The members of our Board volunteer from business, labour, government, health and social services sectors, and the community at large. They truly represent the best this community has to offer. (*denotes members of the Executive Committee)
2009-2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Michael Allen
President and CEO
United Way Ottawa
Michael was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and after 22 years in this community he now calls Ottawa home. Following a career that saw Michael practising law and then working on Parliament Hill, Michael was drawn to United Way by the opportunity to help others in his adopted community. For Michael, what really sealed the deal was the ice storm, which took place during his first year at United Way. "At a time when the community really had to pull together, United Way didn't seem to have a role in helping during that disaster," says Michael. "I wanted United Way to be thought of as a place where the community could turn to in these different times of need. More and more often, that's happening today." Michael gets involved in other ways in his community, a committed soccer dad, he has also been a fundraiser for his children's hockey teams. For Michael, working at United Way is a constant source of inspiration. "Our volunteers are here helping out in their spare time and our staff is extremely committed and motivated. We share a common goal of helping others in their community.".
RICK GIBBONS*
Chair
Publisher and CEO – Ottawa Sun
Rick Gibbons was appointed Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of the Ottawa Sun in April 2004, capping a 30-year career in journalism that included two three-year stints in Europe (Germany and England), several years in Toronto and five years as a political journalist on Parliament Hill for Broadcast News, the radio arm of the Canadian Press news agency. Today, his responsibilities also include the free commuter newspaper 24 Hours, as well as the Ottawa Smart Shopper and a busy Ottawa Press that prints numerous daily and weekly newspapers from across Eastern Ontario. A veteran journalist, columnist and broadcaster, Rick has served in a variety of capacities since joining the Board of the United Way in 2004, including roles on Campaign Cabinet and with one of UW’s Impact Councils. Most recently, he chaired United Way’s Corporate Services committee. His voluntary career included many years as an advanced-level certified coach, manager and board member in Minor Hockey. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce.
Rick graduated from the University of Ottawa in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and, though he has lived in many communities and four countries, has always called Ottawa home.
He and his wife Kathryn recently celebrated their 34th anniversary and have two grown sons, Jesse and Lucas, and a grandson, Jacob, who remind us daily that Ottawa is the greatest city in the world to live and raise a family.
DENNIS JACKSON*
Past Chair, United Way Ottawa
District Vice-President, Scotiabank
Originally from Northern Ontario, Dennis’ job took him across central and eastern Canada before he settled in Ottawa for the long term. As someone who personally benefited from the work of United Way in the late ’80s, he was keen to want to demonstrate his thanks in a tangible way: “A provider suggested that one day I could return the favour by helping out. When that day arrived, I was thrilled to help make a difference.” Dennis plans to continue to volunteer for many tomorrows to come. “A volunteer friend of mine is 88 years old; I’m aiming for at least 99,” he says. For Dennis, the best part of working as a volunteer is “knowing that individually and collectively we can, and do, make a difference; we are helping to make Ottawa the best place in which to live, work and play.”
CASSIE DOYLE*
Deputy Minister, Natural Resources Canada
Chair of Campaigns
A native of Canada's west coast, Cassie is passionate about how she can help to build a community in which everyone is proud to call home. Earlier in her career, she volunteered with Oxfam Canada as a member of the board and as its chair in 2002. Cassie was chair of the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC) in 2007. In this position, she saw firsthand "the great alignment between the work of United Way/Centraide and the values of the public service." A committed volunteer to United Way/Centraide, Cassie says, "It's important to connect to our community. I am proud to be helping to build a compassionate and inclusive community on both a local and national basis. I absolutely intend to stay involved for years to come."
WAYNE WOUTERS*
Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet
Office of the Privy Council
Chair of Board of Govenance
ERIC GIRARD*
Chair of Corporate Services
Partner, Deloitte
Assurance and Advisory Public Sector
DAVE SEIBEL*
Chair, Resource Development
Past Chairman, Accenture Canada Inc.
Dave Seibel is retired as Chairman and CEO of Accenture Canada. Since retirement, Dave made a commitment to spend most of his time volunteering and giving back to the community. He has served on the Board of Ubiquity Software where he chaired the Audit Committee and served on the Compensation Committee. He also served and will continue to serve on United Way Centraide Ottawa’s Board through his capacity as Chair of the Resource Development Committee and Co-Chair of the Major Gifts Committee and now an elected Board Member. He is actively involved in his son’s school, Ashbury College, where he sits on the Ashbury Foundation Board, Board of Governors, Human Resources Committee and also chairs the Advancement Committee.
Dave also has a strong business mind. He sat on the Advisory Board for BMB Fuels and is also a Partner in Calabogie Motorsports Park, where he not only sits on the Operations Committee but can also be found racing around the track.
Dave has an enthusiasm, a vision and a drive to see his community evolve and is not afraid to put countless hours into his work. His main passion in life is his family. Dave lives in Ottawa with his wife, Nelly, and his son Stephen.
JAMES McCRACKEN
Director of Education & Secretary Treasurer
Ottawa Catholic
School Board
James McCracken has been with the Ottawa Catholic School Board for 20 years in several capacities, having arrived from the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board. He has served the Ottawa Catholic School Board as Vice-Principal, Principal, Supervisory Officer/Superintendent of Schools in several families of schools and a number of portfolios including Information Technology, Continuing Education and Staff Development, Evaluation and Research, before assuming the role of Deputy Director and Assistant Secretary-Treasurer in 2000.
In 2003, Mr. McCraken was appointed Director of Education and Secretary-Treasurer.
Mr. McCracken is an active member in the Ottawa community and education sector with the following organizations:
Chairperson, Campaign Cabinet United Way for 2009
Chairperson, Success By 6
Member of the Board of Directors, Shepherds of Good Hope
President, Catholic Education Foundation of Ottawa
President, Nectar Foundation
Mr. McCracken is widely recognized for his organization and communication skills and continues to be approached as a keynote speaker for both national and international conferences.
On a personal note, Mr. McCracken has been married to Colleen for thirty-four years and they have three children. His recreational interests include music and art.
LAWRENCE GREENSPON
Lawyer
Greenspon, Brown & Associates
When Lawrence moved to Ottawa from Montreal in 1976, he didn’t know a single person in Ottawa. A lot has changed. A long-time volunteer and 2008 Community Builder of the Year recipient, Lawrence is a presence in Ottawa. He uses his profile to raise awareness for the causes he cares about, like United Way/Centraide. Lawrence volunteers at United Way/Centraide because he enjoys the opportunity to work with the highly motivated and energetic staff and the ranks of dedicated community volunteers. “Having an impact on the lives of people who need a hand up is what it’s all about,” says Lawrence.
WILLIAM V. BAKER
Deputy Minister of Public Safety
William V. Baker was appointed Deputy Minister of Public Safety Canada on October 13, 2009.
As Deputy Minister, Mr. Baker is responsible to coordinate and support the efforts of federal organizations ensuring national security and the safety of Canadians. He is charged to work with other levels of government, first responders, community groups, the private sector and other nations to enhance the safety of Canadians.
Mr. Baker began his career with the Government of Saskatchewan in 1979. In 1987, Mr. Baker joined Revenue Canada Taxation as Director of Program Evaluation, Internal Audit and Evaluation Directorate, and later held the positions of Director of the Corporate Development Division and of the Administration Consolidation Task Force.
Mr. Baker was Director General of the Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs Directorate before becoming the Assistant Deputy Minister of Appeals Branch in 1997 and Assistant Commissioner of Compliance Programs Branch in 1999.
In 2003, Mr. Baker joined the Canada Firearms Centre as Commissioner. He was appointed Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer of the Canada Revenue Agency on May 23, 2006 and Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Canada Revenue Agency on April 2, 2007.
Mr. Baker earned both a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Psychology and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Carleton University. He is a graduate of the ICD Corporate Governance College, Directors Education Program, September 2007. He also obtained the professional ICD.D designation granted by the Institute of Corporate Directors in November 2007.
In March 2008, Mr. Baker was awarded the 2008 Alumni Award for Distinctive Contribution to the Public Sector by the Carleton University’s School of Public Policy and Administration.
Mr. Baker was the National Chair of the 2009 Government of Canada Charitable Workplace Campaign.
He is married to Nicole Jauvin. Together, they have six children.
PATRICIA BAXTER
Patricia Baxter, has specialized in human resource development, community development, facilitation and training with Aboriginal people across Canada. Efforts include working on Aboriginal women's issues, in the areas of economic, business and human resource development and managing the first national economic development institute for Aboriginal women, (Economic Development for Canadian Aboriginal Women). She is the past Co-President of the Canadian Women’s Foundation and Chairperson of the Women’s Economic Development Consortium. These activities led to the establishment of a bursary provided to Trent University in her name. The bursary is named the Patricia Baxter Anishnawbe Kwe Award.
Since 1994 Pat has been self-employed working with a variety of clients both in the public/private sectors and non-profit organizations across Canada. Her business specializes in facilitation, training, research and evaluation, program design and management. She has worked on national facilitation events such as the Prime Minister’s Roundtable - and corresponding national roundtable sessions in 2005 as well, facilitated at the National Aboriginal Women’s Summit in 2007. For seven years, Patricia chaired the Joint Management Committee of the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy in Ontario.
Patricia is a member of Shegundiah First Nation and currently lives in Aylmer, Quebec.
DR. NALIN BHARGAVA
Dentist
Since graduating as a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Toronto in 1987, Dr. Nalin Bhargava has held leadership positions as chairman of the Ontario Dental Association's Membership Services Committee (1997) and president of the Ottawa Dental Society (2001). Since 2003, he has been a member of Ottawa's Bytown Dental Study Club and has donated his time to many other Ottawa-area charities. Nalin's community involvement includes member of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute 1991 telethon committee, co-chairman of the Ottawa Dental Society-Ottawa Hospital 2001 fundraising gala and member of the Canadian Cancer Society's 2005 Relay for Life organizing committee. For the past three years, he has been a member of the Bruyère Continuing Care Foundation Board. Since 2006, Nalin has chaired the Maharaja's Ball, one of Ottawa's newest and most popular charity events, which supports a range of community organizations.
THOMAS C. BARBER
Partner, Burke~Robertson LLP
LYNNE CLARK
Director of Marketing
Ottawa Citizen
As Director of Marketing for the Ottawa Citizen, Lynne manages marketing, promotions and external communications as well as the papers community investment. In addition, she oversees the regional implementation of Canwest's corporate programs, Raise a Reader and the Canspell Spelling Bee. Lynne's community activities include the Citizen's Literacy Foundation Board, the United Way Campaign Cabinet, the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce and the Bruyere Continuing Care Foundation Board. She previously served a term on the United Way/Centraide Ottawa Board of Directors from 2004 - 2008. Lynne is past Chair of the Newspaper Business Development Network Board (Chicago) where she received the Helms-Colluci Award in 2007 for her leadership in the newspaper industry.
MARIA FITZPATRICK
Regional Executive
Vice-President of the National Capital Region
Maria began her career in the Federal Government in 1982 with Transport Canada, moving to the Correctional Service of Canada in 1983. She remained in the field of Corrections until June 2008 at which time she was elected as the Regional Executive Vice-President for the Public Service Alliance of Canada, responsible for the National Capital Region. Prior to being elected to this position, Maria was an active member of the Regional Women's Committee, Education Committee and was an Alliance Facilitator in Ottawa and well as in Edmonton. In addition, while in Edmonton, she was a member of the May Works Committee. Maria was part of the Volunteer United Way team in her workplace in Ottawa and in Edmonton. Her educational background includes four years at Memorial University of Newfoundland in the field of Education and Physical Education, a Diploma in 'Train the Trainer' (teaching adults) from St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS, along with a multitude of courses through the union and the employer over the last 26 years.
KAREN GREEN
A/Senior General Counsel & Executive Director
Federal Centre for Workplace
Conflict Management
Department of Justice Canada
ROBERT GILLETT
President & CEO, Algonquin College
An Ottawa native, Robert was thrilled to be invited to join United Way Ottawa’s board as a volunteer. He considers this an important organization that is doing terrific work for his community. For Robert, the best part of volunteering with United Way/Centraide is learning more about his community. He says “United Way/Centraide teaches how our help means so much and makes a difference for so many in our community.”
SCOTT HANNANT
News Director, CTV News, Ottawa
A Toronto native, Scott has lived all over the world. In 1988 Scott and his wife decided that Ottawa was a great place to raise their children. Scott got involved with United Way/Centraide because of the work that is carried out for so many organizations. He says, “United Way/Centraide is like the hub of a wheel with charitable spokes extending its work into many parts of our community.” For Scott, volunteering is a lifelong vocation, and during his travels has also volunteered for other charitable organizations, including Child and Youth Friendly Ottawa, Child Haven and children’s causes in India, Nepal, Tibet and Bangladesh.
SAL IACONO
2008 Campaign Chair
Senior Vice President (Retired),
Bell
Sal was born in Belgium and was just a child when his family emigrated to Canada. The family settled in Montreal and Sal moved to Ottawa when he joined Bell Canada. A long-time United Way/Centraide supporter and donor, Sal became a volunteer member of the Campaign Cabinet in 2005 and in 2008 he is the campaign chair. “My experience has been absolutely wonderful. It was the right thing for me. I am delighted to be associated with United Way/Centraide because of the great impact we make in our community.” For Sal, the best part of being a volunteer for United Way/Centraide is “knowing that our work makes a huge difference today in the lives of many people and it builds opportunities for brighter and better futures.”
ZUL KHOJA
Education & Mediation Consultant
From his childhood in the Asiatic Bazaar - a segregated area of Pretoria - Zul an apartheid survivor, has been a life-long volunteer. “I am proud to be associated with United Way/Centraide,” he says. “As a life-long learner, I continue to grow with United Way/Centraide. Who knows where I may be able to apply what I’ve learned in establishing another such organization in South Africa . or elsewhere?”
STEVE KANELLAKOS
Deputy City Manager of
City Operations
City of Ottawa
Steve Kanellakos is the Deputy City Manager of City Operations at the City of Ottawa. Steve is responsible for over 11,500 city employees, with a budget of $1.3 billion. Steve oversees the operations and delivery of services to residents of Ottawa, such as fire, paramedic, social services, recreation and culture, surface operations, traffic and parking, and corporate support services.
Steve has held several senior positions during his 23 years in municipal government within the Ottawa region. These include 15 years with municipal police services as Director of Administration, Gloucester Police Service and Director General of Corporate Services, Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police. In 2000, Steve was appointed General Manager of Emergency and Protective Services for the newly amalgamated City of Ottawa. In 2004, Steve was appointed Deputy City Manager of Community and Protective Services and in 2008, he was appointed Deputy City Manager of City Operations, both with the City of Ottawa. In each one of his appointments, Steve has been responsible for leading significant change and amalgamation of numerous services. Steve is currently focused on ensuring that city services are client focused and financially responsible.
Steve has a Masters of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Administration (Honours) from Carleton University.
ROSEMARIE T. LECLAIR, LL.B.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Hydro Ottawa Group of Companies
Rosemarie Leclair is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hydro Ottawa Group of Companies, a leading energy provider that distributes electricity to more than 296,000 customers in the Ottawa area and generates 160,000 megawatt hours of clean, renewable energy per year. A seasoned public policy and strategic management professional, Ms. Leclair spent over fifteen years as a senior manager with the City of Ottawa, including as Deputy City Manager of Public Works and Services. She has also served as a Special Advisor to the Province of Ontario. Ms. Leclair has been involved in the community throughout her career, including serving as Chair of the Business Division for the United Way / Centraide Ottawa campaign, and Co-Chair of the Employers Council of Champions of the Hire Immigrants Ottawa initiative. She is a member of the President’s Circle at the University of Ottawa, and a board member of the Canadian Electricity Association and the Regroupement des gens d’affaires de la Capitale Nationale. She was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network in 2007. Ms. Leclair holds a degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Ottawa and became a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1985.
MARC QUESNEL
President, QMR Staffing Solutions Inc.
ELIZABETH ROSCOE
Executive Vice President
Strategic Policy & Public Affairs Planning, Canadian Association of Broadcasters
Elizabeth was born and raised in Ancaster, Ontario, a small community that has instilled many of the values she sees reflected in Ottawa - community support, strong personal support groups and an active and engaged community. For Elizabeth, United Way/Centraide epitomizes community-building. Many of her friends and colleagues have been involved in Ottawa’s charitable organizations, and Elizabeth says, “United Way/Centraide is a great fit. For me, the best part of being a volunteer is learning about the difference we can make on a daily basis in our community.”
SHEILA STANISLAWSKI
Senior Director,
Civic Institute of Professional Personnel
Born in Montreal, Sheila has lived in several North American cities but considers herself an Ottawan-by-marriage. Sheila decided to get involved with United Way/Centraide and in a number of other boards and charitable causes because she feels that its important to lead by example. Sheila strongly believes in community and sees herself as a role model for other members of the community and her own family. For Sheila, the best part of being a United Way/Centraide volunteer is ‘yet to come.’
TUAN NGUYEN
Tuan Nguyen was born in Saigon, Viet Nam in 1975, and immigrated to Canada as in infant. He grew up in Montreal and came to Ottawa in 1994 and completed his studies in accounting at the University of Ottawa's Telfer School of Business. He is currently a partner at Healthgenie.ca and Ottawakiosk.com (part of Canadiankiosk.ca). Tuan's responsibility is strategic development and business development at the national level. His passion, however, is in contributing to the well-being of communities across the globe. Among a few hundred projects, he founded CASCO during his university studies, a non-profit that engages business students to apply their business skills to organize a dinner with a dance-inspired fashion show. With chapters in McGill and University of Ottawa, CASCO has raised over $750,000 for local charitable causes including locally, CHEO Foundation, Ottawa Citizen's Raise-A-Reader Day, and Max Keeping Bowl-a-thon. His projects raised over $1,000,000 by the age of 25 and he continues to grow his contribution across the globe. He is an invited speaker to young professionals and students across the country and has received several recognitions including Top Forty Under 40, the United Way Community Builder Award, Dean's Philos Award (Telfer), induction into the Order of Good Bear (CHEO Foundation), and United Way Philanthropy Under 40. Tuan sits on several boards including the Ottawa Telus Community Board. Tuan's motto is "Everything you love to do in life, can be done with the community in mind". He loves fashion, arts, dance, entertainment, and sports - and he incorporates all of these elements into his fundraising projects.
NATHALIE THIRWALL
Co-Chair, Interfaith Ottawa
President of Capital Region Interfaith Council
Nathalie, a Montreal native, has called Ottawa home since the early 1970s. Her work with United Way/Centraide is one way that she can put her faith - the call for service to others and promoting the well-being of humanity - into action. Nathalie has devoted her time and career to working with a wide range of people to build capacity and develop our community. She believes that social transformation brings positive and lasting change, and plans to continue this work: "Because systemic issues cannot be solved in isolation, United Way/Centraide plays a vital role in bringing the different aspects of community together to find solutions. This is an extremely powerful experience."
MICHELLE VALBERG
Owner, Valberg Imaging
Michelle is an Ottawa native who’s been involved in many local charities. She had heard wonderful things about volunteering with United Way/Centraide, so when she was invited to participate she seized the opportunity. Michelle plans to stay involved with United Way/Centraide for as long as she can. According to Michelle, the best part of being a volunteer is the chance to give back to community.
KAREN WILLIAMS
Director, Product Operations
Business Intelligence & Performance Management
IBM Software Group
With more than two decades of experience in the high tech industry, Karen Williams oversees operations, business transformation and communications for the Business Intelligence & Performance Management (BI & PM) Products organization at IBM Software Group. Ms. Williams leads process adoption, management and transformation to support product development and delivery for the BI & PM segment. She is also responsible for facilitating portfolio investment and driving management decision-making to realize the BI & PM strategy for growth and innovation.
Previously, Ms. Williams served as Vice President, Product Marketing at Cognos, which was acquired by IBM in 2008. In this position, she led Cognos product marketing initiatives focused on the strategic application of business intelligence and corporate performance management solutions. Working in partnership with key executives and decision-makers within the Global 3,500, Ms. Williams and her team established and delivered the solution vision for Cognos. Ms. Williams also held several other management positions throughout her 13 year career at Cognos. Prior to joining Cognos in 1996, Ms. Williams held both business and technical roles in the technology sector including at Fujitsu Canada and Symantec.
