Chris Burton – Chief Commissioner

Chris was installed as the new Chief Commissioner at our AGM on June 6, 2009, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Chris previously served a three-year term as Deputy Chief Commissioner – Provincial, and was elected as Chief Commissioner - Elect in May 2008. As Chief Commissioner Chris is the most senior spokesperson and ambassador of GGC.

Chris has been active in Guiding for the past 50 years, starting as a Brownie, Guide and Ranger.  She has served as a Guider, Camp Adviser, Division, Area and Provincial Commissioner, Provincial Public Relations Commissioner, Trainer and Vice President of the Management Board.

Chris has been recognized in Guiding with a Gold Maple Leaf Award and an Honourary Life Award.  Besides Guiding, Chris is very involved in her community.  She has been recognized with the City of Lethbridge Woman of Distinction Award, a Centennial medal from the province of Alberta, Alberta Parks, Sports and Recreation Recognition Award, installed into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, and received an outstanding service award from the Duke of Edinburgh for her work with youth.

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Amy Porteous, Deputy Chief Commissioner – Governance

Amy was elected Deputy Chief Commissioner - Governance in May, 2009. In that role, she is the most senior volunteer delegated by the Chief Commissioner to support and guide the governance responsibilities and activities of the Board of Directors. Amy became a Brownie when she was seven years old and has been a Member of GGC ever since. She has been a Guider for Guide, Pathfinder and Trex Units; traveled extensively; spent four summers working at a GGC summer camp; and been a member of many councils, task groups and committees, including the National Governance Committee. Amy was also a Member of GGC's National Council in 2004-2005 and was Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Ontario from 2006 to 2009. A lawyer by profession, Amy works as a civil litigator for the federal Department of Justice. She is passionate about Guiding and thinks that WAGGGS and GGC are tremendous forces of good in the world.

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Sharron Callahan, Deputy Chief Commissioner – Member Services

Sharron was elected to the position of Deputy Chief Commissioner – Member Services in June, 2007. In this role, she is the most senior volunteer delegated by the Chief Commissioner to liaisebetween the Board and the senior management of the organization. In addition, Sharron manages national level Network Advisers, Advisory Committee Chairs, Task Group Chairs and Specialists.

Sharron joined the Guiding movement as soon as she was old enough to become a Brownie. She continued with Guiding as a girl Member, earning her Gold Cord. As an adult Member of Girl Guides, Sharron has been a Sparks, Brownie, Guide and Pathfinder Guider. She has held many positions at the District, Division and Area level, and twice served on the former National Council. From May, 2002 to April, 2007, she served as the Provincial Commissioner, Newfoundland and Labrador Council. She has an extensive background in social work and youth justice.

Sharron is committed to ensuring that the volunteers and staff of Girl Guides of Canada establish and maintain strong bonds and share in the common vision that we will continue to grow as the longest standing leadership organization for today’s girls and women.

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Judy Maurice, Deputy Chief Commissioner – Provincial

Judy was installed as our Deputy Chief Commissioner – Provincial in May, 2008. In her role, she is the most senior volunteer delegated by the Chief Commissioner to liaise between the Board and the Provincial Councils. She facilitates all issues within a national context and fosters a collaborative and working partnership.

Judy has been a Member of GGC for 23 years. She was a Brownie while growing up in a small town in northern British Columbia and rejoined Guiding as an adult when her twin daughters joined Brownies.

Judy has been a Brownie and Guide Leader, a Camping Adviser, a Commissioner at the District, Division and Area levels, as well as Deputy Commissioner at the District and Provincial levels. She recently completed her five-year term as Provincial Commissioner for British Columbia and, as such, served on the Provincial Committee, a Standing Committee of the GGC Board.

Judy aims to inspire and motivate others to be the best they can be. Her vision is for GGC to become “the place” where girls and women from diverse backgrounds have the opportunity to learn, grow and challenge themselves and others.

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Myrtle G. Corkum – International Commissioner

After completing her three-year term as Chief Commissioner, Myrtle now serves as the International Commissioner for GGC.

For over 40 years, Myrtle has held a variety of volunteer leadership roles with GGC, from Unit Guider to District, Area, Provincial Commissioner and Deputy Chief Commissioner-Governance.

Myrtle is a recipient of the Honourary Life Member of Girl Guides of Canada.  Upon her installation as Chief Commissioner, Myrtle stated, "Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada has been, and remains, an organization that builds the self-esteem of girls and young women, develops self-reliance and leadership skills, and provides opportunities to ensure the well-being of their fellow citizens in a local, national and global village.  I take on this role at a time when girls in our country are facing unprecedented pressures and a myriad of choices.  It is our vision that Girl Guides of Canada will be 'the organization of choice' to support and empower girls as they grow to become responsible citizens and prepare to take on the challenges they face - today and tomorrow."

Myrtle’s service to her community has been recognized with the YWCA Halifax Women’s Recognition Award, the Maritime Philanthropy Award for Outstanding Professional Fundraiser, and the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal.

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Kelly Batten Hender

Kelly was elected as a Director of the Board in April, 2007.  As a Director, Kelly is a steward of GGC and is accountable for the viability of our organization.

Kelly comes from a family with deep roots in Guiding.  Growing up in Conception Bay South, Newfoundland, she followed the program from Brownies to Cadets.  After moving to Ontario for university, she continued as a Link Member, Pathfinder Guider and trainer.  She has held positions on Area Councils and a Provincial Task Group.  Outside of Guiding, she has served on the Board of Management of the Ottawa-Carleton Geoscience Centre and has volunteered with student government and many campus clubs and activities.

Kelly chairs the Nominating Committee, which is responsible for ensuring the effective succession of qualified individuals in governance and senior volunteer roles.

As a scientist, Kelly brings to the Board excellent research and analytical skills.  Deeply committed to Guiding, Kelly is eager to see the organization evolve and grow as we approach our 100th anniversary.

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Terri McKinnon

Terri became a Director of the Board in February, 2007. As a Director, Terri is a steward of GGC and is accountable for the viability of our organization.

Terri was a Brownie and a Girl Guide as a girl and became involved as a Unit Guider when her daughters joined Brownies. She became active at the national level of the organization in 2003 when she joined the Audit and Finance Committee.

She is a partner at PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP, a complement to her role as Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee, which supports and advises the Board on financial management.

Terri believes that GGC in an important organization for girls to develop leadership skills and has a positive influence in their outlook and how they relate to others.

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Pamela Rice

Pamela was elected to the Board as a Director in April, 2007. As a Director, Pamela is a steward of GGC and is accountable for the viability of our organization.

She has been active in Guiding since she was a girl. Currently, she is a Pathfinder Unit Guider and has also been a District Commissioner. Pamela has also served as Chair, Finance Advisory Committee-Quebec Council.

Pamela has an extensive background in strategic and marketing planning. She brings these skills to her role as Chair of the Program Stewardship Committee, where she is responsible for ensuring the voice of girl Members influences GGC decision-making.

Pamela believes that every adult Member of GGC, whether working as a Unit Guider or serving as a volunteer behind the scenes, makes a positive impact on the lives of so many girls. With Guiding needed more than ever by Canadian girls, Pamela embraces the opportunity to work towards ensuring that Guiding continues to be a strong positive force for girls and young women in Canadian society.

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Sarah Govan

Sarah was elected to the Board as a Director in June 2009. As a Director, Sarah is a steward of GGC and is accountable for the viability of our organization. Sarah has been active in Guiding as both a girl and adult Member, and has traveled internationally with the organization on multiple occasions. She currently leads a Guide Unit in Ottawa. Sarah has also held Moderator positions for both the Girl Zone and Member Zone discussion boards, and has served on the Ontario Provincial Awards Recognition Committee.

Sarah brings an extensive background in advocacy and communications to her role as member of the Program Stewardship Committee, where she is responsible for ensuring the voice of girl Members influences GGC decision-making with regards to programming. Sarah believes that the role GGC plays in Canada is vital, particularly within the context of a society which increasingly places greater importance on physical appearance as a means of determining a girl’s worth. With her election to the Board, Sarah aims to encourage GGC’s girl Members to discover their potential, to promote peace and understanding, and, ultimately, to work together to build a better world.

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Corrine Kennedy

Corrine was elected to the Board of Directors in June, 2009. As a Director, Corrine is a steward of GGC and is accountable for the viability of our organization. While growing up in Laval, Quebec, Corrine was involved in GGC as both a Brownie and a Guide. Her family was also involved in Guiding at the local level. Corrine has lived in Kingston, Ottawa and, currently, Toronto. The importance of contributing to her community, a lesson learned in part through her time in Guiding, has stayed with Corrine throughout her life. She has been actively involved in her community by volunteering with various organizations locally and internationally. As a corporate lawyer with Aird & Berlis LLP, Corrine brings to the Board legal expertise, an analytical approach and a commitment to equitable and effective governance structures and practices. Corrine will use these skills in her role as a member of the Governance Committee. Corrine believes that GGC has an essential role to play in the lives of Canadian girls by helping them develop a positive self-image and the skills necessary to be leaders in their local and global communities.

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Jessica Weisz

Jessica Weisz joined the Board of Directors in June, 2009. As a Director, Jessica is a steward of GGC and is accountable for the viability of our organization. Jessica has held a wide variety of leadership roles in the non-profit sector, including volunteer positions in Mexico and Guyana. As a management consultant, Jessica brings to the Board invaluable experience and skills to her role on the Funding Stewardship Committee, which provides strategic guidance and direction to ensure the long-term financial growth and sustainability of GGC. Jessica believes that GGC provides girls with the opportunity to develop and deploy the skills essential for success in whatever they choose to do. At GGC, girls can develop leadership, collaboration, communication and problem solving skills, all in a safe and stimulating environment.

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Deborah Del Duca – Chief Executive Officer

Deborah Del Duca joined Girl Guides of Canada (GGC) in 2001, and has been constantly inspired and challenged through new learnings and experiences. Deborah has developed a deep respect for and commitment to the Movement.

Deborah is the recipient of the Gold Maple Leaf Award.

Among her significant achievements are:

• organizational review, development and implementation of the current GGC governance model and management structure, in collaboration with senior leaders.
• proactive governing and financial stewardship, as well as risk mitigation and strategies.
• contract negotiations and corporate relationship management with Dare Foods Ltd.

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