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Executive Leadership Team

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CNIB's team of senior leaders across the country are passionate about changing what it is to be blind today.
 

Photo of Angela BonfantiAngela Bonfanti, President and CEO
Since joining the CNIB team in 2011, Angela Bonfanti has been a driving force behind many of our organization’s most transformational achievements for Canada’s community of people impacted by blindness, and a vocal advocate for accessibility and inclusivity for all people living with disabilities. Having close ties to sight loss in her personal life, Angela has been a lifelong champion of the rights of Canadians living with blindness, Deafblindness, or low vision. Throughout her tenure with CNIB in various senior roles, she has been instrumental in shaping our organization’s strategies and moving the needle on a number of issues faced by people with sight loss in Canada. Learn more about Angela...
 

Photo of Christall BeaudryChristall Beaudry, Chief of Staff and Chief Inclusion Officer
Christall Beaudry is Chief of Staff and Chief Inclusion Officer.  She has oversight for the Office of the President, acting as the President’s liaison and providing strategic counsel.  She will ensure CNIB’s operations align with strategic goals, lead inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility for CNIB and drive growth. Christall has worked for CNIB for 12 years and has held several leadership positions as Executive Director for Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Executive Lead for Come to Work and CNIB’s Indigenous Strategy and most recently as the Regional Vice President for Western Canada.  A lifelong learner, Christall has an MBA and certifications in International Trade, Immigration, Coaching and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.


Photo of Diane BergeronDiane Bergeron, Head, International Partnerships 
Diane is the Head, International Partnerships here at CNIB and she plays a pivotal role on global blindness issues as treasurer of the World Blind Union. Diane has held several positions at CNIB and most recently advanced the work of CNIB Guide Dogs as the president of the program. Diane is partnered with her own CNIB Guide Dog, Carla, and together they advocate for the rights of people who are blind or have sight loss in Canada and around the world. Before Diane joined CNIB in 2012, she held senior roles with the Government of Alberta and City of Edmonton.

 

Photo of Melanie BurgessMelanie Burgess, Senior Vice President, Business Transformation and Integration
Melanie Burgess is proud to have worked in the not-for-profit sector her entire career and has been a valued part of the CNIB team for nearly 20 years. Over that time, she has held a number of senior roles across the organization – from fundraising to marketing to programming to operations – and has led both small and large teams. In her new role, Melanie is focused on transforming programs and enhancing the participant experience for people across Canada who are impacted by blindness.


 

Photo of Suzanne DecarySuzanne Decary, Senior Vice President, Programs 
As a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist with an educational background in psychology and post-vision loss rehabilitation, Suzanne has over 20 years of experience in the field of vision loss. She started her career at CNIB as a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist before moving into various management roles. In her current role as Senior Vice President, Programs, she oversees CNIB program quality and development across Canada. Suzanne is committed to removing barriers for Canadians living with sight loss and has a special interest in the areas of education equity and inclusive communities.    

 

Photo of Robert GauntRobert Gaunt, President, CNIB Guide Dogs
Since joining the CNIB team 12 years ago, Robert Gaunt has held several senior leadership positions – including those with executive oversight for several provinces – and most recently held the role of President of CNIB SmartLife and Innovation. Robert has led transformational business development strategies, managed expansive cross-functional portfolios across the country, and fostered collaborative relationships with a wide range of diverse stakeholders, from international allied organizations to government bodies to community partners. As President of CNIB Guide Dogs, Robert is leading the business model’s next strategic phase of growth and evolution for Canadians seeking a guide dog. 
 

Photo of Frank LombardoFrank Lombardo, Senior Vice President, Innovation and Digital Transformation
Frank Lombardo is a transformational leader with over 25 years of experience in managing diverse teams and driving strategic technological enterprise initiatives. As the Senior Vice President of Innovation and Digital Transformation at CNIB, he leads the development and execution of innovative strategies, ensuring the appropriate technologies are properly integrated into the organization’s strategic objectives. Frank’s expertise in technological strategic planning, innovation, and partnership growth has been pivotal in advancing CNIB’s mission.


Photo of Patrick MilnePatrick Milne, Chief Operating Officer 
After nearly 20 years in the retail sector, Patrick discovered his true passion in the not-for-profit world and is committed to CNIB’s mission of supporting its community of Canadians who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. As Chief Operating Officer at CNIB, Patrick oversees several key business units, ensuring the organization’s strategies align with its mission and vision. Drawing on his background in human resources, Patrick’s leadership philosophy centres on creating a positive, inclusive work environment that empowers employees at all levels. He is fortunate to work with dedicated professionals who are united in their commitment to change what it means to be blind in Canada today.
 

Photo of Garry NensonGarry Nenson, Chief Revenue Officer 
Garry joined CNIB in 1989 as part of our philanthropy team based in Manitoba. Since then, he has held several senior leadership roles, including Executive Director, Regional Director, and National Director of Training and Advancement. Garry has now come full circle and landed back in our philanthropy team as Chief Revenue Officer, overseeing all philanthropic revenue generation for CNIB. He leads a team of professionals who thrive on raising funds to support the important programs and services of CNIB across Canada.