Our Board

Our board of directors is responsible for setting Volunteer Canada’s strategic direction. The board represents a pan-Canadian perspective on volunteering and civic participation. Collectively they bring a breadth of experience and wisdom that is crucial to the development of sound organizational policies and maintenance of good governance.

Lisa Mort-Putland

Chair

Lisa Mort-Putland joined Volunteer Victoria as their Executive Director in June 2011. Lisa holds a B.A. in Drama and a Masters in Public Administration with a focus on non-profit management. Prior to working with Volunteer Victoria Lisa was the Development Manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria and spent 25 years working and volunteering in the museum and heritage sector.

Rachel Dick

Vice-Chair

Rachel Dick is the Senior Manager, Social Purpose Business Innovation at Coast Capital, Canada’s largest federal credit union, and is responsible for a portfolio of business innovation and transformation initiatives that serve to enrich the lives of Canadians. Rachel has over 15 years of experience in the financial sector in a wide range of roles including leadership, retail banking, sponsorship and events, volunteer management, community investment, corporate campaigns, and employee programs. She currently serves as the past-Chair of Volunteer Canada’s Corporate Community Engagement Council following two years as Co-Chair and on Coast Capital’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council. She holds a degree in Communications and a certificate in Public Relations from Simon Fraser University.

Idalin McKenzie

Treasurer

Idalin McKenzie is a distinguished leader in finance, strategy, and business transformation with over 20 years of experience. As the Vice President of Finance and Asset Management at YWCA Hamilton, she provides strategic direction across Finance, IT, and Facilities. With an MBA from the Rotman School of Management and a CPA designation, Idalin brings a strategic mindset, financial leadership, and analytical prowess. Her extensive experience spans diverse sectors, including public and private. She is a dedicated mentor, board director, educator, and recognized speaker. She was named one of WXN’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada in 2023. Idalin’s commitment to excellence drives her impactful contributions to the social services sector.  

Don McRae

Secretary

Don McRae worked with voluntary groups and charities for over 30 years with the federal government. During that time, he was involved with the National Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating, the National Survey of Nonprofit and Voluntary Organizations and the Satellite Account of Nonprofit Institutions and Volunteering. He has been a volunteer for over fifty years (learning at the age of 13 that dogs are suspicious of people handing out pamphlets, but he persisted). Since his retirement, Don has undertaken research on the ebbs and flows of the charitable sector. The research looks at those charities whose charitable status is revoked and the new charities that are registered each year.

Louis-Philippe Champagne

Member at Large

LP Champagne is a public affairs professional with over twenty years’ experience in federal, provincial, and municipal politics. As Associate Vice-President of Public Affairs & Industry Practices at the Canadian Construction Association, he has a proven track record in government relations, strategic communications, and specializes in planning and executing successful advocacy campaigns. His diverse experience across industry associations, non-profit organizations and large corporations provides him with a unique perspective on Canadian public policies and legislative affairs.

His lifelong passion for volunteerism is deeply rooted in his own community engagement in politics, sports, healthcare, and emergency response. As a search and rescue volunteer and a medical first responder, Louis-Philippe had a first-hand opportunity to witness the profound impact of volunteers in our communities. As a champion and advocate for volunteerism and civic participation, he proudly serves as a Board member of Volunteer Canada, where he contributes his leadership and governance experience.

Brooke Cromar

Member at Large

As a senior leader in the non-profit and private sectors, Brooke strives to be a driver of positive change. Currently the Executive Director of the Randstad Foundation and corporate social responsibility lead for Randstad Canada, Brooke is responsible for driving sustainability initiatives and programs, including employee volunteerism, across Canada. 

Brooke’s strengths as a big-picture thinker, strong communicator and problem solver were shaped in large part by her experiences working and volunteering on four continents. Now based in Montreal, Brooke is committed to her local community as much as to the global one. 

Brooke recently served as the Co-Chair for Volunteer Canada’s Corporate Community Engagement Council, and is currently the Past-Chair. Brooke holds a Bachelor’s degree from St. Francis Xavier University, a Diploma in Environment from McGill University and a Master’s degree from Western University.

Matt Erhard

Member at Large

Matt Erhard, a passionate advocate for volunteerism and community engagement, brings over two decades of leadership and governance experience to Volunteer Canada. Born in Ottawa and an alumnus of the University of Manitoba Asper School of Business, Matt currently serves as the Managing Partner of Summit Search Group, where he focuses on professional recruitment and executive search in Winnipeg and across Canada. Matt’s commitment to making a positive impact extends beyond his professional career. He has dedicated more than 20 years to volunteering in his community, firmly believing in the transformative power of volunteerism to enrich the lives of individuals and strengthen communities. His journey as a volunteer has not only allowed him to contribute to various causes but has also fostered personal growth and a profound sense of community.

Jackie Hunt

Member at Large

Jackie Hunt works for End Homelessness Winnipeg as the Senior Director of Strategy and Impact. She has extensive experience in the non-profit and public sectors. Jackie was the Executive Director for Volunteer Manitoba for six years and co-founder of The Kindred Project. A volunteer run charity which provided period products to over 200 individuals in need each month.

Jackie brings over 25 years of experience in adult education; providing training for individuals and organizations in the areas of leadership, communication and non-profit board governance.

Alongside her time as a training and development consultant, Jackie was an elected official of a busy capital region municipality in Manitoba. She began as a ward councillor and then became mayor, serving her community for many years.

Jackie believes in the power of strong communities and service to others, and she has built a strong reputation working with government, community leaders, organizations and individuals who share those same values.

Jackie is a proud Red River Metis Citizen and enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, cheering for the Winnipeg Jets.

Gina Jordan

Member at Large

As Manager, Sustainability and ESG Policy at Enbridge Gina Jordan leads the development of sustainability strategies and reporting in support of the company’s transition to a more sustainable, reliable and affordable energy future. Since joining Enbridge’s Public Affairs team in 2006, Gina has held leadership roles in Corporate Citizenship, Stakeholder and Indigenous Engagement, Community Relations and Communications.

Gina has nearly 30 years of public affairs experience in diverse sectors, including energy, telecommunications, healthcare and the nonprofit sector. She recently served as the Co-Chair of Volunteer Canada’s Corporate Community Engagement Council and has experience leading both corporate and non-profit volunteer programs as well as managing a large volunteer centre.

Gina holds a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Communications from Simon Fraser University; certificates in Corporate Citizenship Management and Corporate Community Involvement from Boston College; and a Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility from University of St. Michael’s College.

Calgary is home for Gina and her family, where she is an avid gardener, foodie, and passionate community volunteer.

Ambuj Laroiya

Member at Large

A public sector leader for more than 15 years, Ambuj Laroiya grounds his life and work in generosity and compassion.

Ambuj lives in Nova Scotia, where he works at the Halifax Regional Municipality. Ambuj holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering (2007), a CEO award (2014), Mill’s award in marketing (2018), a Douglas C. MacKay award in academic excellence (2019), an MBA from Rowe School of Business at Dalhousie University (2019), and a Board Governance certification from Smith School of Business at Queen’s University (2023).

In his spare time, Ambuj volunteers with United Way Halifax and Karate Nova Scotia, which keeps him educated and informed on the societal issues of health, inclusion, diversity and equity. He is also a facilitator of change, volunteering at the Canadian Centre for Vaccinology, where he was a participant in the testing of the COVID-19 vaccine. Ambuj loves to read African Nova Scotian history and learn about the First Nations Mi’kma’ki peoples of Nova Scotia.

Ambuj makes every day a new day. He believes that life is a journey where mutual learning, empathy, and kindness make us better together.

Chad Lubelsky 

Member at Large

Chad is the Executive Director at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom - Canada’s oldest progressive synagogue. Previously he was VP, Strategy and Impact at Volunteer Canada, Program Director at the McConnell Foundation, Executive Director at Santropol Roulant  developed leadership & community engagement programs for the Millennium Scholarship Foundation, and managed internet rights advocacy for the Association for Progressive Communications. An active volunteer, Chad regularly delivers meals on wheels, is on the Board of Directors of Bread and Beyond , and is the outgoing Chair of the Board at Open North.

Chad has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Concordia University, and Master Degrees in Leadership from Royal Roads University and in Communications from San Francisco State University.

Alex Medina

Member at Large

Alex has over 26 years of experience with a diverse project portfolio. Alex’s current role is Industrial and Power Business Development Lead for Canada. As the business development lead Alex is part of the leadership team for Resources, covering client development initiatives for all of Canada. Alex covers Engineering and Environmental consulting services in the Power and Industrial sector. Areas of focus Energy Transition (Hydrogen, Biofuels, CCSU, and SMR’s), Co- Generation, Renewables (Solar, Wind, BESS), Power Delivery, Upstream, Midstream and Pipelines. Reporting to senior management, Alex is responsible for having a strong market and client understanding to sustain and grow HDR’s position across Canada. Develop a 5-year plan that includes strategic partnerships, acquisitions and market alignment in support of energy transition while servicing traditional markets. Lead delivery of significant project pursuits, lead partnership opportunities with tier one and tier two general contractors, vendors and consulting firms.

Oversee risk management related to projects and pursuits. Leading and coordinating business development efforts, including market research, client relationships, developing leads, securing contracts, and growing a local project delivery team. Alex has a mandate to grow Canada for numerous sectors with focus in Industrial (O&G, Agriculture Food & Beverage) and Power. Alex forms part of HDR’s Indigenous working group, where he is responsible for engaging First Nations groups throughout Canada, identifying potential partnerships, supporting community engagement while promoting investment.

Samantha Reusch

Member at Large

Sam Reusch is the current Executive Director of Apathy is Boring, a national, non-partisan organization that supports and educates youth to be active and contributing citizens in Canada’s democracy. She has been active in the democracy and civic engagement space for over six years, engaging as an advocate and educator to drive investment in positive and effective engagement practices and promote equitable and innovative approaches to civic participation and engagement.

She has continuously engaged a multi-sectoral network of stakeholders (including academic, civil society, private, and public) to advance new understandings of how young people contribute to change-making, volunteerism, and movement-building. Her work is rooted in the right for all citizens to have influence and access to shape our institutions and circumstances, and in the principles of democracy and of human rights for all.

Sam has contributed extensively to media commentary in Canada related to youth participation and elections, current events, policy, and democracy and has proudly published several works speaking on those issues.

Sam is also a proud Montrealer and alum of Concordia University, where she studied Anthropology, specializing in the intersection of identity, politics, and community.

Deirdra Tindale

Member at Large

Originally from Sudbury, Ontario, and now living in Montreal, Quebec, Deirdra has provided strategic communications and public affairs counsel to senior leaders for nearly two decades.

Deirdra began her career on Parliament Hill, leading communications on key files at Canadian Heritage, Industry, and Aboriginal Affairs. She moved into the resources sector, working with senior leaders in two of the world’s largest mining companies and at the world’s largest bulk export port authority. During that time, she led communications and stakeholder engagement plans for mine approvals, major infrastructure projects, and key partnerships.

A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Deirdra received commendations for her work to promote the attraction and retention of women to the resources industry in Australia at both state and national levels.

Deirdra holds a bachelor’s degree from Laurentian University and a master’s degree from Université Laval. She is fluent in French and English.

She is married to Braham and they have a young daughter, Penelope.

Anna Tran

Member at Large

Anna Tran is the Co-founder and Director of Operations of the Parsec Youth Network (PYN), a non-profit with a global network of thousands of volunteers. In March 2020, in response to COVID-related school closures, Anna led her team to launch a free national virtual tutoring program to help students with the challenges of online learning, connecting over 800 Canadian students coast-to-coast with over 1400 volunteer tutors for one-on-one tutoring. She also launched a free virtual summer workshop program to provide over 150 workshops to hundreds of families across Canada, in lieu of the cancellation of summer camps and activities due to COVID-19.

Anna is currently a medical student at Queen’s University. She holds a BSc. in Honours Life Sciences from McMaster University and was a visiting scholar in Human, Social, and Political Sciences at the University of Cambridge. She is actively involved in academia as a published qualitative researcher and has presented her work at various national and international medical conferences. She continues to dedicate her time to various volunteer roles, focusing on youth mentorship and facilitating partnerships between healthcare organizations and environmental advocacy groups.