Biographies of the members of Canada’s Volunteer Awards’ National Advisory Committee

Introduction

The members of the Canada's Volunteer Awards National Advisory Committee have experience working or volunteering with the not-for-profit, voluntary and private sectors. The Committee is made up of members who:

• are outside of the government
• have a lot of knowledge of volunteering and the volunteer sector
• showcase Canada's diversity

Myrna Adams

Brampton, Ontario

Myrna Adams has volunteered for over 30 years in Brampton, Ontario.

Her desire to support communities in need led to her work with not-for-profits such as:

• CARP Brampton Chapter 52 (formerly Canadian Association for Retired Persons)
• Peel Elder Abuse Prevention Network
• Brampton Young At Heart Seniors.

Today, Myrna is the president of Brampton Senior Citizens Council. She works with diverse groups to develop programs that improve the quality of life of seniors.

Amanda Bent

Shediac, New Brunswick

Amanda Bent works at New Brunswick Community College and has worked in the voluntary sector for many years. She is the coordinator of the Robertson Institute for Community Leadership, and provides resources for staff and students. She helps them to build skills, knowledge and confidence through volunteering.

She has also raised funds and awareness for:

• Canadian National Institute for the Blind, New Brunswick division
• Canadian Cancer Society, Nova Scotia division

Volunteering has shaped Amanda's life. She credits her parents for showing her the value of volunteering and the importance of giving back.

She has volunteered as a member of the board of directors of:

• Shediac Lions Club
• New Brunswick Career Development Association

Nicolas Brown

Westlock, Alberta

Nicolas has been volunteering for over 15 years. He works as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and teaches First Aid with St. John’s Ambulance. He also serves as a reservist in the Canadian Armed Forces where he is one of two Deputy Editors for the Canadian Army Journal.

He has held roles like Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer on several boards. In 2023, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal from the Government of Alberta for his volunteer work. Nicolas also volunteered on the Board of the Alberta Equestrian Federation for more than 10 years.

Currently, he volunteers as:

• Treasurer and Past Chair, Town of Legal Public Library
• Board Director, Royal Heraldry Society of Canada
• Medical First Responder (MFR), St. John’s Ambulance, Alberta Council.

Christopher Dougherty

Ottawa, Ontario

Christopher Dougherty has both worked and volunteered in the non-profit sector for many years. He has helped with capacity building with:

• Volunteer Calgary (now Propellus)
• Imagine Canada
• United Way Calgary

His work in capacity building with various organizations has helped them to improve social outcomes in their communities. He believes that socially conscious organizations can help communities to thrive.

Stéphane Grenier

Val-d'Or, Quebec

Stéphane Grenier is a professor and researcher in social work at the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT). Over the past twenty (20) years, he has developed a major experience in teaching, social work and research with First Nations, and in social housing.

Stéphane Grenier has actively volunteered in a number of organizations, mainly focusing on youth well-being and community development. He has served on many boards and committees, such as:

• The Federation for the Humanities and Sciences
• Canadian Association for Social Work Education
• Société d'habitation du Québec
• La Piaule de Val-d'Or
• The Suicide Prevention Line for Abitibi-Témiscamigue

In 2023, he was recognized with the Lumières award by the Groupe d'intervention et d'innovation pédagogique (GRIIP) of the Université du Québec network for his innovative project on Indigenous insights in the social work, in partnership with the Anishnabe Nation of Lac Simon.

Amani Hitimana

Toronto, Ontario

As a newcomer to Canada, Amani Hitimana volunteered with Adam House, a refugee shelter in Toronto. He supported fellow newcomers to Canada by creating a mentoring group.

He enjoys volunteering with people with disabilities and serves on the board of directors of the Ontario Disability Employment Network. In this role, he works to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. He believes that volunteering is the key to improving society.

He is a PhD student with the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.

Marie Houzeau

Montreal, Quebec

Marie Houzeau is noted for her work in fighting homophobia and prejudice in Quebec. With more than twenty (20) years' experience in organizational development and human resources management, Marie Houzeau has assumed a remarkable role in demystifying the 2SLGBTQI+ groups and promoting sexual and gender diversity.

As General Manager of the Groupe de Recherche et d'Intervention Sociale (GRIS) in Montreal, she is fully dedicated to developing egalitarian and inclusive initiatives; and promoting volunteerism. She also collaborated with many organizations and religious congregations by organizing training sessions in leadership and project management in Canada and abroad.

Her professional contribution and personal dedication have earned her several distinctions, including:

• Médaille de l'Assemblée nationale du Québec (2016)
• Prix Femme de mérite (2019)
• On behalf of GRIS-Montréal, Canada’s Volunteer Award (2019)
• Commander of the Order de Montréal (2023)

David Iwaasa

Burnaby, British Colombia

David Iwaasa has served as a volunteer for more than 5 decades. He has sat on different boards and leadership teams for many community organizations including:

• the Japanese Community Volunteers Association
• the Japanese Community Legacy Committee
• B.C. Government Japanese Historic Place Names Project

David is the chair of the board of directors for the Japanese Community Volunteers Association, Tonari Gumi. They provide social services to seniors and those in need in the B.C. Lower Mainland.

Daniel H. Lanteigne

Montréal, Quebec

Daniel H. Lanteigne is a leader in Canadian philanthropy. He is recognized for his skills in managing paid staff and volunteers, fundraising, and governance. He combines smart planning with hands-on work.  He helps organizations make a bigger impact in communities across Canada.

Daniel is studying for a Master’s in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at Carleton University and is actively involved in the field through different leadership roles. Since 2022, he has led Canada’s Volunteer Awards National Advisory Committee, working to support and grow volunteerism across the country.

He has received several awards for his contributions to philanthropy, including the Hommage bénévolat-Québec Award (2015), the Quebec National Assembly Medal (2021), and the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Exceptional Merit (2018).

Brenda Martinussen

Balmoral, Manitoba

Brenda Martinussen understands the value of volunteering. She is the Director of Projects and Public Policy at the Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health (CCSMH). She took part in the creation of DASCHWorks, a training center for people with intellectual disabilities. She led the launch of Nurse Next Door, a home care service in Winnipeg.

In addition, she has also volunteered for:

• the Alzheimer Societies of Manitoba and Canada
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg

She also helped to revive youth baseball in Balmoral, Manitoba.

Darlene Nuqingaq

Iqaluit, Nunavut

Darlene Nuqingaq's passion is music because it helps to improve mental health. She has volunteered for many years as a music teacher and director of music programs. She has taught children how to play the fiddle for more than 20 years. She helps to plan and organize the annual Iqaluit Music Camp.

She has volunteered in many different roles, such as:

• a leader with Girl Guides of Canada
• crisis line responder
• member of many boards
• music camp leader
• Being a Sunday School Teacher

Sylvia Parris-Drummond

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Sylvia has more than 30 years of experience in education. She is the CEO of the Delmore "Buddy" Daye Learning Institute. Their goal is to improve the learning experience of African-Canadian communities.

Sylvia Parris-Drummond has been a volunteer for most of her life. Today, she serves her community as a board member for many organizations including:

• FEED Nova Scotia
• the Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia
• YWCA Halifax