Board of Directors
Interval House of Ottawa is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. This diverse group of dynamic people are knowledgeable and passionate about violence against women issues. They establish and oversee the long-term direction of IHO through strategic leadership within the framework of our vision and values.
Keri Lewis
Executive Director
Keri Lewis is the Executive Director at Interval House of Ottawa, a 30-bed shelter for women and their dependents who have experienced violence. Keri was born and raised in Ottawa. She graduated as a Social Service Worker in 2001 and has worked in shelters serving survivors of violence and their dependents since then. For much of her early employment, Keri worked as a frontline worker. She is therefore very familiar with, and connected to, the social service system in Ottawa. Keri is passionate about and committed to working with community stakeholders to ensure safety for those experiencing gender-based violence in Ottawa.
Keri lives in Blossom Park with her partner and children.
Board of Directors
Jennifer Baldwin
President
Jennifer Baldwin CPA, CA is an accountant at Ginsberg Gluzman Fage & Levitz, LLP (GGFL). She grew up in Ottawa and returned to her hometown after attending Wilfrid Laurier University. She enjoys giving back to the community through involvement in non-profit organizations, currently serving as a Board Member of the Heron Emergency Food Centre. She is very excited to continue to work with Interval House of Ottawa and be a part of a great organization.
Christina Lynch
Vice President
Christina Lynch brings thirty years of strategic leadership and experience in the public service and private sector. She is a foreign policy and development expert who has worked in Ottawa and abroad to help make the world a better place. Christina is a passionate advocate who has helped promote sexual and reproductive health and rights, maternal and newborn health, access to education for women and girls, and women’s economic empowerment. She has received public service awards including an Operational Service Medal for her work in Afghanistan. Originally from Vancouver, Christina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Simon Fraser University and has taken graduate courses in law and international affairs. She lives in Westboro with her husband Matthew, her daughter Kate, and her dog Cola.
Secretary
Namrata Goyes
I immigrated to Canada in 2010 and have since worked in the not-for-profit sector. My fundraising career has spanned a decade, working with charities like The Canadian Cancer Society and The Ottawa Mission. Most recently, I joined the team at Good Works as Philanthropic Counsel.
Passionate about women’s rights and education, my personal belief is that the cycle of violence faced by women can only be broken by commitment and compassion.
A history buff and an avid baker, I live in Orleans with my husband Alex and 2 children – Mila (9) and Oscar (8).
Marie is a chartered professional accountant and certified financial planner, and partner at Hendry Warren LLP, in Ottawa. At HW, she provides accounting, taxation and financial planning advice to individuals, small businesses and not-for-profit organizations, and serves as Managing Partner. Born and raised in Ottawa, Marie went to school at Carleton University and has made her career in the City which is home base to most of her family. Over the years, she has been on the Executive of the Lisgar Alumni Association, the Women’s Business Network, and most recently Dress For Success Ottawa. She was also Treasurer, and Chair, of the board of the Canadian Theatre Festival Society. When not at work, you will likely find Marie at her cottage on a lake in Val-des-Mont, Quebec.
Marie Fraser
Treasurer
Salimah Mitha
Salimah Mitha immigrated to Canada in her early years and is grateful to call Canada home. She values the opportunity to serve and support organizations that build capacity, enabling individuals to have agency in improving their quality of life. She is a consultant with experience in business development, conflict resolution and program management in the private and social sectors. She holds an MBA in Community Economic Development from Cape Breton University and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McGill University.
Antonia Stieda-Sanne
Antonia has always been focused on human rights and social issues, volunteering her time to make a difference within her community and globally. From volunteering at a women’s transitional refugee home to travelling to Guatemala to build an eco-friendly school, she always takes time to try and make a difference especially by empowering others. She believes that pushing for change in everyday life is one way we can all make a difference in our community and work towards having equal rights and choices for everyone.
With a degree in Economics and a minor in Business from the University of Ottawa, she became a partner in a local business in 2012. PRIDE AND EGO INC offers styling services and custom made menswear; Antonia holds the position of Operations Director as well as Board member ever since they incorporated in 2013. Currently in the process of acquiring her Supply Chain Management Certificate at Algonquin College, Antonia started a position at Nordstrom as Assistant Inventory Manager with the hopes of transitioning into the Nordstrom Merchandising Group once her certificate is completed. In her spare time Antonia is an equestrian, an avid reader, loves to travel (especially back home to Germany), does yoga, and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Jaisie Walker (they/them)
Jaisie is a queer settler, researcher, and community organizer who was raised in the highlands of Scotland and later found homes in Blackfoot Treaty 7 Territory (Lethbridge, Alberta) and Algonquin Territory (Ottawa, Ontario). Jaisie currently works as the Senior Researcher in Health Policy at the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) where they lead and support national research relating to First Nations, Metis, and Inuit health priorities, particularly in the areas of maternal health and forced and coerced sterilization. They completed a Master of Arts in Women & Gender Studies at the University of Lethbridge in 2020 where they explored intimate violence alongside LGBTQ+ rural non-monogamous communities using PhotoVoice, as well as supporting projects in trans community health and social action research. They are proud to have served on several boards in Southern Alberta, including for the Campus Women's Centre, Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group, and as President of OUTreach Southern Alberta Society. Jaisie's work is guided by their 8 years of frontline experience working in domestic violence shelters, harm reduction housing, disability support, sexual health centres, and 2SLGBTQ+ education. They are incredibly honoured and excited to join the IHO board and looks forward to the year ahead.
Nish Patel
Nish is an entrepreneur, operations executive and occasional angel investor. His biggest influence has always been his mother, and her words and experiences have very strongly shaped his worldview. Increasingly, this has included investing his time to improve the lives of others. Nish has been involved with Interval House Ottawa since 2017 and has consistently been in awe of the dedication of the staff and the perseverance of the women & children they serve. As a new board member, he looks forward to listening, learning and contributing his perspective and experience towards the organization’s objectives.
Marni Francis
Marni Francis currently the Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Development with Nanometrics, is accountable for the employee experience and fostering a work environment that enables people to achieve success. Marni was introduced to the nonprofit world while working for Disney Cruise Line, eventually assuming the volunteer position as Champion of Fundraising for Free the Children while at SMART. Focused on being a positive role model for her 2 children, Brady and Levi, she is very much looking forward to being part of the IHO Board and associated community.
Eilish Quinn
Bio coming soon.