Jack Baker - Interim Executive Director
Mr. Baker has over 40 years of experience in international development and has carried out assignments in more than 25 countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa in the fields of resource economics, energy, agricultural planning, and institutional development. Mr. Baker, who has served as President of AgroDev Canada Inc. since 1997 has also provided consultancy services to CIDA, the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. He served as a Director of WaterCan for six years (2001 – 2007) and was appointed Chair in June 2010.
Simon Mead – Director of International Programs
Simon oversees the design, planning and management of WaterCan’s existing international programs, and plays a significant role in developing new initiatives.
Simon has over 15 years’ experience working in international development, predominantly in the environmental and water sectors. He has led the environmental management aspects and a Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) program for the Northern Region Small Towns Water and Sanitation Project (NORST), a multi-year CIDA-funded water and sanitation project in Ghana. He has worked on water and sanitation projects in Malawi and Uganda, and a water harvesting and irrigation project in Ethiopia. He lived for two years in Botswana where he carried out water resources studies and environmental assessments. Most recently, Simon led a World Bank-funded climate change adaptation project in Africa and Asia.
Simon has an MA in Environment, Development and Policy from the University of Sussex in the UK.
Christina Benotto – Public Engagement and Administrative Coordinator
Christina is responsible for school-based outreach with the goal of engaging youth on global water and sanitation issues. In addition, Christina provides support and guidance to WaterCan’s "Champions" and third-party fundraisers. Christina also responds to inquiries and requests from the public and oversees daily office tasks. She graduated from Carleton University with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in International History, and is currently working on a Fundraising Management Certificate from Algonquin College.
Andrea Helfer – Public Engagement and Communications Manager
Andrea's passion is building community. She believes in bringing people together, leveraging connections and talents, for the greater humanitarian good. In her role she is responsible for managing online and offline programs, events and publications aimed at engaging Canadians of all walks of life on the issues of clean water and sanitation. Andrea has worked with NGOs both in Canada and abroad including the Varqa Foundation in Guyana, Cornerstone Foundation of Belize and the Canadian Make Poverty History campaign. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Queen’s University in Sociology and a Master of Social Work from Carleton University.
Laura Merrifield - Finance Assistant
Laura is responsible for assisting the Finance and Administration Officer in her daily activities, including processing donations and issuing tax receipts. She graduated from Carleton University with an Honours degree in Political Science and a minor in History.
Leslie Moreland – Program Manager
Leslie brings over six years of work experience in international development including working with PLAN Nicaragua in Managua and with Aga Khan Foundation in India. In her position as Program Manager she has found a place where she can combine her interests in program management, creative budgeting, inter-cultural communication and getting her hands dirty in the field. She also supports WaterCan’s policy, advocacy and public engagement activities in Canada. Leslie is proficient in Spanish and Portuguese and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science and International Development from Queen’s University.
Kyla Smith - Program Officer
Kyla joined the WaterCan International Program team as a Program Officer in September 2012. Prior to joining the WaterCan team, Kyla completed her MASc with the Drinking Water Research Group in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Toronto. Before returning to do her Masters, Kyla spent time working on water and sanitation projects in Western and Eastern Africa and in South East Asia. At WaterCan, she continues to work both in Canada and East Africa, bringing her experience and passion to help support innovative, participatory and community-based water and sanitation programs.
Laura Wilson – Finance and Administration Officer
Laura is responsible for coordinating the accounting and finance functions in the WaterCan office, including the preparation of the monthly and year-end financial statements, administration of the monthly giving program, and conducting financial analysis. Laura first joined the WaterCan team part-time as Finance Assistant while completing her final year of university. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Marketing and a Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting, both obtained from the University of Ottawa.
Banner photo credit: Peter Bregg
