Our Team

We serve BGC Clubs across the country to address the needs of children and youth across the country.

Meet our

Executive Team

Meet our

Leadership Team

Meet our

National  Team

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Strengthening Club experiences with essential national programming

Our national team provides Clubs with programs, communications, resource development, and increases both staff and volunteer capacity with leadership development and hosting national forums for collaboration. BGC Canada reaffirms its commitment to strengthening equitable access to services and resources for Francophone communities. We continue to expand our bilingual capacity by developing more French materials, supporting Clubs in Quebec through a dedicated team, and working toward improved bilingual service delivery across the movement.

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Increasing access to critical funding

BGC Canada equips Clubs with critical funding through a national grant system, which guarantees that program delivery is well supported and we can effectively track and measure results. Reporting information from Clubs helps BGC Canada understand the changing needs of communities across the country, providing a premise for advocacy work nationally and regionally and ensuring national programs remain effective and innovative.

Executive Team

Click on the tree symbol below each team member’s photo to read their personal land acknowledgement

Carrie Wagner

She/Her

Interim President & CEO

Read Bio

Personal land acknowledgement

Here on Vancouver Island, I am located in Nanoose Bay which is home to the Snaw -naw-as people, who are the sole survivors of a battle that took place in the 1800s. The community is known as the Nanoose First Nation, and the Snaw-naw-as tribe, along with 18 other tribes in the Salish Sea, all known as the Coast Salish people, and is one of the most Northern tribes on the east side of Vancouver Island. I would like to recognize that as a staff team we are spread out throughout Canada and are located on various traditional First nations lands. Personally, I want to acknowledge that I am located in Nanoose Bay, which is the unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples and I feel fortunate and grateful that I have been able to settle in this beautiful part of the country.

Leadership Team

Our staff are dedicated to serving BGC Clubs nationwide to create more opportunities for kids and teens.

Click on the tree symbol below each team member’s photo to read their personal land acknowledgement

Brooke Duval

She/Her

Senior Director, Partnerships & Philanthropy

Personal land acknowledgement

As a visitor on this land, coming from French and British descent, I am grateful for the opportunity to live, work and raise a family on this land. I recognize that this privilege comes from the stewardship and care of the Indigenous Peoples who have lived here for many thousands of years before me. I am committed to learning more about the history and ongoing presence of Indigenous peoples here, and to share these learnings with my kids as well. At BGC Canada, I work to support our commitment to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and increasing our support, through the donors our team works with, to Indigenous partners and communities in which we work.

Deena Reis-Binne

She/Her

Senior Director, Programs & Evaluation

Personal land acknowledgement

I make my home in Kelowna, BC on the land of the Okanagan Syilx People on traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory. Kelowna’s colonial name comes from the Syilx name kiʔláwna, meaning “grizzly bear”. My family and I gratefully live here and feel deeply connected to the wildlife and nature that surround us, particularly the many deer in the valley. I recently learned that the Okanagan Syilx people have a deep connection to deer and consider them brothers and sisters. This generosity and inclusiveness towards nature and others, exemplifies a compassionate way of being that I deeply respect. Guided by these principles, I commit to continuous reflection and learning, and to taking deliberate action to acknowledge, honour, and communicate the truths and impacts of colonization.

John Burton

He/Him

Director, Eastern Canada

Personal land acknowledgement

I acknowledge that Dartmouth, my home for 30 years, is located in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded, ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people. Living beside K’jipuktuk, The Great Harbor, and enjoying Russell Lake, the harbor, and our local community, I am grateful for the land and water Mi’kmaq communities have cared for over 12,000 years, including Punamu’kwati’jk (Dartmouth Cove) and the Shubenacadie waterway. As a community member and volunteer, I know there is long history of broken Treaties and colonial harm. The Mi’kmaq show resilience, strength, and cultural pride that inspires me daily. I know that I have great responsibility to listen, learn, and act toward reconciliation and justice. I honor that relationship and am a Treaty Person with responsibilities to this land and its First Peoples.

Mary O’Connell

She/Her

Director, Brand & Creative Services

Personal land acknowledgement

I wish to acknowledge the Ancestral Traditional Territories of the Ojibway, the Anishnabe and, in particular, the Mississauga’s of the New Credit whose territory I live on. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties. As someone on this land, I am obliged to learn more about the cultures and people that came before me. I plan to support their history by learning more about reconciliation and sharing information to aid the education of our current generation.

Traci Anderson

She/Her

Director, Western Canada

Personal land acknowledgement

We acknowledge the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit who have lived in and cared for these lands for generations. We are grateful for the traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders who are still with us today and those who have gone before us.

National Team

Our staff are dedicated to serving BGC Clubs nationwide to create more opportunities for kids and teens.

Click on the tree symbol below each team member’s photo to read their personal land acknowledgement

Alexandra Sanchez

She/Her

Specialist, Accounts Payable & Systems

Personal land acknowledgement

I recognize that the land on which I work today is the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinabek, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples. This area is covered by Treaty 13, signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit in 1805, as well as the Williams Treaties, signed in 1923 by several Mississaugas and Chippewa bands. I still remember first learning about Indigenous histories and residential schools in elementary school—lessons that opened my eyes and continue to shape my understanding today. I am grateful to those who have cared for this land long before me, and I honour the many First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples who live here now. I also commit to continuing my learning, deepening my understanding, and supporting reconciliation in meaningful ways.

Alysha Anderson

She/Her

Manager, Partnerships & Philanthropy

Personal land acknowledgement

I acknowledge that I live and work on the unceded island of Tiohtià:ke, in the Hochelaga neighborhood, a name taken from the Indigenous village that was on this land when colonialization began. I am grateful to the Kanien’kehá:ka Nation, who have a strong presence here and who have cared for this land that I now have the great privilege to reside on. I acknowledge that I benefit from their stewardship every day and I know it is my responsibility to join with them in caring for this land.

Amelia Cruddas

She/Her

Specialist, Partnerships & Philanthropy

Personal land acknowledgement

I acknowledge that my home is in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people, covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship. We are all treaty people, and I gratefully accept my role in that ongoing relationship. I reside in Dartmouth, Punamu’kwati’jk, across the harbour from Halifax, Kjipuktuk,“the great harbour.” One of my favourite places in my city, Point Pleasant Park, to downtown Halifax has the name Amntu’kati’, or “spirit place.” Long before I learned the name Amntu’kati, I often went there to connect with nature. During the height of COVID, I remember sitting on the rocks with my parents, distanced but together, quietly reflecting as the sun set over the harbour. Moments like that remind me of our ongoing connection to the land and to the Mi’kmaq people.

Antoine Bélanger-Huot

He/Him

Bilingual Manager, Club Support, Eastern Canada

Personal land acknowledgement

I acknowledge that the land on which I live and work is the traditional and ancestral territory of the Mohawk people. This land, known in the Kanien’kehá:ka language as Ho-de-no-sau-nee-ga, is situated on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Mohawk. For thousands of years, this area has been a vital gathering place for Indigenous Nations, where communities created deep relationships to the land and the waters that surround it. Today, I recognize the ongoing presence, rights, and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, and I commit to approaching this acknowledgement with humility and respect. I will continue to learn from Indigenous voices and histories, and to support meaningful efforts toward truth, reconciliation, and a more just future for all.

Bouchra Sidali

She/Her

Manager, Executive Office

Personal land acknowledgement

I acknowledge that I live and work in the territory and Treaty 13 lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. I also recognize the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat and the Haudenosaunee. I am grateful to have the opportunity to live and work on this beautiful land. I pledge to learn and understand the stories of the land we call home, advocate for Indigenous People by sharing my learnings with others as visitors on this land.

Duncan Johnstone

He/Him

Manager, Club Support, Eastern Canada

Personal land acknowledgement

I acknowledge and honor the Mi’kmaq people as the original stewards of Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and traditional lands where I live and work. The lands are held by the Peace and Friendship Treaties—living agreements that remind me that I am a Treaty Person with responsibilities to uphold these commitments and foster trust-based relationships. There are lasting harms caused by colonialism, including displacement, cultural erasure, and inequities that impact Indigenous communities. I commit to learn the history and resilience of the Mi’kmaq and other Indigenous peoples, amplifying Indigenous voices, and supporting initiatives that protect land, language, and culture. I will strive to contribute to healing and equity by building relationships rooted in reconciliation and shared responsibility.

Émie Boies Bastien

She/Her

Bilingual Manager, Communications & Creative Services

Personal land acknowledgement

I acknowledge that the place I call home, Montréal, known in the Kanien’kehá:ka language as Tiohtià:ke, is situated on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Mohawk. For thousands of years, this area has been a vital gathering place for Indigenous Nations, where communities created deep relationships to the land and the waters that surround it. Today, I am grateful to walk the paths of Tekanontak (Mount Royal), a place that continues to hold cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance. Each season brings a new face to the mountain and reminds me that my responsibility goes beyond acknowledgement, it calls me to listen, to learn, and to act in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples as we care for this sacred place, now and for future generations.

François Kenny

He/Him

Manager, Partnerships & Philanthropy

Personal land acknowledgement

Today, I would like to acknowledge the trails of Tekanontak (Mount Royal), a place that holds cultural, spiritual and ecological significance. Each season reveals a new face of the mountain and reminds me that my responsibility goes beyond simple acknowledgement: it calls me to listen, to learn, and to act in solidarity with the Indigenous Peoples to protect this sacred place, now and for future generations.

Hannah Cook

She/Her

Specialist, Evaluation

Personal land acknowledgement

I acknowledge that I live and work in Tkarón:to, on the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, the Anishinabewaki, the Haudenosaunee, the Wendat (Wendake-Nionwentsïo), and the Mississauga peoples, under Treaty 13 and the Dish With One Spoon Covenant. As someone who grew up near the water, I naturally find myself drawn to the waterfront of Niiganii Gchi Gamig (Lake Ontario). Learning about the history of the waterfront, and how Indigenous peoples have long cared for the lake with respect, has shaped how I think about my relationship to the land and our shared responsibility to protect the limited natural spaces we have. As a non-Indigenous person, I am committed to ongoing learning, supporting Indigenous sovereignty, and taking actions that contribute to reconciliation.

Joshua Quimoyog

He/Him

Project Coordinator, Skilled4Success

Personal land acknowledgement

I want to acknowledge that I live and work on the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Anishinabewaki, Haudenosaunee, Wendake-Nionwentsïo, and the Mississauga peoples. These lands have been cared for by Indigenous peoples for countless generations, and their stewardship continues today. As someone who came here as an immigrant, I know how important it is to recognize the roots and history of this place. I’ve truly fallen in love with this land—its beauty, its abundance, and the way it has given me space to grow and thrive. With that love comes responsibility. I promise to do my part in caring for the land, learning more about its histories, and honoring the original caretakers whose presence and wisdom remain vital. My hope is that my actions reflect gratitude, humility, and respect, as I continue to honor those who came before me and those who will come after.

Joy Angelique Agres

She/Her

Manager, Partnerships & Philanthropy

Personal land acknowledgement

As an immigrant to this land, I understand the importance of recognizing its roots and history. I have fallen in love with this place for its beauty and abundance, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities it has given me to grow and thrive as a person.

Laura Sutherland

She/Her

Manager, Programs

Personal land acknowledgement

With this gratitude comes responsibility. I commit to doing my part in caring for the land, learning its histories, and respecting the original caretakers whose presence and stewardship remain vital. May my actions reflect respect, humility, and a continued effort to honor those who came before and those who will come after.

Leah Mabhurukwa

She/Her

Senior Manager, Partnerships & Philanthropy

Personal land acknowledgement

I acknowledge that I am an immigrant to this land and that I live and work on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Anishinabewaki, the Mississauga, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendake-Nionwentsïo peoples. As someone who has come from another place, I am grateful to have the opportunity to live, learn, and grow here. I acknowledge that the Williams Treaties First Nations have been stewards and caretakers of the lands and waters where I now call home, and that today they remain vigilant over their health and integrity for generations to come. I commit to listening, learning, and supporting Indigenous peoples in their efforts towards reconciliation, healing, and justice.

Leslie Elliott

She/Her

Manager, Governance & Executive Support

Personal land acknowledgement

I would like to acknowledge that I am a settler on the traditional and unceded lands of the Anishinabewaki, Kanien’keha:ka (Mohawk), and Algonquin people, now known as Ottawa. Today, negotiations are in progress toward Ontario’s first modern-day treaty. It identifies the Algonquins of Ontario Settlement Area in eastern Ontario where more than 1.2 million people live and work.

Lisa Gamblin

She/Her

Manager, Indigenous Programs

Personal land acknowledgement

I wish to express my everlasting gratitude to my Ancestors. As a Cree woman whose family has lived and grown with these roots to the land since time began, I recognize that I would not exist in this space without the strength, resilience, and commitment of my root family. Both of my parents and 3 of my sisters were taken away to residential school and I grew up knowing and living the harms caused by colonialism. Throughout this journey in life, I have come to know that we as the Inherent Rights Holders of this land, carry great gifts that have brought us to where we are today in this, the beginning walk of truth. Reconciliation will occur when all others know and believe our truths. I commit to continue sharing it with those who walk in front, beside, and behind me.

Megan Ondr-Cooper

She/Her

Senior Manager, Impact & Evaluation

Personal land acknowledgement

I acknowledge that the land on which I live and work is the traditional and ancestral territory of the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, and Musqueam. I am grateful for their care since time immemorial for this beautiful land and water. A particularly meaningful place to me is Pacific Spirit Park. When I first moved here, I would spend my Sunday mornings the park, enchanted by the western redcedar trees, the mosses, and the ferns. The bog in the park is connected to the origin story of the Musqeuam people’s name. The name xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqeuam), meaning the place where the məθkʷəy̓ plant grows, traces its roots back to a story connected to xʷməm̓qʷe:m (Camosun Bog) located in the park. I am grateful for the Musqueam people’s care of this land that holds such a special place in my heart.

Melanie Lukevich

She/Her

Manager, Programs

Personal land acknowledgement

I am honored to live and work on Treaty 6 Territory in Edmonton, Alberta—known in Cree as Amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, “Beaver Hills House.” This land, home to the North Saskatchewan River, has sustained the Blackfoot, Tsuut’ina, Cree, Stoney, and Métis Peoples since time immemorial. I feel deep gratitude for its beauty and the responsibility to protect it. I also acknowledge Alberta’s painful history as the site of 25 Residential Schools, where countless children were taken from families and culture. These harms endure, yet Indigenous communities show resilience and strength that inspire me every day. As a non-Indigenous person, I commit to listening, learning, amplifying Indigenous voices, and building relationships rooted in respect, reconciliation, and shared responsibility—so together we can create a future of healing, equity, and understanding, one where truth is honored and future generations are able to thrive in harmony.

Sam Lapensee

He/Him

Bilingual Manager, Communications & Content

Personal land acknowledgement

I acknowledge that I live in Baawating (Sault Ste. Marie)—covered by the Robinson-Huron Treaty—the traditional homeland of the Anishinabewaki people and Michif Piyii (Métis) Nation, whose presence continues to shape the community. As an avid outdoor adventurer, I have a deep connection to “the place of the rapids,” one of awe and care for its waters, forests, and the stories of those who lived on these shores before me. My first camping trip here was at Pancake Bay, a section of Batchewana Bay, named for stories of fur traders who made pancakes with limited flour on their journey home across Lake Superior. I recognize that I’m able to explore the lands around me because of those who have cared for them, and that learning their history has deepened my connection and sense of gratitude for the land.

Sarah Jefferies

She/Her

Specialist, Programs

Personal land acknowledgement

I’d like to acknowledge that I live, work, and dance in Hamilton, on the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, the Anishinabewaki, the Haudenosaunee, the Attiwonderonk (Neutral) peoples, and the Mississauga. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement that calls for sharing the territory peacefully and collectively caring for the land so that it can sustain future generations. As a non-Indigenous person, I recognize that I benefit from systems shaped by colonialism, displacement, and the ongoing impacts of historical injustices. I am committed to learning about the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land and the responsibilities outlined in agreements like the Dish with One Spoon. This acknowledgement is a reminder that there is still much to learn and reflect on about the rich histories of this land, so that I can contribute meaningfully to reconciliation.

Teresa Murray

She/Her

Senior Manager, Programs

Personal land acknowledgement

With deep respect and gratitude, I acknowledge that I live and work in Kelowna, BC, on the traditional, ancestral, and un surrendered territory of the Syilx Okanagan People. Kelowna comes from kiʔláwnaʔ in nsyilxcən, meaning grizzly bear. The Syilx Okanagan have cared for these lands since time immemorial and continue to advocate for conservation, water protection, and restoration. The mountains, lakes, and trees here are very beautiful, and I feel deeply grateful for the care and dedication of the Syilx Okanagan Nation. As a descendant of European settlers, my role as a visitor is to commit to listening, learning, and honoring the truth of colonialism. I pledge to amplify Indigenous voices and build relationships rooted in respect, trust, and shared responsibility for future generations.

Thérèse Lorincz-McRae

She/Her

Manager, Club Support, Western Canada

Personal land acknowledgement

With gratitude, I acknowledge that I am on Treaty 6 territory in Edmonton - a traditional meeting ground, gathering place, and travelling route of the traditional and ancestral territories of the Cree, Dene, Blackfoot, Saulteaux and Nakota Sioux. This territory is also home to the Métis Settlements and the Métis Nation of Alberta, Regions 2, 3 and 4 within the historical Northwest Métis Homeland. Edmonton is known as Amiskwacîwâskahikan in Cree, which translates to "Beaver Hills House" and I am grateful to have the privilidge to work, live and play here. I recognize that I’m able to explore the lands around me because of those who have cared for them, and that learning their history has deepened my connection and sense of gratitude for the land. I am committed to understanding the history of all those Indigenous, Inuit and Metis people who reside here, past and present, and all of the harmful policies that have impacted all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Treaty 6 was signed in 1876 and extends across central Saskatchewan and Alberta. It was signed by the nations who inhabited the area as they were concerned about starvation becasue of the diminishing Bison and other large game. As a descendant of European settlers, I understand my role as a visitor is to commit to listening, learning, and honoring the truth of colonialism and to build relationships rooted in respect, reconciliation, and a shared responsibility. I hope that these actions we commit to doing together will create a future of healing and understanding that leads to greater equity so that future generations are able to thrive together.

Yannick Hebert

He/Him

Bilingual Senior Manager, Programs

Personal land acknowledgement

I want to honor and express gratitude to the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people of Turtle Island, whose sacred land we are on. I acknowledge that the Edmonton, the land where I live, work, and play is known as Amiskwacîwâskahikan in Cree, which translates to "Beaver Hills House". Edmonton is on Treaty 6 territory and Métis homelands. The city is traditionally associated with the Cree, Saulteaux (Anishinaabe), Nakota Sioux, Blackfoot (Niitsitapi), and Dene peoples, and recognizes the ongoing presence and contributions of Indigenous communities. I commit to understanding the true history of harmful policies that caused deep harm to Indigenous Peoples. I am responsible for knowing this history, recognizing its ongoing impacts, and caring for the land we share. My journey includes listening, learning, and co-creating strength-led relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples with respect and meaningful action.

It takes a village to build strong communities. Our work is guided by many voices within the BGC movement.

Meet our

Board of  Directors

Meet our

National Youth Advisory Circle

Two women laugh together while wearing BGC apparel, with the woman on the left in a grey sweatshirt reading "OPPORTUNITY CHANGES EVERYTHING" and the woman on the right in a dark green "bgc West Scarborough" hoodie.

Opportunity is calling

Whether it’s at the national or local level, BGC offers rewarding careers for people who care about helping young people develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed for life.

Careers

We serve BGC Clubs across the country to address the needs of children and youth across the country.

Executive Team

Leadership Team

National Team

Strengthening Club experiences with essential national programming

Increasing access to critical funding

Executive Team

Carrie Wagner

Personal land acknowledgement

Leadership Team

Brooke Duval

Personal land acknowledgement

Deena Reis-Binne

Personal land acknowledgement

John Burton

Personal land acknowledgement

Mary O’Connell

Personal land acknowledgement

Traci Anderson

Personal land acknowledgement

National Team

Alexandra Sanchez

Personal land acknowledgement

Alysha Anderson

Personal land acknowledgement

Amelia Cruddas

Personal land acknowledgement

Antoine Bélanger-Huot

Personal land acknowledgement

Bouchra Sidali

Personal land acknowledgement

Duncan Johnstone

Personal land acknowledgement

Émie Boies Bastien

Personal land acknowledgement

François Kenny

Personal land acknowledgement

Hannah Cook

Personal land acknowledgement

Joshua Quimoyog

Personal land acknowledgement

Joy Angelique Agres

Personal land acknowledgement

Laura Sutherland

Personal land acknowledgement

Leah Mabhurukwa

Personal land acknowledgement

Leslie Elliott

Personal land acknowledgement

Lisa Gamblin

Personal land acknowledgement

Megan Ondr-Cooper

Personal land acknowledgement

Melanie Lukevich

Personal land acknowledgement

Sam Lapensee

Personal land acknowledgement

Sarah Jefferies

Personal land acknowledgement

Teresa Murray

Personal land acknowledgement

Thérèse Lorincz-McRae

Personal land acknowledgement

Yannick Hebert

Personal land acknowledgement

Board of Directors

National Youth Advisory Circle

Opportunity is calling

Executive Team

National  Team

Board of  Directors