Our Team
OUR GOVERNING STRUCTURE
Graceland Africa Mission (GAM) has established two volunteer boards/councils dedicated to accomplishing the vision and the mission of the charity. These boards include the governing board of directors (5 directors) and the advisory council.
GAM does not pay directors, members, or employees in Canada for their work; all our people are volunteers.
The governing board of directors work to establish the values and culture of GAM. They determine the strategic directions, compliance with all policies and bylaws, methods for income acquisition, all programs and all expenditures.
GAM advisory council performs a variety of important tasks. They are involved in operating and managing programs in Kenya, making recommendations for allocations, assisting with promotions and publications, and conducting oversight and evaluation activities. Advisory council members do not have authority to vote on corporate matters, nor do they have legal fiduciary responsibilities
Graceland Africa Mission does not retain any paid employees. The board of directors and all volunteers are not compensated financially or by any other means. No payments are made for products or services to directors or companies in which a director is an owner, partner, or senior manager.
Board of Directors
Diane Laakso, BASc, MSc
Founder & President
Diane’s love for Africa began in 1986 when she spent 6 months backpacking through 13 African countries. Her vision is to see Kenyans have access to clean water and the underprivileged, especially women and girls, have opportunities for education and employment. She has a Bachelor of Applied Science and Master of Science in Human Nutrition, and holds certificates in Christian Education, Co-operative Management (York University), and International Development (University of British Columbia).
Holly Laakso, BMSc, PhD
Secretary
Holly was only thirteen years old when she first visited Sub-Saharan Africa and her experiences there were foundational in both her personal and professional life. After seeing the devastating effects of infection, such as HIV, on human health in developing countries, Holly pursued research in infection and immunity. She has a desire to see Kenyans overcome every obstacle to becoming successful leaders. Holly has a PhD in Microbiology & Immunology and is a Scientist involved in cancer research at the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories in Chalk River, Ontario.
Michael Phillips, PhD
Director External Affairs
Michael is an internationally recognized expert with more than 30 years experience in the field of forensic mental health and the criminal justice system. He is a recipient of the Amethyst Award for out-standing Achievement in the Ontario Public Service. He is Chairman of the International Institute on Special Needs Offenders and Public Policy, and is a member of the Ontario Justice of the Peace Review Council.
Jake Nogy, MArch
Director Boys Scholarships
Jake is a recent graduate from Carleton University where he completed his Masters of Architecture. He now works for an architecture firm based in Barrie where he works on long term care and affordable housing projects largely based in Ontario.
He has volunteered locally with children’s programs working with both elementary school and high school ages.
At the age of 13 Jake had the opportunity to travel to Ecuador to help a local community renovate a school in disrepair. This trip awakened his passion for foreign missions.
Paul Roberts HBOR
Director
Paul has a wide variety of experience in the Co-operative sector. He was the former Manager for Southwestern Ontario Co-operative Association, and was a founding member of two Worker Co-operatives.
Paul has an Honours Bachelor Degree in Outdoor Recreation and is certified in Co-operative Management and Advanced Business Analysis.
Paul currently teaches in the School of Hospitality Tourism and Culinary Arts, at Fanshawe College, London, Ontario.
Advisory Council
Heather Laakso, BMSc, MD, CCFP
Gender Equity
Heather was profoundly impacted by her travels in Africa as an adolescent and young adult, and has a strong interest in gender equity and justice. In particular. Heather is advocate for gender equality in both Canada and Kenya, and is passionate about GAM’s gender equity programs.
Donna Chantler RN, BA, MEd, RP
Scholarship Programs
Donna’s passion for international work has taken her to Africa, India, Cambodia, the Philippines, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, Panama, and Columbia. Her extensive work in trauma, grief, and addiction has been valuable for her work in Canada and internationally. For 10 years, she was an RN in ICU and CCU. Donna has a BA in Psychology, an MEd of Counselling, and a Diploma in Life Threatening Illness, Dying and Bereave-ment. She is a Trainer, Educator, and Practitioner in Psychodrama. In 2012, Donna was awarded the Queens Diamond Jubilee Award for International & Community volunteer service. Donna provides direction to several scholarship programs in Ontario . She chairs the Outreach Committee and sits on the Board of Northwest Barrie United Church.
Joseph Onyeit
Education
Joseph is passionate about providing vulnerable children with the opportunity to be educated so they can achieve their dreams. This passion that is motivated by memories of his own childhood experiences with poverty. Joseph is the Founder and Director of Fruitvine Academy located in western Kenya. He leads a team of teachers providing quality education to children of families that are disadvantaged economically. Joseph also works in the television media industry in Nairobi, Kenya. He holds Diploma in Telecommunications Engineering from the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication.
Lydia Mucheka, BBA
Student Affairs
Working since 2019, as Graceland Africa Mission’s Program Officer in Kenya, has given Lydia the opportunity to live by her own values, as she believes in changing lives to make the world a better place. As a recent graduate, she understands the many challenges and pressures students face while at school and at home, especially the girls. Lydia is a mentor and a friend to many of our secondary, college, and university students. Lydia’s Bachelor of Business Administration (Procurement option) has well positioned her to provide knowledgeable direction and leadership to GAM’s Capacity Building programs for single moms, including small business development. Lydia was supported by GAM while completing her degree at Kiriri Women’s University of Science and Technology in Nairobi.
Brian Treleaven
Volunteers
Brian has extensive volunteer experience leading people and working with impoverished communities in the global south. He participated in 10 short-term missions trips to Ecuador, where he assisted with the construction of buildings in several villages. In 2012, Brain led a team to Kenya to construct a Sunday school building, as well as speak at several church meetings. In 2017, Brian travelled to Cambodia with his wife to assist with english language programs at a primary school. Prior leadership positions include 10 years serving on the Board of Elders at Alliston Alliance Church, Alliston, Ontario, and 9 years on the Board of Directors for Graceland Africa Mission.