IJM Canada Leadership

Anu has 13 years of leadership experience with International Justice Mission (IJM). In South Asia, she served as the Director of Operations, the Director of National Interventions and the Director of Legal. During her time with IJM, Anu has worked extensively to impact justice systems by collaborating with state and local governments in South Asia.

Anu initiated and led IJM’s first ever partnership program and oversaw the training of more than 17,000 police officers, government officials, and NGO’s on the rescue and rehabilitation of individuals trapped in slavery and bringing criminals to justice. As a result of Anu’s leadership, more than 10,000 individuals have been rescued from forced labour slavery.

Anu holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Edith Cowan University, Australia and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University. She successfully completed her B.A., B.L. from Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College and acquired a special diploma in Intellectual Property Law.

Anu has used her creative communications skills to bring social issues to the public’s attention by writing and producing radio dramas and street theatre with social messages. Her dedication to the empowerment of people who are vulnerable to poverty and violence, her vision for social change, and knowledge about international issues, have all led to Anu being awarded several honours; one of which was being recognized as a Sauvé Scholar by the Canadian government. She represented South Asia as a Youth Ambassador to Dhaka in 2003 through the National Cadet Corps, with the status of a Diplomat as a Cultural and Military Attaché.

David Pollendine is IJM,'s National Director of Development Growth. Born and raised in the UK, he came to Canada with his family and started working for IJM in 2017 focusing on an ambitious vision by 2030, to rescue millions, protect half a billion, and prove that justice for people in poverty is unstoppable.

David is a trained teacher, actor and cut his teeth as a fundraiser working for Christian Aid and St. John Ambulance in the UK. During the 90's David spent 10 years in the Czech Republic working with students after the velvet revolution which ended communism in the former Czechoslovakia to help pioneer and establish a National Student Christian Union (UKH).

David has a BSC Hons in Sports Science from St Mary's College, University of Surrey and a master's degree in applied Drama from Goldsmiths College, University of London.

Before coming to Canada, David ran his own theatre company writing and directing plays for schools and using drama as a vehicle for transformation, working in youth clubs, libraries, museums, and youth offender centres. Over the years he has partnered with a number of NGOs running arts and development projects in communities across Europe, Africa and Asia. David lives in Winnipeg and is married to Irfana and has two children, Zara (17) and Zane (14), and a faithful dog called Biscuit.

Joash Thomas is International Justice Mission Canada’s National Director of Mobilization & Advocacy. Born and raised in India, Joash has served with IJM teams in 3 countries over the past 8 years. 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 dual master’s degree in Christian Leadership & Systematic Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. A sought-after speaker, Joash is frequently invited to teach about justice at churches & conferences across North America.

Based in the Greater Toronto Area, Joash leads a dynamic team that is building the Canadian movement to rescue millions and protect half a billion people from slavery & violence by 2030.

Cheryl is IJM Canada’s Director of Strategy and Operations. She is an experienced non-profit leader providing support to efforts to change government policies and public attitudes, raised funds and awareness to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable people for over 25 years.

Cheryl has been working in the social justice field for over 25 years with experience ranging from local community advocacy projects to international advocacy campaigns. She started her career with a local anti-violence organization moving on to campaigning for the rights of women globally at Amnesty International Canada and then to World Vision Canada where she help build their public advocacy campaigning efforts.

She has a BA in Political Science and History from Carleton University, an MA Human Systems Intervention from Concordia University and is currently working on advanced certification in Integral Coaching. She lives in Waterloo, Ontario with her husband. She has two young adult children pursuing post-secondary studies.

Sheldon has 5 years of leadership experience before he joined International Justice Mission Canada in July 2022. He has a passion for working with social justice organizations and has been working with nonprofit organizations since 2011 after graduating from university. Sheldon is a graduate from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Commerce specializing in Finance and Accounting. He has also been a part of several mission trips to India and Colombia where he was part of a team building and leading schools. The time he served on those mission trips gave him a passion to use his education and experience to serve charitable organizations with a mission to bring change to those in need.