Meet the Team
Our Volunteer Board Members
R y a n B r a g g
Co-Chair
Ryan is a long-standing board member who is currently serving as Co-Chair of the Board. Ryan is a registered architect who has been practicing for three decades and shares the tenets of sustainable development in CEF within his profession. Ryan has a passion for solving problems and helping communities. His expertise demonstrates a desire to improve the lives of people and the way they live.
V I C K I S C H E L S T R A E T E
Co-Chair & Production
Specializing in lifestyle production and art direction, Vicki enjoys collaborating with the most creative minds in the photo industry. With 25 years of industry knowledge, she has acquired extensive experience producing shoots with as many as 100 talent/crew, and in addition, conceiving creative concepts that set mood and direction. Vicki has volunteered with CEF since 2013 as a producer and art director and for the past 5 years as Co-Chair.
B A R B AR A A D H I Y A
Communications Chair
Barbara was a photo editor for The Canadian & Associated Press and Reuters for 20 years. She holds a degree in Journalism, and Grad Certificates in International Development and Creative Writing. Barbara is also a Paralegal and a Notary Public in Ontario. She has travelled extensively, volunteering for animal charities on her journeys and often falls into adventures, like swimming with elephants. Barbara believes every one of us can contribute and make a difference.
L A U R E N L U L I A N I
Projects Chair
Lauren is an impact investing professional, passionate about using finance as a tool for social change. She holds both an undergraduate and MBA degree from Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario. Outside of CEF, Lauren also volunteers in the areas of mental health, housing, youth empowerment, and sustainable food systems. She is deeply motivated by her core belief that all humans are deserving of happiness, health, and kindness.
E D D I E M C W H I R T E R
Treasurer & Governance
Eduarda (Eddie) McWhirter is an accomplished finance and accounting professional with nearly 35 years of experience leading finance and accounting teams. Eddie is dedicated to using her extensive expertise to make a positive impact in the community, leveraging her financial acumen to help non-profit organizations achieve their goals and fulfill their missions. Eddie is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and an active member in the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC).
A L I M I R I
Revenue Generation Chair & Governance
Ali is a seasoned aviation professional with an impressive 25-year track record in the industry, spanning both crewed and remotely piloted aircraft. Armed with a wealth of experience and expertise, Ali recently accomplished the significant milestone of completing an Executive MBA program. Ali also has a deep-seated passion for giving back to the community. He is actively involved in non-profit work, dedicating his time and skills to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
D A N R O G E R S
Projects
Dan is a long time Board member who retired from practicing law some years ago and then was involved in local politics with Islands Trust for 8 years. Dan has served in all capacities on the CEF Board including years as the Secretary, Chair and past Chair. Dan has traveled to various projects that CEF has funded including in Guatemala, Cambodia, Ethiopia and Zambia. Dan particularly enjoys working alongside the wonderful CEF team in undertaking gratifying work that makes a real difference in communities.
Temi Olaleye
Communications
Temitope is a bilingual marketing communications strategist with twelve years of measurable success in fintech, e-commerce, and non-profit sectors. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and a Master's degree in Public and International Affairs.
Stingna Zhou
Revenue Generation
Stingna is a seasoned innovation leader with over 20 years of international experience at 500 Fortune companies and tech startups, focusing on strategy, digital transformation, product design, user experience, and business growth. She holds an Executive MBA from Beedie Business School at SFU. Stingna is also an entrepreneur who provides tailored services for business success. She is passionate about ESG and DE&I and has supported 200+ underserved individuals in achieving their personal growth.
Sanjay Nair
Governance and Revenue Generation
Sanjay is a strategic leader who has spent the last two decades at the intersection of complex technology and human connection. With a career spanning North America, Europe, and the Caribbean, he has built a reputation as a "trusted partner" to CXOs, turning high-level digital transformations into tangible success stories. Based in Vancouver, he brings a global perspective and a passion for mentorship to the CEF board. When he isn't busy streamlining operations or scaling Go-to-Market strategies, you’ll find him exploring the nuances of emerging tech or innovating to bridge the gap between technical depth and community impact.
J O A N K L U G E
Operations Assistant
Joan Kluge has over 25 years of experience working in the public sector. She has general and financial management experience gained in positions at the non-profit, municipal and federal government levels. Joan also has formal training and education in international development, public policy and public administration, with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. Joan has been CEF’s Operations Assistant since 2020.