Our Directors

Heartwood’s extremely dedicated directors bring many and varied skills to the board, which is chaired by Vikki Broesamle.

Vikki Broesamle is the Executive Director for English Language Tutoring for the Ottawa Community (ELTOC) and has been serving newcomers for the past 20 years in settlement, employment, and language acquisition.

Barbara Merriam, a former Director-General at the Department of Justice, has also held positions with the National Crime Prevention Centre, Family Violence Division of Health Canada, and Children’s Aid Society. Barbara has wide knowledge and experience in social, health and criminal justice issues and is Past President of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (Eastern Branch).

Secretary Anshu Uppal has over 20 years experience working in the IT industry, starting as a software developer and moving along as Project Manager, Vendor Manager, Field Services Consultant and most recently Customer Success Manager. She joined the Heartwood board in August 2020 and accepted the role of Secretary in October 2020. Anshu is passionate about contributing her skills and knowledge to Heartwood House and its member groups to support their mission and vision.

Treasurer John Pelletier

Margaret Fallis has served on the Community Laundry Co-op board since its inception in 1998. A career in the federal government included experience in information management, re-engineering and strategic management. Margaret has also worked as a teacher in the public school system. 

UnyimeAbasi Odong has over 15 years of experience in legal and policy research, analysis and development. She started out as a litigation lawyer in the private sector before becoming a policy and legal advisor for grassroots governments. She also has considerable experience with program development, management and evaluation.

Tanya Wayne is Vice President of Cushman Wakefield, where she has spent over 25 years. As well as real estate knowledge and experience in all major commercial sectors, including landlord and tenant relationships, she has exceptional skills in training and team motivation, business development strategy and sales.

Ghislaine Lefebvre is a retired educator who has dedicated well over thirty years in education. She worked as a teacher and was also a Department Head. She then went to work for the Ministry of Education as an Education Officer. She was instrumental in launching the GED Program in the province of Ontario. She was then involved with the GED International Program as the Canadian representative on the Strategic Testing and Resources Specialists (STARS) team. After retiring from the Ministry of Education she continued to be involved in education in the French Program Development at the CFORP (Le centre franco-ontarien de resources pédagogiques). Taking on a new life she enrolled in courses to be able to help people prepare their Income Tax Returns - An experience that served her well. She now volunteers at the Montfort Hospital.

Paula Tavares De Carvalho Rocha

Executive Director Maureen (Moe) Moloughney

 
 
 

OUr Mission

Heartwood House provides an affordable, accessible workplace for small non-profit and charitable organizations, enabling them to maximize their services through a mutually supportive, hospitable and empowering environment for their clients and participants.

Heartwood House serves the residents of Ottawa who are marginalized, living in poverty, and/or in need of educational, mental health, emotional, physical, economic, employment, training or recreational support through collaboration and the development of formal and informal partnerships within the greater community.