Staff Biographies
Administrative Office (Victoriaville, QC)
- Mike Toye, Executive Director
- Guylaine Simard, Director of Finance
- Nikyta Mathieu-Champagne, Administrative Coordinator (currently on maternity leave)
- Stephanie Cloutier, Administrative Coordinator
Winnipeg Office
- Brendan Reimer, Prairies & Northern Territories Coordinator
- Kirsten Bernas, Researcher & Policy Advisor
- Ryan O'Connor, Communications Assistant
- Sarah Leeson-Klym, Learning Events Coordinator
Spark
- Geoff Ripat, Spark Program Coordinator
- Lindsey McBain, Communications and Member Engagement
- Donna Hall, Spark Recruitment Coordinator
- Fiorina Pasquarelli, Spark Recruitment Coordinator (currently on maternity leave)
Ontario Office
Mike Toye
Executive Director
"It is at the community level where the failures of fragmented development approaches are most keenly felt. Community economic development integrates social, economic and environmental concerns into inclusive strategies which are not only more effective and sustainable, but improve the well-being of all citizens. CCEDNet is an inspiring and rapidly growing movement of people who recognize this reality, and are committed to a healthy, vibrant and more just future."
Michael Toye became Executive Director of CCEDNet in August of 2008, bringing a deep background in community economic development (CED) to the Director's chair. Upon earning his Master of Social Work at McGill, Michael helped set up two worker co-operatives that provide research, consulting and training services related to CED and the social economy.
Michael's involvement with CCEDNet dates back to 2000 when he helped organize CCEDNet's National Policy Forum while serving as a coordinator with the Coopérative de consultation en développement La Clé. In 2003 he joined CCEDNet officially as Community Learning Program Director.
As CCEDNet's program director from 2003 to 2006, Michael coordinated a 3-year action-research project exploring the links between social inclusion and CED. In addition, he led the coordination of CCEDNet's annual national conferences, which attract hundreds of CED experts and practitioners from across the country each year.
More recently Michael has deepened his knowledge of Canadian social policy and parliamentary process serving as a policy analyst at the Library of Parliament in Ottawa, while teaching courses on CED and social enterprise at Concordia University.
Michael has written a number of articles and other publications on CED and the social economy, including co-editing the book, Community Economic Development: Building for Social Change.
Director of Finance
Guylaine has 15 years experience in financial management and administration in the non-profit and private sectors. She has worked in women’s organizations in Montréal, in accounting firms and as an independent consultant in the Beauce and Centre-du-Québec regions of southern Québec.
She has been active on the Board and as a volunteer with several community organizations, including cooperant placements in Africa and Latin America with Canadian Crossroads International and Oxfam-Québec.
Nikyta Mathieu-Champagne (currently on maternity leave)
Administrative Co-ordinator
Originally from Lévis, Québec, Nikyta Mathieu-Champagne has completed her college degree in accounting. She has a solid base of experience doing accounting work in different environments, including two years in Alberta, which helped her improve her English. Her passions include music and singing.
Nikyta is the administrative coordinator at the Victoriaville office. Her responsibilities include bookkeeping, payroll and overall administration.
Stéphanie Cloutier
Originally from Asbestos, located in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Stéphanie moved to Victoriaville to pursue her studies in Mordern Languages. After which, she completed a degree in sales and consulting and began working in that field. She then decided to go into accounting, and recently finished her degree. She now works as the Administrative Coordinator in CCEDNet's Victoriaville office, while Nikyta is away. Her primary tasks are accounting, payroll and general administration. Her hobbies include writing, reading, gardening and music. You can contact Stéphanie at 819 795-3056 ext.221 or email at scloutier@ccednet-rcdec.ca
Prairies & Northern Territories Coordinator
“I believe that people want to help shape a holistically good life. It only makes sense that you’d get there through a holistic development approach.”
Brendan’s early days in Paraguay set the stage for his passion and commitment to social justice. His parents were actively involved in community development and social justice, and their influence echoes through Brendan’s life path. Brendan began working in the restorative justice field, and ran a social enterprise with men with various disabilities. Following that, he volunteered with CED organizations and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Development Studies and Sociology from the University of Winnipeg. He is currently a member of the Social Enterprise Council of Canada
Researcher & Policy Advisor
"I am commited to the promotion of CED because I believe that its participatory nature empowers the most disadvantaged citizens to take action in pursuing the type of social and economic justice they hope to achieve in their communities.
Kirsten received a BA (Honours) in Economics from the University of Manitoba as well as an MA from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University in Ottawa. Her experience in non-profit organizations as well as in federal and provincial governments has contributed to her interest in community economic development theory and practice. Kirsten represents CCEDNet on the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternative’s Alternative Federal Budget Steering Committee, Make Poverty History Canada’s Steering Committee, Make Poverty History Manitoba’s Executive Committee, and on the Winnipeg Food Policy Working Group. She has recently co-authored a report with Brendan Reimer titled, Building a Federal Policy Framework and Program in Support of Community Economic Development.
Communications Coordinator
Ever wonder who's behind CCEDNet's great social media outlets and exciting monthly newsletters? It's Ryan, CCEDNet's communications assistant and a former CreateAction intern. But it's not all Tweets and bulletins - Ryan has also worked on several CCEDNet research projects on food security and social enterprises.
His prior work experiences have allowed him to engage with urban issues such as heritage building preservation and youth employment. Ryan is currently living in Vancouver, where he is pursuing a master's degree in urban planning at the University of British Columbia's School of Community and Regional Planning.
Learning Events Coordinator
Sarah is currently finishing her interdisciplinary B.A. in Social Justice Theory and Practice at the University of Winnipeg. Before that she received a certificate in Arts and Cultural Management at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton. Growing up in Northern Alberta, she eventually ended up in Winnipeg’s inner city with an interest in community development. She is excited to be doing work that combines her education, volunteering experience and her values around social justice. She believes CD and CED are solutions to persistent poverty and inequality because it allows groups to explore the reasons for their inequality, to define their own needs and to cooperatively structure solutions to the challenges they face.
Spark Program Coordinator
"I believe in CED because it strengthens the social and environmental dimensions of a community while building a local economy."
Geoff recently returned to Canada after 5 years in Bolivia, South America as a cooperant with CUSO where he was involved with strengthening the capacity of a large NGO which supported community development projects involving children and families. A graduate of the Master of Social Work program at the University of Manitoba where he did a thesis on the community kitchen movement, Geoff has worked and volunteered in community development and CED initiatives in Winnipeg's inner city for almost 10 years, and is excited to be able to continue to contribute to their successes. Geoff enjoys swimming, year-round cycling, street hockey, camping and time with his family.
Communications and Member Engagement - Prairies and Northern Territories
“We need to work toward more sustainable livelihoods through greater engagement with our neighborhoods and our democracy.”
Lindsey McBain is a graduate of the University of Manitoba and has worked in both local and international development. His work in CED has re-rooted him in his own city, connecting him to people and ideas that bring inspiration and determination to the work of CED. He contends that CED's emphasis on capacity building and participation offer a solid proposition for the long-term stability of struggling communities.
Spark Recruitment Coordinator
Donna is passionate about recruiting and community development, and has applied this passion in her past work as a human resource representative with Mountain Equipment Co-op, Winnipeg; with not-for-profit organizations including the Orioles Bike Cage and Community Heritage Manitoba; and in the public sector where she was a researcher/writer for the Canadian Register of Historic Places. One of Donna’s most unique experiences was collaborating with local development agencies on speleological (cave) tourism in Indonesia. Outside of her work with the Spark team, Donna is an active participant in dance, gardening, yoga and cycling. In 2009, she completed the 1,600km Cycle of Hope, raising funds to build a home for Habitat for Humanity in Winnipeg, and she’s always got some new bike-riding plan up her sleeve. Donna holds a BA Hons in Anthropology and a diploma in Human Resource Management, both from the University of Winnipeg.
Fiorina Pasquarelli (currently on maternity leave)
Spark Recruitment Coordinator
After developing a spirit of discontentment from living in the suburbs of Winnipeg, Fiorina made her way through Europe and then to Ghana, West Africa, to be intentionally uncomfortable and satisfy that ache for distance. Inspired and transformed from those days, Fiorina decided to plant her roots in Winnipeg’s West End and has helping her own back yard flourish and grow into a vibrant and unique community.
Fiorina holds a Bachelors Degree in International Development Studies from the University of Winnipeg, and is currently pursing an after degree in Social Work. Fiorina has nine years of community development experience in a variety of capacities. As a leader and a servant, she’s worked for various inner city community organizations and has served as a board member with several neighborhood associations and groups.
She loves indulging in sushi, spending time with family, and enjoys pleasantly surprising people with tasty baking. Fiorina is currently on maternity leave as of August 2011.
Director of Programs
"I work in CED because CED provides a path to economic justice for many who are marginalized in our society."
Before joining CCEDNet, Paul spent 18 years working as a department director with Dixon Hall, a multi-service neighbourhood centre in downtown east Toronto. Working to improve social and economic outcomes in one of Toronto’s most challenged communities; he focused on social enterprise and community economic development as well as self-employment and employment training. Paul also initiated and chaired the Downtown East Community Development Collaborative in Toronto, which created an inclusive, integrated and comprehensive model for the delivery of employment services.
Since being with CCEDNET his work on national projects has focussed on demonstrating the effects of CED on poverty, youth peer mentoring and immigrant social enterprise. He also supports the development of the Ontario Network and our work with the Ontario Social Economy Roundtable. Paul is committed to issues of equity and inclusion, is an avid cyclist and enjoys being an active grandfather.
CreateAction Program Coordinator
“I work in CED because it realizes that healthy communities are those that are economically, ecologically, and socially vibrant and that everyone has important contributions to make in building this kind of society.”
Matthew is passionate about sustainable organic agriculture and social and economic equality. He holds a Bachelor of Philosophy from the University of New Brunswick's Renaissance College, where he studied leadership skills and public policy. His volunteer and work life has carried him to Jamaica, Italy, and France in diverse capacities from organic farming to building community with people with developmental disabilities to community organizing. Matthew is also an avid bassist and plays in a rock band in Toronto.