Shannon Benner
Chief Executive Officer
As 4-H Canada’s leader and a visionary in the field of positive youth development, Shannon has more than 25 years of experience with youth development organizations. After getting her start with Outward Bound in western Canada, Shannon went on to leadership opportunities with several youth organizations, including Director of The Princeton Blairstown Center at Princeton University, and the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation.
In her role as CEO of 4-H Canada, one of the country’s longest running positive youth development organizations, Shannon has led a period impactful change in virtually every area, HR, fundraising, financial performance, brand recognition, strategic direction and transitioned the federated movement to a national accreditation model over the past decade.
Shannon spent three years as the inaugural Chair of the Global 4-H Network Board of Directors, where she continues to contribute her leadership skills as past Chair, bringing a Canadian perspective to the worldwide 4-H community.
Shannon’s passion for youth development surpasses her 25+ years of experience in the youth serving sector. She has been passionately engaged with the UN supporting the advancement of youth policy work for over six years. In 2021 she was listed as one of the Top 50 Leaders in Agriculture for her impactful work serving youth in Canada.
An avid sports fan, Shannon loves hiking and traveling with her family.
Nadine Sisk
Chief Marketing Officer
Nadine is proud to be the third generation from her family to get involved with 4-H! Holding a degree in Communications and Journalism from the University of Regina, Nadine brings with her a wealth of experience in critical areas such as public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, in addition to a highly successful track record in agriculture. She loves to travel, but is happy to stay at home with her cat either reading a good book, digging around in her garden, or practicing yoga!
Catherine Miller-Mort
Director of Risk Management and Accreditation
A mother of two with a Masters in Archival Studies from UBC and over 15 years of working in youth-serving, not-for-profit organizations, Catherine brings her passion for youth development to 4-H. In her down time, you can find Catherine reading, knitting, volunteering, and playing with her two dogs!
Programs
Leslie Noble
Program Director
Leslie is a proud 4-H Ontario alum passionate about positive youth development and making the world a better place. She holds an MScEd, OCT, as well as a certificate in Adult Education and has over 15 years of experience in education. She continues to give back to her community as a longstanding volunteer with numerous organizations, and enjoys spending time with her family, going on walks, drinking coffee and taking care of goats!
Kelsey Norris
Grants Manager
Kelsey graduated from the University of Ottawa with a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences before completing a Graduate Certificate from Algonquin College in Sports Business Management. She spent several years working in the sports sector before moving to 4-H Canada in 2017. An avid equestrian, Kelsey can be found riding horses and competing at various competitions in her spare time.
Chelsea Crawford
Youth Programs Manager
Chelsea is a proud third generation 4-H alum from the Branch Lahave 4-H Club in Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. Combined with her seven years of event planning and programming, as well as a diploma in counselling skills human/social services, Chelsea is passionate about inclusive, youth-friendly programming and events. When she’s not working you can find this self-proclaimed americano and music connoisseur hiking to find waterfalls and lighthouses!
Liz Blaauwendraat
Adult Learning Manager
Prior to getting her Master of Arts (Interdisciplinary Studies) in adult education, Liz grew up raising both chickens and rabbits. An active volunteer both locally and internationally, Liz brings to 4-H Canada over 10 years of experience in employment services and career counselling. Outside of work you can find Liz on the back of a motorcycle exploring beautiful Ontario!
Allison Hudson
Program Coordinator, Admissions and Travel
Having grown up on her family’s hog farm and being a 4-H alum from the West Carleton 4-H Club in Ontario, Allison brings to 4-H her passion for, and experience with our programming! She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Queen’s University and outside of work you can find her enjoying any kind of group fitness classes and spending time with her family and friends.
Marketing and Communications
Lori Barron
Director of Marketing,
Interim Communications Director
A 4-H alumna from Newfoundland and Labrador, Lori has been a marketing communications professional focusing on strategic communications for non-profits and small businesses for more than 20 years, including running her own integrated marketing and communications agency from 2014-2021. A committed volunteer with a number of organizations, Lori is passionate about brand-building, outreach and community engagement. When not at work, Lori is a devoted hockey mom, and finder of four-leaf clovers.
Jessie Christie
Communications Director (Parental Leave)
With over 15 years of experience as a communications professional, Jessie has spent the majority of her career in the non-profit industry. She progressed from intern to senior management within the sports sector, becoming a strong leader and strategist who excels in corporate and crisis communications, and produces a broad range of communications and marketing deliverables with high editorial standards and razor-sharp attention to detail. Jessie also gained extensive experience as a Media Attaché for both the Canadian Equestrian Team and the Canadian Olympic Committee, supporting athletes at six major games, including the 2019 Lima Pan American Games and the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. A passionate equestrian, Jessie has been riding and competing at the national level in hunter and jumper since childhood and lives on a horse farm in Burritt’s Rapids, ON with her husband, Keith.
Amy Felton
Communications Manager
An active volunteer since she was seven years old, Amy is passionate about giving youth leadership opportunities and chances to learn new skills. She holds an honours Bachelor of Arts in communication and minor in management from the University of Ottawa, and has a cumulative five years of experience in her field. In true 4-H spirit, outside of work you can find her ‘Learn to Do by Doing’ as she takes different courses around the city of Ottawa including pottery, glassblowing, and plumbing!
April Nyenkamp
Marketing Communications Specialist
Passionate and outgoing, April shares the same values as 4-H, and cares deeply about helping shape the youth of tomorrow. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce in marketing from the University of Ottawa, and has a cumulative five years of experience in her field. In her spare time, April enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, and outdoors activities such as hiking, biking, and skating.
Sponsorships
Megan Bomberry
Sponsorships Director
Megan grew up in Stouffville, Ontario and currently lives with her husband Seamus, and her sons (future 4-Hers!) Sam and Freddie in the heart of the Rideau Lakes. A fundraising and sponsorship professional, Megan brings over a decade of experience working for youth-serving organizations. Outside of work, Megan enjoys spending time with family and friends, supporting her family’s boutique hotel operation, and travel adventures including wine tastings, and exploring the globe!
Cindy Katz
Corporate Giving and Fundraising Manager
Cindy's dedication to learning is evident in her degrees from McGill and Concordia Universities. With over 10 years' experience in instructional design, coaching, and leadership development, Cindy has dedicated the past eight years to focusing on her passion of raising funds for important causes. 4-H's mission aligns well with her love for helping youth reach their full potential. When not working, Cindy can be found power walking, taking a course, or exploring Montreal's restaurant scene.
Finance
Don Singer
Finance and Administration Director
Don brings a wealth of financial and not-for-profit management experience to 4-H Canada. Beyond the workplace, Don has served as a volunteer on several not-for-profit boards, been a travel agency group tour leader to numerous locations worldwide, and is a sports aficionado organizing an adult volleyball league, being a downhill skier, and is a tennis enthusiast.
Lisa Gilkes-Padmore
Finance Manager
An active volunteer for various missionary trips, Lisa brings her CGA-CPA certification and over 15 years of accounting experience to the 4-H team. Lisa is passionate about supporting organizations and their stakeholders in achieving their goals, but when she’s not crunching numbers, you can find Lisa travelling baking, cooking, and spending quality time with her family.
Krupa Prabhudesai
Finance Coordinator
With a master’s degree in accounting, a post graduate degree in accounting and finance, and over seven years of experience in her field, Krupa is a strong asset to our finance department. When she’s not crunching numbers, you can find Krupa unwinding by gardening, cooking, and trying various new foods.