STAFF

Weam Namou

Executive Director

Weam is an Eric Hoffer award-winning author of 13 books, a two-time international award-winning filmmaker, journalist, poet, and an Ambassador for the Authors Guild of America [Detroit Chapter], the nation’s oldest and largest writing organization. After receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Wayne State University, Weam traveled the world as she studied fiction and memoir through various correspondence courses, poetry in Prague through the University of New Orleans, and screenwriting at MPI (Motion Picture Institute of Michigan). Her essays, articles, and poetry have been published by national and international publications. 

Natally
Shahfi

Media Specialist

Natally is a first-generation Chaldean American born and raised in Rochester Hills, Michigan. She successfully attained a bachelor’s degree in business with a major in Marketing. Natally is an Oakland University Alumnus. She has 6 years of digital/content marketing experience. She specializes in professional video marketing from creation to execution, content marketing, social media marketing ads/management, creative 360 campaigns, search engine optimization, podcast production, blog writing and more! 

BOARD MEMBERS

Judith (Judy) Jonna

Chair of the Board of Directors

Judy is a Certified Energy Touch Practitioner at Healing Solutions in Bloomfield Township with a decade of successful experience in wellness and alternative healing.  She also teaches green cleaning classes and facilitates meditation and spiritual counseling as part of her practice.  Of Chaldean decent, Judy was born to immigrant parents and raised in Detroit. She served as campaign finance director for her Congressman in Bloomfield Township, her place of residence, for four years and has experience in retail as owner and operator of two candle stores. Judy is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Belle Isle Conservancy, and on the development boards of Angels Place and the Chaldean Community Foundation.  

Wafa Bunney

Board Member

Wafa is an IT Executive (retired) at Ford Motor Company. Wafa’s 35-year career at Ford included managing and directing global IT teams from Americas, Europe, and Asia in delivering major IT applications in Manufacturing, Product Development, Marketing, Sales and Service, Finance and Human Resources. In addition to her job responsibilities, Wafa mentored and coached future leaders in IT at Ford and recruited talent from universities country wide. She is currently part-time consultant and chairman of the Business and IT school Advisory Board at Lawrence Technological University. She earned a Master’s in Business Administration at University of Detroit Mercy while working at Ford.  

Claudine Denha

Board Member

Claudine is a high school teacher at Marian High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. She teaches business/computer classes and moderates the junior class, the Chaldean Curriculum Project, and Beamer, a business entrepreneurship group.  Claudine prides herself on being the first Chaldean teacher at Marian. She received a Business Marketing degree and a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Wayne State University.  She currently serves on the board of the Chaldean Women’s Committee, is a member of the St. Thomas Pastoral Council, has assisted on Strides for Seminarians, and taught first Holy Communion.   

Marla M. Garmo

Board Member

Marla Garmo is a social worker. She is a lover of travel and education. She currently serves as a success coach in the CHAMPS and Warrior 360 programs at Wayne State University. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology as well as a Master of Social Work and Master of Business Administration, both from Wayne State University. Marla is an active board member for the Chaldean Cultural Center and is currently working on the Founders Gala for October 2023.  

Tom Haji

Board Member

Tom spent nearly 20 years at Ford Motor Company and currently wears many hats as an entrepreneur and a Director at both the Chaldean Community Foundation and Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, where he oversees $80M in housing / community center projects and the Ark Angel Fund companies –  which are valued at over $240M. 

Tom has over 30 years of experience in engineering, manufacturing, retail, logistics, real estate development and enjoys solving complex problems while continuously learning to add more tools to the depth and breadth of his skillset. 

Jennifer Gumma

Board Member

Jennifer Gumma is a registered pharmacist specializing in long-term care, with a deep passion for patient care and advocacy. She enjoys fitness, cooking, and creating lasting memories with family and friends. Committed to volunteering and helping others, Jennifer cherishes her faith, family, friends, and the Chaldean community. She believes it is essential to nurture their culture to provide a solid foundation for future generations. Jennifer has been married to her husband, John, since 1997, and together they have two beautiful children, Amelia and Roman.

Patrick Kattoo

Board Member

Patrick is the owner of Four Seasons Contracting, a construction company for both commercial and residential buildings. He’s also the owner of Public Waste, an environmental solutions provider in Southeast Michigan. Public Waste invests in developing waste solutions for a changing world, including counseling customers to achieve green goals, including zero waste. Patrick is a member of the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.  

Sister Nada Khubeir

Board Member

Sister Nada is a nun belonging to the Order of Chaldean Sisters, Daughters of Mary Immaculate.  She is the choir director at Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church and also serves as the communion teacher at Sacred Heart Church.  She is a teacher’s aid at St. Fabian Catholic School.   

Mark Mukhtar

Board Member

Mark is a partner at Ernst & Young LLP.  He is a licensed CPA and specializes in International Tax.  He has spent the last 30 years in the public accounting arena servicing a wide variety of clients ranging from smaller owner operated businesses to large multinational organizations.  He has also held a number of leadership positions with the firm.  Mark has held a number of board positions over the last number of years.  He was the Athletic Booster Club president for Notre Dame Prep from 2019 to 2021. Currently he serves on the Board of Directors for Great Oaks Country Club as a finance committee and strategic committee member. He will be assuming the Treasurer role at Great Oaks in 2023.

Mary Romaya (Emerita)

Board Member

Mary is a retired teacher and former Executive Director of the Chaldean Cultural Center. Born in Detroit to Chaldean parents who immigrated to the U.S. from Telkeppe, she graduated from the University of Detroit with a B.A. degree with a major in History and received an M.A. Degree in School Administration from Eastern Michigan University. Mary worked for 45 years as a professional educator with Warren Woods Public Schools leaving the district in January 2011. Mary served on the Board of Directors of the Chaldean Cultural Center since its inception from 2003 until becoming its Executive Director in 2011and retiring in October 1, 2019.  She currently acts as a consultant to the Chaldean Cultural Center. 

Sue Zoma

Board Member

Sue has been married for almost 50 years with three children and five grandchildren. She lived in San Diego California for 10 years and taught first communion and call bingo for Saint Peters. Returning to Michigan in 1997, she worked with the Chaldean American Ladies of Charity, the Chaldean Foundation, and St Thomas Church for almost 18 Years. She has volunteered for the Chaldean Cultural Center since 2017.