BEAUDOIN, Yannick
Director, Climate Change and Nature-Positive Solutions

Yannick brings decades of experience working with governments, local communities, industry, academia and other actors in more than 80 countries to his work at Alinea. As an economist and geologist, he designs innovation processes and approaches that increase human well-being while preserving and enhancing nature. He applies design thinking and economic systems transformation principles to advance Nature-positive outcomes. Previously a Director with the David Suzuki Foundation, his background also includes a decade supporting sustainable development through the United Nations Environment Programme and a decade in the mining sector with Falconbridge Ltd (now Glencore) and the Geological Survey in Canada. He also currently serves, by ministerial appointment, on the Canadian Environmental Domestic Advisory Group of the Comprehensive Canada-EU Trade Agreement.

BEDARD, Dr. Brian
Director, Food Safety & Animal Health

A veterinary epidemiologist and food safety specialist, Brian has technical and management experience in China, SE Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean re gion. Brian works as Project Director with Alinea and his background includes projects in the areas of sustainable agriculture, food safety, SPS compliance, livestock health and production, research, outreach, education, community-driven development, training and agri-food value chains through public-private partnerships. At the World Bank, he managed the Global Food Safety Partnership, Global Program for Human and Avian Influenza, as well as One Health Initiatives.

BILLINGTON, Sandy
Project Controller

With Alinea International for 20 years, Sandy is a Project Controller with extensive experience applying contractual terms and conditions, auditing and reconciliation. A Certificate of Accounting and Legal Assistant Diploma complements her work as a Project Controller when interpreting a variety of contribution agreements and service contracts with many funding agencies in Canada and throughout the world. Sandy has participated in the development and delivery of training and policy manuals, guidelines and capacity development programs on financial and administrative management in Canada and developing countries. Sandy provides in-depth understanding of contract interpretation having managed budgets for more than 17 internationally-funded projects implemented by Alinea.  

CHAKRABORTY, Shovan
Director, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)

Shovan brings more than 15 years of MEL experience to his role at Alinea International, specifically in projects contributing to sustainable development goals across 40+ countries. His background includes a range of MEL roles with global organizations, including Itad, Oxfam, Catalyste+, and Swisscontact. Shovan led the development and operationalization of practical KPIs, results tracking systems, and tools to enable informed actions and strategies in multimillion-dollar projects funded by GAC, FCDO, SIDA, EKN, Danida, SDC, and UNDP. His project experience spans multiple sectors, including climate governance, gender equality, market systems, value chains, and public sector strengthening. Shovan applies his multidisciplinary skills to enhance value for money in sustainable development initiatives, combined with an academic background in business, environmental management, public policy and design thinking.

CLARKE, Oliver
Director, UK Government Services

Oliver brings a decade of experience managing successful multi-donor governance reform, inclusive economic growth and voice & accountability programmes in politically complex and fragile environments including Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Nepal, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tanzania. He has expertise in designing and setting up Monitoring and Evaluation Systems to provide accurate, timely data on project progress, social inclusion data, and financial performance to inform decision making and drive adaptation. Oliver has graduate qualifications in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies from the London School of Economics.

CONSOLATA KEMPER,  Marisa
Director, Governance

With graduate level qualifications in public administration and international human rights law, Marisa has more than 30 years of experience supporting private sector development and democratic governance internationally. Marisa’s work includes directing projects for programs in Ukraine, supporting expert deployment to governance and security sector reform. Previously, Marisa held positions with the United Nations, including Joint Programme Manager for the UN’s flagship Rule of Law program and with the UN regional political office in the Gaza Strip working with international donors throughout Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. Marisa’s background also includes brokering international business ventures in support of Middle East peace following the Oslo Accords.

CRISTEA, Tünde
Senior Corporate Accountant and Senior HR Advisor

With Alinea International for more than 10 years, Tünde manages employment contracts, personnel policies, payroll and employee health benefit programs internationally. As a Finance Officer, she worked on the Weish Border Feasibility Study in Afghanistan and DFAT Education for Democracy Project in Mongolia. Tünde holds an NVQ in Business Administration from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the U.K. and has completed the Canadian Securities Course. She has an affinity for Latin origin languages and an Advanced Spanish Certificate from the Intercultura Sámara Language School in Costa Rica. Tünde is fluent in Hungarian, Romanian and has a working knowledge of Italian. 

D’ARCY, Robin
Director, Inclusive Growth & Innovative Finance

An agricultural economist and rural development specialist, Robin has more than 20 years of experience designing, managing and monitoring international development projects. He has extensive experience working in conflict and post-conflict environments and has implemented agricultural and rural development projects across Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Currently, Robin is the external monitor for three GAC programs covering cooperatives in Vietnam, women’s economic empowerment in Jordan and health innovation globally. He works closely with the business development team in project design and proposal preparation across a range of sectors, including agriculture and livelihoods, social protection, governance and climate change.

DEGIACOMO, Paul
Director, Governance & Capacity Development

With a background in public policy and community development, Paul has more than 30 years of experience in international development with a focus on governance. . Paul’s expertise spans management, M&E and capacity development, as well as education where he has significant experience. Paul work spans several projects including the Opportunities for Women in Agribusiness Project in Egypt; a Project Monitor for a vocational skills project in Iraq; M&E advisor on the Support to Education in the Mining Sector Project in Ethiopia and Project Director on the Canada-Ukraine Police Development Project. Paul has also managed education sector reform projects in Egypt and Jordan.

DENOMY, Jennifer
Senior Advisor, Gender Equality & Social Inclusion

Jennifer has more than 15 years of experience designing and delivering programs focusing on gender equality and social inclusion in 20 countries. She specializes in youth and women’s empowerment, sustainable and inclusive market systems, and capacity building. Jennifer’s background includes developing a range of gender-mainstreaming tools, learning products, and training manuals promoting women’s empowerment, women and youth entrepreneurship, and community-based conflict resolution. Previously, she managed Greater Rural Opportunities for Women (GROW) in Northern Ghana, an agricultural value chain project that reached more than 23,000 women. Jennifer also led gender and market assessments in Kenya, Northern Pakistan, and in refugee camps in Ethiopia. She served as a board member on the Canadian Association for International Development Professionals (CAIDP) for three years.

DROST, Nancy
Manager, Women’s Economic Empowerment

Nancy has more than 30 years of experience in international development spanning 17 African countries. With Alinea International for more than 15 years as a short-term consultant, she worked in Ghana, Nigeria, and Ethiopia before taking a full-time management position with Alinea in Tamale, Ghana with the WEE-NORTH Project: Empowering Women in Industrial Trades in Northern Ghana. With a background in adult education, sociology and equity studies, Nancy specializes in project cycle management, knowledge management, capacity development, gender equality promotion and nutrition education. As a trainer, facilitator and researcher, she has extensive experience working with teams, community organizations and professional groups to empower the poor and marginalized.

DUFF, Charles
Vice President and Managing Director

With more than 30 years of experience implementing international development services for private and public sector clients worldwide, Charles is Vice President of Alinea International (Canada) and Managing Director of Alinea International (UK and Australia). Previously, he led the global international development business of Palladium International Development and the European operating companies of Coffey International Development and Enterplan. An agricultural economist and rural livelihoods specialist, his  background also includes managing businesses operating in the fields of geotechnical engineering, environment, commercial advisory and construction project management. Charles supports British Expertise as a member of the Advisory Board and is a Fellow of the UK Institute of Consulting and the Royal Geographic Society.

DUFF, Jayne
Compliance Officer

As Alinea’s Compliance Officer, Jayne is responsible for policy oversight, compliance and training. She brings unique legal experience to Alinea having specialized in crime and family matters in her previous role. After being called to the Bar of England and Wales, Jayne worked as a Magistrates’ Court Legal Advisor before working as a Registrar where she managed multiple responsibilities in addition to working to support Wiltshire Council.

DURICIC, Vesna
Project Coordinator

With Alinea International for than 10 years, Vesna has extensive international experience, including interpreting for government officials at NATO and the UN. As Project Coordinator, her role encompasses budgeting, liaising with project stakeholders and coordinating a number of study tours. Vesna’s background includes work on Agriculture Marketing and Information Projects in Cambodia and Vietnam; Safe Food for Growth Project in Vietnam; National Languages Equality Advancement Project in Sri Lanka;  and multiple projects in Ukraine including Juvenile Justice Reform, Expert Deployment for Governance and Economic Growth, Canada-Ukraine Police Development, and Support to Ukraine’s Reforms for Governance. Previously, she worked as a Project Manager, Executive Assistant, Accountant, Journalist and Interpreter. Vesna is bilingual in English and Serbian, and speaks conversational French. 

FEYISSA, Yohannes
Project Controller

Yohannes is a Chartered Professional Accountant with Alinea International. He is the Canada-based Project Controller on several international development projects in Africa, funded by various donors including Global Affairs Canada, the World Bank and Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Yohannes possesses a wide range of accounting skills including budgeting and cash projection, reconciliation, audit and full-cycle accounting. In his role as Project Controller, Yohannes has the responsibility of oversight and coordination of all financial aspects of the projects, including procurement, budgeting and forecasting, reconciliations of multi-currency field accounts and facilitating financial audits. 

FLOYD, Ellyn
Director, Gender and Education

Working in international development for more than 20 years, Ellyn has extensive technical experience in education, training and gender equality. She applies her expertise to project work on improving educational outcomes for children and youth, with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. She gained field experience living and working in West Africa, East Africa, Indonesia, Jordan and her work includes the Empowering Women in Non-Traditional Trades for the Northern Economy Project in Ghana. Combined with a broad range of project management and technical skills, Ellyn has graduate level qualifications in international development and gender and education studies.  

FOREST, David
Manager, Public & Security Sector Reform

David brings more than 18 years of experience managing international development projects to his role with Alinea. He serves as Project Manager on the global Technical Assistance Partnership – Expert Deployment Mechanism (TAP-EDM) Project. Previously, David held positions with Cuso International, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC), the United Nations Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB) and the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre. During his tenure at Cuso, he managed a global, multi-year, multi-million-dollar volunteer cooperation program in 17 countries. As Head of Programs for Africa, David subsequently led the development and implementation of Cuso’s programming in Benin, Cameroun, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Tanzania. He holds graduate-level qualifications in international development and is bilingual (French and English). David is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and PROSCI Change Management Practitioner.

FRANCIS, Bob
President & CEO

Alinea International’s President and CEO, Bob founded the company – previously Agriteam Canada – in 1986. He built the company on a foundation of agriculture consulting, which diversified over more than 35 years to provide services across a wide range of sectors and countries around the world. With graduate level qualifications in agriculture and animal science, Bob specializes in food and agriculture systems. In addition to running the day-to-day operation of Alinea, he owns and operates a cattle ranch in Priddis, Alberta, Canada.

FREEMAN, Jenna
Communications Specialist

An experienced broadcast and digital journalist, Jenna effectively manages a deadline-conscious environment balanced with a precise level of attention to detail. In news media, she anchored flagship broadcasts, reported live on multiple elections from party headquarters, and covered stories with deep impact on a variety of issues and sectors for broadcast television, web, and radio. As Alinea’s Communications Specialist, Jenna supports strategic and corporate communications, and leads communications activities on multiple projects in Ukraine and for the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service. Jenna is fluent in English and French.

GARCIA, Michelle
Communications Specialist

Michelle brings more than a decade of communications experience in journalism and the non-profit space. Michelle has expertise in building and implementing strategic communications plans across a variety of platforms with a focus on digital content. In her previous career as a journalist, Michelle used data analytics and SEO best practices to build and increase digital audiences. In the charitable sector, Michelle created strategy and managed communications teams at charitable organizations focusing on healthcare access and helping women and children escaping gender-based violence.

HILL, Catherine
Senior Gender Advisor

For more than 20 years, Catherine has applied her gender equality experience on climate change, adaptation planning, agrobiodiversity, food security, livestock, and HIV and AIDS to strengthen the agriculture sector. Her background includes supporting policy, programming, research, and capacity initiatives with governments, the UN, the CGIAR and civil society across all regions. As a policy researcher, she supported UN commissions on science and technology (UNCSTD) and plant genetic resources (CGRFA), as well as the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Rural Women. Catherine is a Founding Member of WOCAN: Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management.

HUMBLE, Morag
Director, Health & Gender Equality

For more than 20 years, Morag has designed, implemented and managed projects focusing on gender equality and women’s empowerment. She has extensive experience in gender mainstreaming and gender transformative approaches; capacity development and the creation of training programs; policy development and advocacy; program and project evaluation; and supporting donor coordination mechanisms. Morag has delivered training in gender-based analysis and results-based management to government and civil society partners in both donor and developing countries. Her background also includes work in the areas of sexual and reproductive health and rights; maternal, neonatal and child health; HIV/AIDS; and health systems strengthening.

IBONDOU, Amina
Project Controller and Corporate Accounting Office

As a Project Controller and Corporate Accounting Officer at Alinea International, Amina is responsible for invoicing, multi-currency local account reconciliations, financial reporting and variance analysis. Her expertise spans a variety of skills and competencies including data entry, bookkeeping, budgeting and forecasting. Fluent in English and French, Amina  has graduate-level qualifications in business management and a bachelor-level qualifications in marketing from the University of Nanterre in France. 

IGHAGBON, Aanu

Advisor, Monitoring & Evaluation

With more than a decade of MEL experience working worldwide, Aanu has made important contributions to evaluating UN and GAC-funded projects in developing countries. With graduate level qualifications focused on programming performance management and human security and peacebuilding in Canada, Aanu has expertise in localization, capacity building and peacebuilding. She is formally trained in GBA+, research, program analysis, learning and knowledge management with extensive experience working with large data sets, data visualization methods, and tools. Aanu is also a Board Member with Big Family 360 Foundation in Adamawa, Nigeria, advancing humanitarian innovation projects to address GBV/SRHR issues. 

JAMES, Joseph
Director, Alinea UK

Bringing expertise across Business Development and Programme Management, Joe has won and managed projects from a range of clients, including: FCDO, BEIS, USAID, MCC, the Global Fund, and GCF.  Joe’s technical work has spanned several countries Ukraine, Nepal, Ghana, and Somalia and spans the sectors of Education, Governance, Health, and humanitarian response. With experience designing and managing several MEL projects Joe has proven to be critical to helping build business presence and win bids in the UK. He currently leads Alinea’s Business Development in the UK and sits on the board of our UK subsidiary. 

JORDISON, Shantel
Director, Americas

With experience coordinating capacity building and educational programs in more than 15 countries, Shantel specializes in capacity development programming in the energy sector. Formally trained in GBA+ and e-Learning methods, Shantel’s experience includes working as Project Director of the Building Extractive Sector Governance in Colombia Project. Previously, Shantel held positions as Senior Policy Analyst at the Government of Alberta and led the Extractive Resource Governance Program at the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy. She is currently researching governance-related determinants of foreign direct investment and how civil society interacts with public institutions. Shantel is also Academic Chair of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada.

LEON, Andrea
Project Coordinator

With more than 10 years of experience as a Project Coordinator, Andrea provides deep administrative and technical support to projects in Canada and Colombia. Her knowledge and skills in administration and personnel management stem from experience working with non-governmental organizations, the private sector and Government of Canada. With a technical background in informatics and applications, Andrea’s efficient coordination of administrative and e-filing systems complement her additional role with Alinea in IT support. Her background includes work on projects in Colombia, Mali, Mongolia and Sierra Leone. 

LEON, Myriam
Project Controller

Myriam joined Alina International last year as part of the finance team.  She brings over a decade of professional work experience as an Account Payable Administrator at various companies. Myriam is responsible for monitoring project budgets, auditing progress claims and expense reports, site and account reconciliations, invoicing, and assisting Project Financial Controllers. Myriam is fluent in English and Spanish.

LEPAGE, Gabrielle
TAP-EDM Communications & Public Engagement Manager

As a project manager for more than a decade, Gabrielle is as a connector, strategic thinker, and creative enthusiast. With communications experience that spans the country, Gabrielle brings an energetic leadership style committed to community development. She specializes in mobilizing community stakeholders for collective impact and synergistic partnerships, emphasizing results-based management. Gabrielle is proudly bilingual and, in previous work, supported the advancement and increased visibility of francophone health and wellness initiatives.

LOUCHARD, Suzane
Director, West Africa

With a background in public administration, organizational development and management coaching, Suzane has extensive experience managing projects in West Africa. She leads Alinea’s program development for the region and is Project Director for Projet d’appui aux réformes institutionnelles et techniques pour l’équité and Défi éducation des filles au Mali. Suzane started her career in West Africa as capacity building and OD advisor, and later joined the Canadian public service where she worked for more than a decade managing policy development and executive services. Her background also includes senior positions with Doctors of the World, SUCO and Concern Worldwide in Haiti, and WUSC in Canada.

MA, Angela 
Project Controller

With experience that spans monitoring, evaluation, learning and community development initiatives, Angela joined Alinea International as part of the finance team. Angela worked with the Institute of Peace and Development and the Centre for Conflict Transformation and Peace Studies in Ghana shortly before joining Alinea to support of the Trade Commissioner Service’s Canadian Education Export Guide and Canada’s Venezuelan Taskforce on the Venezuelan Donors Conference Pledge Tracking and Reporting Project. 

MALINIAK, Susan
Project Coordinator

In her role as Project Coordinator, Susan specializes in monitoring and evaluation projects in both an administrative and financial capacity, with experience working on more than 20 M&E projects. She has extensive experience collaborating with NGOs, universities and the private sector, as well as international donors including Global Affairs Canada, the World Bank, and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK). Susan’s background includes overseeing administrative and financial training for field office teams in Ethiopia, Tanzania and South Sudan. She is also accountable for delivering training related to administrative and financial policies and processes to project teams in line with Alinea’s best practices and client standards. 

MENARD, Joanne
Office Manager, Gatineau

With Alinea International for more than 20 years, Joanne is a professional administrator and manages the Gatineau office. She has more than 35 years of experience in international development working with the Government of Canada, NGOs and private sector, including as Coordinator on multiple Alinea projects. Joanne brings this experience to her knowledge in office management, project administration, policies, procedures, recruitment and contracting. She contributes to the development, training and implementation of Alinea processes, guidelines and procedures, as well as provides ongoing support and guidance to colleagues around the world.

MONASTYRSKI, Tom
Director, Police Reform

Tom has more than 20 years of experience in the international development sector. Tom’s project work includes the Canada-Ukraine Police Development Project, where he has provided strategic oversight and overall coordination in advancing a sustainable professional development system for police in Ukraine. His experience in Ukraine also includes supporting public administration reform, improving municipal service delivery, advancing innovations in citizen engagement and enabling local economic development. Previously, Tom held positions with the Canadian Bureau for International Education, World Bank and Federation of Canadian Municipalities. His background also includes long-term assignments in Jordan and Albania.

OBAD, Ruža
Chief Financial Officer

Alinea International’s Chief Financial Officer, Ruza is a finance professional with progressively senior experience in accounting, complex analytics, budgeting and forecasting and treasury. A Chartered Professional Accountant, she specializes in treasury, including cash management, banking operations, syndicate management, hedging and risk mitigation. Ruza’s skill set spans financial reporting, system implementation, operating and capital budgeting and forecasting. Previously, she held senior treasury positions with UFA Co-operative Ltd. and Canexus. Her background also includes working as Associate Director of Compensation and Sales Analysis with Bell Canada.

ORTEGA-ALARIE, Gioconda
Project Manager 

With over 25 years of experience managing and coordinating agriculture and natural resources programs in 14 countries, Gioconda specializes in climate change adaptation, tropical forestry, and integrated natural resources management programming.  Formally trained in the natural, social and management sciences, Gioconda’s experience includes working as the Climate Action Africa Project Manager.  Previously, Gioconda held positions as Director of International Programs at the Canadian Cooperative Association and led a portfolio of projects in food security, sustainable use of biodiversity, integrated watershed management, agroforestry, and women’s economic empowerment with CARE Canada, SeedChange and the International Development Research Centre.  She was a member of the Participatory Plant Breeding Network supported by the Global Alliance of the Future of Food-GAFF.  Gioconda is also a member of the Project Management Institute.

PLUNKETT, Mary
Project Coordinator

With Alinea for more than 30 years, Mary is a Project Coordinator with extensive experience providing support to programming funded by Global Affairs Canada, the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. She has a thorough understanding of results-based management in project reporting and administration. Her background includes coordinating a multitude of high-level study missions to Canada. Mary supports the implementation of a variety of diverse projects, delivering training and support to teams in Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Indonesia, China, Thailand, Uruguay, Ethiopia and Ukraine.

PROCHETTE, Nancia
Project Coordinator

With a sociology, psychology, and international development background, Nancia specializes in administration, global citizenship, capacity building, gender equality and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Nancia brings over a decade of experience working and volunteering on international development initiatives, mainly in the health and education sectors. Her experience includes working as an NGO Coordinator and a Global citizenship Educator in Québec, a Research Assistant in Haïti and a Project Management Advisor in Bolivia. Most recently, Nancia worked as a Management Consultant in Nunavik, Quebec, supporting an Inuit youth and family empowerment project.  She is completing a graduate program in International Development and Humanitarian Action Management. She speaks French, English, Creole, and Spanish.

PRIEBE, Shelley
Executive Assistant to the President & CEO and Office Manager, Calgary

With Alinea International for more than three decades, Shelley is Executive Assistant to the President & CEO and manages the Calgary office. She has coordinated the administration of more than 15 donor-funded projects worldwide. Shelley develops orientation materials and administrative policies, guidelines and manuals for each project undertaken by Alinea, and develops and delivers training to Canadian and international staff, partners and consultants to ensure adherence to Government of Canada policies and procedures. As a member of the corporate Management Committee, Shelley contributes to the development and oversight of human resource policies, and develops individual training plans for administrative staff.

RAYER, Susan
Project Controller and Coordinator

For three decades Susan has held various project management and financial positions in the energy sector. With wide-ranging skills including budgeting, financial reporting, project management and contract interpretation, Susan works as both a Project Coordinator and Project Controller at Alinea International. She supports projects in Peru and Ethiopia. Susan is fluent in French and Spanish and studied in Nice and Guadalajara.

RASMUSSEN, Debra
Director, Food Security, Natural Resource Management and Monitoring & Evaluation

An agricultural economist with extensive experience in food security and safety, Debra has managed more than 40 projects worldwide. She has experience in results based management, logical framework analyses, performance measurement frameworks, performance indicators, baseline surveys and monitoring. Debra employs a wide range of participatory and appreciative methodologies in fieldwork, project design, planning, implementation and monitoring. She engages the private sector and consortiums of foreign and domestic industry partners in projects, and facilitates effective partnerships between public and private organizations for responsive agriculture research and training. Debra also has extensive experience in One Health, rural development and the extractive sector, as well as supporting expertise in capacity building, gender equality and ethnic minorities.

RENDELL-FOURNIER, Veronique
Proposal Coordinator

As part of the Business Development team, Véronique provides bid coordination, quality control and oversight to ensure proposals are compliant with donor requirements. She tracks business development opportunities and Alinea’s development into new markets and with other donors, specifically the European Union; Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK); World Bank; and Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (Australia). Previously, Véronique worked with various organizations, including think tanks and not-for-profits, supporting international development projects; advocating for good governance, transparency, and accountability in local government; and researching responsible health and social policies.

REYES, Janet
Project Controller

Janet is a professional finance and administrative coordinator with Alinea providing finance and administrative support with a variety of organizations in Canada. Her acquired knowledge and skills in administration, project accounting and personnel management stem from experience working with NGOs, the private sector and Global Affairs Canada. Janet’s background includes multi-dimensional financial reporting, contracts, and compliance, as well as management of more than seven projects from inception to completion. She is fluent in English, French and Spanish, which is a significant asset on projects in countries ranging from Burkina Faso and Mali to Colombia and Peru. Janet delivers training related to administrative and financial policies and processes to project teams (administrative/finance staff, project management, technical experts) in line with Alinea’s best practices and client standards. 

ROBERT-LEMIRE, Claudie
Director, Refugee Education

For 10 years, Claudie has supported international development program planning and management, including for more than four Global Affairs Canada-funded projects worldwide as well as DFID and FCDO projects. Claudie’s background includes working as Project Director for the Enhancing Education for Tibetan Youth Project, which works to improve education quality for Tibetan students in India. With graduate-level qualifications in humanitarian aid, Claudie has extensive experience administrating large multi-year projects across multiple sectors, including education, governance, institutional capacity building and cyber security. Her experience spans initiatives in India, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Haiti and the UK.

ROBINSON, Tim
International Development Recruiter

Tim is Alinea’s International Development Recruiter. He joined Alinea as an Administrator for the Business Development team and quickly moved into his current role, where his skills in capacity development and networking complement both the growth of the recruitment department and caliber of talent on Alinea’s projects. Within his first year at Alinea, Tim implemented a new global consultant database and tailored training for field recruiters for the PROTECT and SURGe projects in Ukraine. Tim is also a member of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals.   

RODRIGUEZ, Itmalzin
Project Coordinator

Itmalzin brings more than 10 years of experience to her work having coordinated projects in various developing countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa, including Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Tanzania, Honduras, Peru, Morocco, Vietnam, Philippines and Pakistan. She is responsible for project and program support including logistical and travel coordination; ensuring compliance with client requirements, accounts, contracting and reporting; policy development and implementation; and information management, editing, and report and document design. Itmalzin has extensive experience in coordination and assistance for the full life cycle of projects, including the inception phases where she has coordinated travel for inception missions; participated in the development of draft workplans for technical assistance, research, capacity building and networking support activities; and coordinated meetings between the mission teams and a wide range of stakeholders.  

SALEWSKI, Tanya
Director, Health Systems and Sexual & Reproductive Health

For more than 20 years, Tanya has designed and managed global health programming in collaboration with Canadian partners, local institutions, country governments and UN agencies in Africa, Asia and Central America. Recently, she was Field Manager for a Canadian-funded MNCH project in Mwanza, Tanzania with the University of Calgary. Previously, Tanya was the Health Team Lead with Aga Khan Foundation Canada, leading a substantial portfolio of projects in Asia and East Africa. Her background also includes work with the Canadian Nurses Association and Canadian Public Health Association on local partner capacity development, health policy advocacy, organizational leadership, gender equality and reproductive health programming.

SANFORD AMMAR, Tawnia
Director, Ukraine

Tawnia’s experience leading public sector and legal reform projects spans more than two decades. In early 2010, Tawnia launched Alinea’s work in Ukraine with the GAC-funded Juvenile Justice Project, which supported Ukraine in establishing a system of probation for youth. Previously, Tawnia headed the Governance Unit at Universities Canada, responsible for governance technical assistance projects and was posted in Latvia and India on rule of law projects. Tawnia’s extensive project experience includes managing the Support to Ukraine’s Reforms for Governance Program , which succeeds the Expert Deployment for Economic Growth Project – funded by Global Affairs Canada supporting the Government of Ukraine to manage their priority reforms.  

SIEMIENIUK, Wit
Director, Environment, Social Safeguards & Climate

With a background in environmental assessment, sustainability, social safeguards and climate change, Wit has more than 30 years of experience in international project delivery, 30 of which were with a large multinational engineering company. Wit has worked extensively for the UK Disaster Recovery Rapid Response Plan for Overseas Territories Project, which provides technical expertise to six overseas territories post-hurricane in the Caribbean. Recently, he has been engaged in a Mongolia extractive sector project; Ethiopia agriculture project; Ukraine economic development and reform; and World Bank-financed Kabul solid waste management plan. Wit’s background includes preparing environmental management plans and serving as the environment specialist for GAC-funded projects in Ghana, Egypt and Ukraine.

SAVAKIS, Irene
Project Coordinator

Irene brings over two decades of project coordinating and administration experience working with the Government of Canada, NGOs, and private sector.  Her background includes work on projects in Mali, Senegal, Morocco, and Vietnam and support on projects in Peru, Iqaluit, and Ukraine. Irene is currently Alinea International’s Project Coordinator on the global Technical Assistance Partnership – Expert Deployment Mechanism (TAP-EDM) Project, mainly responsible for project and program support, including logistical and travel coordination, compliance with client requirements, contracting and reporting.

THOMSON, Kristy
Communications Manager

With more than 10 years of experience covering politics and engaging in the policy arena, Kristy blends her ability to build narrative with understanding of public policy to share stories about meeting the world’s changing challenges with new ideas. As a journalist, she produced news magazine programs, current affairs panel debates, daily newscasts, budget day coverage and election specials. In public affairs, Kristy developed strategies in the areas of communications, government relations and stakeholder engagement for clients across multiple industries, including health and life sciences, energy and environment, infrastructure and the non-profit sector.

TOBY, Kendra
Vice President, Business Development

With Alinea International for more than 10 years, Kendra is Alinea’s Director of Business Development. She leads the company’s business development portfolio and team in proposal preparation, project design and opportunities across all sectors. With a background in communications, Kendra previously held the position of Senior Communications Specialist with NIVA Inc. where she managed projects, researching, writing and editing for a variety of scientific communication materials. Clients spanned the private sector and government departments and agencies. Her background also includes working as Editor for Canadian Wildlife and Wild Magazines.

TURLEY, Ryan
Manager, Girls’ Education

With more than 10 years of experience in international development, Ryan has worked with local and regional NGOs in multiple areas, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, capacity development, poverty reduction, sustainable growth and climate change adaptation. As a project Manager, Ryan is responisble for institutional strengthening projects in Mali and Burkina Faso. Previously, Ryan lived and worked in West Africa, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. He also contributes to proposal development, with an emphasis on proposals for francophone regions.

TURNER, Gayle
Vice President

With Alinea for more than 30 years, Gayle is Vice President of Alinea International (Canada) and leads education and governance sector programming for Alinea worldwide. In education, Gayle has recently been engaged in technical education projects in Vietnam and Ethiopia, which involve work with universities and colleges; upgrading undergraduate curricula; and strengthening the provision of technical vocational pedagogy. In governance, Gayle’s recent work involves developing and directing a project in Ukraine following the Maidan Revolution. She is the team leader for the succeeding project, which continues to support reforms of national government departments in Kyiv. Gayle’s background also includes work on education sector reform in Jordan, juvenile justice reform in Ukraine, women’s empowerment in Indonesia, and basic human needs in Tibet. Gayle has worked in more than 30 countries and lived in Nigeria, Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Indonesia.

USME, Tatiana
Project Coordinator

Tatiana supports Alinea’s Business Development team through logistical and administrative work on the creation of Expressions of Interest, Calls for Proposals and Requests for Proposals. She provides research assistance, content development and the creation of tools and templates for proposals. Tatiana contributes to the drafting of key sections, such as CVs and logic models, proofreading and formatting of final documents, as well as ensuring compliance with bidding requirements and monitoring deadlines. She also tracks Alinea’s business development opportunities and diversification into new markets and other donors, specifically the European Union; Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK); and World Bank. Previously, Tatiana worked as an Organizational Development Advisor for organic farmers in Colombia and volunteered n Brazil’s education sector.

VANDERMEER, Sonja
Finance Manager

With Alinea International for more than 20 years, Sonja is Alinea’s Finance Manager. She has held positions as an accountant, project financial management specialist and leader of Alinea’s team of Project Financial Controllers in Canada. In addition to expertise in budgeting, reconciliation, audit and full-cycle accounting, Sonja has a Graduate Certificate in Organization Design and Development, which allows her to extend her experience to training and facilitation. As a financial capacity development specialist, she has developed and delivered the training of policy manuals, guidelines and capacity development programs on financial and administrative management in Canada and developing countries. With extensive experience applying contractual terms and conditions, auditing and reconciliation, she has in-depth understanding of contract interpretation and has managed more than 20 donor compliance audits. 

VERMA, Veena
Director, Human Rights, Gender & Governance

As a human rights lawyer, Veena’s more than 20 years of experience working on human rights issues span India, Guyana and Nigeria. She specializes in human rights-based approaches, labour, law reform, gender and racial equality. Veena ‘s work includes Project Director of the National Languages Equality Advancement Project in Sri Lanka and Deputy Director of the Promoting Reform Objectives through Technical Expertise and Capacity Transfer Program in Ukraine. Previously, Veena was a partner at a prominent union-side labour law firm and worked as a labour rights consultant for projects in China. She also served as Commission Counsel for a national public inquiry investigating the “extraordinary rendition” of a Canadian citizen to Syria post 9/11.

WHETTON, Danuta
Director, Business Development & Strategic Partnerships

A seasoned international development professional, Danuta’s experience spans more than 10 years in business development, program management, and policy research and analysis across the Canadian private sector, civil society and federal government landscape. She brings extensive familiarity with Global Affairs Canada and its Feminist International Assistance Policy to her role as Alinea’s Manager of Business Development & Strategic Partnerships. Danuta’s background includes positions as Program Technical Advisor and Program Manager with Canadian Feed The Children, Program Officer with Canadian Hunger Foundation, Policy Analyst – Social and Strategic Policy with Citizenship and Immigration Canada, as well as Policy Analyst – Africa Relations and Political Officer – European Union Relations with Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. Danuta is fluent in English and Polish, with advanced French and basic Spanish and Mandarin.

YEOMANS, Christopher
Director, Global Expert Deployment

A leader in the international development sector for more than 25 years, Chris has experience at the helm of several long-term overseas postings. He specializes in capacity development with a background as a RBM, GBA+, Triple Nexus facilitator with the Centre for Intercultural Learning. Chris serves as Project Director on the global Technical Assistance Partnership – Expert Deployment Mechanism (TAP-EDM) Project. Previously, he was Project Director of CISAL for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities – a six-year municipal strengthening capacity development project in the Americas. Chris is trilingual – English, French and Spanish – and leads teams from a participatory and inclusive perspective to inspire and maximize development results accountable to project beneficiaries and stakeholders alike. Additionally, he has more than 1,000 hours of adult learning facilitation experience in the development and conflict transformation field.

YULE, Alix
Director, Education & Local Governance

With more than 30 years of project management experience, Alix specializes in the education and local governance sectors in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Caribbean. Her work includes serving as Project Director for the Technical Assistance to the Teacher Education Support Project in Tanzania; leading project design teams; conducting participatory monitoring and evaluation assignments; and facilitating interactive training and capacity building sessions. Recognized for her interpersonal and problem-solving skills, Alix’s background also includes coaching and mentoring to teams facing project management challenges.