Meet our team – Romero House

Our staff team at Romero House is diverse, hailing from many countries and speaking a range of languages. Whether we came to Canada as newcomers ourselves, our ancestors generations ago, or have another journey to how we came to call this place “home”, we share a common passion for supporting refugees. We bring diverse talents and experiences and are pleased to share them with each other and the Romero community.

Francesca Allodi-Ross

( She / Her )
Executive Director

Born and raised in Toronto, Francesca has been part of the Romero community for more than 20 years. She started as Executive Director in 2022, bringing experience as a facilitator, frontline social service worker, and former lawyer. She loves dancing and singing and is grateful to live and work in a community that celebrates both.

Mary Jo Leddy

( She / Her )
Founder

Renowned for her creative use of leftovers in making delicious meals, and her dedication to our neighborhood. She is a social activist, teacher, and writer, whose long term commitment to Romero House has formed the foundation of this community.

Jenn Stephenson

Assistant Director

Jenn has lived in four countries and traveled extensively, giving her a broad understanding of diverse cultures. With a background in international development, project management, and operations, she brings experience in leading initiatives that strengthen programs and support communities. At Romero House, Jenn focuses on operations and ensures that the first homes of refugee families in Canada are fully prepared and welcoming.

Ann Khatter

( She / Her )
Bookkeeper

Ann has worked in the non-profit sector since 2009 and joined Romero House in 2019 as the organization’s bookkeeper. Originally from England, she spent five years in Singapore and has lived in Canada for many years. Ann manages the financial operations behind the scenes, ensuring Romero House can continue its mission smoothly and effectively.

Robbie Arzumanov

( He / Him )
Settlement and
Logistics Coordinator

Robbie is from Georgia and provides support to former residents as well as our operations and admin team. He is an amazing guitar player and a great gym buddy! He is excited to continue to share his Georgian food recipes with the Romero community.

Robelin Severino

( He / Him )
Maintenance Manager

Our Buildings and Maintenance Manager Robelin brings amazing enthusiasm to Romero House while keeping our houses in great shape. He loves to make music, is a talented bachata dancer and a great cook!

Oren Jungreis

( He / Him )
Housing Access Coordinator

Oren comes from a background of community organizing and social work, and has a passion for community-based education. He cares deeply about ensuring that all people have access to sustainable housing. You can find him cooking new recipes, playing games with his friends, and exploring Toronto.

Karen Sierra

( She / Her )
Housing Hub Manager

Originally from Colombia, Karen began her career as a Project Engineer in Colombia and, since moving to Canada, Karen has brought her organizational skills, resourcefulness, and creativity to roles focused on helping others.
Romero House welcomed Karen in 2018 and she has been part of the community ever since. She started as a Housing Access Coordinator, helping families find safe and stable homes. She now serves as Housing and Settlement Manager, continuing her commitment to supporting newcomers and building community.
When she’s not at work, you can find Karen sipping coffee, experimenting in the kitchen, exploring new foods, or discovering new places to visit.

Jalal Nazari

(He/him)
Community Host Program Coordinator

Born and raised in Afghanistan, He brings a rich background in Gender and Women’s Studies and a deep passion for advocating for marginalized communities, including refugees.

Born and raised in Afghanistan, He brings a rich background in Gender and Women’s Studies and a deep passion for advocating for marginalized communities, including refugees. As our Community Host Program Coordinator and Companion, he is excited to support and serve the refugee community at Romero House. Known for his love of Persian cuisine and calligraphy, Jalal is the perfect person to connect with if you share an interest in these areas. He’s a lover of poetry, philosophical discussions, and spirituality, as well as an excellent cook and an active sports enthusiast.

Sana’a Jaber

( She / Her )
Housing Access Coordinator

Sana’a Jaber is a proud Arab refugee, mother, writer, and enthusiastic cook who believes that the best stories are told through both words and food. With decades of experience in film, TV, and volunteering, she’s passionate about blending creativity with humanitarian work. What makes her journey even more special is that she was once a resident at Romero House, the very place that welcomed her to Canada—a true full-circle moment. When she’s not crafting stories or cooking up something delicious,Sana’a is advocating for others and helping to build a more inclusive community for everyone.

Yasmin Calderon Obregon

(She/Her)
Volunteer Coordinator

Yasmin is our vibrant Volunteer Coordinator, who began her journey at Romero House as a placement student. Her love for this community led her to apply as a worker, and she is now also joining us as a Companion. Originally from Peru, Yasmin thrives on being around people and brings an infectious joy to our team. Always smiling, she is passionate about dancing and helping others, offering Spanish introductory lessons to community members. Yasmin’s warm spirit and dedication make her a cherished part of the Romero House family.

Patrick King Mwesigye

(He/Him)
Community Programming Coordinator & Companion

Patrick King Mwesigye is a queer social justice and human rights advocate committed to advancing the rights of refugees, LGBTQI+ communities, youth, and women.

Patrick King Mwesigye is a queer social justice and human rights advocate committed to advancing the rights of refugees, LGBTQI+ communities, youth, and women. He has supported over 1,600 refugees, asylum seekers, and newcomers through initiatives addressing housing, employment, immigration, health, mental health, HIV/AIDS prevention, and gender-based violence.

Patrick founded Hope for Refugees International to amplify voices and address the needs of BIPOC refugees and newcomers, and he also founded the Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum and co-founded Transgender Equality Uganda, working with UNFPA, WHO, and global partners to influence policy on youth health. Internationally recognized for his leadership, Patrick continues to dismantle systemic barriers and create pathways for equity, inclusion, and justice worldwide.

Paula Ocampo

( They/Them )
Communications & Development Coordinator

Paula was born and raised in Mexico & moved to Canada in 2019. Since then, they have participated in a variety of advocacy and community organizing spaces. They are passionate about the transformative power of storytelling and art. You can find them at a museum or gallery, sharing food with loved ones, or working on their latest ceramics project.

Masooma Ahmadi

( She / Her )
Romero Moves Coordinator

Originally from Afghanistan, she came to Romero House as a resident, later joined as a summer student, and now serves as the youngest Worker on staff. She’s passionate about math, computer science, and learning new things. She enjoys helping others, sharing her journey, and creating organized, welcoming spaces. Off the clock, you’ll usually find her watching movies, tending to her plants, or going for walks while listening to music and clearing her mind.