Board of Directors
Executive
Vanita Varma, Board Chair & Chair Executive & Governance Committees
Vanita is a senior non-profit executive with over 20 years of experience in organizational leadership, strategic and operational planning, change management and board governance. Having lived and worked in over 3 countries in Asia and the Middle East, Vanita is passionate about engaging diverse community members and leading multi-sectoral partnerships. Currently, she is the Director of the Centre for Innovation in Health and Wellness (CIHW) at Humber Polytechnic. In addition to her role with Crossroads, she currently serves on the Board of the Alzheimer Society of Ontario (ASO). Previously, she was Board Chair and Director at the William Osler Health System. Her community leadership includes being a member of the Community Impact Committee, United Way Greater Toronto, member of the EDI & Community Committee at TMU School of Medicine, Social Entrepreneur Coach at TMU, and a Mentor at the Quadrangle Society, Massey College, University of Toronto. Vanita is passionate about contributing to organizations that are human-centric, impact-oriented, and are continuously learning to make this world inclusive for all.
Tara Scanlan, Vice ChaIr & Chair of Nominating Committee
Tara, a seasoned Solution Engineer at Salesforce with 15 years of client-facing expertise, specializes in information management, digital transformation, and strategic business execution. She has served as a strategic advisor to major North American nonprofits, offering invaluable insights into leveraging technology to maximize stakeholder impact. Her global commitment is evident through her success as a former Crossroader, completing mandates in Bolivia and Senegal, as well as in Nepal with the Center for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI). Tara’s diverse experiences provide a global perspective at the intersection of technology, social impact, and international collaboration.
LAURA DA RE, Treasurer & Chair of Finance Committee
Laura Da Re is Vice President, Finance at Numeris, an audience measurement company. She is an experienced executive with over twenty-five years in the field of Finance. Throughout her career, she has worked in a variety of industries, providing her with a vast range of knowledge and expertise. Laura is a board member of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and mentors accounting students obtaining their CPA designation.
ROLAND HUNG, Chair of Risk Committee
Roland Hung is a partner at the law firm, Torkin Manes LLP. His practice encompasses all aspects of business law, with emphasis on technology, privacy compliance, cybersecurity and data management. His diverse career path includes roles as former Senior Legal Counsel and Global Privacy Officer at a large multinational, as well as Chief Legal Officer and Chief Privacy Officer of a technology company. Roland has extensive board experience having served on various boards.
Directors
Jean Olemou
Jean is Co-Founder and Principal of GreenDev Inc., an impact investing firm dedicated to advancing the circular economy in Africa, the Americas, and Europe. He has extensive experience working on financing mandates in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure sectors globally. Jean is a community-minded leader with a track record of serving on boards and advisory committees to advance sustainable development goals in Canada and globally.
Chelsey Smith
Chelsey Smith (M.A.) is a communications and culture consultant committed to creating positive social change. She works as an independent contractor and specializes in social and digital strategy, campaign creation, and community building. As a former Crossroader, Chelsey volunteered to combat gender-based violence in Eswatini (2013), and to rebrand a movement toward a transformative feminist society in Tanzania (2016).
Tatenda Mhaka
Tatenda brings a decade of experience in the non-profit sector, with a dynamic blend of experience in international development, community engagement, and philanthropy. She specializes in program management, storytelling, donor stewardship, and cross-cultural communication, all grounded in a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Originally from Zimbabwe, Tatenda holds a Master’s degree in Intercultural and International Communication and a Bachelor’s degree in International Development and Sociology. Guided by the African philosophy of Ubuntu— “I am because you are”—she is deeply passionate about service and committed to making a meaningful impact in both her local and global communities.
Oumar Diallo
Oumar is a strategic executive and international affairs leader with 15+ years of experience in financial regulation, public policy, and economic development across North America, Africa, and Europe. As former Director of Fintech and Innovation at the Financial Markets Authority (AMF) and Director of the Office of International Relations at the City of Montréal, he has operated at the highest levels of institutional leadership, navigating complex regulatory environments, engaging sovereign partners, and translating policy into impact. Oumar is committed to leveraging his global network to advance Crossroads International’s mission, particularly in expanding economic opportunity in Africa and empowering women worldwide.
ANNE HUANG
Anne is a senior human resources executive currently serving as Vice-President, People & Culture at TELUS. With her 20-year tenure at the organization, she leads talent priorities for a global workforce of over 19,000 team members and has spearheaded large-scale talent transformation initiatives. Anne brings extensive experience in organizational strategy and complex change management. Early in her career, Anne built a strong foundation in international leadership and corporate Board governance through her significant involvement with AIESEC, including professional mandates in Argentina and India. This deep experience in cross-cultural collaboration, youth development, and organizational oversight continues to inform her approach to governance and social impact as she joins the Board of Directors at Crossroads International.
BRENDA OKOROGBA, C.M.
Brenda is an international development and systems-change leader, learning facilitator, and community builder with 13 years of experience advancing equity, inclusion, and sustainable development across Canada and Sub-Saharan Africa. A Member of the Order of Canada, she has helped mobilize over $5 billion in funding and opportunity pathways supporting education, workforce inclusion, women’s economic empowerment, disability inclusion, health equity, and community development. Brenda has held leadership roles designing and scaling initiatives that strengthen institutions, expand access to resources, and improve outcomes for underserved communities. She serves on multiple boards and advisory bodies and is recognized for building cross-sector partnerships that drive measurable social impact. Her work focuses on advancing locally led development, strengthening organizational capacity, and creating equitable systems that enable individuals and communities to thrive.
CATHERINE GAGNÉ
Catherine is a Partner in Blakes’ Montréal office, practising employment and labour law. She advises Canadian and international organizations on all aspects of the employment relationship, including workplace policies, human rights, labour standards, and occupational health and safety. She represents employers before Québec courts and administrative tribunals, including in grievance arbitration and psychological harassment cases. Catherine also provides strategic guidance on workforce matters in the context of business transactions, helping organizations navigate change, integrate employees, and manage evolving working conditions. Her practice reflects a strong commitment to responsible workplace governance and sustainable organizational practices.
NABEELA RATANSI
Nabeela is the Founder and Principal of FaMoRa Services, a strategy and operations consulting practice focused on transforming systems to deliver lasting impact. Her work across healthcare and philanthropy includes cancer care funding reform and provincial emergency department optimization in Ontario, as well as launching a global operational excellence function at one of the world’s largest foundations in service of youth employment. A passion for collective action that strengthens communities and expands opportunity to achieve equity, she holds extensive board experience across nonprofit and community organizations, including girls’ education in rural India. She brings to Crossroads International governance and leadership experience that is grounded in a global perspective and a commitment to advancing how institutions serve people in order to transform their lives.
Heather Shapter, Secretary
Heather brings more than 20 years of non-profit leadership experience to Crossroads with extensive program and business development experience. Heather started her career in the development sector as a Project Manager for CARE Canada, and later served as the Women’s Economic Empowerment Advisor for BRAC in Bangladesh. She also spent two years in Haiti as Save the Children USA’s Women’s Economic Opportunity Specialist. Since then, Heather has worked in senior-level roles for Prosper Canada, Global Impact and has managed large scale volunteer team initiatives.
Leadership
Administration
Heather Shapter
Executive Director
heather@cintl.org
Program
Christine Messier
Program Director
christinem@cintl.org
Finance
Alex Perdue
Director, Finance and Administration
alex@cintl.org
