Governance

Board of Directors

The ONN Board is the governing body that supports ONN by providing strategic leadership. Members of the Board are stewards of the public benefit sector, and the work that is being undertaken in relation to the sector. Board members are not representative of their organization’s or sub-sector’s particular interests.

JP Bervoets, Community Foundations of Canada

For the two decades, JP (he/him) has worked to foster collaboration and build partnerships across sectors to advance community wellbeing and sustainable development. He joined CFC in 2014 to help connect the work of Canada’s community foundation movement with a network of partners from the public and private sector and civil society. Prior to joining CFC, JP held various positions in the international development sector in Canada, and internationally, including at North Star Alliance, a groundbreaking public-private partnership founded by the UN World Food Programme and TNT Express. JP’s interests include public health, culture and development, and public-private partnerships. He sits on the Board of Directors of Impact Hub Ottawa and Art for AIDS International, and has voluntarily supported a number of organizations at home and abroad including Boys and Girls Clubs, the Nkosi Johnson AIDS Foundation, and UNAIDS.

Angela Carter, Roots Community Services Inc. (Chair)

Angela is the Advisor, Strategic Initiatives & Lead, Black Health & Social Services Hub at Roots Community Services Inc. (RootsCS), and in this capacity, she actively advocates for the upliftment of Black, African and Caribbean people and works tirelessly to break down systemic racism and other barriers that continue to negatively impact members
of racialized and marginalized communities. She currently co-chairs the Anti-Black Racism & Systemic Discrimination collective in the Region of Peel and the Black Health Task Force of Peel as well as represents RootsCS on a number of committees in Peel, Halton and Toronto that are seeking equity and equality for all. Angela is an avid lifelong learner who has taken and continues to pursue numerous courses in various disciplines. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from York University, Ontario, and a Master of Professional Communication degree, with specialization in Intercultural and International Communication, from the Royal Roads University in British Columbia.

Kasandra James, Volunteer Toronto

As Director of Programs, Kasandra James provides strategic leadership of Volunteer Toronto’s programs and services, including oversight of the organization’s learning programs for community members and nonprofits, public activation and events, and partnerships with nonprofits, networks and funders. Her work prioritizes systems change in non-profit organizations that promote decent volunteerism – inclusive, equitable and anti-oppressive volunteer engagement, grounded in belonging. Kasandra has a B.A. in Psychology, a certificate in Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Management, and will graduate with a Masters of Education in Adult Education and Community Development from the University of Toronto in 2025. Her dedication to volunteerism and civic engagement has included twenty years as a youth mentor in faith, academic and community organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto.

Maria Martinez, The 519

Maria (she/her) brings over 20 years of leadership experience in Finance and
Administration/Operations, primarily within the non-profit sector. Since 2022, she has served as Director of Finance at The 519, a City of Toronto agency dedicated to fostering the health, happiness, and full participation of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Prior to this, Maria held the same role at the Aphasia Institute. Before relocating to Canada, she contributed to international
development projects in Peru. Maria holds an MBA, a Master’s in Global Management, a post-graduate certificate in Global Business Management, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business. In addition to her professional work, she serves on the boards of the Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN), the Mennonite New Life Centre, and Sheena’s Place. Fluent in three languages and continually expanding her skills, Maria is a lifelong learner and passionate reader. She enjoys art, hiking with her dog, and spending time outdoors with her
family.

Carolina Palacios, Oxfam Canada

Carolina (she/her) is the deputy executive director of Oxfam Canada. She has almost two decades of experience in various roles within the international development sector, fighting poverty and inequality. She has held positions as head of programs, quality and learning at World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and Cuso International, as well as various roles in public and private institutions in her home country, Colombia. She has led teams to design and secure funding for international development programs valued at CAD$220+ million in more than 20 countries. Carolina is passionate about advancing gender equality and the rights, empowerment and leadership of women and girls in all their diversity. She holds a masters’ certificate in project management from Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business, a master’s degree in conflict studies from Saint Paul University, a postgraduate diploma in armed conflicts and peace from Universidad de los Andes and a bachelor’s degree in government and international relations from Universidad Externado de Colombia.

Greg Prior, SickKids Foundation (Treasurer)

Greg (he/him) is the Associate Director, Financial Analysis & Systems at SickKids Foundation. He is responsible for the financial reporting & analysis, annual budgeting, government filings, and Finance system implementations for the Foundation. He is a professional accountant with more than 25 years of experience in financial analysis, reporting, and budgeting, with the last 18 years of that experience in the non-profit sector. Prior to joining SickKids Foundation, he held various accounting/finance roles within the manufacturing sector. Greg is a CPA, CGA and currently sits on the F&A committee of ONN. In addition, he has also volunteered as Treasurer for two community non-profit organizations within the sports/recreational sector. He currently sits on the executive committee of the Village Pool League (a small 2SLGBTQIA+ non-profit sports league).

Jenna Robar, Library of Parliament

Jenna (she/her) is a passionate community worker from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, currently serving as the Senior Advisor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the Library of Parliament and as Deputy Director at the Books, Art, Music (BAM) Collective. She spearheads initiatives that bridge diverse populations, fostering profound connections and mutual understanding within communities.

An advocate for justice, Jenna has spoken at the House of Commons, engaged with the UNAC, and contributed to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Her service on the Prime Minister’s Youth Council underscores her commitment to providing non-partisan advice on issues crucial to the diverse communities within what’s called ‘Canada’ today. Jenna’s dedication to fostering inclusivity and enacting tangible change continues to inspire and shape the communities she serves.

Devika Shah, Environment Funders Canada

Devika (she/her) is Executive Director of Environment Funders Canada, a network of 75+ funders working together to respond to environmental crises with ambitious and innovative solutions. She is passionate about nurturing systems change solutions that are grounded in regenerative economic development, social justice, equity and active democratic engagement. Her interdisciplinary background and experience in the non-profit sector have sharpened her focus on advancing multi-stakeholder, community-informed solutions. Devika has previously held positions with Social Planning Toronto, World Wildlife Fund Canada, Pembina Institute, York University and KCI Philanthropy. In these roles, she has strengthened organizational capacity in the areas of public engagement, advocacy, strategic integration and planning, fundraising and operations management. She holds a B.Sc. from the University of Toronto and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, York University.

Andre Vallillee, Metcalf Foundation

Andre (he/him) joined Metcalf Foundation as Environment Program Director in 2014. Prior to joining Metcalf, Andre worked as a Program Manager with the Ontario Trillium Foundation, overseeing the province-wide environmental grants portfolio and serving as the Foundation’s Strategy Lead for the environment sector. He is a past Chair of Environment Funders Canada and currently serves on the Ontario Nonprofit Network’s Board of Directors and as a Steering Committee member of the Arctic Funders Collaborative. Andre received his Bachelors in Environmental Studies and Political Science from the University of Victoria and his Masters in Planning from the University of British Columbia.

Policy Committee

The Public Policy and Advocacy Committee brings their expertise and experience in public policy and provides valuable feedback on the development of policy priorities set out by the ONN staff team.

Jasmine Ramze Rezaee, YWCA Toronto (Policy Committee Chair)

Jasmine Ramze Rezaee (she/her) is a values-driven public affairs professional. Over the past 15 years, she has worked in a variety of nonprofit positions across Canada. Today, she is YWCA Toronto’s Director of Advocacy and Communications and a chief advocate to municipal and provincial governments. Jasmine’s leadership experience has focused on advancing safe, inclusive communities for women and racialized people. She has a deep understanding of government policy and the power of storytelling, frequently appearing as a media commentator on gender equity issues. She is also Chair of the Board of Directors at Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services and a Board member at Family Service Toronto. In her spare time, she teaches public relations at Humber College.

Amanda Colella-King, Feed Ontario
James Janeiro, Community Living Toronto/Caregiving Society
Janet McCrimmon, Strides Toronto
Jennifer Ross, Ontario Cooperative Association
Paul Bubelis, Sustainability Network
Stan Williams, Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres
Marie-Lauren Gregoire Drummond, Alliance for Healthier Communities
Jin Huh, Social Planning Toronto
Rosalind Lockyer, PARO
Parinita (Pari) Rajagopalan, Thrive Youth Development Canada
Margaret McGuffin, Music Publishers Canada
Fayzal Samji, Labour Education Centre
Tammy Shubat, Ophea
Shruthi Ganpathy, Markham Arts Council
Sarah Beyer, Canadian Centre for Housing Rights

Lifetime Members

ONN’s lifetime memberships are given to individuals to celebrate their outstanding contributions to our network.

Jini Stolk, 2015, in celebration of her role as founding chair of ONN’s Board of Directors and of her 7-year membership on the ONN Steering Committee.

Ayumi Bailly, 2013, of the Law Foundation of Ontario, for being ONN’s first grant provider and for her ongoing leadership and support related to the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA), ONN’s founding issue.