JAMES McCRACKEN
Director of Education & Secretary Treasurer
Ottawa Catholic School Board

Campaign Chair

Mr. 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. McCracken 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.

JOAN HIGHET
Vice-President Campaigns
United Way/Centraide

Joan was born and raised on a farm just east of Ottawa and has lived most of her life here. After a successful and rewarding career in the private sector, she decided “it was time to focus my career and skills on where I can give back to my community.” Joan also volunteers with other community organizations in Ottawa, including memberships on the executive of the Ottawa Humane Society and Ottawa Interval House. “My role at United Way/Centraide means that I meet and work with people who care,” she says. “Like me, these people want to build a better community and, together, we face each day knowing we’re making a difference.” 

DENNIS JACKSON
District Vice-President Scotiabank

Chair, Board of Directors

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/Centraide 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."

MICHAEL ALLEN
President/CEO
United Way/Centraide

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/Centraide 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/Centraide. “At a time when the community really had to pull together, United Way/Centraide didn’t seem to have a role in helping during that disaster,” says Michael. “I wanted United Way/Centraide 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/Centraide 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.”

ROSEMARIE LECLAIR
President & CEO
Hydro Ottawa Ltd.

Business 1

JOHN SMITH
Senior Vice-President & Chief Information Officer
Canada Post

Business 2

KERRY PATTERSON-BAKER

Business Development

“As long as I can make a tangible contribution, I will continue to volunteer where I think I can help,” says Kerry, who is the youngest of eight siblings and was raised in Brockville, Ontario. Although she has been involved with non-governmental organizations throughout her career, Kerry’s involvement with United Way/Centraide has widened her perspective and knowledge about children and youth at risk, new Canadians, seniors and people with disabilities.

BRUCE H. WOLFGRAM
Vice-President
Broker
DTZ Barnicke Limited

Business Development

RICK GIBBONS
Publisher & CEO
The Ottawa Sun & 24 hours Ottawa

Campaign Communications 

Chris Neil
Marketing Communications
Prospectics

Next Generation 

With a family that’s growing, Chris has more time to give back to the community. He says that it’s too easy to get wrapped up in your own life and therefore wants to “be involved and contribute to the evolution of the social network and how people are enabled to participate and not be left isolated in a wired crowd.”

VERONICA ENGELBERTS
President
Vector Media

Campaign Communications 

LAWRENCE GREENSPON
Lawyer
Greenspon, Brown & Associates

Community Services 

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.

MARIE-FRANCE RICARD
Superintendant of Education
Conseil des écoles
Catholiques de langue
française du Centre-Est

Education 

DOUG FEASBY
Vice-President
National Capital Region
TD Commercial Banking

Finance 

MARIAN SIMULIK
City Treasurer
City of Ottawa

Government & Institutions 

Although most of Marian’s charitable work has centred on her church, she has been a regular supporter of United Way/Centraide since moving back to her birthplace from Alberta 24 years ago. As an employee with the City of Ottawa, Marian sees first-hand the impact that United Way/Centraide makes in the lives of its citizens. For her, “The best part of being a volunteer is to see how it all works together.”

MICHAEL JUSTINICH
Business Analyst
Crime Prevention Ottawa
City of Ottawa

Government & Institutions 

“You never feel alone in your efforts.That’s the best part of volunteering at United Way/Centraide." Mike was raised with a strong sense of charitable giving and awareness of those less fortunate, which is why he now gives his time, energy and experience to helping those in his community.

WILLIAM V. BAKER
Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer
Canada Revenue Agency

Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign 

JOHN GORDON
National President
PSAC

Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign 

SCOTT LAWRENCE
Vice-President Consulting
CGI

High Technology 

Volunteering in many ways to his community affords Scott the chance to grow both personally and professionally. “The work I do in the community is integral to my life, and I can’t imagine living in a community that I was not helping to improve in some way,” he says. This Montreal-born and Ottawa-raised volunteer loves how United Way/Centraide works in the community through its multicultural, non-denominational and outcomes-based approach.

E.A. CLARKE
Partner
StoneWood Group

High Technology 

E.A. is at a stage in his life where he has some extra time to dedicate to United Way/Centraide, which for him “represents many pieces of the community.” He adds, “When individuals representing the agencies we help come in and address our cabinet meetings, I am continually inspired by what they have accomplished.”

SEAN McKENNY
President
Ottawa & District Labour Council

Labour 

JOHN B. KELLY
President & CEO
Clearford Industries Inc.
and Vice-President
SC Stormont Inc.

Leadership Giving 

A proud Newfoundlander, John arrived in Ottawa via Toronto in 1967. That same year he was designated to head up the campaign for the banking division — he compares it to being a Loaned Representative “without the training.” He was an instant convert to United Way/Centraide’s approach. “I have been involved in some manner with United Way/Centraide’s campaign every year since,” he says. “I don’t see that changing. Contributing to the community is a fulfilling responsibility.”

JANE BACHYNSKI LL.B.
Barrister & Solicitor
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Leadership Giving 

JANE McVEIGH
Vice-President Human Resources
General Dynamics Canada

Loaned Representatives

STEPHEN GREENBERG
President
Osgoode Properties

Major Donors

DAVE SEIBEL
Past Chairman
Accenture Canada Inc.

Major Donors 

ANDREA PAVIA
Corporate Citizenship & Corporate Affairs
IBM

Next Generation 

For Andrea, the best part of volunteering with United Way/Centraide is the chance to understand the needs and opportunities in her community. She says that her eyes are opened by the people she meets and the stories they tell her. “I can’t imagine a life where I’m not engaged in my community. [United Way/Centraide] allows me to support my community in a way that ensures the front line services are engaged where they need to be – where they should be – and not on cumbersome paperwork."

LYNNE CLARK
Director of Marketing
Ottawa Citizen

Partnership Development

JIM DURRELL
President
Capital Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ltd.

Partnership Development

SERGE DESROCHERS, CA
Partner
Deloitte

Professionals

ROBERT A. MORIN
Secretary General
Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications
Commission

Retirees

Robert has been involved in United Way/Centraide since 1980 — an extension of other volunteer work he does in the area of fundraising for both the Rotary Club and on elementary, high school and university campaigns. Part of the attraction for this Glen Walter, Ontario, native is United Way/Centraide’s ability to invest the money it raises in the fall in the community within a matter of months.

MICHAEL O’BYRNE
Anchor/Producer
CTV News @ Noon
CTV Television Inc.

Volunteer Recognition

Michael “gets a lot more than I give” by volunteering at United Way/Centraide. This Ottawa native is also involved in a number of other Ottawa charities, including the wonderfully off-beat Elvis Sighting Society, where he is currently the president — a testament to his firm belief that “it is responsibility of those who can to give a leg up to those who can’t.” As co-chair of volunteer recognition for United Way/Centraide, Michael gets to meet many people who make a difference in our community on a regular basis. “Recognizing the work of individuals and teams who almost always say they don’t deserve it is the best part of being a volunteer with United Way/Centraide,” he says.

KAREN SOLOMAN

Volunteer Recognition

Karen began volunteering while a teenager, helping out with the Royal Purple in her hometown of Moosomin, Saskatchewan. It’s remained an important part of her character: “It is my lifelong plan to volunteer because I feel it is a civic and moral duty to help out wherever possible,” she says. As the co-chair of the volunteer recognition program at United Way/Centraide, Karen is completely hooked on the work that gets done in her community.