Lucette is a consultant and CMHA Master Trainer in various workplace mental health programs and the Psychological Health and Safety Advisor program. She understands the impact presenteeism, absenteeism, and disability has on an organization and the challenges managers face in addressing these, particularly in the area of workplace mental health.
Lucette has over 25 years of experience as manager/director of large disability claims operations responsible for up to 200 staff. Her expertise in disability management, her personal lived experience and her broad understanding of related fields is the foundation for providing support and innovation in psychological health and safety in workplaces. She was selected as one of the top 50 Women of Influence in the Canadian Insurance Industry by The Insurance and Investment Journal in 2014.
Jordan Friesen is the President of Mindset Mental Health Strategy Inc. He is a mental health expert with experience leading national programs and initiatives focused on workplace mental health. He uses is knowledge of best practices to assist organizations who want to take progressive action to support the mental health of their employees as an imperative for the future of work. A skilled educator, Jordan can distill complex ideas into actionable insights for a wide range of audiences, from executives to students.
Rebekah (Bekah) Sears is the National Lived Experience Specialist with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) National Office. In this role she is tasked with helping CMHA National infuse its work with the perspectives of People with Lived Experience of a Mental Illness. She’s held this position since May 2023. Before this Bekah spent over 13 years in the International Development and Peacebuilding sector, primarily with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Canada. Her work with MCC focused primarily on peacebuilding and advocacy, but she also worked to raise awareness of the impacts of working in this sector on mental health and mental well-being, advocating for better mental health supports. Bekah is originally from Fredericton, New Brunswick, but currently lives in Ottawa with her cocker spaniel Rosie.
Devika Pandey brings over ten years of professional experience in human resources, stakeholder engagement, knowledge mobilization, and learning and development. With a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, a certificate in Human Resources Management, and a Master of Arts in Leadership studies, Devika brings a wealth of knowledge on legislation and leading practices in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace. She has managed large scale government funded programs and is an experienced facilitator, educator, and a certified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI).
Lisa Paull, ancestral name Ts’eláselwet is the new Director of Programs & Services. Lisa is a mother to three amazing children and comes from a long line of Squamish Nation descendants, her late grandparents are Tilly Moody and Edwin Paull and Louie & Jessie Miranda; her late parents are Jolene Joseph-Paull, Louie Miranda John, and Darcy SR Joseph. Lisa’s professional background is connected to educational programs & services, personal development. Her focus is to support Indigenous capacity building through the delivery of impactful programming and services, which includes true collaboration with stakeholders and partners.
Rachel Mansell is the Vice President Programs & Operations at the Mosaic Institute. An equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) practitioner with over 10 years of progressive experience increasing values of equity and inclusion in both Canada and the UK, Rachel combines subject-matter expertise in human rights and EDI with skills in strategic planning, human resources, operations, facilitation, and program development. A dynamic, community-focused strategist with a passion for breaking down barriers between people, Rachel is also a Senior Associate at N. Jalal Global Consulting and a Professor at Fanshawe College.
Reilly (he/him) is originally from the West Coast living between Vancouver and Victoria, but now calls Toronto his home. Reilly has been dedicated to building a world that is free from discrimination and one that recognizes the intersectional struggles many within the 2SLGBTQ+ community experience every day. Having started in activism within student politics while attending Carleton University studying for his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He caught the attention of The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity, eventually being recruited to the Board of Directors. He has been with the CCGSD for a little over 4 years, having moved from Director, to Vice-President, and now is the Interim-President for the Board.
Trevor Buttrum is an award-winning leader who, over the last 20+ years, has honed his craft in campus recruitment strategy, career education and experiential learning, fostering inclusive talent pipelines, and building relationships to attract, engage, and retain, early career talent. In the Spring of 2022, Trevor was named the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE). CACEE provides a national voice, leadership, events, resources, and a niche community of practice to empower members to excel in their meaningful and critical work supporting students in their post-secondary to career transition.
Lorelynn Hart has been the Program Director for 12 years at Volunteer BC – a non-profit responsible for building the profile of volunteerism in BC. She is responsible for communications planning, stakeholder relations, fund development, public relations & training development. Lorelynn has over 25 years of program development and marketing communications experience in a variety of sectors including tourism, technology and health care. She enjoys working in the non-profit sector knowing that her work promoting the value of volunteerism is making a difference and an impact in communities across the province.
Lori is a volunteer management expert, consultant, and podcaster, as well as an internationally published author and workshop facilitator who has taught workshops to many diverse audiences across North America.
Lori consults with organizations on volunteer and board management, resource and learning and strategic planning to name a few areas.
Lori pushes the boundaries of volunteer management through her writing, consulting, and teaching.
Meet Alison, Network and Engagement Coordinator at Volunteer Alberta. With a laser focus on nurturing connections within Volunteer Alberta’s member network, Alison also spearheads the dynamic Alberta Volunteer Center Network and continually explores fresh avenues to engage with the sector at large. Recently started to Connect a community of Practices for Volunteer specialists.
Armed with a Bachelor of Arts in International Development Studies and a diploma in Arts and Cultural Management, Alison boasts an impressive academic foundation. Her proficiency is further fortified by eight years of hands-on experience as a volunteer coordinator, making her a true maestro in the realm of volunteer management.
Nicole Croes was born and raised on the “One Happy Island,” also known as Aruba. She moved to Canada in 2012. Nicole graduated from the Human Resources Program at Confederation College in 2014 and continued her studies at Lakehead University, majoring in Marketing and minoring in Human Resources.
Nicole gradually embraced her new life in Thunder Bay and became part of the diverse Canadian culture by joining different boards of community-based organizations in. She actively volunteers for various groups and collaborates closely with multiple community partners on several projects that support newcomers and refugees.
Dave leads the operations and solutions-oriented business development strategy and execution for CharityVillage. With more than 12 years of experience in the online talent acquisition space, Dave has been at the helm of significant changes within the Canadian recruitment industry, and he is now passionately applying his expertise to support the nonprofit and charitable sectors.
Duke Chang is an accomplished executive with over 25 years of leadership experience in financial services and technology, transforming businesses through innovation and product-led growth. Most recently, Duke served as the Worldwide Head of Product, Business Development, and Customer Experience for Lenovo Solutions and Services Group where he built and scaled the broad solution portfolio to support Lenovo’s $3 billion business.
Raksha M. Bhayana is currently CEO of the Bhayana Family Foundation and Principal, Bhayana Management focused on managing investment portfolios. Her career spans both the nonprofit and private sectors in senior managerial and consultative capacities. Prior to her move to the business world, she was active in directing a range of not-for profit organizations including Family Service Association of Toronto and Dellcrest Children’s Centre. (Now Hincks- Dellcrest). Raksha and her husband were recently named among the 2021 Indiaspora Global 100 Philanthropy Leaders List.
Rochelle has worked for over a decade as an analytics professional. She spent the majority of her career working for major financial institutions in Toronto where she used her knowledge to measure key metrics and trends. With a B.A. in Mathematics from York University in Ontario, she has excellent knowledge of statistical packages and analytics tools. Currently, as the co-founder of Story Point Consulting, Rochelle continues to use her skills to provide coaching and training for nonprofit staff and volunteers. She also consults with organizations helping them use their data to improve efficiency, reporting, and strategic decision making.
Lucy is the Director of Development for Family Services of the North Shore and has been working in the social-profit sector since 2010. She is currently VP Community Engagement on the AFP Greater Vancouver Board. In this role she oversees the National Philanthropy Day Giving Hearts Awards and is a champion of the non-profit profession and the collective achievements of all those that work to make a positive impact in our communities every day. She is excited to celebrate this year’s Charity Village Conference and Awards nominees and recognize their commitment and dedication to our profession that helps create stronger communities, together.
Brock Warner, CFRE is a Partner and Co-Founder at Broccoli, a specialized consultancy for nonprofits founded in 2021 with Holly H. Paulin, and author of the bestselling From The Ground Up: Digital Fundraising for Nonprofits. He brings a growth mindset to every project and opportunity he is involved in, while emphasizing a culture of collaboration and learning. As a senior leader in the international aid sector and in mental health, Brock has raised millions of dollars, and developed multiple successful campaigns, partnerships and sector innovations. He is a regular, sought-after presenter throughout North America, and is the professor of Integrated Marketing for Nonprofits at the Humber College Business School’s Fundraising Management postgraduate program in Toronto. His career began developing a strong base of knowledge in direct marketing for nonprofits, managing campaigns for national education, health, and environmental charities.
Lorelynn Hart has been the Program Director for 12 years at Volunteer BC – a non-profit responsible for building the profile of volunteerism in BC. She is responsible for communications planning, stakeholder relations, fund development, public relations & training development. Lorelynn has over 25 years of program development and marketing communications experience in a variety of sectors including tourism, technology and health care. She enjoys working in the non-profit sector knowing that her work promoting the value of volunteerism is making a difference and an impact in communities across the province.
Crystal is the President & CEO of The Smalldon Group where she manages the day-to-day operations of the corporation and its clients. The group has raised more than $5 Billion dollars in government grants and funding for non-profits, charities, and businesses. Crystal is an experienced Executive with extensive decades of experience and a track record of success. She attended Niagara College, Brock University, Carleton University, The University of British Columbia, and Mount Royal University, where she studied Social Service Work, Political Science, Law, and Addiction Medicine, before launching her career.
Born and raised in a small town in Northern Alberta, Micheal holds a special place in his heart for the strong sense of community and resiliency rural communities have. Proud of his Métis identity and part of the 2SLGTBQ+ community, Micheal currently resides in Edmonton with his partner. In his downtime he likes to explore the outdoors, visit museums, and attend theatre productions.
Holding a degree in Psychology from the University of Calgary, he’s been actively involved in nonprofit work and volunteering since he was young. As the Coordinator, Operations at Volunteer Alberta, Micheal’s work connects him with organizations seeking support on a variety of topics including volunteer screening and policy development. Always ready to lend an ear or dissect a challenge, he hopes that his enthusiasm for problem-solving has made a difference in the lives of those seeking support.
Dean is the Executive Director of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Association, Publishing Editor | Graphic Designer for the association’s quarterly Revue Airforce Magazine, and Secretary to the RCAF Association Trust Fund Board of Trustees. He also serves as the Certification Director for the International Association for Strategy Professionals (IASP), based in Livonia, Michigan, USA – the only such organization/association to offer formal credentials in Strategy Planning (SPP) and Strategy Management (SMP). He was born in Montréal (Lachine), Québec and enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces following graduation from the Goderich District Collegiate Institute High School in 1977. Dean earned a B.Sc., in Applied Science in 1981, from the Royal Military College (RMC) of Canada at Kingston, Ontario.
Charles Buchanan is the Founder and CEO of Technology Helps. As an innovator and visionary, he has a distinguished history in corporate technology leadership (including Suncor Energy, Deloitte, Oracle, MNP, and Royal LePage), management consulting, and entrepreneurship. Charles has a has founded and worked with numerous technology companies in diverse areas such as online gaming, fintech, environmental protection, and more. He continues to be an authority in the tech space and has provided expert advice and implemented large-scale technology solutions for enterprise clients.
Meena Das (she/her/hers) is the founder, consultant, and facilitator at her practices NamasteData and Data Is For Everyone. NamasteData is focused on advancing data equity for nonprofits and social impact agencies. Meena specializes in designing and teaching equitable research tools and analyzing engagement. She leads her work with love for the community, respect for her lived experiences and knowledge from decade plus experience of working with data. She supports nonprofits in 3 core areas: data collection assessments, community surveys, and staff workshops on improving data equity (through data collection, visualization, human-centric algorithms etc.) Connect with her on LinkedIn at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/meenadas
How can we harness technology to make a difference in the world? That’s the question Jason loves to explore with organizations. Jason serves as Chief Digital Officer of the Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience which aims to build a digitally-enabled nonprofit sector, where Canada’s diverse nonprofits use data and tech to advance their mission and multiply their impact. As an experienced digital executive, Jason has consistently provided leadership to help organizations stay ahead of the technology curve. He has successfully championed organization-wide digital-first approaches and has developed and implemented strategies that support operations, marketing, fundraising, and program delivery.
Almeera Khalid is a public policy consultant and holds a MSc in Forced Migration and International Development from the University of Oxford. Almeera is a tri-sector policy professional–with experience in civil society, the private sector and UN entities.
She specializes in migration, human rights, and gender, and has worked with UN agencies and research institutions. She is passionate about addressing social and political issues and is a strong advocate for gender justice. She is currently the head delegate representing Canadian youth at the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings this year.
Cherie Wai is a Hong-Kong Canadian immigrant, storyteller, and advocate with a passion to build global communities. She began advocating with World Vision at age 16 and is a recipient of the World Vision Canada Heroes for Children – Ruth Robers Award, recognized as a “bright young leader with an intense passion for the developing world”. With an international development degree and business minor completed at the University of Waterloo and practiced in Peru and Bolivia, her heartbeat for advocacy is fuelled by the resilient humans and stories of transformation she has encountered. With experience in public speaking, lobbying, student community mobilization, and media interviews, Cherie has lived and seen the collective impact youth can drive in development policies and funding. Now as the Youth Engagement and Advocacy Officer at WVC, she is fostering greater grounds for more young leaders to actualize global change locally through community.
Known for her empathic curiosity and creative ideas, Clary demonstrates what it means to live boldly and bravely. Inspiring others to advocate for their own needs, she brings a wealth of knowledge from her lived experience and formal education in the realm of disability justice. Experiencing the world as a chronic pain survivor has taught Clary the importance of proactive accessible design in all spaces. Clary holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Rights with a double minor in Communications and Legal Studies from Carleton University.
Clary brings her entrepreneurial spirt and experience to IONS from running a successful consulting and public speaking business, Spark Clarity, for 6 years prior to joining IONS.
As a Black queer woman of colour, Clary holds many intersections that she sees as her superpowers, allowing her to relate to community as she discovers new ways of working and co-creating change with and for the community impact sector.
When Clary isn’t asking bold questions, you can find her gardening and cultivating community with her fiancée, in Cape Breton. They are working to transform their once forgotten acreage into a flower farm and event space for queer, disabled, chronically ill and Black folks to thrive in nature.
Raaj is an award-winning social entrepreneur, researcher, and community leader. Raaj’s background in engineering led him to work on Apple’s latest products and recycling technology. Raaj’s passion for technology-enabled sustainable change drew him to research the major capacity constraints nonprofits face in building SDG-aligned community impact. In 2020, Raaj began to design a solution by bridging the corporate and nonprofit worlds, founding the startup MeaningfulWork. The startup’s online platform enables companies to embed social purpose by engaging their employees through skill-based volunteering with nonprofits in the community. MeaningfulWork also works with their 300+ nonprofit partners to connect their impact to a theory of change, UN SDGs, and actionable capacity-building plans. Raaj creates a unique impact by integrating an intersectional and justice-centred approach to building a sustainable future. He has served as EDI Officer on the board of The Starfish Canada, and is a researcher at SFU’s eBrain lab building the next generation of mental health diagnostics and treatment through neuromodulation. Raaj’s work has led him to the TEDx stage, and receive the prestigious Gordon Shrum, NSERC CGS-M, and Leadership in Sustainability awards from SFU. Raaj elevates people and organizations to maximize their impact and find their purpose.