Speakers

IJM Canada Speakers

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  Joash Thomas

  Joash Thomas is IJM Canada’s National Director of Mobilization & Advocacy. Born and raised in India, Joash started his IJM career with IJM India’s National Advocacy Team in 2015 and has worked for IJM in India, the United States and Canada ever since. Prior to joining IJM, Joash ran a political consulting and lobbying firm in the United States.

  Joash has a master’s degree in political management from The George Washington University and is currently pursuing a ThM in systematic theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. A sought-after public theologian, Joash is frequently invited to speak about Biblical justice & political theology at churches, Bible colleges and seminaries across Canada. He lives in the Greater Toronto Area with his wife, Valentina, and their Goldendoodle, Georgia.

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  Philip Calvert

  Philip Calvert is IJM Canada’s National Director of Development. He has the immense pleasure of leading IJM Canada’s development team since March of 2020 after serving as the Alberta Director of Development and Mobilization since 2015 before that.

  Philip has over 15 years of experience building relationships in the community with individuals, community organizations and corporations. Philip is deeply passionate about helping people to realize their potential and see their leadership ability as a way of making a brighter future where there is room for everyone, especially the most vulnerable among us. Philip has a degree in Leadership from Vanguard College, has served on multiple community based Boards and has given a TEDx talk on IJM’s work to combat trafficking. There is a path in front of us that arrives at the destination where equity is the expected norm, not the surprising exception.

  Philip and his wife live in Calgary with their two young children.
  

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  David Pollendine

  David originally comes from the UK and has been working or IJM Canada for the past 5 years, currently serving as IJM Canada’s National Director for Development Growth. He finds immense joy in working with donors and sharing IJM’s message of protection through our Justice System Transformation. During his time with IJM Canada he has visited IJM’s Field Office in Uganda to see IJM’s work protecting widows from land theft in Kampala, and he witnessed a project to protect women and children from violence in Fort Portal. In 2019 he hosted an IJM Canada Benefit Event at The Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg, raising $100,000 to fund 12 rescues in South Asia, and last year he co-produced and presented an Online Benefit Event, ‘Cherished – More Precious than Gold’ bringing awareness for children who have been victims of Online Sexual Exploitation in the Philippines and raising over $70,000. To fund 9 rescue operations.

  During the covid-19 pandemic he has remained very active and last summer cycled 500 km, visiting 40 IJM donors and raising $4,000 for IJM’s ‘Unsafe in Lockdown’ Campaign. He also has been writing and co hosting an IJM Canada Vlog which focuses on IJM’s response during the pandemic and highlights stories of rescue and restoration from the field. David is currently involved in piloting a few new ideas to bring people closer into IJM’s work, a Virtual Online Trip to the Philippines and a Justice Advocacy Training Course to help fuel people’s justice journey.

  David has an MA in Applied Drama and loves dreaming up ideas where creativity and Justice intersect to form a catalyst for transformation. He is married to Irfana, and they have two children, Zara (15) and Zane (12).

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  Eugene Au

  Eugene Au serves as the Director of Development and Mobilization in British Columbia for International Justice Mission (IJM) Canada. In this role, Eugene develops relationships to share IJM’s vision and to invite people and organizations to partner with us in the mission to protect people from violence.

  As a lawyer called to the bar in B.C., Eugene has over 10 years of experience practicing law in the areas of personal injury, family law, and wills and estates. He brings his experience of assisting and representing clients to his approach in serving IJM’s constituents. Eugene is passionate about encouraging individuals and communities to seek and do justice, especially for people who are vulnerable. Together with his wife, Hannah, Eugene served in the field with IJM as a Legal Fellow, supporting the fight against human trafficking in South Asia.

  Eugene received his law degree from The University of British Columbia. He and Hannah live in Vancouver.

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  Sinead Finnegan

  Sinead Finnegan serves as IJM Canada’s Director of Development and Mobilization in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). This role allows Sinead to develop relationships and partnerships with people and corporations that align with IJM’s vision of freeing millions from slavery and protecting half a billion from violence.

  Sinead has over 20 years working with NGO’s both in her local community and nationally in Canada, where she has supported and led teams in event planning, business development, fund-raising & partnership management. She is a passionate leader that helps people to discover their true potential and champions unity, transformation, inclusion and innovation. Sinead strongly advocates for freedom, justice and protection of the world’s most vulnerable people.

  Sinead lives in the GTA with her husband and youngest child; the 3 oldest children are away at various universities. In her spare time you will find her on her bike; road riding or mountain biking, teaching yoga and meditation or travelling.

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  Robin Padanyi

  Robin Padanyi is IJM Canada’s Director of Development and Mobilization for the Prairies. In this role, Robin connects with IJM’s community of supporters and partner churches across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, helping everyday men and women find joy in giving to IJM’s work of protecting half a billion people worldwide from ever being beaten, enslaved, raped or robbed in the first place; proving that justice for the poor is unstoppable.

  Robin worked for 6 years with Hope Mission, a gospel rescue mission in Edmonton, then had the privilege of working with the Calgary Public Library Foundation, a role that moved him and his family across the province.

  Robin lives in Calgary with his wife and spends much of his time chasing around their two young children.

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  Alison Hardman

  Alison Hardman serves as IJM Canada’s Director of Development and Mobilization in the Ontario East region. Alison comes to IJM following 7 years on staff at a large church in Ontario, and previously at various charities in the GTA.

  Alison has over 15 years of experience in fundraising and enjoys bringing her perspective and connections as a member of several Boards of Directors, including StreetLevel, The DAM, and Friends of Jesus Collective. She has a heart for marginalized people and is passionate about seeking justice for people who are poor and oppressed.

  Alison lives in the GTA with her husband and several pets left behind by her 3 adult children who are still close to home. In her spare time, Alison can be found playing ice hockey, and softball or enjoying the peaceful rhythms of summer life on Georgian Bay.