President
Dr. Don Kilby
Dr. Kilby has always been a strong advocate for access to healthcare for marginalized populations including the poor, the homeless, injection drug users, and immigrant populations.
He has been on the forefront of HIV/AIDS in Canada for more than 25 years. He has chaired several advisory committees including the Federal Ministry Council on HIV/AIDS, the Ontario Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS, and the Ottawa Carleton Council on HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Kilby has been involved with CACHA since its creation in 2001. As the president of the board, Dr. Kilby is responsible for ultimate oversight of the board and ensuring CACHA is able to complete its mandate.
Dr. Kilby has been awarded the Nelson Mandela Humanitarian Award and an Ontario Award for Good Citizenship, and has most recently been named a Governor General medal recipient.
Interim Treasurer
Chris Fisher
Chris completed his undergraduate degree in political science with a concentration in international relations and development. Chris worked in the area of anti-retroviral treatment and research both during his time with pharmaceutical companies and as executive director at the University of Ottawa Health Services. His work in HIV clinical research programs has led him to take part in various international conferences and remain committed to the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Chris joined CACHA in April 2004 and became the head of the Tanzania project committee, and has since led seven missions to the Kilimanjaro region in Tanzania.
Chris currently sits on the board as interim treasurer and is responsible for advising the board on financial matters.
Director
Linda Newton
Linda is an infrastructure asset management consultant who has worked with the federal government, the Canadian School of Public Service and currently works with the United Nations. She has travelled extensively in Africa and other areas of the developing world, including many trips to Uganda. She is a Rotarian and has been involved with CACHA since 2015 after listening to a presentation on the Agnes Zabali Boys and Girls Club at her Rotary Club. Linda has served on several voluntary sector boards including the United Way/Centraide and Tourette Canada. She joined the CACHA Board of Directors in 2018.
Country Lead and Board Member
Nini Cohen
Nini is a retired pediatric nurse by trade and has been in the field for over 30 years.
Prior to working at CHEO, Nini worked in Ghana from 1969 to 1971. As a country lead, Nini is responsible for informing the board of her experiences in Bénin and other partner countries.
Board Member
Dr. Jennifer Clow
Dr. Clow is an emergency room physician with the Ottawa Hospital. Dr. Clow has been leading CACHA’s missions to Terrat, Tanzania since 2014. She is also a longtime volunteer with Dreams Take Flight and a game-day physician with the Ottawa Senators.
Board Member
Dr Neil Naik
Board Member
Erin Boyd
Board Member
Sebastian Spano
Sebastian joined the CACHA Board of Directors in January 2022. He brings to CACHA a wealth of experience in law and government. He practices primarily administrative law, with an emphasis on tribunal practice and procedure in the areas of workplace law and human rights. He also teaches at Algonquin College in the Paralegal Graduate Certificate Program and is a contributing editor to various legal publications. His past experience in health law ligation serves him well in supporting CACHA’s mandate and its activities providing community health care in rural African communities. He is a member of CACHA’s fundraising committee and provides general guidance to the Board of Directors on legal questions that may arise.
Board Member
Sura Hadad
Dr Sura Hadad is a dentist, a former faculty member at Dalhousie University, an activist in the communities of Nova Scotia, an entrepreneur, and a mother of four. Her dedication to helping others and quest to make the world a better place has earned her the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee metal in 2023, a Platinum Jubilee Halifax West Community Hero Award in 2022, and 2019 Aurum Award from Dalhousie. She has also earned a Nova Scotia Dental Association Volunteer of the Year Award. Sura has a scholarship in her name for the second year student, which is given to internationally trained dentists to continue their studies at Dalhousie University.Through her work as a dentist, she has helped and supported many vulnerable groups, including refugees who have arrived in Nova Scotia during the past few years. Additionally, she has expanded her activities of volunteering by providing dental/medical assistance in remote areas of Africa by traveling with voluntary medical campaigns, such as CACHA.
Board Member
Joseph Diaz Riveros
Joseph (Joe) joined the CACHA Board of Directors in 2023. He graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Social Sciences degree with a specialization on International Development & Globalization. His past experience as an operations and logistics executive in the hospitality, and health care industry make him a seasoned individual for any organization. He presently works for OPiH as an Infrastructure Manager with a focus on Facilities, Assets and Procurement management. He is also a content creator, and an Instagram Collaborator for various brands. He is a member of CACHA’s fundraising committee, and provides general input to the Board of Directors.