CUSO INTERNATIONAL ELECTS NEW BOARD CHAIR AND MEMBERS

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Thu, 2014-09-18 (All day)
Cuso International is pleased to announce the election of its new chair and four new members to its board of directors. The international development organization’s Annual General Meeting was held in Ottawa on September 12, 2014 and, as part of its normal agenda, elected new members to a 3-year term. The Hon. Lloyd Axworthy, formerly president of the University of Winnipeg and Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, who joined Cuso International earlier in the year, was elected as chair of the board of directors.

“It is very exciting to draw on the expertise of these exceptional individuals,” said Cuso International Chief Executive Derek Evans. “Their commitment to international development and community service will definitely facilitate our program work.”

The four new directors are:
Mary Anne Chambers brings many years of demonstrated commitment to financial and social responsibility. She is a former Senior Vice-President of Scotiabank and served as an MPP and Minister in Ontario from 2003-2007. A leading figure in Canada’s Jamaican diaspora community, Ms. Chambers has served as chair of the United Way of Canada, as well as of Greater Toronto, and on several other non-profit and university boards.

Germaine M. Dechant brings expertise in governance, accountability and volunteer services, primarily in the field of healthcare. Ms. Dechant was the CEO of CASA Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health, an Alberta-based organization providing family-centred healthcare. Her leadership extends to stewardship of financial resources, fostering partnerships and strong management teams.

Paul Fraser, QC is the Conflict of Interest Commissioner for the Province of British Columbia, and also serves as a justice of the Tsawassen First Nation. Mr. Fraser is a past president of the Canadian Bar Association, and has held leadership roles in the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and the International Commission of Jurists.

Nora Sobolov is the Executive Director of JobTrain, a non-profit employment hub in Silicon Valley. Ms. Sobolov is a co-founder of the Ottawa-based Community Forward Fund, and brings expertise in social enterprise and impact investment, as well as leadership experience as the former CEO of the Canadian Lung Association and the Canadian Co-operative Association.

Cuso International Board, September 2014

In welcoming the newly-elected directors, Evans emphasized: “Cuso International is one of Canada’s leading international development organizations, and so having access to such exceptional professionals as volunteer directors of our board will greatly enhance our work both here in Canada and globally.”

For more information please contact:
Jennifer Lavoie, Manager of Communications
Tel – 613-829-7445 x252; email – jennifer.lavoie@cusointernational.org