Our People 

Ryan Bragg 

Ryan is a long-standing board member who is currently serving as Co-Chair of the Board.  Ryan is a registered architect who has been practicing for three decades and shares the tenets of sustainable development in CEF within his profession. Ryan has a passion for solving problems and helping communities. His expertise demonstrates a desire to improve the lives of people and the way they live.

Vicki Schelstraete

Specializing in lifestyle production and art direction, Vicki enjoys collaborating with the most creative minds in the photo industry. With 25 years of industry knowledge, she has acquired extensive experience producing shoots with as many as 100 talent/crew, and in addition, conceiving creative concepts that set mood and direction. Vicki has volunteered with CEF since 2013 as a producer and art director and for the past 5 years as Co-Chair.

Barbara Adhiya

Barbara was a photo editor for The Canadian & Associated Press and Reuters for 20 years. She holds a degree in Journalism, and Grad Certificates in International Development and Creative Writing. Barbara is also a Paralegal and a Notary Public in Ontario. She has travelled extensively, volunteering for animal charities on her journeys and often falls into adventures, like swimming with elephants. Barbara believes every one of us can contribute and make a difference.

Buruzoth Balasubramaniam

Buruzoth, a seasoned strategist with experience at TD Bank and Deloitte Canada, is currently an ICD member and an MBA candidate at the Rotman School of Management. Passionate about community engagement, Buruzoth actively volunteers within the Tamil community and serves on several non-profit boards, committees and councils, demonstrating a commitment to strategic planning and community development.

Lauren Iuliani

Lauren is an impact investing professional, passionate about using finance as a tool for social change. She holds both an undergraduate and MBA degree from Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario. Outside of CEF, Lauren also volunteers in the areas of mental health, housing, youth empowerment, and sustainable food systems. She is deeply motivated by her core belief that all humans are deserving of happiness, health, and kindness. 

Eddie McWhirter

Eduarda (Eddie) McWhirter is an accomplished finance and accounting professional with nearly 35 years of experience leading finance and accounting teams.  Eddie is dedicated to using her extensive expertise to make a positive impact in the community, leveraging her financial acumen to help non-profit organizations achieve their goals and fulfill their missions.  Eddie is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and an active member in the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC).

Ali Miri

Ali is a seasoned aviation professional with an impressive 25-year track record in the industry, spanning both crewed and remotely piloted aircraft. Armed with a wealth of experience and expertise, Ali recently accomplished the significant milestone of completing an Executive MBA program.  Ali also has a deep-seated passion for giving back to the community. He is actively involved in non-profit work, dedicating his time and skills to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

Veronica Penagos

Veronica Penagos is one of CEF’s Spanish-speaking board members, with over 8 years of experience in the financial industry leading various teams with a focus on internal controls and regulatory initiatives. She is passionate about giving back to the world which led to volunteering work for dog & cat rescue organizations and she enjoys collaborating with CEF in their efforts to positively impact communities across the world.  

Dan Rogers

Dan is a long time Board member who retired from practicing law some years ago and then was involved in local politics with Islands Trust for 8 years.   Dan has served in all capacities on the CEF Board including years as the Secretary, Chair and past Chair.  Dan has traveled to various projects that CEF has funded including in Guatemala, Cambodia, Ethiopia and Zambia. Dan particularly enjoys working alongside the wonderful CEF team in undertaking gratifying work that makes a real difference in communities. 

Nancy Taylor

Nancy is passionate about the community development work of CEF. She brings experience from a diverse, 30-year career leading and managing programs to support public sector capacity development and skills training at the municipal, provincial and federal government levels in Canada and in more than 30 countries. 

Kate Stevens |  Creative Director

Kate Stevens is a London based photography producer/art director who started in the photography world repping fashion and beauty photographers before moving into the world of stock photography, with the then newly formed Digital Vision.  She has 26 years of experience in the field, and has worked on shoots with many talented photographers and teams in the US, Europe and South Africa. She has been working with the inspirational team at CEF since 2015 in various capacities, most recently as CEF’s Creative Director.

Philippa Scaramanga  |  Submissions Coordinator

Philippa Scaramanga is a Warwick-based photographer/retoucher who started out in photography as a photo assistant working in London.  She has 25 years’ experience in photography and in particular the world of stock, traveling to South Africa, US and Europe on large library shoots for Corbis and Getty images. Philippa has been working with CEF since 2011, contributing some photography and working on post production and is now CEF’s submissions coordinator.

Joan Kluge | Operations Assistant

Joan Kluge has over 25 years of experience working in the public sector. She has general and financial management experience gained in positions at the non-profit, municipal and federal government levels. Joan also has formal training and education in international development, public policy and public administration, with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations.  Joan has been CEF’s Operations Assistant since 2020.