The Board of Directors, on behalf of the membership and general community, governs the WOCRC through continually improved leadership with respect to values and vision. In addition, the Board of Directors establishes and records policies for the direction and good management of the WOCRC.
Board of Directors 2025-2026
- Chair: Chris Booth
- Vice Chair (Finance): Parmod Chhabra
- Vice Chair: Divya Jhunjhunwala
- Vice Chair: Claudia Etwyse
- Executive Director: Leigh Couture
Directors
- Kyle Gordon
- Peter Hamer
- Greg Kung
- Melissa Teri Parsons
- Dr. Nour Shehata
- Ashley Short
- Jan Skora
- David Patrick Lee Snelling
- Brandon Vale
- Émile Vallée
Chris Booth, Chair
Chris Booth is an experienced leader in Business Banking with a demonstrated history of over 38 years in the financial services industry, leading diverse teams in varied geographic markets. Experienced in technology banking, real estate financing, diversified industries financing and in the servicing and advising of not-for-profit and public sector organizations. Throughout his career he has been active in project management, strategic planning, risk management and business development.
Chris is committed to the communities he has worked in acting as a brand ambassador, community fundraiser and a board member for several local charities.
Chris is a graduate of the Carleton University Sprott School of Business with an Honours B.Commerce.
Parmod Chhabra, Vice Chair (Finance)
In 2019 Parmod retired from the provincial government, after working with the Ministry of Community and Social Services for 32 years. During his career, Parmod was involved with social services programs, policy development and implementation for underrepresented populations and youth. He holds Bachelor and Masters degrees in Finance and has extensive experience in working with the public, lawyers, media, all levels of government, First Nations agencies, community agencies, advocacy groups and financial organizations.
Over the past 30+ years, Parmod has worked with several Community Boards and organizations and managed government-funded projects in the fields of mental health, children and youth programs and services to our seniors. Parmod has received several Ontario Volunteer Service Awards for his years of leadership and community service.
Parmod is a committed leader in the community and recently started the Care & Share Ottawa group to help members of the Ottawa community connect and share information and services during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is a grandfather to three young children who keep him very busy in his spare time.
Divya Jhunjhunwala, Vice Chair
Divya Jhunjhunwala is a Sales Lead at Microsoft who has been in the IT industry for 15 years. She is originally from India and moved to Canada in 2018. She has always had a desire to give back to society, which led her to work for Microsoft in serving the Public Safety and Justice Accounts. However, her urge to give back did not stop there.
Divya Jhunjhunwala founded Aadyaa Foundations, a non-profit organization focused on helping youth and women with male allies. The foundation runs several programs aimed at empowering and supporting these groups. Through Aadyaa Foundations, she hopes to make a positive impact on society.
In addition to Aadyaa Foundations, Divya Jhunjhunwala also founded ResPanache Events Inc., an events company. She is passionate about organizing various events and has been doing so since she was 13 years old. Her events include Indian weddings, get-togethers, festivals, concerts, and networking events. Through ResPanache Events Inc., she hopes to continue her passion for organizing events while also making a difference in the community.
Overall, Divya Jhunjhunwala is a dedicated individual who is passionate about giving back to society. Her work in the IT industry, as well as her non-profit and events companies, demonstrate her commitment to making a positive impact in the world.
Claudia Etwyse, Vice Chair
Claudia Etwyse is a Director of Commercial Debt at Akili Group Ltd., an Ottawa-based commercial investment firm. Prior to her current position, Claudia was a Director of Real Estate Debt at Canada ICI, where she sourced and executed real estate debt and equity investments. Claudia is passionate about addressing the needs of individuals in her community and improving access to resources for marginalized individuals living in community housing. She is currently a member of the not-for-profit organization Women in Capital Markets and is well-known for her commitment to promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the industry.
Claudia holds a BA in Economics from the University of Ottawa and completed her certification in Real Estate Development from MIT.
Leigh Couture, Executive Director
Leigh Couture brings knowledge and experience from several senior level social service roles in Ottawa, including as the Director of Community Health Services at Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre and as the Joint Associate Executive Director at Youturn Youth Support Services and Roberts/Smart Centre.
She is a fantastic fit, having a proven track record of advocating for health, mental health, children and youth, seniors and employment services. Leigh has a strong commitment to community and equity as exemplified in her past work, volunteerism, certifications, education and affiliations. To this position, Leigh brings direct knowledge of community development and reducing access barriers for marginalized residents in low income and social housing neighbourhoods. Her insight into the local issues and relationships with many key funders, partners and residents will be an asset for WOCRC.
Kyle Gordon, Director
Kyle Gordon completed his Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Master of Science in Health Sciences (Human Kinetics) at the University of Ottawa. He currently works as a Research Specialist with the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services.
Kyle was born and raised in Ottawa and has been actively volunteering in different roles in his community for many years, including mental health support and coaching minor hockey. Kyle is intent on contributing to a healthy community for all residents and is particularly passionate about addressing the needs of rural residents in Western Ottawa. Kyle now lives in Richmond with his wife, daughter, and twin boys.
Peter Hamer, Director
Building on over 25 years of leadership experience in healthcare organizations, Peter Hamer is passionate about contributing to advancing health and promoting positive change within the community. As the former Executive Director of the Ottawa Valley Family Health Team, Peter has led expansions of primary care, enhancing healthcare and fostering collaboration.
Deeply committed to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, Peter actively seeks to ensure that organizations he works with reflect the full diversity of the community they serve.
Greg Kung, Director
Greg Kung brings an extensive background in public policy and public service. He brings over seven years in senior positions within the federal government and Parliament Hill including positions with the Minister of Finance, President of the Treasury Board and Leader of the Government in the Senate.
Greg also currently serves on the frontlines of healthcare delivery as a paramedic in Lanark County while also running a health policy consulting firm that seeks to deliver tangible policy and communication results for medical stakeholders. He has served as the Director for Policy and Government Relations for the Ontario Paramedic Association and continues to be active on other boards for health-focused charities.
He also was one of the youngest ever to be appointed to the Ontario Parole Board and Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. He currently serves as a part-time member with the Ontario Parole Board and License Appeal Tribunal.
Greg holds a combined double major (Honors) in political science and economics with a minor in global history from Mount Royal University and the King’s University.
Greg is a staunch West Ottawa advocate and proudly lives in Woodlawn with his wife.
Melissa Teri Parsons, Director
Melissa T. Parsons has been a community and social services volunteer in Ottawa and Eastern Canada for over 25 years. She has prior experience serving as a Director on two not-for-profit Boards; one local feminist grassroots organization and another community housing initiative based out of Montréal, Quebec.
Melissa is pursuing her Executive Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa to enhance her current leadership skills and further diversify her management capabilities.
She is passionate about supporting climate action and sustainability and advocating for people that have been systematically underrecognized and undervalued such as women, the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, neurodivergent persons, Indigenous, Black, and other racialized people. Melissa has supported diversity, inclusion and equitable labour practices serving on professional committees during her employment with KPMG and Payments Canada.
As a former client of the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre, she is deeply invested in supporting the programs and services at the WOCRC, leveraging her professional background in audit, governance, risk and compliance.
Dr. Nour Shehata, Director
Committed to providing accessible health and social services to the diverse communities of West Ottawa, Dr. Nour Shehata is a dedicated healthcare professional with extensive experience in public health, preventive medicine, and community service. She brings a deep understanding of health equity, policy planning, and the social determinants of health.
With a unique personal background, she offers a valuable perspective to her role, demonstrating a strong commitment to advocating for marginalized communities and addressing systemic health inequities.
Ashley Short, Director
Passionate about volunteering, Ashley Short is an active community leader, connecting with her community to understand and respond to local needs by creating inclusive events for families and residents in Kanata. Ashley is a seasoned Operations Executive with extensive experience in strategic leadership and general management across high-volume restaurant and property management sectors.
Jan Skora, Director
Jan Skora has close to 50 years experience as a senior executive in the federal public service as well as a strategic regulatory and government-relations advisor to Canadian and US wireless/satellite telecom companies.
He has experience as President of his 329-unit condominium Board of Directors and in cooperation with similarly minded volunteers, is organizing a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) involving other condo buildings in the area in which he lives.
He has been an active volunteer with Meals on Wheels in Ottawa as well as west Ottawa for over a year.
Jan holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering Degree from Carleton University.
David Patrick Lee Snelling, Director
David Patrick Lee is a highly experienced Civil Litigator with extensive experience in Law Office Management. David was born and raised in Kanata and has been involved in the community since childhood. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Philosophy at the University of Western Ontario and studied Law at the University of British Columbia.
David has been actively involved in the Kanata community as a member of the board of the Kanata North BIA, the Director of Operations for Kanata Soccer and being a member of the Kanata North Recreation Center Steering Committee.
Brandon Vale, Director
Brandon Vale is currently a Juris Doctor (JD) Candidate at the University of Ottawa, where he is actively interested in corporate law, health law, and corporate governance.
A graduate of the Honours Bachelor of Business Administration program at Wilfrid Laurier University, Brandon is an active community member with experience serving on several not-for-profit boards, including the Wilfrid Laurier University Board of Governors.
Adding to his governance experience, Brandon has professional work experience in both the private and public sectors, including working for the Ontario Public Service, the federal government, and a large public accounting firm.
Émile Vallée, Director
Émile Vallée comes from a close-knit French-Canadian family and is interested in giving back to his community. Building on a 40-year career spent mostly in the trade union movement, Émile has recently moved from Gatineau to western Ottawa to be closer to family. Émile brings a great deal of experience working with community and charitable organizations, on the Board of SSQ Insurance/Beneva and on several government committees on both provincial and national levels.