Our People
Our organization is driven by a dedicated team of individuals who are committed to the heart of our mission—granting life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses.
CEO & Board of Directors
Our CEO and Board lead with vision and integrity, aligning decisions with our values to advance our mission.
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Senior Leadership Team
Our Senior Leadership Team oversees operations and leads departments to achieve our organizational goals.
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National Department Directors
Our Department Directors and their teams help bring our organization’s vision to life.
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Chapter Directors
Providing local insights, our Chapter Directors help tailor our impact to meet community needs.
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Medical Advisory Committee
Offering medical expertise, the Medical Advisory Committee advises on reaching and supporting every eligible child.
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STARboard
Made up of former wish kids, STARboard is our young people’s board, and will help guide our mission.
ViewChief Executive Officer
Meaghan Stovel McKnight
Chief Executive Officer
As Chief Executive Officer, Meaghan Stovel McKnight leads Make-A-Wish® Canada in its mission to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. She brings over two decades of mission motivated leadership to her role at Make-A-Wish Canada, and possesses an outstanding track record of building strong teams and delivering exceptional results in both the private and not-for-profit sectors.
Board of Directors
Shaun Usmar
Board Chair
CEO, Vale Base Metals
Toronto, ON
Darren Nantes
Vice-Chair/Fundraising Advisory Board Chair
Chairman and Founder, Nantes Capital Inc.
Fall River, NS
Rex Lee
Treasurer/Finance & Audit Committee Chair
Chief Information & Technology Officer, Canadian Tire Corporation
Toronto, ON
Dan Markou
Nominating & Governance Chair
Executive Vice President & Chief People and Culture Officer, SmartCentres REIT
Toronto, ON
Jason Low
Director
Chief Financial Officer, McElhanney
Vancouver, BC
Tammi Kerzner
Co-Founder
Rocky Mountain Chocolate
Vancouver, BC
Raymond Chow
Director
CFO, E3 Lithium
Calgary, AB
Natalie Green
Director
Head of Industry, Automotive at Google
Toronto, ON
Natalia Strauch
Director
Vice President Human Resources, Disney Consumer Products
Los Angeles, CA
Karen Heim
Director
Vice President & General Manager, Alexion Canada
Oakville, ON
Jennifer Jones
Independent Director
Toronto, ON
Meaghan Stovel Mcknight
Secretary
CEO, Make-A-Wish Canada
Toronto, ON
Sylvain Charbonneau
Director
President and CEO Blue Cross Canassurance
Montréal, QC
Alyson Hodson
Director
President and CEO, zag
Edmonton, AB
Tyler McGregor
STARboard Chair
National Para Hockey Team Athlete and Captain
Toronto, ON
Jeanette Wakelin
Independent Director
Charlottetown, PEI
Carolina Walls
Independent Director
Calgary, AB
Shawn White
Director
External Affairs Manager GSK
Dartmouth, NS
Dr. Heather Hodgson-Viden
Medical Advisory Committee Chair
Pediatrician, Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, Saskatchewan Health Authority
Saskatoon, SK
April Crane
Director
Head of Communications, WestJet
Calgary, AB
Mark Carpenter
President
Angry Butterfly
Toronto, ON
Senior Leadership Team
Meaghan Stovel McKnight
Chief Executive Officer
Tim DeWeerd
Sr. Vice President, Finance & Business Operations
Alexis Gaiptman
Vice President, Eastern Canada
Bonnie Shepherd
Vice President, Central Canada
Katharine Harrold
Vice President, Western Canada
Deana Shaw
Vice President, Brand & Integrated Marketing
Grace Poles
Vice President, People & Culture
Ivneet Chadha
Vice President, Technology
Lynda Debono
Vice President, National Development
Karen Shaver
Vice President, Mission
Learn about our diverse and exciting career opportunities from coast-to-coast!
If you’re a creative soul with a passion for making dreams come true, we want YOU on our team!
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