National Advisory Committee for Canada’s Volunteer Awards: Member biographies

Myrna Adams brings extensive volunteer leadership experience in seniors’ services, multicultural community development, and social advocacy. As President of the Brampton Senior Citizens Council, she has led initiatives that support active aging, enhance accessibility, and strengthen community connections for older adults.

Her leadership extends across Peel Region, where she has founded organizations, supported newcomer integration, and contributed to advisory committees focused on multicultural engagement and community wellbeing. Her work reflects a sustained commitment to inclusion, equity, and accessible community services.

Rikki Boté is an experienced executive leader with experience in communications, strategic planning, and organizational culture within Saskatchewan’s public sector. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union, where she leads initiatives that support workforce engagement and organizational effectiveness.

She has contributed to numerous boards, including the South Saskatchewan Independent Living Centre, Regina & District Food Bank, and United Way initiatives, strengthening governance and supporting community-based programs.

As a Métis leader, Ms. Boté’s work reflects a strong commitment to Indigenous inclusion, community development, and collaborative leadership.

Nicolas Brown is a Chartered Professional Accountant with volunteer leadership experience across community development, arts and culture, youth sports, and emergency response. He has served on numerous non-profit boards and committees, including several as chair, contributing to organizational leadership and community initiatives.

In addition to his board and committee service, he teaches First Aid with St. John Ambulance and serves as a Medical First Responder, supporting community safety, preparedness, and resilience.

Ryan Hreljac is the founder of Ryan’s Well Foundation, a Canadian charity dedicated to improving access to clean water and sanitation in developing countries. For more than 25 years, his work has supported sustainable, community-driven solutions that have had a global impact.

A 2016 Canada’s Volunteer Award recipient in the Emerging Leader category and a former CVA Regional Reviewer, he brings valuable insight into volunteerism, community impact, and recognition programs. He has also contributed to boards and committees focused on community and economic development in Ontario.

Mr. Hreljac brings extensive experience in volunteerism, philanthropy, community engagement, and social impact, grounded in decades of international development work.

Marie Houzeau has a strong background in organizational development and human resources management. She currently serves as Executive Director of GRIS Montréal, an organization recognized with a 2019 Canada’s Volunteer Award for Social Innovation.

Her leadership supports initiatives that promote awareness, education, and inclusion for 2SLGBTQI+ communities, contributing to more equitable and inclusive workplaces and communities. Her work reflects a sustained commitment to advancing diversity and fostering understanding through community engagement.

Sudhir Jha has demonstrated longstanding commitment to volunteerism across northern Canada, supporting youth, Indigenous communities, newcomers, and local organizations. He has led and contributed to initiatives through Computers for Schools, Skills Canada, and multiple non-profit boards, expanding access to digital tools, skills training, and STEM education.

A 2021 Canada's Volunteer Award recipient in the Community Leader category for British Columbia and the North and a former CVA Regional Reviewer, his work has strengthened community capacity and improved access to opportunities in remote and underserved regions. In addition to his public service career as an accomplished civil engineer, he has contributed thousands of volunteer hours to community organizations and initiatives serving remote and underserved regions across the North.

Melanie Mahlman brings extensive leadership experience in the non-profit sector, with a strong focus on healthcare, governance, and community development. She has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the Victoria Hospitals Foundation, Lions Gate Hospital Foundation, and the First Nations Health Authority, supporting organizations that advance community wellbeing.

Her expertise spans policy development, organizational systems, and strategic fundraising, helping strengthen the sustainability and impact of community-based organizations. Since 2022, she has also served as a CVA Regional Reviewer.

Brenda Martinussen is an experienced non-profit executive and long-standing volunteer leader with extensive contributions to health, social services, and community development. She has served on provincial and national boards, including the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba and Canada and Big Brothers Big Sisters, helping organizations strengthen their impact and better serve communities.

Her expertise in strategic planning, organizational leadership, and program delivery has strengthened organizational capacity and improved outcomes for individuals and families. Her work reflects a sustained commitment to supporting vulnerable populations and fostering resilient communities.

Willy Wilondja Mayaliwa has demonstrated longstanding leadership within provincial and national Francophone organizations, with a focus on education, governance, and community inclusion. He has held senior roles, including President of the Federation of New Brunswick Education Councils and Co-Chair of the Action-Collaboration Group on French-Language Education, contributing to major educational reforms and the advancement of language rights.

As a founding member of the New Brunswick Provincial Council of People of African Descent, he has supported initiatives that promote civic participation, representation, and equity. His involvement in education and community organizations reflects a strong commitment to inclusion and community development.

Sebastian Muermann has a background spanning the federal public service, philanthropy, and the charitable sector. He has served on national boards, including Results Canada and It Gets Better Canada, contributing to governance and advocacy initiatives.

He has also served as a volunteer assessor for major award programs and is a founding member of a community association in Montréal’s Gay Village.

Blake L. Olson is a senior human resources professional with extensive experience in employment equity, labour relations, people management, and organizational governance. Throughout his career, he has supported policy development and workforce management practices across sectors and has served on numerous boards as a member, director, and advisor. His extensive governance experience is complemented by his service as a CVA Regional Reviewer.

As Chief Executive Officer of the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute, Sylvia Parris Drummond leads province-wide initiatives that advance cultural proficiency, educational equity, and youth engagement. Her leadership in education, anti-racism, and community development has helped shape opportunities for African Nova Scotian communities across the province.

Her longstanding volunteer and board leadership within African Nova Scotian communities has contributed to strengthened community governance and the development of emerging leaders. Through these roles, she has advanced social justice, mentorship, and community capacity building.

Sukhjit Singh is a leader in newcomer integration and diversity, equity, and inclusion, with experience spanning the non-profit and post-secondary sectors. His work has focused on program development, community engagement, and strengthening cross-cultural connections.

He has served on numerous boards and advisory committees, including Volunteer Canada’s Public Policy Committee and the United Way Greater Toronto South Asian Advisory Council, contributing to governance and community leadership. He also served as a Canada’s Volunteer Awards Regional Reviewer.

Stacie Smith is a leader in youth mental health, addictions, and community engagement. As founder of the Mental Health Student Support Network, she has created a youth-driven platform that empowers young Canadians to develop and share resources addressing mental health and addiction challenges.

A 2023 Canada’s Volunteer Award recipient in the Emerging Leader category for the Atlantic Region, Ms. Smith has been recognized for her commitment to youth engagement and community impact. She has also contributed to a range of boards and advisory bodies, including the Women’s Nonprofit Network, Generation One Group, Mental Health International, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

Drawing on both her professional experience and lived experience as a person with a disability, Ms. Smith brings a valuable perspective on inclusion, accessibility, and youth engagement.

Dr. Sally Zhao brings extensive leadership experience in the non-profit and education sectors. As President and Chief Executive Officer of The Immigrant Education Society, she oversees programs and research that support newcomer integration, language learning, and community wellbeing.

Her work includes research on youth language brokering, refugee mental health, and equitable access to education, helping inform more inclusive and responsive services. She has served on several boards and committees, including the Bow Valley College Research Ethics Board, the Alberta Teachers of English as a Second Language (ATESL), and the Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies. She also served as a CVA Regional Reviewer.