Leadership

Board of Directors

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  James Peters

  James is the president of Hadrian Manufacturing Inc. and has led the company through significant growth and change. James has extensive experience serving on boards in the charitable sector and is passionate about using his skills in furthering IJM Canada’s work. He is also one of the founders of 541 Eatery & Exchange, a social enterprise located in downtown Hamilton. James earned an HBScF degree from Lakehead University and an MBA Co-op degree from McMaster University. James has served on the Board for 3 years.

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  Marvin Devries

  Recently retired, Marv DeVries is the Past President of Trojan Technologies, a global leader in water treatment with customers in over 100 countries. Prior to his 30 years of work with Trojan, Marv and his wife, Peggy, served for approximately 8 years in Bangladesh, India, and Haiti with World Renew – a church-based relief and development agency. In his retirement, Marv is engaged with a variety of non-profit agencies, including engagement in water issues for Indigenous communities in Canada. Marv joined the IJM Canada Board in 2018.

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  Kelly Semkiw

  Kelly joined the Board of Directors of IJM Canada in May of 2018. Since graduating from the University of Toronto, Kelly Semkiw has relentlessly pursued her career in not-for-profit development in both Canada and the United States. Semkiw currently works as a consultant for not-for-profits who want to increase their impact.

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  Jon Faber

  Jon currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Pason Systems, Inc. in Calgary, Alberta. Prior to joining Pason Systems, Jon was Vice-President of Investment Banking at National Bank Financial. His role as CFO specializes in finance and accounting, risk management, investor relations, information technology, and supply chain. Jon has over 15 years of experience in capital markets and executive leadership, where he brings strategic and financial perspectives to create team-based solutions for the priorities and challenges of a business. Jon also volunteers in his local community, as well as the Chair of Council at Emmanuel Christian Reformed Church.

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  Angie Redecopp

  Angie practices business law with a focus on small businesses and social enterprises. She also advises organizations on their ESG frameworks and policies. Prior to starting her own legal practice, Angie was an associate professor in the business program at Ambrose University, a development director for IJM Canada, a corporate law partner at Borden Ladner Gervais, and a small business owner. Through her work with IJM and Ambrose, Angie has visited 8 IJM field offices. Angie has bachelor’s degrees in education and law, a master’s in business administration, and is a PhD candidate in the field of business and human rights.

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  Jennifer Ip

  Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Toronto, holds a Law degree from Queen’s University and is an active member of the Law Society of Ontario. She has worked in the corporate environment for over 20 years and is a certified In-House Counsel. She has served as a volunteer representative to raise awareness and funds in support of the work of IJM Canada since 2010 and joined the Board in October 2015. She has a passion for overseas mission work and serving those who are less fortunate.

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  Jonathan Shui

  Jonathan currently serves as the Director of Investments at Good & Well, Inc. in Toronto, Ontario. In this role, Jonathan leads the deal team which invests in early-stage ventures with a social or environmental impact to create a more purposeful and sustainable global economy. Previously, Jonathan was a Portfolio Manager and Vice President & Director at TD Asset Management, directly managing over $3 billion in assets under management. Jonathan is passionate about solving problems through the power of entrepreneurship and creativity. He also has volunteer experience across Toronto and globally, as well as previously serving as an Elder at FreeChurch Toronto.

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  Maranatha Weeks

  Maranatha Weeks has pursued overseas missions since the start of her nursing career in 2013. With a Bachelors of Science and Nursing (BSN) and a Diploma in Tropical Nursing she has aided in the aftermath of disasters in Ecuador, Haiti, Bangladesh and during the 2017 war for Mosul, Iraq, with Samaritan's Purse. She wrote her first novel "On the Plains of Nineveh: A Nurse on the Front Lines of Mosul" following her experience in Iraq. Married, and with two daughters, she currently resides closer to home, working as an ER nurse and a Clinical Case Manager for Osteogenesis Imperfecta at the Shriner's Hospital. She is passionate about continuing to serve among the outcasts, believing the freedom we have been given is only to be used in extending towards those who still need freedom.

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  Melissa Russell

  Melissa Russell serves as IJM's Regional President of North America, leading the strategy and teams responsible for IJM's constituent, government and corporate partnerships in the United States and Canada. She joined IJM in 2008 and has since served in increasingly senior leadership capacities.

  Prior to her current role, Melissa served as Chief Advancement Officer where she led IJM’s Global Brand and Communications teams, global revenue and institutional engagement. She launched IJM’s first transnational corporate supply chain partnership and the global Freedom Sunday campaign. Under her leadership, IJM scaled significant growth through government grants, the IJM Freedom Partner program, and a thriving volunteer movement. Her teams launched offices in Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea, and ignited worldwide engagement through films featured at Tribeca Film Festival and other premier venues.

  Melissa received her B.A. in Journalism and her Master of Arts in Advertising from the University of Texas at Austin. She lives in the DC area with her husband and two sons.

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  Wayne Alguire

  Wayne joined the Board of Directors of IJM Canada in May of 2018. Wayne lent his expertise for over 20 years to the corporate and education sectors before transitioning into not-for-profit leadership, first with the Willow Creek Association and, more recently, as senior pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Kelowna, BC.

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  Leigh Schumann

  Leigh is a Principal at Fawkes + Holly where she co-leads a team of consultants that specialize in non-profit communications and fundraising for charities across North America. Leigh has over 15 years of global non-profit experience, a BA from Trinity Western University and an MBA from Simon Fraser University. She lives on the Sunshine Coast, BC with her husband Rob and two children.

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  Marv Penner

  Marv has given his life to caring for the next generation and the men and women who love and lead them. He has served in camp ministry, local church pastoral ministry, and has spent much of his life as an equipper and educator of those pursuing vocational ministry. In addition to serving on the faculty at Briercrest Seminary for over 20 years, Marv has taught in dozens of seminaries and colleges around the world. He also maintains a private practice as a clinical therapist specializing in work with adolescents and their families. Marv is an author having written extensively in the area of youth and family ministry and frequently speaks at conferences and conventions. He earned his MA in Marriage and Family Counseling at Grace Seminary, and his PhD at Oxford Graduate School. Marv and his wife Lois live in Lake Country, British Columbia, and have three grown children and a little herd of awesome grandchildren.