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Board Biographies

Executive Committee Biographies

Megan O'Meara, President

After spending four years as communications coordinator at the Caring and Sharing Exchange, Megan joined Defence Construction Canada (DCC) in April 2017. With a strong desire to continue her involvement with Caring and Sharing Exchange, she gratefully accepted a position on the board of directors in June 2017 and became president in June 2023.

Megan holds a Bachelor of Arts with a Specialization in Communications and an Honours Bachelor of Journalism, both from the University of Ottawa. Currently a communications advisor at DCC, she provides communications advice and support to employees at all levels within the organization.

Lily Grudzien, Vice President

Lily moved to Ottawa in 2007 for undergraduate studies, when she fell completely in love with the National Capital Region. She is passionate about giving back to the wonderful city she now calls home, and especially keen on making a positive impact on the lives of children and youth within the Ottawa/Gatineau area.

Alongside her career in law enforcement, Lily has made a personal effort to remain involved in services to her community. Lily has served on the Board of Directors for the Ottawa chapter of the national children’s charity Dreams Take Flight for ten years and is the current Director of Media and Communications. A board member of the Caring and Sharing Exchange since 2022, Lily took on the role of Vice-President in 2023. Her previous experience supporting C&SE programs, including the Sponsor-a-Hamper program, will help her guide the organization moving forward.

 Kurt Anderson, Treasurer

Kurt has over 20 years experience in treasury, investment management and strategic planning in the banking, tech, and government sectors. Kurt has an MBA in Corporate Finance and Investment Banking from the University of Toronto, a MA in International Economic Policy from Carleton University, and a BA in International Relations and Commerce from the University of British Columbia.  Kurt has been actively involved in numerous charities and non-profit organizations across Canada.  Prior to joining the Board of the Caring and Sharing Exchange as Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair in 2022, his volunteer activities have included championing initiatives for non-profits enabling societal change for children and families, the environment, international relief, sport and economic development.  Kurt has served on the Board of St. Mary's Home in Ottawa as their Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair since 2023.

Keith Archer, Secretary

Keith was raised in Saskatchewan but has been living in Ontario for the last 30 years, and Ottawa for the last 20. He has a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Waterloo, and since graduation has had a long career in project management within multiple industries. Most recently Keith has been working with BMT Canada where he manages a team helping the Department of National Defence improve overall performance in its naval maintenance and management operations. Keith's volunteer work has supported BBBSO finance oversight, and soccer coaching activities for his children.

Board Director Biographies

Kelly Adkin, Board Director

Kelly is a Controller at Harris Computer where he manages a team and provides financial support and analytics to a number of software business units. Kelly was born and raised in Ottawa and attended Carleton University for a Bachelor of Commerce, graduating in 2011. Shortly after, he moved to Calgary with his wife and completed his Chartered Professional Accountant designation. He moved back to Ottawa in 2020 to be closer to family. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his son and wife, playing hockey and cycling. Kelly is looking forward to working with the Caring and Sharing Exchange and giving back to the community.

Jill Bourchier, Board Director

Originally from Ottawa, Ontario, Jill moved to the East Coast to attend Dalhousie University, where she obtained her Bachelor of Commerce in International Business in 2013. She went on to work as a financial analyst for Export Development Canada, while working toward her Chartered Professional Accountant designation which she completed in 2021. Jill now works as an advisor with Confederation M&A Group, supporting entrepreneurs looking to sell or acquire businesses. Jill enjoys being part of the Caring and Sharing Exchange and supporting its great initiatives. In her spare time, Jill loves to travel, hike, and do yoga. . Jill is also a member of Ottawa’s Women’s Business Network. 

Derek Dedman, Board Director

Derek has spent nearly a decade working in different capacities in financial services and is currently a Portfolio Manager for Watson Di Primio Steel (WDS) Investment Management, an Ottawa based boutique investment firm. Derek joined WDS after serving as vice-president of a Montreal based wealth management firm specializing in serving cross-border clientele. Previously, with the Financial Planning Standards Council, he was an integral part of the content development efforts for the Certified Financial Planner ® national certification exams in Canada.

Derek has a master’s degree in personal finance from Kansas State University, and both his CFA charter and CFP designation. He is also a member of the Ottawa CFA Society and also a board member of the national Financial Planning Foundation TM, where he chairs the research committee. Recently, Derek was asked to join the research sub-committee for the Canadian task force on financial literacy, an initiative of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada.

Roxane Deschênes, Board Director

Roxane grew up in a small town in eastern Ontario, but decided to move to Orleans with her two teenage sons in 2020. She started working for the House of Commons in 2003 in Human Resources. Roxane is looking forward in returning to school in the fall to finish a certification in project management. When she is not working you can find her at the rink as a hockey mom and as a volunteer for the Orleans Minor Hockey Association. She also enjoys volunteering at her local food bank and a few other organizations. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her boys, traveling, kayaking and cooking. As a single mom, Roxane is excited to be a member of the Caring and Sharing Exchange board of directors. She loves helping out her community and hopefully inspiring others to do the same.

Erin Dowe, Board Director

Erin is a federal public servant working in HR since moving to Gatineau, QC in 2012.   Before settling in the NCR, Erin spent 10 years living in Toronto and Calgary where she worked for a non-profit as well as The City of Calgary. While living in Toronto she attended Seneca college where she studied small business management and entrepreneurship.Coming from a military family, a strong sense of community was ingrained in her since a very young age which has led her to a lifelong commitment to volunteering and helping others.  Erin is a long time volunteer with the Caring and Sharing Exchange as well as several other organizations across Canada, with a focus on helping seniors in need. When Erin is not working she can be found growing beautiful house plants, container gardening, going to concerts, spending time with friends and caring for her 2 black cats with loads of personality!

Garth Teskey, Board Director 

Garth is a longtime Ottawa resident, whose always been community-minded and concerned about the welfare of others. He has an Honours Bachelor of Administrative and Policy Studies from Trent University. He is a retired public servant with experience in corporate planning, human resources and policy. In the past, he has volunteered with the United Way, the Ottawa YM-YWCA and his church. He was on staff at the Ottawa YM-YWCA in the late 1980s. He enjoys being active and trying to stay fit. He likes to cook and entertain as well as read and keep up with current events.

Bianca Vodden, Board Director

Bianca was born and raised in Ottawa and has a passion for serving her local and global community. From volunteering abroad supporting girls’ education programming to facilitating small groups in her local church, Bianca thrives on meaningful connections and impactful change. She has experience in volunteer management, project management, and fundraising with Canadian charities such as World Vision Canada, Aga Khan Foundation Canada, and the Canadian Red Cross. Bianca holds a postgraduate certificate in International Development (Project Management) from Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, and a Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours in International Development and Globalization accompanied with a minor in Public Administration from the University of Ottawa.


Tracey White, Board Director

Tracey is a community-minded leader with over 20 years’ experience in the insurance industry. She is an experienced and respected leader at Economical Insurance of a team of talented professionals, and she is committed to her community, having volunteered her expertise to various local non-profit organizations over the years. Tracey holds a diploma in accounting from Algonquin College as well as a Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker diploma. She has her Registered Insurance Broker (Ontario) License II, and her Chartered Insurance Professional designation. Tracey has held leadership positions at Donald C. Johnston Insurance Brokers, Palladium Insurance Brokers, and most recently Economical Insurance, where she has spent much of her career in roles of progressive responsibility. Currently, Tracey is AVP, Personal Insurance (Ontario Region) at Economical where she is responsible for oversight of personal insurance, providing insight and recommending business strategies to produce profitable growth.

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