BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair
Olivier was born and raised in Orléans. As a young francophone, Olivier dedicated most of his time to francophone causes in high school. As a Board member, he strives to provide guidance to the Centre, particularly on youth and francophone issues of Orléans-Cumberland.
Olivier works as a Communications Assistant for a Member of Parliament. He graduated from the University of Ottawa in International Studies and Modern Languages with a minor in Communications.
He is delighted to serve his community in this new role and looks forward to advancing the causes dear to his heart and learning more about the community.
Vice-Chair
Patrick has over 20 years of experience in public health and community development.
He is passionate about the social determinants of health and the development of social and community programs that have an approach based on equity and inclusion. Patrick has worked for the United Nations (UNICEF) and other international organizations in the Caribbean, Africa and Asia. He has extensive experience in health promotion, management and implementation of health and socio-community programs, grant management, monitoring and evaluation.
Secretary
Sandra has resided in Orleans for almost a decade.
She is a learning and development specialist and has a keen interest in corporate social responsibility. Sandra has over ten years of experience working in government relations, stakeholder relations, and policy development in the nonprofit and postsecondary education sectors.
She has a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Modern Languages from the University of Ottawa and a Master’s degree in Conflict Studies from Saint Paul University.
As a Board member, Sandra looks forward to giving back to her community.
Treasurer
Benoit has been living in Orléans since 2010. He now lives there with his family and young children. It was through the Early ON program that he got to know the OCCRC.
Benoit has over 12 years of experience in scientific research and project management in the federal government. Additionally, he has a lot of experience planning fundraising events for non-profit organizations.
“I wanted to get involved with the OCCRC to continue the organization’s exemplary work in my community and to help my neighbors.”
Orléans has been the home for Christine and her family for the past 20 years. As a Board member, Christine is committed to the development of opportunities for youth and francophones enabled by a community that engages and equips them to be successful as our leaders of the future.
Christine has over 20 years of experience in the science and technology environment, covering strategic and operational planning, governance and organizational transformation, performance measurement, risk management, stakeholder relations and issues management.
She is currently the Acting Vice-President for Strategic Initiatives at National Research Council Canada.
Roxanne grew up in Vars, a small village in Ottawa, where she still resides today.
Roxanne studied at the University of Ottawa where she graduated Magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Social Sciences specialized in Social work.
For 10 years, Roxanne worked tirelessly with older adults providing community support services such as Adult Day Programs for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Roxanne served as Chair of the Adult Day Program Association from 2019-2021. Roxanne is now Project and Quality Improvement Specialist with the Champlain Community Support Network.
“I am excited to join the OCCRC Board of Directors and eager to make a difference in my community! I am committed to bringing a rural as well as a francophone perspective to the table, all the while advocating for the unique needs of older adults.”
Marilyn has a wealth of accounting experience that she has gained over the years as an external auditor and continues to enrich her current position. Currently responsible for financial management at the Institut du savoir Montfort, she is very familiar with the Accounting Standards for Not-for-Profit Organizations and the tax requirements for charities. She is also skilled with the budget process and financial analysis.
She has always been passionate about helping others around her and sharing her knowledge with them. In addition, over the years she has developed a particular interest in exchanging with children and the elderly.
A leader of action and vision toward positive change, Yvette Ashiri is recognized for her impeccable community-building expertise, her advocacy and her commitment to causes for social justice, equality, empowerment, and the advancement of the status of women and girls. With 17 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, she has held leadership roles in diverse fields, improving human conditions.
Her leadership experience includes promoting youth leadership, active citizenship, education, equality in health care, access to public services, crime prevention, anti-racism, and a society without violence for all.
Guided by the principles of ‘’Ubuntu’’, Yvette is dedicated to making life better for everyone. She believes that it only takes one person to change someone’s life positively, and you can be that one person.
Yvette lives, in Orléans, with her spouse and two daughters.
As a public servant, Yvette is committed to the development of talents, opportunities, and the delivery of services to all Canadians, especially the underserved communities.
Although born and raised in Ottawa, André spent his 30-year teaching career in Kapuskasing and North Bay. Upon retirement, André returned to Ottawa and kept busy with several activities, including working as a part-time teacher for over seven years at the Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa and as a trainer for the past 20 years for the Standardized Patient Program of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons.
André is also a member of two other executive boards: one is the Patient-Partner Group for Montfort, and the other is for the Franco-Ontarian magazine Le Chaînon.