Speakers 2012

MANA NUTRITION

Mark Moore, Executive Director

Mark Moore, Founder/CEO of MANA, spent nearly ten years working in eastern Uganda, serving as a rural community development worker and missionary. After returning to the United States, he earned a Master’s degree at Georgetown University. He has served as Legislative Fellow and Africa Specialist in the United States Senate for Senator Mary Landrieu, as an Africa Analyst for the Science Applications International Corporation, and as Policy Director for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. Prior to founding MANA, Mark co-founded Kibo Group, a development organization that houses and incubates social entrepreneurial projects including a creative coffee shop in Jinja, Uganda called the Source Cafe, The Mvule Project and a US-Based coffee shop known as Midnight Oil. Mark and his wife Marnie have four kids ages 16 – 6 and they reside in Charlotte, NC.

WORLD VISION CANADA

Michael Messenger, A.B., J.D., Executive Vice President

Michael Messenger was appointed Executive Vice President of World Vision Canada in February 2010. Previously, he held the position of Vice President for Public Affairs. He has served World Vision in several capacities, and in his leadership roles has led numerous cross-functional initiatives and strategies throughout the World Vision partnership. His current role involves oversight of the leaders, staff and operations of World Vision Canada, based in Mississauga, Ontario. He has travelled around the world to visit and support World Vision-funded development, advocacy and humanitarian relief projects.

Mr. Messenger holds Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts (1990), and a law degree from the University of Toronto (1998).

He first joined World Vision in 1990 and was involved in World Vision’s early advocacy and government relations efforts in Canada and Geneva for more than five years. He left to attend law school, and articled and practiced law in Halifax, Nova Scotia. As a partner with a major law firm, Mr. Messenger practiced litigation and public law until 2007.

During this time, he served as a member and officer of the Board of Directors of World Vision Canada. Mr. Messenger has other non-profit board experience, and is currently a member and vice-chair of the board of The Meeting House (a large church based in Oakville, Ontario) and a Governor of Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto.

Mr. Messenger and his wife Yvonne, a teacher, live in Oakville with their two junior-high-aged children, Aidan and Annie.

HOPE-INTERNATIONAL

David S. McKenzie, International President

David S. McKenzie, as HOPE International Development Agency’s International President, is an individual who has sought to be a friend—a true friend—to as many people as possible.

His devotion to the goal of providing as many of the world’s chronic poor with the means for self-reliance has propelled HOPE into measurable growth with consistent integrity. The fact that in the year 2000 the organization raised over 12 million for impoverished communities and in 2011 that figure more than doubled, to over 27 million, is impressive. What is just as significant is that during this time, HOPE’s historical percentage of using less than 5% of funds for all of its overhead did not waver. Over the past 32 years, HOPE has raised approximately 400 million dollars and helped over 18 million people in the developing world. David has been the dynamic force behind this phenomenon.

Despite having the instincts and task-orientation of any great executive, he remained rooted in a ministerial way of life. He raised funds by calling out to the best in people, demonstrating that a life in which one gives extravagantly is joyous. The scope of David’s work is to be found in the movement—the far-flung community of people who are passionate about justice for the poor, and the poor families who have transformed their lives—rather than in the organization itself. To this day, the international headquarters of HOPE International Development Agency is a tiny house in New Westminster, BC, equipped with donated and second-hand office furniture and a small but devoted staff.

BREAKFAST CLUBS OF CANADA

Daniel Germain, President and Founder

Daniel Germain wants to change the world for children. How? By breaking the poverty cycle, which affects thousands of them here in Canada and too many millions of them around the world. He wants to offer young people places where they can express themselves and help them develop better self-esteem. Every child, whether from a privileged or underprivileged environment, has the potential to stand out and thrive. “Death words” — accusations, mockery or bashing — pronounce by adults must be replace with “life words” — words of encouragement, stimulation and acceptance. Enriching and amusing activities must fill young people’s daily lives.

To make this dream a reality, Daniel Germain believes in social mobilization. He encourages young people to become part of the solution rather than the problem. He also encourages business people, artists and politicians to replace their donation philosophy with one of commitment. Daniel Germain does not want his partners’ charity, he looks for sustained relations. He chooses his partners based on their heart and values, well before their influence or money. Daniel’s teams are as passionate as he is; they initiate programs that involve the children’s immediate environment, namely their parents. He feels that solving poverty is everyone’s business. If we all take some responsibility in this society project, writing a part of history is also up to us.

From the time Daniel Germain began sharing his vision, several people joined him and his organization: such a beautiful dream is contagious.