Our Board

A graduate of the Royal Military College in 1967, Richard served in the Canadian Forces until 1975 when he joined the National Arts Centre. During his 20-year career at the NAC, he rose to become the Managing Director, Operations, a position he held until early retirement in 1995. As a consultant in the arts and sports, he conducted a Feasibility and Content Study for the City of Ottawa that led to the building of the Shenkman Centre in Orleans. Since 2010, he has devoted himself to managing the Help Our Students Program.

Don Stephenson joined the federal Public Service in 1981 and held several senior positions at Consumer & Corporate Affairs Canada, Industry Canada, Western Economic Diversification, Heritage Canada, and Foreign Affairs and International Trade. From 2002 to 2004, he was Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Economic & Regional Development Policy, Privy Council Office. He then became Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the Office of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization in Geneva, serving until 2008. Mr. Stephenson was Assistant Deputy Minister, Trade Policy and Negotiations, from September 2008 until his retirement from the Government of Canada in September 2011. In “retirement”, Don led Canada’s trade negotiations with India, served as trade and investment advisor to the Expert Deployment Mechanism, a technical assistance project providing support to Canada’s developing country trading partners, and lectured on public policy development and trade negotiations.

Linda received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Ottawa. She worked in Policy and Procurement at the National Research Council and at Health Canada, and as a Director at the Canada Revenue Agency. Linda retired in 2008. Linda is the Secretary of the Help Our Students Program.

Chris is a graduate of Carleton University (BSc.), the University of Ottawa (MD), and Concordia University’s Executive MBA program. For 35 years he practiced orthopedic surgery at The Ottawa Hospital. He was the previous Chief of Staff of The Ottawa Hospital (1998-2008 ). He is the founder and the first president of The Canadian Society of Physician Leaders. He presently Chairs the board of the Mach-Gaensslen Foundation. He is a past director of several boards including chairing these boards: Carleton University, Ashbury College, Ashbury College Foundation, Ottawa International Airport Authority, the Canadian Medical Association Foundation, Canadian Medical Association Holdings 2018,and the Canadian Society of Physician Leaders . He has also been a director of Canadian Blood Services, Accreditation Canada, The Ottawa Hospital, and The Ontario Hospital association.

Suzanne is a former registered nurse from St. Mary's Hospital in Montreal. She obtained a Bachelor's degree in Administration at Ottawa University and worked as Office Manager and on-site LAN Administrator for a research institute until her retirement. A volunteer of several ministries at her local church, Suzanne also volunteers at Montfort Hospital and the Eastern Ottawa Resource Center. She is a big supporter of Richard's Help Our Students Program.

Carman Joynt is a retired Partner with Deloitte & Touche, Chartered Accountants and Management Consultants. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Carleton University and an Institute of Corporate Directors certification. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario. Mr. Joynt has served the public in various volunteer roles, including past chair of the Ottawa Civic Hospital Foundation, past director of the Home Hospital of Ottawa-Carleton and past governor of Algonquin College in Ottawa. First appointed to the Mint's Board of Directors on November 22, 2007, Mr. Joynt was appointed Chair of the Board of Directors on February 5, 2015 for a five-year term. Mr. Joynt has been awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for volunteerism. Chair, Board of Directors, Royal Canadian Mint

Gen has an Honours Degree in English and Sociology from Carleton University. Having graduated from University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Education, Gen has been teaching at St. Matthew Catholic High School for the past 18 years. She teaches Junior and Senior English, and Senior Social Sciences. In addition, Gen has coached soccer at the high school and community level, and rugby at the high school level. As a member of the school community, she sees first hand the need for the Host Program and the difference it makes in the lives of her students.

Peter Nicholson started his financial services business in 1987 at the age of 22. Since 1995, Peter has been a recognized leader in Canadian tax assisted investments, with a specialized focus on philanthropic tax planning and tax reduction. President-Peter-Nicholson Through his work with countless donors, foundations, institutions, and boards, he has helped generate in excess of $250 million for client donations. Nicholson is also a generous philanthropist in his own right and a tireless supporter of community initiatives. Over the years, Nicholson has served as a dedicated champion and board member for many foundations all across Canada, such as Winnipeg’s Canadian Museum of Human Rights, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation and founder of the Exuma Foundation of Canada. He is also a member of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP), Association of Fundraising Professionals of Canada (AFP), the Clinton Global Initiative, and a ten-year veteran of the investment club Tiger 21. Since 1993, he has qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table (annual qualification is limited to the top 1 % of finance professionals in the world). He spends his time between Ottawa, Nova Scotia and Exuma, The Bahamas with Anabel and their six children, ranging in age from 23 to 5 years old.

Edward Pham is the Founder and President of RealIT Management Inc., a Canadian IT consulting firm he established in 2000 after a successful career with Hewlett-Packard’s Professional Services organization. Born in Vietnam, Edward came to Canada as a 16-year-old boat refugee in 1981 and settled in St. John’s, Newfoundland. He later graduated as valedictorian of his high-school class before earning his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Memorial University and a Master of Engineering from Carleton University. Edward began his career with CGI in 1992 as a technical consultant specializing in computer networking, at a time when the internet was just emerging. In 1993, he joined Hewlett-Packard, developing strong expertise in enterprise IT management and leading major projects across Canada and the USA. These experiences laid the foundation for RealIT Management, now a trusted partner for public-sector and enterprise clients. Believing deeply in the power of education, Edward established the RealIT Management Scholarship for Engineering at Memorial University to support students pursuing engineering degrees. He also serves on the HOST Program board, drawn to its mission and its exceptional efficiency in directing funds to students. Guided by values of perseverance, opportunity, and giving back, Edward is committed to helping the next generation overcome barriers, complete their education, and become strong contributors to society.

A Carleton University Grad (Arts 67), Susan taught at Woodroffe High School for four years before leaving full-time employment. Following some time at McGill University, she taught in or managed ESL programs on a part-time basis for a number of years. Susan is a mother of four children and assisted in the early operation of her late husband's companies. She spent many years helping out with various community and family events, kids' sports and the care of the older generations as the family has longevity genes. In recent years she has volunteered with ORCF, Red Cross Tiffany Circle, and other community organizations. She enjoys hosting events and sharing her heritage home and adjoining wetlands with other worthwhile groups.

Michael is an experienced board director and trusted strategic advisor. Michael recently transitioned from a 27-year career as a sustainability consultant starting with Jacques Whitford in 1998 and joining Stratos in 2000 as a senior management consultant. He became President in 2005, Chairman in 2012, and a Partner in ERM in November 2021 when Stratos joined ERM. His focus is working with leaders in Canada’s energy, natural resource, and infrastructure sectors to advance sustainable development and support self-determination and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Prior to consulting, Michael worked as an environmental manager in industry and government, and as a naval officer and marine systems engineer. Michael graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada, participated in the Leadership Forum at the University of Ottawa, School of Management Centre for Executive Education, and is a Registered Professional Engineer in the Yukon. Michael was honoured to be a recipient of the 2015 Canada’s Clean50 Award. Michael sits on the board of HOST and Chairs the Board of Nature United. Outside of the office, Michael enjoys self-propelled recreation and sports all year round with family and friends, and volunteers with local and national community and environmental not-for-profits.