Board of Directors
Mangalam Lena is originally from Sri Lanka, born to a family of eleven children whose parents were caring and deeply spiritual Christians. She specializes in outreach to people who are despised and rejected by society. At the age of seventeen she decided to dedicate her life to serve humanity and entered the religious order of the Franciscan Missionary of Mary.
In Canada, she received a B.A in Theology, an M.A in Pastoral Studies, and a Doctor in Ministry Degree at St. Paul University in Ottawa. I took a course in the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution, Third Party Neutral (TPN). One of her greatest achievements in Canada was founding a pilot non-profit organization called Home-Based Spiritual Care to provide spiritual and religious care to the home-bound sick, the elderly and the lonely.
Lewis is Woodland Cree from the Sucker Creek Cree First Nation in Treaty No. 8 in northern Alberta, Canada. His consulting company, Cardinal Strategic Communications, specializes in Indigenous education, communications, and project development. He is also owner, CEO, and Head Storyteller of Red Earth Blue Sky Productions, a media productions company. Currently, Lewis is Project Manager for "kihcihkaw askt—Sacred Land" in the City of Edmonton, the first designated urban Indigenous ceremony grounds in Canada.
Lewis Cardinal is a communicator and educator. Lewis has dedicated his life's work to creating and maintaining connections and relationships that cross cultural divides. His long track record of local and international public service currently includes: Board Member of Theatre Network Society, Vice-Chair of the Documentary Organization of Canada-Alberta, Chair of the Global Indigenous Dialogue of Initiatives of Change-International, Trustee and Executive Committee Member for the Parliament of the World's Religions, and Honorary Board Member, Board of Sponsors, Martin Luther King Jr., International College of Ministers and Laity at Morehouse College in Atlanta, USA, to mention a few.
I was born in Rangoon, Burma. My parents were Harry Zaw-Tun and Khin Khin Tway.
We left Burma in 1968, via Ethiopia and Tanzania, and ended up here in Canada in 1973. I came to know of MRA, which became IofC, in 1977. I worked at the Bocock farm for a couple of summers while I was an Agriculture student. The Bococks have known MRA/IofC for many years. I participated in Caux in 1979. I have never been officially a member of IofC but have participated in some of their events, here in Alberta and BC. I work part-time as a church administrator. I volunteer at the carving shop at the Fort Edmonton Park, and with the Sculptors Association of Alberta.
I have three grown children, and a grandson. My husband is Dr. Sunil Datar who doesn't seem to want to retire. I live on an acreage outside of St. Albert, Alberta. I consider Jack Freebury to be my mentor along with the Bococks who stood as my godparents.
Catherine is the vice president of (NAMCA) North American Masaaba Cultural Association. She is a trained teacher with teaching skills, understands human behaviour, and the need for change by starting with herself.
Catherine has a a teaching certificate, a master's and a bachelor's degree from Makerere University Uganda in East Africa with a Theological diploma from Alexandria Seminary in Virginia USA.
I am originally from Nigeria and have settled in Canada, in Montreal, since my retirement. I retired from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Headquartered in Montreal, first in 2015 and finally in 2018, after about 26 years of service altogether. ICAO is the United Nations specialized agency responsible for the global regulation of the international civil aviation system. It sets the standards for ensuring the safety, security and efficiency of civil aviation and monitors the implementation of those standards by the 193 member countries.
I hold a Masters degree in Air Transport (from France) and I am able to work in both English and French. Since retirement, I have enrolled in part time studies in Theology. I am presently studying for a Masters degree in theology from Université Laval, having first obtained a Certificate in Pastoral Studies.
Melanie Klein is a public servant at Natural Resources Canada, a certified yoga instructor, and a passionate member of Initiatives of Change Canada. She is also an avid cold dipper and very fond of healthy nutritional practices. She is also passionate about mental wellbeing and health. Previously, she has worked in various capacities at the United Nations Environmental Programme, as well as a Fundraising and Administrative Coordinator for The Hunger Project Canada.
In the international space, Melanie has been engaged with lofC since 2009 in various capacities including as a volunteer at Caux in 2014 for the Land, Lives, and Peace Conference, and an intern at Asia Plateau in 2015. She was the Canadian representative of the Coordinating Committee for the Encuentro in Columbia in 2016. More close to home, she was a member of the Transition Committee and has participated in the Let's Talk Ottawa Initiative. She has also participated in a Creators of Peace Circle. Melanie has an academic background in Business Administration, Climate Change, and International Development.
Our Team
Amalilly is the new Administrator at Initiatives of Change (IofC) Canada, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to her role. Her educational background includes diplomas in Park and Forest Recreation, Advanced Business Administration, and even a transport truck license. She has held significant roles in administration and community engagement, where she has supported organizations with precision and empathy.
Born and raised in Ottawa's West End, where she currently resides, Amalilly has strong roots in her community. As a Chronic Illness Warrior, she has honed her ability to navigate challenges with grace and determination. And, outside of her professional life, Amalilly enjoys exploring spiritual practices, engaging in thoughtful conversations, and the company of her two beloved cats.
Joseph is our full-time project manager and provincial coordinator for the province of Quebec based in Montreal. Joseph brings organizational skills, human and spiritual values as well as a considerable experience in administration, finance and project management gained through 18 years worked for the Agency for co-operation and research for development (ACORD), an international non-Government organization in Rwanda his country of origin, where he also first encountered IofC.
Joseph has a bachelor’s degree in project management, and he is a Community Trustbuilding Fellowship Alumni (Richmond-USA). He has been a Board member of several national and international organizations in Africa and Canada and played a big part in Trustbuilding projects in Canada.