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.

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.

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.

Emily Jones Joanisse

Emily is the CEO, President and Co-founder of Connected Canadians. She 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 the Director of Experiential Learning at the Innovation Hub at Carleton University. She is also completing her PhD in Management Studies at Carleton University, with a focus on the relationship between the increased use of information systems and increased equality in the workplace. Emily is also a member of the United Way Eastern Ontario Successful Aging Strategic Council and volunteers for the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County.

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.

Dobrila Rancic Moogk

Dr. Moogk is VP, Marketing at Giatec Scientific, an Ottawa IoT company revolutionizing the construction industry by bringing smart testing and AI technologies to every jobsite. Through her work in and with startups and scaleups on strategy and business models, customer development and strategic marketing, Dobrila’s passion for accelerating commercialization of innovation results in significant growth and scale-up. This is combined with her drive to lead her undergraduate and graduate students to stellar career starts by passing on her cutting-edge marketing skills to the next generation of business leaders. Over her career, Dobrila has contributed to over a dozen boards and committees. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Invest Ottawa, member of the Community Impact Cabinet at United Way East Ontario, past chair of Volunteer Ottawa, and past vice-chair of the Women in Engineering and Computer Science at University of Ottawa.

Dean Henderson

Dean has over a decade of experience in healthcare working in a variety of acute care hospitals across Ontario and the USA. He is trained as an Occupational Therapist working with multiple interdisciplinary teams to provide high quality service and improved outcomes. Over the past four years, Dean has taken his expertise and experience to the community side of healthcare working at The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County, where he helped to improve the services and support available to people impacted by dementia.  Dean loves making a ruckus, and is always in the search for good explanations. He believes that problems are inevitable and that problems are solvable.

Dean holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology from Acadia University; MSc. in Occupational Therapy from Queens University and an MBA from the University of Liverpool. He is  a member of the  Board of Directors at Options Bytown.

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 & President

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 a faculty member at Carleton University and the Director of the Sprott Social Impact Hub. She is also completing her PhD in Management, Information Systems with a focus on the digital inclusion of marginalized groups. Emily is also a member of the United Way Eastern Ontario Successful Aging Strategic Council and volunteers for the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County.

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.

Adam Chisvin, Director, Cyber Security

Adam oversees cyber security at CC, ensuring CC volunteers work with clients to help resolve challenging or unusual PC, networking, and security issues while also providing instruction and support along the way. As an Instructor, Adam also develops and delivers modules on PC Support and Security to new and developing CC Technology Mentors. Adam's technology career started as a phone support agent for dial-up Internet services. He also worked doing support and systems engineering for several telecommunication and security companies. Following that, he spent 7 years in the Canadian Armed Forces as an Army Communications and Information Systems Specialist, some of which was spent providing trade-specific instruction to new members. Adam currently works in the field of information technology with the Canadian federal public service. Adam has two diplomas from Algonquin College in Game Development and Computer Systems Technology, as well as an assortment of professional and military certifications and qualifications.

Melanie Burgess, Director of Design & Technology Mentor

As Director of Design, Melanie prepares various graphics and materials for CC initiatives and programs. As a Technology Mentor, she virtually assists individuals with their technological questions and needs. Melanie is a multi-disciplinary designer who specializes in all things creative. Through her work, she helps people come up with unique solutions to their design challenges in both digital and traditional formats. She offers a diverse range of skills and creates visual solutions that are user-friendly and effective. Melanie is also the co-founder of the Ottawa Coffee Fest, a local festival celebrating all things coffee in the community. Melanie is originally from Cornwall, Ontario and is a proud graduate of Algonquin College's Graphic Design program. During the summer months, you'll likely find her on a tennis court with her partner, Craig.

Karen Umurerwa, Outreach Coordinator & Technology Mentor

Karen works directly with CC clients to resolve their technological issues and help them expand their tech literacy skills across different devices. Previously, Karen worked as a research assistant at the University of Ottawa on a community development project. Currently enrolled in her 4th year and majoring in Psychology at the University of Ottawa, Karen is looking to pursue a master’s degree in Social Work. Karen loves traveling and particularly enjoyed visits to Vancouver, Calgary, Quebec City, and the U.K. Karen’s first language is French and her passion is volunteering, especially with older adults.  

Bruna Rugna, Feedback Coordinator

As Feedback Coordinator, Bruna works directly with CC clients and team, collecting their feedback to develop and implement action plans for ongoing service improvement. Bruna holds a Bachelor in Law and was a lawyer in Brazil. She devoted her professional career to pro bono work, helping people in need.

Passionate about teaching and assisting in legal and administrative departments, she has served at multiple non-profit organizations. She also previously worked at South Florida Bible College assisting and training teachers to better utilize digital tools. Bruna also supported various social projects of United Way East Ontario. Bruna recently moved from Florida to Ottawa with her husband, and currently works at the Ministry of the Solicitor General.

Lois Larade, Lead 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 has been a major career focus for Lois, inside and outside of government, since 1992. During that time, she led the SCC Trainer Certification Program and the SCC Evaluation Program.   Training was also the focus of the volunteer work Lois has been contributing to  the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre (ORCC). Lois has aided  the ORCC  as  a crisis line counsellor, mentor and evaluator of crisis line volunteers, and co-facilitator for the Crisis Line Volunteer Training program. Lois is excited about the work being done by Connected Canadians and serves as our lead evaluator for new technology mentors and evaluation specialists. She is also leading the creation of our ever-evolving evaluation framework for new technology mentors.

Stuart Fraser, Evaluation Specialist and Senior Technology Mentor

Stuart works directly with CC clients to guide them through technology adoption and to improve their digital literacy. In his parallel role as an Evaluation Specialist, Stuart uses role play and support to help prepare new mentors to work with clients.

Whether helping students with computer skills, assisting educators with technical needs, or lending a volunteer hand to seniors, Stuart draws on more than three decades of teaching experience, including time as an Instructional Technology Coach mentoring fellow teachers.

Prior to his teaching career, Stuart worked as a newspaper and radio reporter in northern Manitoba and as a political staffer on Parliament Hill. Stuart holds B.of S.Sc. and B.of Ed. degrees as well as a specialist degree in Special Education from uOttawa. On the technical side, he has earned an Apple Authorized Training Certificate of Achievement and a Level II Certificate in SMARTboard training.      

SUSAN Prentice Cormier, EVALUATION SPECIALIST

Retired from Service Canada after 37 years, 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. While a member of the facilitation team for the Service Canada College based in Regina,  Susan facilitated the Service Excellence course “Putting Citizens First'' in cities across Canada. She also was part of the team that evaluated trainers enrolled in the Service Canada Trainer Certification Program. As a technology lover, Susan has always had an ability to teach  others and share her knowledge. Susan brings her skills and experience to Connected Canadians as a volunteer evaluation specialist. Based out of New Brunswick, Susan helps to onboard Connected Canadians Technology Mentors remotely in both English and in French.

Fred May, Facilitator & Technology Mentor          

Fred works with CC clients in both English and French on a variety of issues relating to their devices. Fred also facilitates in-person tech workshops, regularly hosting them for our friends at Bruyère Village in Ottawa. 

Prior to volunteering with CC, Fred worked at Ericsson and Nortel, providing IT support to product development teams around the world. He retired in 2021. Fred studied mechanical engineering and robotics at University of Waterloo and Carleton University. For hobbies, Fred plays the Highland bagpipes and cycles, but not at the same time! 

BARBARA COHEN, EVALUATION SPECIALIST 

As an active member of CC, Barbara engages in role-playing exercises with newly onboarded volunteers to ensure that they are well-equipped to assist CC clients effectively. A senior herself, Barbara finds this work very meaningful and has a particular interest in accessibility, focussing on how volunteers can help seniors make the best use of their personal devices and improve their lives.

Barbara's interest in accessibility began early while studying in university. She took her first computer course, sparking her love for computers, in the early 1970s. She was later employed at a major charter bank data and processing centre for 25 years, working with mainframe computers.

Since retiring, Barbara’s interest in technology has not waned. She has the latest devices at home and attends technology workshops to continue learning about accessibility. Barbara firmly believes that new technology can help improve people's lives, especially those with accessibility needs, provided they have the tools and training to use them effectively. 

Barbara is a board member or volunteer at various organizations and enjoys traveling. 

DEBORAH ALLOTEY, TECHNOLOGY MENTOR 

Deborah provides voluntary in-person and online support to CC clients. She attends workshops and offers one-on-one support at client’s (senior) residences or in their homes. Deborah previously worked at Soronko Academy in Ghana, a leading technology and digital skills development center in Africa that teaches girls to code. There, Deborah led the delivery of coding classes to teenage girls, teaching them essential ICT skills in HTML and web design. She has also worked at Carleton University in various capacities such as event management, website management, and administration. Deborah holds an MA in Linguistics from Western University, London and speaks Arabic, English and French, as well as two Ghanaian languages Gã and Akan. Currently living in Ottawa, Deborah works with the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub as a Mapping Coordinator. In her off time, Deborah enjoys reading, baking, and  outdoor activities such as cycling, hiking, and kayaking.

CHRIS TROTHEN, TECHNOLOGY MENTOR 

Chris works directly with CC clients to help them overcome challenges and improve their ability to operate technology in a digital world. Chris has worked in an international environment, managing large computer networks and infrastructures, including supporting an IT help desk. Prior to working for 30 years in Europe, Chris helped build computer applications for government use. He has experience with Windows, web services, social media, Android phones, and internet security. As a senior himself, Chris understands how difficult it is to manage day-to-day technology use when most interactions require IT devices and knowledge. Chris holds a B.MATH in C&O and Computer Science from the University of Waterloo. He retired to Ottawa from Brussels in 2013 with his wife and a daughter and enjoys a range of competitive sports including badminton, cycling, canoeing, hiking, and basketball.

Stephan Gatien, Facilitator & French Language Liason

A retired senior executive with over 25 years of experience in business strategy, go-to-market, ecosystem development and global business operations. During his career, Stephan has worked actively with many leading global players in the high tech, telecommunications and media industries. His last managerial role was as Managing Director of one of the key areas of a large software company (SAP). These days, Stephan spends his time between mentoring business school students and helping new businesses. He wants to become more actively involved in digital inclusion programs and is an active member of the Connected Canadians volunteer team.

Tamimi Ahmad, Director, 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.

Glynis D'souza, Technology Mentor

Glynis works directly with CC clients to guide them through the technology issues they may face, improving their digital literacy to help them better connect with their loved ones and complete daily tasks in banking, social life, and more.

A passionate volunteer for youth and seniors alike, Glynis conducts youth leadership programs through Toastmasters and her own business to improve public speaking and leadership skills for youth. She is an executive assistant with a technology company and a caregiver for her senior parents who live with her.

Glynis holds a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce and is a certified speaker, facilitator and coach with the Maxwell Leadership Team based in Atlanta, Georgia. She lives with her husband Roy in Mississauga and together they have two grown sons. She is a champion for education and has run for public service twice, in 2018 and 2022, for Public School Board Trustee.

Kelly Choi, UX Specialist

Kelly is a UX/UI Designer for Connected Canadian's social gaming project. Hailing from Vancouver, she graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences and a Communications Minor. Since then, she's worked in various marketing, communication, and design roles for different industries ranging from finance, lighting, and building automation to health. Kelly's passion is in health tech and her goal is to use her skillset to help people improve or increase accessibility to health and wellness. Outside of her career, she enjoys practicing art away from the screen in the form of drawing, marker art, or painting. Kelly also enjoys spoiling her dog, Dino, with lots of treats and cuddles.

Sophia Krystek, Social Media, Volunteer 

Sophia supports content creation for the CC Communications team. She currently works in the market research technology industry, where she provides customized training for researchers, both in industry and academia. Prior to this role, Sophia worked as an Outreach & Partnership Coordinator at CC, where she developed partnerships, delivered marketing materials, and co-delivered workshops. Sophia has also previously worked as a teaching assistant and research assistant at Carleton University and has taken on various contract roles in the Federal Government. Sophia holds a Master of Science in Management degree and a Bachelor of Commerce: Marketing degree from the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University. She recently moved to Calgary and enjoys spending her free time in nature.