Team
Executive Committee
David Bock
Disaster Response Specialist, Programs & Policy, Compassion Canada
David Bock serves as Disaster Response Specialist with Compassion Canada and is a humanitarian and development practitioner with over 15 years of field leadership experience around the world. He has a strong track record of serving in complex, high‑stakes environments, including conflict zones and disaster‑affected areas, supporting multi‑country relief efforts and sustainable development initiatives. Previously, David served as Global Director of Health and Emergency Programs at MedGlobal, overseeing country programs in nine contexts: Bangladesh, Colombia, Gaza, Lebanon, Mexico, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Yemen. He also spent nearly ten years with Samaritan’s Purse, serving in Malawi, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Canada in a variety of roles, including Acting International Disaster Response Director. David holds a Master of Arts in Peace, Conflict, and Development Studies from the University of Bradford, where he graduated with distinction.
Laura El Khoury
Project Manager, Action Against Hunger Canada
Laura El Khoury is a seasoned humanitarian manager at Action Against Hunger Canada, bringing over 12 years of experience in both national and international NGOs across the humanitarian and development sectors. Passionate about advocacy, she works to influence policy and amplify the voices of the communities served.
Laura represents Action Against Hunger within the Canadian humanitarian network, contributing to sector-wide collaboration. As a member of the Executive Committee of the Humanitarian Response Network, she is committed to strengthening coordination and knowledge exchange to enhance the collective impact of humanitarian efforts.
Yassine Labidi
Director of Programs & Partnerships, Action For Humanity Canada
With a solid academic foundation in International Cooperation and Marketing Management, Yassine Labidi leverages his expertise to drive impactful humanitarian initiatives. As Director of Programs & Partnerships at Action For Humanity Canada, he is dedicated to advancing human rights and mobilizing international aid to support the world’s most vulnerable populations.
Through extensive experience working with humanitarian actors in refugee camps and vulnerable communities across the globe, including Tunisia, Turkey, Syria, Chad, South Africa, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe, Yassine has developed a deep understanding of the complexities facing vulnerable populations and the potential for international collaboration to drive meaningful change.
A professional with a proven track record of high-level engagement with international stakeholders from diverse cultural backgrounds, Yassine has participated in numerous seminars and conferences in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia, and Africa. His expertise and commitment to humanitarian causes have equipped him to navigate complex global challenges and develop innovative solutions to support those in need.
Julie Langelier
Head of Projects, Farm Radio International
Julie Langelier is the Head of Projects at Farm Radio International, where she oversees humanitarian and development initiatives focused on communication justice, community participation, and access to information in crisis- and climate-affected contexts.
With over 20 years of experience in humanitarian action, human rights, and international development, Julie has worked with international NGOs, the United Nations, and civil society organizations. She has held field-based roles in South Sudan, Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine, Indonesia,Timor-Leste, and India, and has also provided remote support to initiatives in additional contexts. Her humanitarian work has centred on community engagement and accountability, risk communication and community engagement, and the coordination of inter-agency working groups and collective approaches to accountability to affected populations.
Based in Montreal, Julie is interested in strengthening collaboration and shared learning among Canadian humanitarian organizations as the sector navigates ongoing change and increasing complexity.
Mame Fana Ndiaye
Humanitarian Project Officer at Médecins du Monde Canada
Mame Fana Ndiaye is the Humanitarian Project Officer at Médecins du Monde Canada, with a background in medicine and public health research. She has experience working in clinical, research and humanitarian settings in Senegal and Canada, and supports health programming in complex humanitarian contexts.
Her areas of interest include health equity and access to quality healthcare in humanitarian contexts.
She co-leads the Community of Practice on Artificial Intelligence in Humanitarian Response.
Co-Chairs
Dalia Al-Awqati
Deputy Director, Humanitarian Affair, Oxfam Canada
Dalia Al-Awqati is a dedicated humanitarian worker with twenty years of experience working in the non-profit sector, with specialization in humanitarian action and management in complex crises. She is currently the Deputy Director, Humanitarian at Oxfam Canada.
Dalia joined Oxfam Canada in November 2024 where she oversees humanitarian action, provides direction on humanitarian advocacy, and supports efforts to secure funding. Prior to joining Oxfam, Dalia worked with Save the Children Canada as their Head of Humanitarian Affairs where she led humanitarian programs, supported policy and advocacy, and did media engagement. Dalia has also worked with several other humanitarian organizations including the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Mercy Corps, and Danish Refugee Council (DRC) responding to crises in various locations including Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, and Türkiye.
Dalia is a native Arabic speaker. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Rights from Central European University in Hungary and a Bachelor’s degree in Peace and Global Studies from Earlham College in Indiana.
Robin Michael
Senior Manager of International Programs, War Child Canada
HRN Co-Chair since January 2023, Robin Michaels is the Senior Manager of International Programs at War Child Canada.
She brings over a decade of experience leading large-scale humanitarian responses in conflict and disaster settings across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Specializing in child-centred and disability-inclusive programming, her expertise spans health, education, protection, and early childhood development.
A strategic leader, Robin has built strong partnerships with governments, UN agencies, and local organizations to deliver impactful, locally led solutions. She is committed to advancing equity, inclusion, and resilience in global humanitarian action.
Secretariat
Emma Proux
HRN Manager
Since June 2025, Emma Proux has been the Manager of the Humanitarian Response Network of Canada (HRN). She brings expertise in humanitarian project management and coordination, gained through her roles at Cooperation Canada and the Association for Canadian Studies / Metropolis Institute, where she led various initiatives.
Emma also worked as an independent consultant for Minority Rights Group International in London, contributing to projects advocating minority rights and promoting inclusive dialogues. She has been involved in advocacy efforts at the Welsh Refugee Council as well. Her experience spans complex, multicultural environments within NGOs, charities, research centres, and consulting teams.
Emma holds Master’s degrees in International Relations from Université Laval (École supérieure d’études internationales) and Sciences Po Bordeaux, as well as an undergraduate dual degree in Politics and International Relations from Cardiff University and Sciences Po Bordeaux.
