Veterans' House Canada
Brigadier-General (Ret’d) Alan Mulawyshyn | Executive Director
Karen I. Miller | Campaign Director
Angella Rawsthorne | Fund Development Manager
John Atoyebi | Marketing & Communications Manager
Wayne Duggan | Program Facilitator – Andy Carswell Building
Steve Madore | Operations Manager
Michael Powell | Office Operations Coordinator
Board Members
Development Committee
Office Operations Coordinator
Michael Powell has spent most of his career in the nonprofit sector. With a range of experiences in media production, marketing, communications, project coordination, and administration, he found his passion for working for causes that elevate our communities and make the world a better place.
At Veterans House Canada, Michael works with a dedicated team and aims to help enrich the lives of the men and women who have so bravely served our country.
Operations Manager
Steve Madore started his career in 1987 in the Canadian Armed Forces, as an Engineer Non-Commissioned Officer and retired with 28 years of service at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. While serving, Steve was fortunate enough to live in multiple provinces in Canada and to be deployed on various domestic/international tours, such as Somalia, Bosnia and Afghanistan. After retirement, Steve worked on projects for three years in Jakarta, Indonesia as well as in the private sector once back in Canada.
Steve is very grateful to join the Veterans’ House Canada team, a team of great people doing great things for the ones who need it most. He hopes to add another required element of success to the organization, so that the team can continue on its journey to serve our homeless Veterans across Canada.
Board Member
Brad Rutherford was a member of the Edmonton Police Service for 11 years, serving the community in multiple roles. In 2019 Brad was elected to the Legislative Assembly representing the riding of Leduc-Beaumont from 2019 to 2023. While serving as an MLA, Brad was appointed as the Military Liaison, Caucus Chair, Minister without Portfolio and Chief Government Whip.
Throughout his time in government Brad developed a deep appreciation for members of the Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans.
Board Member
Dave Gordon has been very involved in Veterans issues for most of his life. He is the Past President of Legion Villa, Kingston, a Royal Canadian Legion 44-unit home for Seniors and Veterans and is still serving on the Board of Directors. He has also served on the Veterans Advisory Committee of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto for 25 years.
In addition, Dave is a member of the Fort Drum, New York, Retiree Council as Canadian Liaison, assisting American Veterans who are Canadian citizens. He is the former Executive Director, Royal Canadian Legion, Ontario Command and is presently serving as the Royal Canadian Legions National Homeless Veterans Representative.
Program Facilitator - Andy Carswell Building
Wayne Duggan is a new member of Veteran’s House Canada (VHC). Wayne started his career as a non-commissioned officer (NCO), reached the rank of Chief Warrant Officer, and then took his commission as a Captain from 2017 to his retirement in October 2022. While in the Forces, Wayne had the opportunity to move across Canada, including Europe.
He was deployed several times throughout his career, both domestically and internationally. Including several operational tours in Rwanda, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. Having had the privilege to have served Canada within the Canadian Armed Forces, Wayne now looks forward to joining the Veterans' House Canada Team in the new role of serving those who have served.
Wayne is looking forward to assisting Veterans who reside at the Andy Carswell Building while also continuing to assist in expanding this need for these facilities elsewhere across Canada.
Marketing & Communications Manager
John is a seasoned marketing and communications professional with over 5 years of experience. He excels in delivering relevant and consistent information across both for profit and nonprofit sectors.
Since relocating to Ottawa in 2022, John is dedicated to harnessing the power of communications to drive the mission of Veterans’ House Canada.
Executive Director
Brigadier-General (Ret’d) Alan Mulawyshyn joined Veterans’ House Canada in October 2021 as Deputy Executive Director following a 40-year career with the Canadian Armed Forces as an Army Engineer Officer. On 1 November 2023, Alan accepted the position of Executive Director. Alan graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) with a Civil Engineering degree and also has a master’s degree in Defence Studies from RMC. While in the Forces, he has lived and served across Canada and around the world, including operational tours on the Iraq/Kuwait border, in Kosovo and in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Alan is looking forward to this new challenge of replicating the success of Veterans’ House (Ottawa); the Andy Carswell Building, in other cities across Canada where there is the need to help homeless Veterans.
Board Member
Darlene is a seasoned, fluently bilingual (French and English), retired senior executive with over 30 years of varied federal experiences including eleven years in key positions as Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer. A recognized collaborative leader with vision and integrity, proven strategic thinker and decision-maker, Darlene is well versed in dealing with all organizational levels on matters related to financial, policy, and legislative frameworks. She has worked in social, economic and security line departments and portfolios and has chaired international forums under the OECD. During her career she has had the opportunity to collaborate with senior government executives, CEOs, and regularly briefed Ministers, Senators and other Parliamentarians. Darlene's non-government organization experience includes mentoring, coaching, and grants and contributions. She currently sits as a Director on the Ottawa Branch of the National Association of Federal Retirees, and is an active member of Veterans’ House Canada. She holds degrees from the University of Ottawa in Political Science and in Law, and a Masters of Science from Royal Roads University. She is married, is caretaker to two furry friends, loves gardening, kayaking, the great outdoors and travel.
Board Member
Andrew Love is an ordained minister with the United Church of Canada. He also is a military chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces serving as Brigade Chaplain for 33CBG. Since 2006, Andrew has served a number of congregations in East Ontario. Currently, he leads ministry at Dominion-Chalmers United Church in Ottawa. Andrew has been active in multi-faith initiatives for over ten years. He is particularly involved in Christian-Jewish dialogue in Canada. Prior to becoming a minister, Andrew was an executive with Weber Shandwick International providing strategic communications counsel and brand management services to global technology companies. Before all that, he helped community groups build social housing in Toronto, Kingston and Belleville.
Board Chair
Mark Eldridge joined the Royal Canadian Navy as a combat systems engineer in 1976 and retired after 37 years, having served in a wide range of leadership and staff positions, and in both Naval and Joint Forces Headquarters.
Since retiring from the RCN, Mark has developed a successful consulting business with clients in the medical, academic, social enterprise and government spheres.
He has also worked to mitigate the plight of homeless veterans through his work in support of Soldiers Helping Soldiers and Veterans’ House Canada.
Secretary
Sheila McIntyre is an Associate Professor of early American History at SUNY Potsdam, where she has taught since 2001. Sheila received her PhD from Boston University in 1996, and publishes for academic and popular audiences. She has received research grants from the Social Science and Research Council of Canada (1999-2001), the Massachusetts Historical Society, and the Nuala Drescher Foundation. She helped to found the Consumers Supporting Midwifery Group in Ottawa and that work led to her appointment to an expert panel mandated to review maternity care in the Province of Ontario (2003-2006). Her engagement with ending homelessness, especially for military veterans, began as a volunteer more than 30 years ago at the Interfaith Sheltering Coalition/Father Bill's Place (Mainspring), in Quincy, Mass. Her mother's deep commitment to addressing homelessness led to the establishment of the McIntyre House, a home for up to 10 veterans built nearly 25 years ago.
Treasurer
Cal Hegge is a Certified Professional Accountant with over 40 years of military and government service, primarily in the financial management area. He retired from the Canadian Forces in 1990 with the rank of Colonel. His employment within the Public Service was split between Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (now Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada) and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). He retired in 1990 with his last position being Chief Financial Officer, DFO. Since retiring he has worked as a management consultant to several government departments and agencies, and is presently an external member of the Audit, Evaluation and Performance Measurement Committee of the Canadian Transportation Agency.
Cal is a graduate of the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College (1978) and the National Defence College (1989). He became a Certified General Accountant in 1977. He has a BA from Mount Allision University and a MBA from York University.
Former Chair
Neil Raynor is an aeronautical engineer and business strategist. He is an air force veteran and attended both the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell and the RAF Staff College. Since retiring from the RAF, he has held senior executive positions in Canada in the aerospace overhaul and manufacturing industry, airport authorities, and for the past 15 years has consulted to the aviation industry. His clients have included all levels of government, airports, airlines and aviation service providers. He is active in the charitable sector with the Bruce Denniston Bone Marrow Society, Project NorthStar, Multifaith Housing Initiative, and Veterans’ House Canada. Currently he is Managing Director of the Lindbergh Group Inc., an Ottawa-based consultancy.
Communications & Marketing Manager
Amanda joined our team in October 2017 as Interim Office Administrator and is currently the Manager of Communications and Marketing.
Amanda holds three degrees from Carleton University: a Bachelor of Journalism, a Master of Arts in International Affairs from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, and a Master of Philanthropy and Non-profit Leadership.
Amanda brings to the table a diverse set of skills, having worked in the newspaper industry and co-founded/managed a non-profit dance company. She remains passionate about working with vulnerable communities and populations.
Fund Development Manager
Angella is a passionate fundraising professional with an extensive background of two decades in raising funds for homeless and children's hospice organizations.
Her expertise in fundraising and collaborative fundraising working partnerships have enabled her to develop innovative and effective strategies to help these organizations meet their goals.
Angella is dedicated to providing homeless veterans with the resources they need to get back on their feet. She firmly believes that donating is a remarkable call to action that can bring a positive change in the lives of those who need it the most.
Executive Director
Suzanne Le is the Executive Director of Veterans’ House Canada and has led the creation of the first Veterans' House project in Ottawa. She is known as an inspirational and ethical leader and a champion for diversity and inclusion in the workplace. She is passionate in her pursuit for social justice, and with a strong belief that "everything is possible."
Suzanne is the former president and current board member of the Ontario Non Profit Housing Association Board and sits on the Social Housing Registry of Ottawa Board.
Suzanne has her Masters degree in Conflict Studies from Saint Paul University in Ottawa, and has a Bachelors degree in Comparative Religion from Carleton University where she received a Senate Medal for Outstanding Academic Achievement. Her research and academic studies into the core causes of conflict has led her personal quest for those most at risk in our society and her stance that everyone, regardless of background, deserves an equal opportunity in life.
Campaign Director
With over 30 years of experience as a fundraiser and fundraising strategist in both the political and charitable arenas across Canada, K.I.M. Inc. is the embodiment of Karen’s life passion. Under her leadership, it has blossomed into one of Canada’s premier fundraising companies.
Karen’s work includes many political leadership and mayoral campaigns. Also, Karen has been very successful in raising funds for many military families and military initiatives. She spent 9 years as Fundraising Director with the True Patriot Love Foundation, raised funds to build the Visitors Education Centre at Vimy, France, and led the campaign for the 75th Anniversary of Juno Beach for the Juno Beach Foundation.
Karen has always had a passion to assist our military families and veterans.
Board Member
Mike Ward has extensive public and private sector experience in international commerce, trade policy and political affairs. International work includes a career in Canada’s Foreign Service that spanned senior assignments at a number of international locations and, currently in the private sector with various firms and organizations. In addition to his ongoing international work, he is Vice President of the NATO Association of Canada (NAOC), a former President of Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI) and a current board member of Veterans’ House Canada (VHC).