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.
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!
Jennifer Imerson, Board Director
Jennifer retired from a rewarding 24-year career with RBC across several business and functional areas which include Retail Banking, National Operations & Service Delivery, Procurement, and Group Risk Management. Throughout her career, Jennifer actively volunteered as a meaningful way to grow, and a resourceful way to broaden her skills, all with the desire to improve the lives of others. Jennifer’s passion for volunteerism led to being an outspoken advocate for the merits and benefits of volunteerism through Volunteer Ottawa, Dying with Dignity Canada, the Dementia Society, and of course, our Caring and Sharing Exchange where she has volunteered for several years. She currently works with locally-owned Riverstone Retirement Communities enhancing the well-being of seniors.
Ryan Saunders, Board Director
Ryan is a procurement, project management and supply chain professional with over 12 years of progressive experience working in both not-for-profit and for-profit Organizations. He is currently employed as a Global Procurement Partnering & Category Lead at Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics & Political Science from Brock University and also a Certified Supply Chain Leadership (CSCL) Designation from the National Institute of Supply Chain Leaders (NISCL). Ryan is a family-oriented individual that was born, raised and currently resides in the Ottawa Area and enjoys working with and giving back to the local community.
.Hazem Shayah, Board Director
Hazem has several years of experience in human resources and administration with global Chinese companies in the UAE. He holds a PhD in Industrial Economics and a Master’s Degree in International Trade, both from Wuhan University of Technology in China. He is fluent in Arabic and English with intermediate proficiency in Chinese. Since relocating to Canada in 2023, Hazem has been actively engaged with several non-profit organizations, both as a volunteer and as staff, contributing to various services and activities that support the community in Ottawa.
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.