Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is entrusted with Stewardship of the Foundation which includes honouring the principles, values and vision of the Sisters of Service and their foundress, Catherine Donnelly.
The Board is currently comprised of the following members:
- George Andrews, Edmonton, AB
- Catherine Boucher, Ottawa, ON
- Darlene Clover, Victoria, BC
- Tim Draimin, Toronto, ON
- Jason Dudek, Winnipeg, MB
- Mike Flynn, Montreal, PQ
- Mary-Ellen Francoeur, SOS, Ottawa, ON
- Mary Halder, SOS, Toronto, ON - Past Chair
- Denise Henning, PhD, The Pas, MB
- Ted Hyland, Toronto, ON
- Elly Kaas, Toronto, ON -
- George Kelly, Edmonton, AB
- David Love, Toronto, ON - Vice-Chair
- Sr Thérèse Meunier, CSJ Toronto, ON
- Anna McNally, SOS, Toronto, ON - Secretary
- Darwin Park, Edmonton, AB - Chair
Director of Finance: Desmond Wilson, Toronto, ON
Grants & Communications Manager: Valerie Lemieux, Toronto, ON
Administrative Assistant: Gigi Inara, Toronto, ON
Biographies
George Andrews, is currently the Vice President External Relations and CDO for Northern Alberta Institute of Technology responsible for Marketing, Communications, Government Relations, Fundraising and Earned Income. George has served on numerous boards including The Canadian Mental Health Association, Alberta Division, Prince George Art Gallery, Canadian Red Cross, B.C. and Vancouver Island Divisions and the United Way of Greater Victoria. George resides in Edmonton, AB.
Catherine Boucher has over thirty years of experience in the affordable housing sector. As Executive Director for Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation (CCOC), a community based non-profit Housing Corporation in the downtown area of Canada's capital from 1988 to her retirement in 2010, she oversaw the growth of the corporation from 500 to over 1,500 units in 50 various properties. Catherine has served on a number of boards in leadership positions including the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA), Raising the Roof and currently as an Executive Committee Member on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA-ACHRU). She has served on a number of workgroups including the Ottawa Mayor's Task Force on Downtown Revitalization, the Social Housing Serves Corp Reference Group, Toronto and the Centretown Design Plan Public Reference Group, Ottawa. Catherine is a recipient of the CHRA Lifetime Achievement Award and the ONPHA Outstanding Leadership Award.
Darlene Clover, has a doctorate in Sociology and Equity Studies and a Masters in Education Environmental Studies and is currently a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Victoria, BC. She has worked in the field of adult education since 1985. Darlene began her career with the International Council for Adult Education (ACAE), an international non-governmental organisation that promotes adult education and adult literacy around the world, where she was the International Coordinator of the Learning for Environmental Action programme. Darlene has organised and facilitated adult education workshops around the world and across Canada. Her other areas of expertise and research include adult literacy, women and education, and arts-based learning. Her current areas of teaching include foundations of adult education, international perspectives in adult education, feminist adult and environmental education and community activist arts and learning.
Tim Draimin is the Executive Director of Social Innovation Generation (SIG) and previously chaired Causeway, a national collaboration initiative supporting the accelerated development of Canada's social finance marketplace. He was also the founding CEO of Tides Canada Foundation, which focuses on the environment and social justice. Tim is the author of Canada's first national study of social entrepreneurship and a frequent advisor to government, as well as to non-profit associations and business. He has worked with or consulted for the Canadian Council for International Co-operation, the International Development Research Centre, Synergos and Ford Foundation, both in Canada and abroad. Tim has been an advisor to the Community Foundations of Canada's Responsible Investing pilot project and is a past board member of the Social Investment Organization (SIO), the Canadian Environmental Grantmakers Network and IMPACS. He is also a past member of the Voluntary Sector Forum's Finance Action Group.
Jason Dudek founded and currently directs a Canadian charity based in Winnipeg, Accountable Development Works (www.accountabledev.com). Jason has an MSc in Economics (Development) and a BA (Hons) in Philosophy. He has acted as a strategic and economic consultant for The Canadian Institute for Health Information (cihi.ca), Emerging Market Economics in the U.K., and international agencies such as the World Bank and United Nations Industrial Development Organization. Jason has published works on environmental policy and strategy; has written reports for Global Economic think tanks and been invited to speak on his innovative approaches to development and economics at conferences and schools around Canada. Jason also currently serves as Vice-Chair on the board of Conifer House, an addictions and trauma support organization.
Mike Flynn is a professional with more than 25 years experience with voluntary organizations in the field of international development, social justice and public education. He is currently self-employed as a consultant/translator specializing in international development, Church and NGO environments. Projects include research on policy concerns, government reporting, meeting facilitation and support work. Mike resides in Montreal, PQ.
Mary-Ellen Francoeur, SOS, has a doctorate in clinical psychology and training in spiritual direction. Her clinical work has taken her to Toronto for holistic healing with religious persons, to the far north of Ontario with aboriginal persons, and Rwanda with persons healing from the genocide. Mary-Ellen has been deeply involved in the area of peace, and is presently national president of Religions for Peace Canada. She has also been involved in many social justice projects and actions. Mary-Ellen has a great interest in the implications of the New Cosmology for ecology and sustainability. In the Sisters of Service, she has been part of the Leadership Team and a member of the Formation Team.
Mary Halder, SOS, is a retired public health nurse. She spent most of her career in Alberta and the Yukon Territory. During her time in Smoky Lake, AB, Mary initiated Family and Community Services and was chairperson of the board. She was also a board member for the Regional Children's Services program. Mary is presently Financial Coordinator of the Sisters of Service.
Denise Henning, PhD is the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University College of the North and is a committed educator and a leader in administration in higher education. Her philosophy as a leader of change is based on building relationships through a collaborative and team-spirited approach. Denise is of aboriginal ancestry (a Cherokee/Choctaw originating from Creek County in Oklahoma) and has a deep passion for equity and inclusion in higher education, as well as a concern for assisting students; faculty, staff, and administrators from all backgrounds appreciate the rich heritages present in our country and in our contemporary world. Career highlights include consultations with institutions of higher education and organizations throughout the United States and Canada. Recent publications include Creating a Model for the Placement of Indigenous Knowledge within the Large Context of Ecological Literacy and a Chapter Contribution Yes My Daughter, We Are Cherokee Women to Making Space for Indigenous Feminism. Denise resides in The Pas, Manitoba.
Ted Hyland, is a lawyer in private practice with Iler, Campbell and Associates focusing on Charities Law, corporate governance and Landlord and Tenant issues. A former Jesuit, Ted has a Masters in Theology. He has extensive volunteer experience and has served on various boards and advisory committees including the South Riverdale Community Health Centre, Woodgreen Community Centre, FCJ Refugee project, L'Arche Toronto and the Canadian Alternative Investment Cooperative.
Gigi Inara, is an experienced Admin Assistant most recently from the Hospital for Sick Children in the research lab of Dr. Gregory Wilson. She has a solid background in the arts with a B.F.A in Music and many years teaching voice and piano to students of all ages. She is looking forward to working with the Catherine Donnelly Foundation and continuing with her artistic pursuits.
Elly Kaas is a Chartered Accountant specializing in accounting services and audits for charitable organizations such as the Social Investment Organization, Wildland League, and the Elizabeth Fry Society. Elly has significant experience in the charitable sector and a strong commitment to social justice and environmental awareness. Fluent in Spanish, she has worked with a variety of community organizations in the third world. Her volunteer experience also includes serving as a lay pastoral associate at Holy Name Parish and as a member of the Youth Corps which provides leadership opportunities for youth and young adults and facilitates social justice, prison and peace work in the Archdiocese of Toronto. Elly resides in Toronto, Ontario.
George Kelly, has extensive experience in housing for low income, marginalized, homeless individuals and families. He has served on numerous boards including the Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness, Canadian Housing and Renewal Association, the Edmonton Community Loan Fund Society, the Boyle McCauley Health Centre and the Edmonton Housing Trust Fund. His professional experience includes Executive Coordinator, The Edmonton Inner City Housing Society where he was responsible for its overall management as well as the development of housing.
Valerie Lemieux, Grants & Communications Manager, has a television broadcasting background and is an experienced writer/researcher, producer and editor of newsletters, promotional material and educational videos. Valerie has gained valuable insight into the non profit/charitable and cooperative sectors by providing communications and office management services for the past 17 years to an innovative social lender - the Canadian Alternative Investment Cooperative (CAIC). Valerie is also a partner in Ticking Time Bomb Productions - a graphic and web design company.
David Love is the Executive Director for The Conservation Foundation of Greater Toronto. Prior to his current position he was a consultant with Stephen Thomas (ST), one of Canadas largest fundraising companies. Among his clients were Greenpeace, The Nature Conservancy, UNICEF, Amnesty International and the Canadian Cancer Society. An active volunteer, David is no stranger to the world of philanthropy and serves on a number of boards including; The Forest Board for the Ivey Foundation and the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation. As a life-long environmental advocate, David is driven by a deep sense of the spirit in him, in all people and in our world.
Sr Thérèse Meunier, CSJ, is the congregational leader of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto. Born in Toronto, she attended bilingual school in this city. Her background is in teaching at the elementary level and she also has experience with students with special needs. Following her years of teaching, she founded and became director of Faith Connections, a new ministry for and with young adults. Faith Connections engages people between the ages of 18 to 39 in activities that generate spiritual growth and community-building. In 2002, she became part of the CSJ Leadership Team and served as general councillor for two successive terms.
Anna McNally, SOS, is a former teacher with several years of teaching experience in Aboriginal Education. She was involved in the development of an off-campus Teacher Education Program affiliated with both Saskatchewan Universities in Saskatoon and Regina, SK. She has held leadership positions with the Sisters of Service and presently is Coordinator of community projects. Anna is presently one of the directors of the Sisters of Service.
Darwin Park, a retired partner of DAVIES PARK Executive Search Consultants lives in Spruce Grove, Alberta. Darwin has been extensively involved in community voluntary leadership at the Municipal, Provincial and National levels. In addition to being a founding Board Member of the Catherine Donnelly Foundation, Darwin has served in leadership roles in many organisations including the University of Alberta, United Way, The Natural Step, and The Recreation for Life Foundation. In 2002 he chaired the successful United Way Campaign and is currently the Board Chair of the United Way of the Alberta Capital Region. Darwin has received the University of Alberta Alumni Honour Award for his contributions to the community and the University.
Desmond Wilson, Director of Finance, from Toronto is a chartered accountant and Treasurer for the Sisters of Service. He spent many years working at the Toronto Dominion Bank following several years in public accounting with Price Waterhouse in Canada and Ireland. Desmond came to Canada in 1982. Desmond has been involved in social justice activities with Development and Peace, the Ontario Council for International Cooperation and KAIROS. Over the last number of years, he has also participated on the finance committees of Community Occupational Therapists and Associates, a not for profit community health agency, and Catholic New Times, an independent newspaper.
CATHERINE DONNELLY FOUNDATION
12 Montcrest Boulevard
Toronto, Ontario • M4K 1J7
T: 416-461-2996 • F: 416-465-4193
E: info@catherinedonnellyfoundation.org
