1. Mahdi J. Qasqas
President and Founder of 3OWN: Muslim Youth and Family Services
MA Counselling Psychology, BPA Criminal Justice, PhD Candidate Social Work
Research: I am a PhD candidate at the University of Calgary in the Faculty of
Social Work. Despite what my engineering friends think, yes we are a real
science. I am primarily focusing on social capital and effective leadership in
Muslim communities in the West, especially in the gaps that need to be filled to
facilitate the success and prosperity of the next generations given the socio-
political context of the day. I also regularly guest lecture and have done my part
in TA’ing and contributing to research projects including the Criminal Gang
Involvement of Youth from Immigrant Families, Identity-Based Wrap Around
Project, and several others. Soon I will lead my own and am always happy to
collaborate.
Professional Practice: As a registered provisional psychologist, and Canadian
certified counsellor, my specialization is in culturally responsive practice with an
expertise in counselling Muslim families and youth of all ages and stages. For
some reason I am able to connect to youth quickly even though my jokes are
lame and terrible.
Volunteer: Since 1999, I have happily and passionately been honoured to serve
over 10,000 hours of volunteer service (I guess that makes me an Expert in
working for free). But seriously, I have been developing and executing various
youth and family empowerment programs, community development initiatives,
motivational speeches, and training for various ethno-cultural nonprofit
organizations. I still volunteer heavily although now I train the trainers to ensure
sustainability.
Community Development and Training: I have been called by many an
“authentic actor and charismatic leader with strong roots, networks, and
credibility across several Canadian Muslim communities”. I was invited to
represent Canadian Muslim leadership through the U.S state department’s
International Visitor Leadership Program in 2011; promoting moderate voices.
Currently, I’m leading various stakeholders across Alberta in reclaiming the
Muslim narrative and preventing criminal radicalization through youth
empowerment. A topic that deserves much more professional voices; especially
from the fields of Social Work and Psychology. Three programs are finally
reaching the final phases of development; the OWN IT initiative, Smooth
Transitions Outreach Program (S.T.O.P.) and, the Rage is Not Enough diversion
program. Check it out if you don’t believe me http://ownit2014.com
Consultation: As a consultant, I have been contracted to provide cultural
brokerage and other professional services to Calgary and Area Child and Family
Services, Corrections Canada, the Muslim Council of Calgary (and many other
Islamic organizations), the Calgary Islamic School, and Alberta Health Services.

2. I speak three languages fluently; English, Arabic, and a third mysterious
language that my two infant children speak.