Myrna Barwin

Dr. Barwin is part of a demographic that is still active, has the luxury of retirement, but wants to stay connected.  This is a distinct demographic, as those before did not have access to technology while for the next generation, IT and social media are already part of their lives.  As her career was in the technology sector, she is in the unique position of being able to not only appreciate the needs of her contemporaries, but to also understand the tools necessary to make retirement easier and more satisfying. She has over 30 years experience in the IT industry, both in the private and public sector, and her experience includes co-founding and operating a start-up in the HR software space as COO.  Dr Barwin has an MSc in Computer Science from the University of Belfast (1975) and received a Doctorate in Social Science from the University of Leicester in 2018 for a thesis titled: ‘The Relationship between Identity and the Transition to Retirement and how the Transition is facilitated by Technology’. She has served on boards in the arts, health and youth sectors, including chairing the boards of The Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR), Canada Dance Festival, Canadian Friends of Hebrew University and Young Voices Can! (current chair).  She also served on the boards of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra and Dragonboat Israel.

ISSAM ELHAJE

Issam brings over 20 years of experience in private and public sectors in international trade, negotiation, corporate finance and project management. He is currently the manager of Contract Management at the Canadian Commercial Corporation, a federal Crown Corporation of the Government of Canada. He oversees a portfolio of large complex contracts in infrastructure, procurement, aerospace, defence, and cleantech around the globe.

In the past, he was successful in the opening and expansion of foreign commercial trade offices, developing strategic partnerships between the Federal and Provincial governments, and expanding on the trade financing portfolio. He began his career as corporate finance professional with Hachette Distribution Services and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Issam is one of the founders’ team of KLIQ.CA, a Canadian Startup, and a Board Member of two non-profit organizations. He is also a part-time professor at Algonquin College specialized in the areas of Corporate Finance. Academically, he graduated from UQAM in Managerial Accounting, hold an Executive MBA from Queen's with an exchange with CEIBS Shanghai, and completed a specialization in project and infrastructure finance from London School of Business. In addition, he holds various certifications in finance and risk management.

IaN Clark

Ian is a Healthcare Specialist in the Commercial Banking space at Scotiabank. His experience in the Financial Services sector spans almost two decades in various roles in customer service, sales, investment training, and senior management.
He has leveraged his network to promote valuable personal causes in mental health and financial literacy. Serving terms as the President of the Calgary Pride Committee with Scotiabank as well as Edmonton Coordinator for Junior Achievement while at TD Bank, he has always endeavoured to be a trailblazer in the communities he serves.
Ian holds a Degree in Management from the University of Lethbridge. With a spirit of continual improvement, he is also taking Data Analytics and Machine Learning courses through the University of Calgary.

Eric McRae

Eric is the founder of the co-working space, My Byward Office, as well as a service delivery operations expert, and coach and mentor for startup entrepreneurs. He is a passionate advocate of building innovative solutions by leveraging the creative expertise of a diversity of skill sets and professions. With over 20 years' experience in service design and operations management, in both the public and private sectors. As a startup business coach: he helps entrepreneurs take their business ideas from concept to reality. He specializes in developing business models and working with clients to find effective ways of testing their designs, processes and service delivery, all to challenge assumptions and discover how to make the business thrive.

MARK QUIGG

Mark Quigg is currently a Senior Sales Executive with SAP Canada, a global software firm. Prior to working at SAP, Mark held positions of VP Sales at i-Sight Software in Ottawa and Senior Account Executive with IBM Canada. With over 35 years of experience in the technology industry, Mark is very knowledgeable about the software world and technology in general, even though his early education and training is as an accountant. Mark is an accomplished technology sales executive, consultant and entrepreneur. In 1989 Mark was the cofounder of NewSys Solutions which became InBusiness Solutions and focused on technology consulting to customers across Canada and the US. NewSys went public in 1996 and was sold in 2002. During that time, Mark held several roles including VP Sales, President, CEO and Chairman. He was President, CEO and Chairman during the time InBusiness was public and listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Mark has been involved in other non-profit boards over the past 8+ years. From 2016 to 2019, Mark was a committee member with the Board of Directors at the Royal Ottawa Golf Course. Mark was also a Board Director and Coaching VP with the City of Ottawa Ringette Association for 5 years from 2012 to 2016. Mark graduated from the University of Ottawa with a B. Comm degree and is a Certified Management Accountant. He and his wife have three children and live in Ottawa, Canada.

HELEN HIRSH SPENCE

With three decades of leadership in the public and private sectors, Helen's extensive career in education has been the perfect foundation for her social enterprise, the Top Sixty Over Sixty. The T60 focuses on retooling older adults with an entrepreneurial mindset and helps organizations transform their multi-generational workforce into intergenerational teams.

As a respected facilitator and motivational speaker, Helen is also a strong performer in multicultural environments. She easily gains trust and builds rapport quickly among those with diverse backgrounds, interests and life circumstances. She is fluent in French, German and Spanish.

Helen dedicates her spare time to support numerous causes.  

john Joanisse

Currently, Dr. Joanisse is the interim head of the Research Institute at Montfort Hospital.

Born in Ottawa, John received his B.A (pre med) and his M.D from the University of Ottawa. He spent the first part of his career practicing family medicine in Kapuskasing Ontario. He moved to Ottawa in 1987 and practiced in Cumberland Ontario, eventually becoming the Chief of Staff of Montfort Hospital, a post he held from 1994-2000.

Following a move by the Ontario government in 1997 to close Montfort Hospital. Canada’s only Francophone teaching hospital, John was part of a group who successfully fought this move. He is featured at the Canadian Human Rights Museum in Winnipeg where he discusses how this closure was a discrimination against francophone minority rights.

John’s interest in geriatric medicine has led to many years of service in long-term care and senior homes. Also, he has been active in many research projects on aging and inter-professional medicine.

Rose Kattackal

Rose is a Senior Executive Leader with over two decades of experience in transforming organizations to renew strategy, policy, program and operations. Working in a variety of portfolios in defence, social and technology organizations, she enjoys learning and building inclusive alliances with a variety of government, industry, community and non-governmental stakeholders.

She is known for being an action oriented leader who builds excellent diverse teams to advance both individual and organizational outcomes to strengthen and leverage economic, social and sustainable opportunities for employees, leaders, clients and citizens.

Frédéric Boulanger

Fred is the President & CEO of Macadamian Technologies, and envisions a world where software enables people improving their health, hospitals improving population health, and health practitioners’ capabilities augmented through compelling digital experiences coupled with powerful data insight. Fred has led Macadamian in its tremendous growth to become a multi-million dollar consultancy with an award winning work culture. As former Chair of the Information Technology Association of Canada, Fred is an active advocate for expanding Canada’s innovative capacities. He is a community leader in the Outaouais area and a co-founder of the Ottawa High School Technology Program, which encourages a passion for science in high school students. Fred graduated from the Université de Sherbrooke with a B.S. in Computer Science. He resides with his wife and children in Gatineau, Quebec, where he enjoys mountain biking, skiing, and cooking for family and friends.

Lisa LaRochelle

Lisa currently is a Registered Massage Therapist specializing in palliative massage and therapeutic care. Previously, she had a 17-year career in the digital and technology space as a technical communicator, project manager, and marketing strategy specialist. 

Lisa has both non-profit and for-profit work experience, a depth of cultural sensitivity through extensive worldwide travel, skills managing global and national projects, and a master’s degree in business.

Lisa's volunteer portfolio has also been varied, including Big Sisters, Random Hacks of Kindness, Search and Rescue Global 1, Hospice Ottawa and girltank. 
Together, Lisa's current and past careers have helped her shape her experience of using communications and technology to engage and delight clients and partners. She enjoys finding opportunities to share her positive energy and collaborate with innovative and creative people. 

JACK NOPPÉ

Jack has worked in the technology sector for over 30 years and held various senior leadership and board member roles at Canadian organizations. He has a strong technical background, loves working with people, and enjoys learning as much as he can.

Emily Jones Joanisse, Co-Founder & CEO

Emily holds a Bachelor of Computer Science and an MBA in International Development Management and has worked in Information Technology for over 15 years, both in Canada and internationally (Europe and Australia).

Besides leading the Connected Canadians team, Emily is also completing her PhD in Management Studies at Carleton University, with a focus on how volunteering helps new immigrants integrate into the Canadian workforce. She is also a member of the United Way Eastern Ontario Successful Aging Strategic Council and the Bronson RISE (Real Inclusion by Seniors Everywhere) Advisory Team.

Emily is an alumna and former staff member of the Canadian Shad program and has held a variety of leadership roles in other STEAM and educational initiatives.  As well, Emily has released music on the Italian jazz label Schema Records. Learn more about her musical activities both in Canada and Europe at djemilyjones.com.

Tas DAmen, Co-FoundeR & CIO

Tas Damen is a first-generation immigrant who moved here for her advanced studies and stayed for Love! She holds B.Sc. Honours in Computer Mathematics from Carleton University and Graduate Certificate in IT Project Management from uOttawa.

She is a Software Architect by vocation with over a decade of professional experience. Her true passions of learning and teaching are currently channeled through instructing part-time at Algonquin, tutoring, and volunteering at OCISO, assisting new immigrants with tech job placement.  

She is a hacker, tinkerer, cook, mother, world traveler and Pilates enthusiast all rolled into one driven social entrepreneur, with the goal of leaving her community in a better place for future generations.

Tamimi Ahmad, Director of community engagement and special events

Born and raised in Jordan, Tamimi moved to Canada to pursue an education in Communications Engineering from Carleton University. Having worked in the IT DevOps and automation industry in Ottawa, Tamimi developed a passion for technology while still being an active member in the community.

Apart from being a full time geek, Tamimi is enthusiastically involved in event planning, relationship building and volunteering in the community. Having successfully directed an event in collaboration between the Beijing Municipality and The City of Ottawa, he aims to have more impact in society. As well, Tamimi continues to be a contributing volunteer with the Syrian refugees' community in Ottawa helping them with translation and adaptation to their new environment in Canada.

Sergiana Fatima de Freitas, Outreach and Feedback Coordinator

Born and raised in Brazil, Sergiana holds a Master’s degree in Information Technology and an Honor’s Diploma degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship from Algonquin College. She has performed different roles in the IT industry, working as a Developer, Business Analyst and Project Manager, developing her passion for technology. Also, she worked as a University Professor for 5 years where she strengthened her passion for teaching.

Sergiana began volunteering in Brazil a few years before coming to Canada and quickly understood the pleasure that this could bring. When she came to Canada while attending college she soon got involved in community work. With Connected Canadians, she found a way to unite her two great passions (technology and teaching) in a way that allows her to contribute to society and to be part of building a better world.

MARCOS REZENDE, DIrector, DESIGN

Marcos is Brazilian, a graduate of Graphic Design, Post-Graduate in Digital Marketing Management, MBA in Marketing-applied Big Data and International Certification in User Experience for Project Managers by the UX Alliance. He has worked for different companies and market segments in the fields of Design, Web metrics and Media Performance.

Involved with volunteer work since childhood, he carries within himself the desire to change the world with small actions. Marcos loves technology, has a strong wanderlust and believes in the differential of experiences experienced by the intersection of ideas, concepts and cultures. Marcos and his family live just outside Ottawa, and in his spare time he also helps design students as a UX mentor.

Lois Larade, EVALUATION SPECIALIST

Having retired from Service Canada College (SCC) with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) in May 2018, Lois has been enjoying the freedom of a less structured life.

Training, mentoring and evaluation have been a major career focus of Lois’, inside and outside of government, since 1992.  During that time, she lead the work of the SCC Trainer Certification Program and the SCC Evaluation Program.  This responsibility centered around designing, delivering and evaluating training that promoted the development of competencies needed to provide the highest quality service to clients.  This was also the focus of the volunteer work Lois have been involved with during that time with the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre (ORCC).  Over the years, Lois has contributed to the work of the Centre in a variety of roles, including a crisis line counsellor, mentor and evaluator of crisis line volunteers, co-facilitator for the Crisis Line Volunteer Training program, facilitator for information sessions in the community and a member of multiple committees as well as a member of the Steering Collective (Board of Directors) and Working Group that evaluated the Centre and developed a plan for the future direction the ORCC.

Lois is excited about the work being done by Connected Canadians and our lead evaluator for new technology mentors and evaluation specialists. She is also leading the creation of our ever-evolving evaluation framework for our new technology mentors.

SUSAN Prentice Cormier, EVALUATION SPECIALIST

Retired from Service Canada after 37 years of service; Susan is a proponent of continuous learning.

Susan worked as a course designer and lead in the development of a transgender/LGBTQ training offered to all front line employees at Service Canada.  She also contributed to the development of indigenous peoples awareness for Service Canada for employees.  Susan was a member of the facilitation team for the Service Canada College based in Regina.  During this time, she facilitated the Service Excellence course “Putting Citizens First” in many cities across Canada. She also was part of an evaluation team that evaluated trainers enrolled in the Service Canada Trainer Certification Program.

Training, facilitation and evaluation have always been a big part of Susan's career and volunteer work.

As a technology lover, Susan has always has an ability for teaching others and sharing her knowledge.

Looking for a new challenge in retirement, Susan joined Connected Canadians team as a volunteer evaluation specialist.

Based out of New Brunswick, Susan currently helps to onboard Connected Canadians Technology Mentors remotely both in English and in French.

Ian McIntyre, Evaluation Specialist & Field Rep, Vancouver Island

Training has been the centrepoint of Ian’s life for decades. It began with the military as a helicopter pilot instructor and continued throughout his career. After leaving the military Ian had the opportunity to support and lead many teams of simulation and training specialists who delivered complex flying training programs worldwide.  Today he continues to be very active in supporting training initiatives as a consultant.  When Ian moved to Vancouver Island in 2016, he got involved in the Comox Valley Elder College (CVEC), a North Island College supported, all-volunteer organization with a membership of over 1000 seniors taking 65 courses annually.  This introduction to a Life Long Learning (LLL) organization kick started a new challenge when he was asked to facilitate a Writers’ Workshop class. Ian’s experience with these dynamic seniors led him to consider creating a new online inclusive community environment for seniors. While doing his research for this initiative Ian learned about Connected Canadians and believed its model could be a good fit for the West Coast where the percentage of seniors is expected to grow significantly during the next decade. 

They want to stay active and in communication with family, friends and their interests for as long as they can whether it’s while sitting on their decks or travelling the world. Ian has joined our team as both a representative of Connected Canadians in Vancouver Island, and an Evaluation Specialist.

Nichole Pardell, Outreach Coordinator

Nichole was born and raised in Southwestern Ontario before heading to Hamilton to obtain her Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Gerontology and Sociology at McMaster University. When she completed her studies at Mac, Nichole did some travelling, living in Malibu, CA for a while working as a nanny before travelling throughout Europe for several months.
Following her travels abroad, Nichole ended up in Calgary, AB where she gained valuable experience working directly with Alzheimer’s patients in a dementia care facility before moving into an Educator role with Carewest.
In 2009, Nichole moved back to Ontario with her family, deciding to stay at home with her 3 children until recently re-entering the workforce with the school board and finally finding her way back to her passion of helping and working with seniors.

THOMAS SCHUBERT, LEAD, VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT

Born and raised in the Greater Toronto Area, Thomas moved to Ottawa in 2013 to pursue his education. He attended Carleton University and earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce with a focus on Supply Chain Management and a Minor in Law. He has supply chain experience in both the private and public sectors, currently focusing on procurement. He also was a teaching assistant while in university and heavily involved in the university community through business case competitions and clubs.
Thomas is a frequent traveller, continuously exploring and seeking deals on his next destinations. Fluent in English and Polish, Thomas is passionate on helping those with technology and has been helping his family for many years. He sees education and teaching as coinciding well with the supply chain methodology of continuous improvement.

MADELYN BECOTTE, ADVISOR, FUNDRAISING AND SPONSORSHIP

Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Madelyn Becotte graduated from Columbia University in New York City with a Masters in Fundraising and Nonprofit Management, focusing primarily on women's reproductive health organizations.

 After completing her studies, Madelyn worked at United Way Ottawa as their Manager of Strategic Partners, continuing her passion for community development and fundraising. Madelyn currently works at Alterna Savings as the Manager of Sponsorship and Events, where she oversees all national corporate sponsorships. In her free time, Madelyn enjoys volunteering with local non-profits to assist with their fundraising strategies and connecting individuals throughout the community.