Full-Time
Managing Director
Margo Dewar
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Youth Program Coordinator
Jordan Levesque
B.R.E.
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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.
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Administrator
Ellen Niekoop
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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.
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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 & Connections Coordinator
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Andrew Murphy
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Andrew joined OIM in February 2024. At his local church, he leads an outreach ministry that serves those facing poverty and homelessness, which is where he found his passion and desire to help the vulnerable population.
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Andrew received his B.A. in Communications from the University of Ottawa and his M.A. in Strategic Communications from Liberty University.
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Coming from a diverse background in non-profit, church, retail, and construction communications and social media management, Andrew is excited to bring his passion for communications and passion for serving those facing poverty and homelessness to OIM.
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When Andrew is not working, he serves at his church's outreach ministry, serves at his church's men's ministry, and freelances as a social media coordinator. He also enjoys spending time with friends, playing board games or watching movies.
Part-TimeÂ
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
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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.
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
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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
Deborah Palmer
Deborah (Debby) spent 40 year working in Social Services, (Developmental Services and Gerontology) and in institutional and group home settings as well as in elementary school.
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She first came to Ottawa when hired to work at the Ottawa Rotary Home. This parental relief facility was a pilot project, the first of its kind in Ontario and 6 were chosen from 500 applicants. Before retiring, Debby enjoyed her last 6 working years at Algonquin College, teaching in a special program for adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities.
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Her history as a volunteer is a long one. At the age of 14 Debby began volunteering at a large institution (Rideau Regional Centre) in Smiths Falls. Other volunteer ventures include "friendly visiting" in hospitals as well as many other opportunities within her home church. Before the birth of her son, she spent a year volunteering as Volunteer Coordinator for an OPP Victim Service Unit.
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Before joining as a member of staff on February 7, 2024, Debby had been volunteering with OIM for more than 10 years. For the first few years, she provided foot washing at OIM'S (then) weekly drop in, eventually moving on to the Innercity Arts program.
Community Engagement Support
Stephen Prendergast
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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
Lieutenant-Commander (ret'd)
Bethany Yli-Renko
Senior Manager,
Welch LLP
Walter Semianiw
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
Karen Fishwick
VP of Admin & Finance, Evangelical Fellowship of Canada
Alysia Lau