Our CCVA Staff, Board and Committees
Executive Director
Faiza Venzant, CVA
Temecula, California, USA
From a young age, Faiza Venzant's parents instilled a strong sense of volunteerism in herself and her two older brothers. They, as immigrants to Canada from Uganda in the early 70s made a successful transition into Canadian life with the help of many generous volunteers. A volunteer herself from a very young age, she has been an advocate for volunteer engagement and leaders of volunteers for the last 20 years speaking, facilitating and continually learning from others internationally.
Faiza is an active member of Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada (VMPC) and Association for Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE.) In 2020, Faiza was the recipient of TAVA’s Innovation Award. In 2019, she was the recipient of the inaugural IMPACT award in Canada for Exemplary Volunteer Leadership. From PAVR-O, she received the Linda Buchanan Award in 2013 and has twice received the President's Award. In 2022, she received the June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism for Excellence in Volunteer Engagement. In 2025, Faiza led CCVA in being selected as winners of a Gold Anthem Award for her role in creating the Is Everyone Welcome? Toolkit.
Faiza is passionate about equity and access amongst volunteers and leaders of volunteers. She believes strongly that a community with a thriving volunteer base improves the overall quality of life and health of all its members.
In 2018, Faiza published her first children’s book entitled, My Mamma Wants to Eat Me Up! As a mother of two young boys, she has not actually eaten any of her children.
CCVA Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Chair
Kristine Flynn, CVA
Chair Manager, Volunteer Services - Saskatchewan Health Authority
Martensville, Saskatchewan, Canada
Kristine is a compassionate leader and relentless learner in the volunteer engagement and museum education fields. She shares her passion and knowledge through various work, volunteer, and Board roles, as well as in workshops and courses that challenge people to thoughtfully re-evaluate "the way we've always done it."
After 20 years in the heritage museum sector, in 2025 Kristine is embarking on a new challenge with the Saskatchewan Health Authority Volunteer Services Team.
In acknowledgment of her contributions, Kristine has been honored with the Young Professional Award by the Museum Association of Saskatchewan (2020), the Literacy Volunteer Award by Foundations Learning & Skills Saskatchewan (2022), and a Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada Exemplary Leader Award (2023).
Vice Chair & Chair-Elect
Tim Suda, CVA
Disaster Workforce Operations Senior Program Manager, American Red Cross
Murphy, North Carolina, USA
Tim Suda, CVA is an experienced leader of volunteers whose niche is empowering leadership volunteers who support their own teams of volunteers. He has a passion for volunteerism and bringing volunteer engagement professionals together. Tim works for the American Red Cross and focuses on the engagement, empowerment, and support of tens and thousands of disaster response volunteers who respond across the United States. Tim also serves as the Vice President for the Georgia Association for Volunteer Administration (GAVA) where he supports efforts for professional development, networking, industry updates and information.
Tim was a 2021 Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE) Impact Award recipient for the Emerging Leader Award. When he is not working or volunteering, Tim can be found in his amateur carpentry shop.
Vice Chair
Erin McLean, CVA
Director of Alumni and Volunteer Engagement, Trails Youth Initiatives
Brooklin, Ontario, Canada
With over 15 years of experience leading volunteers in local, provincial and National organizations, Erin has been the Director of Alumni and Volunteer Engagement at Trails Youth Initiatives since 2021. Erin holds a Master's degree in Political Science with a focus in Conflict Resolution from the University of Waterloo, as well as a certificate in Fundraising and Volunteer Management from George Brown College. In October of 2024, Erin earned her CVA designation. As a Leader of Volunteers, Erin is honoured and grateful to have been recognized in the profession for her contributions to Volunteer Engagement, including receiving the 2020 Emerging Leader Impact Award from the Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada (VMPC) and the 2024 Linda Buchanan Award.
Eager to connect and collaborate with peers, Erin recently wrapped up a 5-year Board term with VMPC, and also sits on the Engage editorial team as Co-Editor of the Ethics section where she has also been published. In 2022, Erin also spent time with Conestoga College as an Instructor for the Volunteer Management Certificate Program. Erin is an experienced workshop presenter and conference panelist.
When not working or volunteering, Erin loves to spend time with her husband, daughter, and puppy! She enjoys cooking, and travel and is a huge Toronto Maple Leafs fan!
Co-Treasurer
Becky Blumer, CVA
Volunteer Services Manager, Multnomah County Library
Portland, Oregon, USA
Becky Blumer, CVA (she/ her) has devoted her career to providing people with the opportunity to transform themselves and their communities through service. She is currently the Volunteer Services Manager at Multnomah County Library. Before joining the library, Becky was the Director of Portland, Oregon's volunteer center, Hands On Greater Portland. In 2019, she was awarded a Light A Fire Award as an Extraordinary Board Member from Portland Monthly Magazine for her board service with Store to Door of Oregon. Becky earned her CVA credential in 2008 and was a member and became the chair of the CCVA Test Writing Committee from 2009 - 2016. She is thrilled to continue her service to CCVA as a board member and is grateful for the opportunity to support an organization that has been a critical part of her professional development in volunteer management.
Treasurer
Kayla Paulson, CVA
Consultant, Trainer and Coach
Robins, Iowa, USA
Kayla Paulson, CVA, is a seasoned Community and Volunteer Engagement Professional Consultant, Trainer, and Coach who brings more than 20 years of expertise in empowering mission-driven organizations to unlock the full potential of people and their support. She partners with nonprofits, associations, communities, and public-sector leaders to challenge norms and help them rethink how they engage, support, and invite staff and volunteers to work together in partnership for a greater impact. She has led a regional volunteer center, secured and managed multiple federal grants (RSVP, AmeriCorps, VGF (sub & direct)), delivered the Service Enterprise Program since the national pilot, and served in leadership roles at state, regional, and national levels to help improve community volunteer engagement practices and galvanize the profession. Kayla is a passionate advocate for the value of engaging with the community and volunteers. Kayla is a frequent speaker, facilitator, and thought partner across the national civic volunteer engagement and nonprofit sectors. Kayla is also a reDirect SEE Ambassador, helping individuals and organizations build effective, sustainable environments where teams thrive through clarity, collaboration, and meaningful engagement. With a national reputation for practical, people-centered strategies, she's known for equipping leaders with the tools to create inclusive, mission- aligned systems that cultivate belonging and drive results.
Secretary
Jenn Short, CVA
Regional Volunteer Services Officer, American Red Cross
San Jose, CA, USA
Jennifer Short serves as the Regional Volunteer Services Officer in Northern California at the American Red Cross, providing volunteer management support including program, procedural, and technical guidance to departments across the region. She started as a volunteer with the American Red Cross in 2011, kicking off her passion for volunteerism, before transitioning to an employee in 2016. Along the way, she has served on many disaster relief operations with a focus on supporting the deployed volunteer workforce. Prior to working at the American Red Cross, Jennifer spent 13 years working in quality assurance and product development at Intuit, Inc. She earned a Master of Science from Cal State University - Long Beach in Emergency Services Administration and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Justice Systems Policy and Planning from Northern Arizona University. In addition to being a Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA), Jennifer is also a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) with the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM).
CCVA Board of Directors
Full Board
Director of Knowledge
Jennifer R. Bennett, CVA
Director, Education and Training - Idealist
San Francisco, California, USA
Jennifer leads Idealist's Learning Center, and designs tools, trainings, and resources to help Idealist’s community of nonprofits better recruit and engage volunteers.
She shares her knowledge with leaders of volunteers through the trainings in the Learning Center, through the LOVs Newsletter and the Idealist Blog, and at conferences around the country. She also co-hosts the Time + Talent Podcast with Tobi Johnson from VolunteerPro, which finished its fourth season in December 2022. She is also the current Co-Editor and a contributing author for the 4th Edition of Volunteer Administration: Professional Practice, published by LexisNexis Canada in January 2021.
She’s a strong believer in the importance of engaging volunteers in meaningful work and was Certified in Volunteer Administration in 2009.
She volunteers with the Justice & Diversity Center and Project Homeless Connect in San Francisco, with the Social Justice Sewing Academy, and fosters kittens with Home-At-Last Rescue.
She holds a B.A. from Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, VA.
Director of Ethics
Pamela Cox, CVA
Senior Director, Volunteer and Community Engagement
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Pamela serves as the Senior Director of Volunteer and Community Engagement for Neighborhood Christian Centers, Inc. (NCC) in Memphis, Tennessee. She has spent close to 35 years at NCC, with more than 15 of those years dedicated to managing and directing volunteer initiatives, as well as many other years in various leadership roles across the organization. In her current role, Pamela focuses on connecting individuals to the organization's mission and strengthening community impact. She is dedicated to supporting and inspiring volunteers to make a difference.
Pamela received her CVA credential in 2020, demonstrating her commitment to professional excellence and ethical standards in volunteer engagement. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi.
Pamela transitioned from a six-year tenure as Board Treasurer to a role as Member-at-Large on the DOVIA Memphis Board. She is also a Nexus Leaders Class of 2016 Mentor and a Sustainer member of the Junior League of Memphis, where she has contributed through several leadership roles.
In her personal time, Pamela enjoys spending time with her family and assisting authors with the publishing of their books.
Director of Outreach
Ashley Rieser, CVA
Director of Volunteer Services and Front of House Guest Experience - Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Ashley Rieser has been in the volunteer administration field for over 12 years. She oversees more than 500 volunteers who assist in a variety of performing arts venues, festivals, and art galleries at The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. She is a forward-thinking leader focused on moving the profession of volunteer engagement to the next level on a local and national scale. She received her CVA in 2016. In addition to her work on the CCVA Outreach Committee, she is the Past President and current Treasurer for her local association VASP, Volunteer Administrators of Southwestern PA. Ashley was the recipient of the 2017 EVIE Award for Outstanding Volunteer Administrator of the Year. She is the Chair of Tessitura’s Managing Volunteers and Interns Community of Practice. She is also a Volunteer Management Instructor at the Community College of Allegheny County. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of Colorado and one in Human Resources from Point Park University. She is currently in the process of completing a dual master’s program in Human Resource Management and M.B.A.
Director of Exam
Dr. Courtney Tull, CVA
Research Associate, Habitat for Humanity International & Adjunct Professor
Orlando, Florida, USA
Dr. Courtney Tull, CVA, is a leader with extensive experience in volunteer engagement, leadership development, and program evaluation. A proud AmeriCorps alum and recipient of the Delaware Service Impact Award in 2017, she has recruited and trained thousands of volunteers, mentored nearly 100 AmeriCorps members, and designed strategies to strengthen volunteer programs and organizational capacity. In her current role with Habitat for Humanity International, Courtney combines applied research with practice, creating tools and insights that support affiliates and partners across the country. A frequent speaker and adjunct professor, she is dedicated to advancing the field of volunteer administration and ensuring service is impactful for both volunteers and communities.
Director At-Large
Michele Baker, CVA
Jackson, Mississippi, USA
Michele D. Baker, CVA began her professional career at the Mississippi Center for Nonprofits helping people start 501(c)(3) charities. Next, she worked for 15 years at Volunteer Mississippi, helping many of the same nonprofits find and keep volunteers, and working with a growing group of AmeriCorps national service members. She has been an officer of DOVIA Mississippi since 1998. In 2017, she was awarded the Hometown Hero Award from the Jackson (Miss.) Visitor’s Bureau for volunteer service; and in 2018, she won a Governor’s Initiative for Volunteer Excellence (GIVE) Award.
Michele is the author of two books: “All We Need Is Love” and “Attitude of Gratitude.” She also edits Lifestyles After 50 and is the owner/editor of eat. drink. MISSISSIPPI magazine. She divides her time between freelance travel and food writing, writing curricula on volunteer management topics, training and speaking on volunteer management topics, writing and blogging on spirituality, baking, and international travel. She lives in a restored 1920s bungalow, owns too many cookbooks, and loves cats. Read her work at MicheleDBaker.com.
Director At-Large
Lisa Gunggoll, CVA
Director of Volunteer Services, Treasure Coast Hospice
Fort Pierce, Florida USA
Lisa Gunggoll is the Director of Volunteer Services at Treasure Coast Hospice, where she oversees all aspects of volunteer engagement across Martin, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee Counties in Florida. Since joining the organization in 2022, she has revitalized volunteer-driven patient programs, expanded Veteran-to-Veteran outreach, and led sustained growth in community participation and patient care support.
A Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA), Lisa brings more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, marketing, and communications. Prior to her work in hospice care, she founded LG-PR Marketing & Events, a consultancy that helped nonprofits strengthen brand visibility and fundraising outcomes. Her clients included Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of River Valley and Catholic Extension, a century-old national fundraising organization based in Chicago. She has also served as Director of Operations and Communications for the Illinois Patriot Education Fund and as Director of Marketing & Public Relations for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.
Lisa is passionate about advancing the impact of volunteer engagement through strategic storytelling and relationship building. She lives along Florida's Treasure Coast and continues to advocate for the power of volunteers to transform organizations and communities.
Director At-Large & HR Committee Lead
Rachel Cote, CVA
Director of Programs, Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Rachel Cote is an experienced nonprofit leader with a strong background in volunteer engagement, animal welfare, and organizational development. She currently serves as Director of Programs at the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS), where she oversees thousands of volunteers and foster homes across the province of Alberta, and leads broader program operations, community initiatives, and organizational efforts to strengthen impact and sustainability.
In addition to her full-time role, Rachel provides consulting services through her business and other avenues, supporting mission-driven organizations with strategic planning, HR supports, operations, and customer experience.
Rachel achieved her Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA) credential in 2016 and continues to advance professional practice in volunteer engagement through her leadership, mentorship, and strategic advisory work.
Director At-Large & IVMDay Committee Lead
Jennifer DeWolff, CVA
Program Coordinator, Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives
Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Jennifer brings over 12 years of experience in the volunteer engagement sector, specializing in program development, outreach, training, and consulting with organizations to design and optimize effective, sustainable volunteer programs. Her own journey as a volunteer began in her pre-teen years, an early experience that shaped her values and inspired a lifelong commitment to supporting others in giving back. Over the years, she has partnered with a wide range of nonprofits to enhance volunteer engagement, improve retention, and strengthen connections between volunteers and the communities they serve.
As Certified Volunteer Administrator, Jennifer is passionate about connecting volunteer engagement professionals, advancing sector standards, and promoting inclusive practices that empower both volunteers and the organizations they support. She is committed to fostering learning, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing across the sector to help organizations thrive and create rewarding volunteer experiences.
Vice Chair-Elect (begins 2027)
Lindsay Baker, CVA
Senior Director, Volunteer Resources, BC SPCA
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Lindsay Baker (she/her) is a respected leader with 25 years of experience building and empowering volunteer teams across diverse sectors. Through her career, she’s worked at universities, museums, volunteer centres, tourist attractions, and major special events, giving her a unique perspective on how volunteers strengthen organizations and communities.
As the Senior Director, Volunteer Resources at the BC SPCA, Lindsay mobilizes more than 3,500 volunteers across 33 communities to protect vulnerable animals and help people and animals thrive together. Known for her innovative approach, she enjoys developing pilot programs and new ways to adapt to evolving volunteer trends.
Lindsay's impact also extends beyond her organizational role. She served for eight years on the board of Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada, including a term as President, and also taught in Conestoga College's Volunteer Management Certificate Program for six years. In 2025, her contributions were recognized with an Impact Award for Exemplary Leadership of Volunteers.
Passionate about strengthening the future of the profession, Lindsay is dedicated to mentoring and supporting emerging leaders. Through coaching, training, and facilitation, she helps new professionals build the skills, confidence, and networks needed to succeed in this dynamic career.
Director-Elect of Ethics (begins 2027)
Wendy Johnson, CVA
Volunteer Resources Supervisor & Internship Coordinator, The Indianapolis Public Library
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Wendy Johnson, MPA, CVA, has been advancing the volunteer engagement profession since 2003, with experience spanning food insecurity, services for at-risk children and families, health care, and public libraries. Committed to volunteer leadership, she obtained her CVA in 2006. In her current role at The Indianapolis Public Library, she supports 25 branch and department volunteer coordinators and more than 500 ongoing volunteers, leads corporate volunteer engagement initiatives, and is growing a career-focused internship program.
Wendy is passionate about strengthening the profession by providing volunteer leadership training and conversations within the nonprofit community. She has contributed to programs with United Way of Central Indiana, the Public Library Association’s national conference, the AL!VE Summit, and the Indianapolis Public Library’s Nonprofit Series. Her work is grounded in the belief that great volunteerism creates a four-way win: meaningful benefits for volunteers, organizational staff and clients, and the community.
And, outside of volunteer engagement, Wendy is happily managed by two stubborn English Bulldogs who are firmly convinced that they are in charge—and she’s perfectly okay with that.
Director-Elect At-Large (begins 2027)
Alice Eekman, CVA
Alumni Relations Manager, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
Alice Eekman is a proud CVA and international community engagement professional with 20 years of experience across education, non-profit and corporate settings. At Erasmus University in the Netherlands, Alice leads a volunteer community of 100 professionals based around the world, and designed a strategy that increased engagement by 600% across 40 global locations. Almabase named her a Global Champion in Advancement, one of 50 professionals worldwide, for my work with international volunteers.
Alice recently completed a master's degree in Philanthropic Studies at the University of Kent. Her dissertation examined how universities in the Netherlands support volunteer management. She found that staff running volunteer programs often had no access to training, so many did not see themselves as volunteer managers, and without the professional identity and tools, could not confidently advocate for their roles. Through her memberships with AL!VE and the UK's AVM, she remains closely connected to the wider volunteer management community.
As a citizen of the Netherlands, the UK, Australia, and Fiji, Alice brings an international perspective to the board. She believes CCVA is well placed to play a leading role in global advocacy for the profession. Drawing on her marketing and partnerships experience with NGOs, universities, and embassies, I see opportunities to raise the profile of the CVA and widen access to training and recognition for the benefit of our professional community.
Director-Elect At-Large (begins 2027)
Kathy Oaks, CNP, CVA
Strategic Director, Volunteer Engagement, American Cancer Society
Lubbock, Texas USA
Kathy Oaks, CNP, CVA, is the Strategic Director, Volunteer Engagement, for the American Cancer Society (ACS). In this role, she partners with enterprise staff and volunteers to develop and execute strategies that strengthen volunteer recruitment, retention, development, and deployment across the Society's revenue-focused programs and initiatives.
Kathy serves as the strategic lead for the Society's Market Boards, oversees the ACS Volunteer Impact Panel, and leads the Society's Volunteer Leadership Summit, the premier annual convening of more than 200 volunteer and staff leaders, members of the Executive Team, and the ACS Inc. Board of Directors. Through these leadership responsibilities, she helps shape volunteer engagement strategy, strengthen governance partnerships, and drive innovative solutions that advance volunteer impact nationwide.
Previously, Kathy served as Senior Manager of the American Cancer Society's nationwide Volunteer Care Team, where she led a geographically dispersed team responsible for volunteer onboarding, training, placement, and support. She was also a member of the Volunteer Engagement Leadership Team, contributing to the organization's overall volunteer engagement strategy and volunteer experience.
Prior to her national leadership roles, Kathy served as Senior Market Manager, Community Engagement, for the ACS Lubbock market, where she led community mobilization efforts, volunteer engagement strategies, and strategic partnerships supporting local programs, fundraising initiatives, and mission delivery. She also served as Regional Director of Development for the West Texas Region, leading a fundraising team that generated more than $2.5 million annually through signature events, including Relay For Life and Cattle Baron's Ball.
Beyond her professional leadership, Kathy is deeply committed to volunteer service and nonprofit governance. She currently serves as Chair of the Governance Committee for the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) Board of Directors and is a past Chair of the All Saints Episcopal School Parent Board. A Sustaining Member of the Junior League of Lubbock, she was selected as the organization's inaugural Chair of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging and continues to serve as Sustaining Advisor for its DEIB committee. Her community leadership has also included service on the Ballet Lubbock Board of Directors, the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Imagine Lubbock Together Steering Committee, and the Young Professionals of Lubbock Executive Committee.
A recipient of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce's 20 Under 40 Award, Kathy is a proud Texas Tech University alumna and lifelong Red Raider. She and her husband reside in Lubbock, Texas, with their two children.
Committees
Ethics
CCVA has been the home of professional ethics in volunteer administration since 2006. The Ethics Committee leads the development and delivery of educational sessions and creates real-world case studies to support practitioners in strengthening their ethical decision-making and practice.
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Members are: Christa Clay, Pamela Cox, Heather Jackson, Alanna LaHay, Ruth Millard, Cairn Reisch and Elise Warren.
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Marketing and Communications
Affectionately known as MarComms, this is a small but powerful group of dedicated volunteers whose joy it is to connect and engage with volunteer engagement professionals across the globe. We do this by keeping active on our two social streams – Facebook, and LinkedIn, and by ensuring that all communications are both accurate and beautiful.
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Members are: Yvonne Dunphe, Corina Sadler and Faiza Venzant
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Outreach
This committee conducts information sessions at no cost to groups and individuals who want to better understand the process of earning the CVA credential.
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Members are: Ashley Reiser, Alli Zuel, Carol Ayars, Dani Wagner, Drew Delbaere, Heather Jackson, Jennifer Weichel, Karin Henderson, Kelly Barrett, Lindsey (Bates) Kull, Mark Smith, Rebecca Lumbrix, Renée Fleming, Sara Shaffer-Henry, Susan Sanow, Sarah Philippe and Yvonne Dunphe.