of young people while fostering understanding between generations by sharing their perspectives with the wider community.
As a Grandriver Friendship Society board member, Muhammed is deeply committed to building meaningful connections with youth and creating spaces for their ideas to be heard. His efforts to bridge generational divides and share the perspectives of young people make him an invaluable board member of the GRFS team.
Kerem Ertabak, BEng
Treasurer
Kerem has been part of the Kitchener-Waterloo community for over 20 years. After earning his degree in Mechanical Engineering, he worked as an engineer before diving into the world of business, where he started companies in restaurant franchising and construction. Later, he switched gears and earned a diploma in Computer and Information Technology, eventually launching an IT company focused on software QA and contracting.
Along the way, Kerem has been committed to giving back to the community. He’s been a board member with the Grand River Friendship Society for many years, taking on roles like Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Outside of work, Kerem is a proud father of two and enjoys life with his loving wife.
Along the way, Kerem has been committed to giving back to the community. He’s been a board member with the Grand River Friendship Society for many years, taking on roles like Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Outside of work, Kerem is a proud father of two and enjoys life with his loving wife.
Zehranur Sasal, MSc, PhD In Progress
Secretary
Zehra is a dedicated researcher and community advocate, currently pursuing a PhD in Neuroscience with a focus on autism. With a passion for understanding the complexities of the human brain and fostering meaningful connections, she brings a unique perspective to her work and volunteer efforts.
As a board member of the Grand River Friendship Society, Zehra is committed to building bridges between diverse communities, promoting intercultural dialogue, and strengthening inclusivity in the region
When she’s not focused on her research or volunteering, Zehra enjoys spending time with her family - her husband, sons and cat. In her free time, she can often be found buying more books she won’t have time to read.
As a board member of the Grand River Friendship Society, Zehra is committed to building bridges between diverse communities, promoting intercultural dialogue, and strengthening inclusivity in the region
When she’s not focused on her research or volunteering, Zehra enjoys spending time with her family - her husband, sons and cat. In her free time, she can often be found buying more books she won’t have time to read.
Cumali Sahin, B.Ed
Executive Director
Cumali Şahin was born in Turkey and completed his education there. With 17 years of experience in the education sector as a teacher and administrator, he has dedicated his career to fostering learning and leadership. In 2020, he joined the Grand River Friendship Society as Executive Director, contributing his expertise to advancing the organization’s mission of building bridges between communities and promoting intercultural understanding.
Cumali is a proud father of four and values spending time with his family. In his free moments, he enjoys watching movies and relaxing.
Cumali is a proud father of four and values spending time with his family. In his free moments, he enjoys watching movies and relaxing.
Leon James Kehl, MBA, MA
Member
Leon is a proud father of four, a devoted son, and the founder of a tech company. He also shares his home with many beloved pets thanks to his daughters and wife. He has been actively involved in interfaith and intercultural dialogue since 2003, when he became a founding member of a Mennonite-Muslim dialogue group that later grew into the Abrahamic Peace Builders. Those relationships then lead to local Mennonite churches and mosques sponsoring Iraqi/Palestinian refugees coming to Waterloo Region. These experiences taught him the value and potential of different faiths and cultures working together to help people in need.
He served as Church Council Chairperson for Floradale Mennonite Church for six years, ending in 2012, and as a Woolwich Counselling Centre board member from 2012 to 2014. His passion for fostering understanding across cultures has led him on three trips to Turkey. The first was organized by Intercultural Dialogue Institute-KW Region in 2009, the second in 2011 to support his daughter as she competed in the Turkish Olympiads, and the third in 2014, when he co-led a trip of Mennonite community members from the Waterloo Region.
When not working or volunteering, you can often find Leon happily socializing with friends, family, and community members—bringing people together is his favourite pastime. Through these roles and experiences, Leon brings invaluable insight and a kind heart to the Grand River Friendship Society as a board member.
He served as Church Council Chairperson for Floradale Mennonite Church for six years, ending in 2012, and as a Woolwich Counselling Centre board member from 2012 to 2014. His passion for fostering understanding across cultures has led him on three trips to Turkey. The first was organized by Intercultural Dialogue Institute-KW Region in 2009, the second in 2011 to support his daughter as she competed in the Turkish Olympiads, and the third in 2014, when he co-led a trip of Mennonite community members from the Waterloo Region.
When not working or volunteering, you can often find Leon happily socializing with friends, family, and community members—bringing people together is his favourite pastime. Through these roles and experiences, Leon brings invaluable insight and a kind heart to the Grand River Friendship Society as a board member.
Kerime Pamuk Carpan, BSc
Member
Kerime moved to Canada three years ago, bringing with her a passion for mathematics and physics that has shaped both her academic and professional journey. A graduate with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, she is now pursuing a Marine Engineering Technology program, combining her analytical skills with her love for the sea. This field allows her to channel her curiosity and dedication into meaningful, hands-on work. Kerime is also a coffee lover, previously having worked as a barista she sees coffee as more than just a drink—it’s a way to connect with others and create moments of warmth and joy.
As a board member of the Grand River Friendship Society, Kerime is dedicated to fostering community connections and promoting intercultural understanding. Her diverse experiences and enthusiasm for learning make them a valuable contributor to the organization’s mission.
As a board member of the Grand River Friendship Society, Kerime is dedicated to fostering community connections and promoting intercultural understanding. Her diverse experiences and enthusiasm for learning make them a valuable contributor to the organization’s mission.