MEET OUR TEAM
Full-Time
Managing Director
Margo Dewar
Margo joined OIM on January 4, 2021. She is a retired executive of a national not-for-profit trade association with extensive experience working with members, staff, government officials and departments, and other stakeholders in the furtherance of the organization's goals.
She also served as an officer in the capacity of Secretary-Treasurer to the Board of Directors and as director of operations, with emphasis on human resources and finance.
She came out of retirement in 2017 to serve as Office Administrator at Trinity Bible Church of Ottawa, a part-time position, until her departure in December 2020 to join OIM.
IVOS (Veteran Program) Support
Elizabeth Sutherland-Beaven
After 15 years of administrative work at various government and private industries, Beth took 10 years off to concentrate on her family before returning to the workforce as an Adult Crossing Guard at a local school, then back into administration at a local church before trying the retail industry. Beth has never stopped volunteering at local charities and events since coming to Ottawa.
She obtained her Ministerial Diploma in 2014 at Ottawa School of the Bible.
Beth then took the plunge and joined OIM, first as Administrative Assistant. She progressed to Administrator in 2021 and mid-year 2022 joined the IVOS program to help deliver unique outreach and support to Ottawa's at-risk veterans.
Beth is married and has two grown sons, who often join her in various volunteering events.
Volunteer Coordinator
Brian Griffin
Brian has a BA from Memorial University in Political Science, History and Economics. He has spent over 25 years as a Commercial Banker with 3 organizations across Canada. From 2013 to 2020 he worked as an independent consultant in the Ottawa area, helping clients meet their organizational, governance and financial goals.
Volunteering has always been a part of Brian's life and he considers giving back to the community to be of the utmost importance professionally as well as spiritually. He has volunteered with Junior Achievement, Scouts, Meals on Wheels, Rotary Club as well as numerous church organizations.
Joining OIM is providing Brian a way to serve the most deserving of our community. He is reminded constantly that no matter how good or bad things are, he remembers to be grateful and thankful to God and trust that what he has provided is enough.
Youth Program Coordinator
Jordan Levesque
B.R.E.
Jordan joined OIM in the role of Youth Outreach Coordinator in August 2021.
He studied Youth & Family Ministries at Emmanuel Bible College, graduating in 2016. He then worked as a youth pastor for a few years in Kitchener Ontario before moving to the Ottawa Valley to be closer to family.
Apart from working with youth, Jordan is also a passionate musician, enjoys playing sports, weightlifting, and spending time with his wife and dogs.
Administrator
Ellen Niekoop
After years employed in the private sector functioning in various roles as Relationship Manager, Quality Assurance Analyst and Network Support Engineer, Ellen followed her passion, and decided to make a switch to community work to be able to help those struggling.
She began volunteering at OIM in 2020 in various outreach activities, such as door- and street outreach work. She has completed her chaplaincy training to be better equipped to further connect, support, and share the love of Christ with the vulnerable served by OIM. Whatever her roles, Ellen has always looked for opportunities to serve clients more effectively and more efficiently.
With a background in Business, IT and Community Work, she accepted the role of Administrator within OIM in mid-2022. She is excited by the opportunity to work alongside her brothers and sisters, to contribute to OIM's vision, and serve and empower our street friends in downtown Ottawa.
Communications Coordinator
Dagang Gang
Dagang joined OIM in August 2023. With over two decades of expertise in international development, he brings a unique flair for storytelling that captivates hearts and inspires change. Dagang's passion for creativity and storytelling has been ingrained in him since his early years when a drawing and a written description of how he’d achieve world peace earned him the Canadian Prize for the International Children’s Peace Prize Contest in 1986.
Three years ago, while working out, Dagang noticed a powerful verse printed on a random person's t-shirt. It was our founding verse, Micah 6:8, and the first time he’d ever come across it. This seemingly serendipitous encounter planted the seed that led him to OIM.
Armed with a BSc in Economics and a Diploma in Radio Broadcasting, Dagang's journey has been fueled by the belief that storytelling holds the power to transform lives and drive positive change. As a master storyteller, Dagang's exceptional writing and captivating speaking skills empower us to share OIM's vision, connecting with our supporters and partners on a deeper level. With a relentless dedication to innovation and a heart for service, Dagang is thrilled to be part of the OIM team, where he will use his creativity to elevate communications and amplify OIM's ongoing impact.
Part-Time
OIM Pastor
Shawn Ketcheson
B.Sc., M.Div.
Shawn is excited to join OIM's team as Chaplain as he has been connected with OIM since it's infancy stage over 3 decades ago when Susan Brandt was the founding director. Earlier in life Shawn worked as a co-ordinator and counselling supervisor in a half-way house for Federal prison inmates.
Shawn retired from full time pastoral ministry in 2020 after 40 years as a lead pastor in several churches, the majority of those years was spent in the Ottawa area.
Shawn and his wife Sue have been married for 40 years and have been blessed with 3 daughters (3 son-in-laws) and 7 grandchildren. Family gatherings are a rich part of their lives. One of Shawn's favorite moments is when his grandchildren say, “Papa, let's play!” And off they go.
The OIM mission opens the door for all to experience the fullness of God's presence. Some of the best preaching Shawn has heard is through the voice of our friends on the street. What a rich blessing.
Senior Research & Grants Coordinator
Jelica Zdero
B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
After volunteering with OIM in 2007/2008, Jelica responded to God’s call to join the team in October 2008. She is honoured to be working alongside the caring staff and volunteers of OIM who joyfully give of themselves to work alongside our street community.
Jelica brings with her a skill-set that includes university teaching, research, and writing as well as a variety of volunteer experiences in her church and community.
Promotions & Events Coordinator
Warren Fishwick
Warren first heard about OIM while attending Trinity Bible Church in Osgoode and was able to get to know Ken MacLaren through another ministry called Souly Business.
Warren retired from the Federal Government in January 2020 after having worked in the IT field for 35 years. He then decided to volunteer as the Events Coordinator for OIM and has since added the title of Promotions. Both he and his wife Karen help out on the Street Outreach Teams. Warren has 5 children including two sets of twins.
Donor Care Administrator
Sue O'Neal
After volunteering behind the scene with OIM since 2011, Sue came out of retirement to accept a part-time position as Office Assistant.
She currently splits her time between babysitting four of her eight grandchildren and helping out at OIM.
Sue’s 30 year experience in the workforce includes full-time ministry, banking and as an industry analyst in the Federal Government. She’s honoured to be a part of this amazing team and ministry.
Resource Coordinator
Sarah Pearce
Sarah initially joined OIM as the Volunteer Coordinator in 2020. After a short time in that role she moved to serve as a Street Outreach volunteer.
In the fall of 2022 Sarah rejoined the staff team as the Resource Coordinator. She is excited to support both the staff and volunteers by equipping them with the resources they need to effectively meet the needs of those they aim to serve in Jesus' name.
Sarah has served in many roles in her church, local summer camp, and community. Both she and her husband serve weekly as Street Outreach volunteers and have three grown children.
Youth Program Assistant
Marissa Barstead
Marissa moved to Canada with her husband shortly after getting married and was eager to find an organization where she could volunteer her time. After volunteering at OIM for a few months, God opened the door for her to join the staff. Her first role was as Donations Coordinator. She has since moved on to become the Youth Program Assistant.
Before moving to Ottawa, Marissa attended Highlands College, a ministry school in Birmingham, Alabama, where she graduated with a degree in Christian Leadership and a certificate in Outreach Ministry. There, Marissa gained experience in street outreach, correctional ministry, and working with youth in the inner city of Birmingham. After graduating, she interned at Trafficking Hope, where she helped raised awareness about human trafficking and helped law enforcement and homeland security by providing support and transportation for victims. Through this organization, God placed on Marissa's heart a desire to pursue a degree in crisis and trauma counseling through Liberty University.
Outside of work and school, she quickly got involved in another anti human trafficking organization called Living in Liberty where she did a lot of behind the scenes volunteering, and worked at the crisis centres serving women involved in prostitution and living on the streets of downtown Pittsburgh.
Community Engagement Support
Stephen Prendergast
Stephen is a recovering drug addict and alcoholic who graduated from the Teen Challenge program in 2008. He has travelled the country throwing "seeds of hope" by sharing his testimony hundreds of times in churches, prisons, and schools across Canada.
Stephen graduated from Emmanuel Bible College with a BRE – Professional Studies in Counselling and Youth & Family Studies and has earned a Professional Studies Certificate in Addictions Counselling. Most recently he acquired an Advanced TESOL Certificate in Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages and a TESOL Specialization Certificate in Teaching Business English
In 2018 Stephen moved with his wife Rachael and sons Cullen & Caden to the Ottawa Valley to get the newest Teen Challenge Centre up and running where he is the former Development Officer & Director of the Eastern Ontario Men's Centre.
Currently Stephen is the Field Operations & Client Support for The Grind Pembroke, a ministry very similar to OIM, and is looking forward to his new part-time role with this ministry, utilizing a skill set he has honed over the past 16 years.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board Chair
Taffy Nahas
Legal Counsel, City of Ottawa
Doug Cooper
Naval Officer (ret'd)
Bethany Yli-Renko
Senior Manager,
Welch LLP
Lieutenant-General (ret'd)
Area Manager,
Leader Impact Ministries
(A Division of Power to Change)
Kari Yli-Renko
Doug Assaly
Founder/CEO,
Honey Construction Ltd.
Dr. Robert Yelle
Family Medicine, Private Practice
VP of Admin & Finance, Evangelical Fellowship of Canada