David is professor emeritus at St. Jerome’s University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, and has been teaching Christian spirituality and ethics since 1994. He is the former President and Vice-Chancellor of St. Jerome’s University, a Past-President of the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality, and the former Dean of the Faculty of Theology, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada. As a Roman Catholic priest of the Diocese of Hamilton, a professional educator, academic speaker and author, as well as a popular workshop and retreat director, he has given conferences, workshops and retreats on a range of topics in Canada, the United States and Europe.
John Rietschlin, PhD, retired from work in social policy with the Canadian government in 2017. This work focused primarily on the needs of people with disabilities and those of seniors. In addition to his professional work, John has served as a board member for the L’Arche organization at the local, and national levels, building communities where people with intellectual disabilities can share their gifts with others. John has been an active member of the Catholic parishes in the communities where he has lived, including several times as Chair of the Parish Council. He and his wife Donna have six children, nine grandchildren and one great grandson.
John is a policy and technical professional bringing to bear deep expertise and experience across a broad spectrum of environmental and economic issues, gained through twenty years of mixed private and public sector experience. John leads Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada’s (HICC) climate change mitigation policy team, designing and implementing policies to drive greenhouse gas emissions reductions through HICC’s capital investments across a variety of asset classes, and through broader strategic investments to bring about change across the construction sector. John has spent the majority of his career wrestling with policy challenges at the interface of the environment and the economy, and is a strong advocate for pragmatic, evidence-based solutions. John has held positions at Finance Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, the Cement Association of Canada, and Marbek Resource Consultants. John and his family are members of St. Joseph’s Parish in Ottawa where he previously served on its Finance Committee. John is an avid cross-country skier and canoeist, and has served on the boards of the Nakkertok Ski Association and the RA Canoe Camping Club of Ottawa.
Bob Coyne is a retired businessman with over 40 years of experience operating Coyne Mechanical, a company specializing in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems. As District Deputy of the Knights of Columbus, Bob serves as the liaison between a district of five Councils and the State Board. In this role, and as Grand Knight of Council 2082, he provides guidance to the Councils within the District on the implementation and operation of programs aligned with the international and Provincial objectives of the organization. These programs focus on the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Christian Faith.
Carole brings to the Board of Directors a wealth of experience and knowledge acquired over four decades working in Renfrew County. Her professional journey has been defined by a strong dedication to service within her roles in healthcare, education, human resources, and community advocacy. She comes from a family tradition of giving back to the community and has volunteered in a variety of not for profit organizations.
Pamela Dixon is a mother, sister, daughter and wife. She is an Oblate Associate with OMI Lacombe and is a Co-Animator for the current Ontario District. Pam has worked in a national policing agency forensic laboratory for the last twenty-five years and works currently in a program support position dealing with national training policies, accreditation compliance, proficiency testing, document control and internal controls for laboratories across Canada. She is also involved with mental health advocacy and support and volunteers to host several social events with the Ottawa laboratory throughout the year.
Pam has been on the Board of Directors for Canadian Society of Forensic Science (CSFS) for the last 10 years and has been involved with several conference planning committees, and currently active as the Bylaw and Constitution Committee Chair and the Biology Section Chair for the CSFS.
Pam and her family attend Canadian Martyrs parish in Ottawa, where she is involved in many parish activities including Synodality, lecturing and helping out where she can. She is the Canadian Martyrs representative for the Multi-Faith Housing Initiative in Ottawa. She is active in learning more about Truth and Reconciliation and building community.
In her spare time Pam loves to do papercrafts, yarncrafts, sewing, reading and jigsaw puzzles. She is involved with Costume planning for Lakeside Players annual Fall Pantomime and recently has been involved with Puzzle Ottawa speed puzzle competitions.
Pam is looking to continually learn about spirituality, social justice, reconciliation, community building, discernment and our role in this world. She looks forward to using her experiences and knowledge to provide perspective and insight to Galilee’s Board of Directors and work to make it an amazing resource for all of the Ottawa Valley and Ontario.
Arnie is retired from a 42-year career, that included Governance Consulting, Strategic Planning, Technology Transformation, Project Management and Comptrollership within the federal public sector. He applies his experience to the organizations with which he volunteers, serving 4 years with Galilee, including Board Director, and 7 years on the Ontario 211 Services Board. Arnie is a Lay Oblate Associate with the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Lacombe Province and the Province’s Prayer Ministry Coordinator. He currently facilitates the RCIA and maintains the website for his Parish.. Arnie also shares in the joy of accompanying his grateful hospice client. He is Chair of the Family Council of the local Long Term Care Home and has been a volunteer advocate to a person with a psychiatric disability for over 33 years.
Norman Manchevsky combines high-level executive leadership and planning experience in the public and private sectors, with a distinguished consulting career. Prior to establishing a boutique consulting company Mr. Manchevsky was Queen’s Printer for Canada, Chief Executive Officer of the Canada Communication Group and President of Prestech Information Access Services Inc. – one of Canada’s first high speed internet access providers.
As an executive level consultant for over 25 years, he advised senior public officials in planning, communications and program implementation. He led several major projects in Canada and he has worked on capacity building in Trinidad and Tobago, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe and advised all their governments on service delivery and communications issues.
He also served on the Boards of Directors of: The National Film Board of Canada; The Canada Communications Group; and Prestech Information Access Services Inc.
Committees
Community members are welcome to apply to volunteer as a committee member. Please contact info@galileecentre.com to request more information.
Finance, Audit, and Risk Management Committee (Chair: John Cuddihy)
Human Resources and Performance Management Committee (Chair: Pamela Dixon)
Funding and Asset Capitalization Committee (Chair: Bob Coyne)
Program Committee (Chair: Jan Bentham)
Governance, Nominations, and Strategic Planning Committee (Chair: Norman Manchevsky)
Fundraising and Volunteer Committee (Chair: Betty Dunlop)
We are looking for Board Directors: Communications, Program Management and possibly others
It doesn’t get better than this!
Our Volunteer Board Director position is all about people, place and passion! The Place is Galilee Centre – a spiritual retreat centre overlooking the beautiful Ottawa River in Arnprior, Ontario. The People we serve come from all points, with open minds, gentle hearts and a desire to explore meaning in life. The Passion is in the doing. Board directors articulate the strategic direction and give voice to a vision to build nurturing, supportive and inclusive communities in service to Canadians from all over.
David is professor emeritus at St. Jerome’s University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, and has been teaching Christian spirituality and ethics since 1994. He is the former President and Vice-Chancellor of St. Jerome’s University, a Past-President of the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality, and the former Dean of the Faculty of Theology, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada. As a Roman Catholic priest of the Diocese of Hamilton, a professional educator, academic speaker and author, as well as a popular workshop and retreat director, he has given conferences, workshops and retreats on a range of topics in Canada, the United States and Europe.
