Our executive team
Patrick Canagasingham
CEO
Patrick, a passionate human-rights’ advocate, has been championing the needs of vulnerable children and working globally to promote positive change since before he took the helm at Christian Children’s Fund of Canada in April 2017.
Jim Carrie
VP, Global Operations
A commitment to global justice based on Christian principles drives Jim Carrie. Through extensive travels to Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Nicaragua and Paraguay, Jim is focused on improving our program design and social impact as well as increasing resources through a successful grant strategy.
Jeff Hogan, CPA, CA, CPA(IL), CSR-P
VP, Finance and Corporate Services
As VP of Finance and Corporate Services Jeff Hogan maintains the financial strength of the organization — its assets, resource and fund-flow management. He has been working to create social impact for the children and families we serve, and leading staff as fundraising ambassadors, since joining Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (CCFC) in July 2001.
Jessie Morrison
VP, Human Resources
Jessie Morrison joined Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (CCFC) with more than 30 years of experience in human resources in the for-profit sector to satisfy her "deep desire" to work for an organization seeking to change the world.
Board of Directors
Dr. John Dirks
Chair, Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC) Board of Directors
Dr. John Dirks has been the Chairman of the Board at Christian Children’s Fund of Canada since June 2017. He brings a wealth of experience having received his MD from the University of Manitoba (1957) and a Fellowship in Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians (1963). He also trained in nephrology research at the NIH (1963-1965), and held an MRC Canada grant (1965-1987) for his work in renal pathophysiology.
Donna Alteen
Vice-Chair, Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC) Board of Directors
Donna Alteen was appointed to the Christian Children’s Fund of Canada Board of Directors in June 2011 and became the Vice-Chair in June 2017. The accomplished entrepreneur brings extensive experience leading a professional team and directing the strategic vision of her organization for 30 years.
Michele McKenzie
Secretary, Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC) Board of Directors
Michele McKenzie was appointed to the Christian Children’s Fund of Canada Board of Directors in June 2012. Today she acts as Secretary to the Board and member of the Governance Committee. The Principal of Waverley, N.S.-based management consulting firm McKenzie Strategies, has worked for clients such as The Trans Canada Trail and Tourism Nova Scotia.
Gabriel Ollivier
Treasurer, Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC) Board of Directors
Gabriel Ollivier was elected to the Board of Directors of CCFC in December 2014 and now serves as Treasurer and a Member of the Marketing Committee. His 25-year career has been spent in Canada’s oil and gas industry and the Canadian capital markets.
Dr. Douglas Ellenor
Past Chair, Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC) Board of Directors
Dr. Douglas Ellenor served as the Chair of the Board at Christian Children’s Fund of Canada, until June 2017. The Past Chair has some 39 years experience in the petroleum exploration and production industry, having spent 25 of those on international assignments with the Royal/Dutch Shell Group in Australasia, Europe and North and South America.
Dr. Robert G. Blunden
Director, Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC) Board of Directors
Dr. Robert Blunden has served as Treasurer, Vice-Chair, Chair and Past Chair. He is now a Director of the Christian Children’s Fund of Canada’s Board of Directors and Chair of the Nominating Committee.
Karen Fonseth
Director, Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC) Board of Directors
Karen Fonseth joined the Christian Children's Fund of Canada's Board of Directors in June 2016. Fonseth's career has been dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults both nationally and globally over the past 25 years at a senior executive level.
Paul Newbigging
Director, Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC) Board of Directors
Paul Newbigging joined the Christian Children’s Fund of Canada’s Board of Directors in October 1997 and served as Chair of the Board from 2001 to 2011. He is a member of the Nominating Committee.
Sebastian Spio-Garbrah
Director, Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC) Board of Directors
Sebastian Spio-Garbrah was elected to the Board of Directors of CCFC in June 2015. He has been adjudged one of the world’s leading frontier markets analysts, and voted among the ‘Top 30 under 30 Analysts’ by New York’s Institutional Investor Magazine in 2006.
Mark Johnson
Director, Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC) Board of Directors
Mark was elected to the Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (CCFC) Board of Directors in September 2015. As general counsel at Toronto Community Housing Corporation, he leads a department serving 110,000 tenants.
Bekele Geleta
Director, Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC) Board of Directors
Bekele was elected to the Christian Children’s Fund of Canada’s Board of Directors in September 2016. He has served as a member of various international Governing Boards and has held many senior positions in his career.
Lori Schmidt
Director, Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC) Board of Directors
Lori was elected to the Christian Children’s Fund of Canada’s Board of Directors in September 2016. She is CEO of GO Productivity, a nationally incorporated not-for-profit organization.
Dr. Paul Roberts
Honorary Advisor, Christian Children's Fund of Canada (CCFC) Board of Directors
Dr. Paul Roberts currently serves as Honorary Advisor on the CCFC Board of Directors, and has served the Board faithfully since 1962. Since then, he has played an extremely important role in shaping the growth of the organization.
