Founded in 1918, CNIB is a non-profit organization driven to change what it is to be blind today. We deliver innovative programs and powerful advocacy that empower people impacted by blindness to live their dreams and tear down barriers to inclusion. Our work as a blind foundation is powered by a network of volunteers, donors, and partners from coast to coast to coast.
An integral part of our strategic plan – The Way Forward – involves engaging passionate allies who are ready and willing to join us in this work. CNIB cannot tear down these barriers alone. We need support. We need to shout our message from the rooftops and engage everyone we can – including parents of children with low vision, like-minded organizations, political representatives, our community advocates, and the general public – to stand with us.
Active in every province, CNIB Strategic Leadership Councils play a pivotal role in bringing The Way Forward to life in our communities. Together, we are fostering an understanding of blindness and dispelling misconceptions about people who are blind, partially sighted, or Deafblind; removing barriers to create safe, accessible door-to-door journeys for all; and giving parents and children the support they need to excel in and out of the classroom.
Strategic Leadership Council Alberta / Northwest Territories
Craig Peterson, Executive Director, Alberta & Northwest Territories
Craig Peterson is the Executive Director of Alberta and Northwest Territories. With a career focused on sales and operations leadership, most recently Craig worked in the non-profit sector, supporting vulnerable citizens across Canada. Craig joined Team CNIB in 2023.
CNIB has been a part of Craig’s life since he was a child. He lost his vision at the age of 15, inheriting a genetic mitochondrial condition called Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropath (LHON). Both his mother and uncle experienced vision loss from LHON and worked for CNIB in various roles.
Passionate about spending time with his family and serving his community, Craig coaches his twins in youth sports, enjoys the mountains, and often moves his ball to a shady spot during a round of golf with his friends.
Recognizing that technology increases accessibility, Craig has leveraged it throughout his career to carry out his work. He is a huge proponent of its use for others to experience life to the fullest, whether it be to work, play, learn, or create.
Craig recognizes there are many avenues for advocacy in the sight loss community. He will leverage his lived experience and ability to build relationships to help lead CNIB’s important work as we aim to address stigma and break down barriers to change what is blind.
Carrie Anton
Chris Abdalla
David Pick
Dayna Schnell
John McDougall
Kai Horsfield
Mike Harroun
Pam Heard
Tereza Fonda
Gaming and Grants Board Alberta / Northwest Territories
The Gaming and Grants Board supports CNIB’s innovative programs and powerful advocacy by reviewing and approving gaming and grants applications that require Board oversight. Members also ensure current program offerings align with the participant needs and leverage their networks to enhance CNIB’s profile and create barrier-free communities for people who are blind, partially sighted or Deafblind.
Nancy Wu, Vice Chair
Ojas Srivastava, Treasurer
Rhonda Pigeon, Director
Jason Pisesky, Director
Strategic Leadership Council British Columbia / Yukon
Abby Sienko
Alexandra Hallid
Bari Colebank
Gary Sandhu
Jennifer Smyth-Whelly
Scott Rees
Gaming and Grants Board British Columbia / Yukon
The Gaming and Grants Board supports CNIB’s innovative programs and powerful advocacy by reviewing and approving gaming and grants applications that require Board oversight. Members also ensure current program offerings align with the participant needs and leverage their networks to enhance CNIB’s profile and create barrier-free communities for people who are blind, partially sighted or Deafblind.
Provincial Gaming & Grants Board
Charles Mossop, Chair
Alice Pan, Treasurer
Ajay Grewal
Alex Demner
Alexandra Halliday
Amy Amantea
Ann McNabb
Cameron Sutherland
Don Walls
Lower Mainland, South Coast & Fraser Valley Gaming & Grants Board
Ian Schatz, Chair
Dwayne Weidendorf, Treasurer
Ann McNabb
Mili Baghela
Stefanie Volpe
Vancouver Island Gaming & Grants Board
Kyla Berry, Chair
Doreen Gatt, Treasurer
Charles Mossop
Daniel Huang
David Spaven
Don Walls
Judith LeRoy
Southern Interior Gaming & Grants Board
Alexandra Halliday, Chair
Hugh Welch, Treasurer
Carol Sparkes
Karen Hartwig
Kent Stewart
Northern BC Gaming & Grants Board
Cameron Sutherland, Chair
Bari Colebank, Treasurer
Daryl Davis
Gary Sandhu
Heather Lamb
Shirley Mathews
Theresa Clark
Strategic Leadership Council Manitoba
Charity LePage
Darcy Smith
Derek Lackey
Heather Power
Maggie Lee Grant
Marsha Cowan
Dr. Nadine Shelton
Renee Greyeyes
Scott Best
Sue Starkey
Strategic Leadership Council Newfoundland and Labrador
Amy McCarthy
Brandon Snow
Corinne Massey
Cynthia Antle
George Sweeney
Kristen Oldford
Melissa Jenkins
Strategic Leadership Council Nova Scotia
Bethany Hoffe
Brenda Anderson
Daniel O'Brien (Chair)
Dr. Daniel O'Brien
Glenda Parsons
Jeff Overmars
Marin Hogan
Sylvia Parris
Tara Niekamp (Vice-Chair)
William "Bill" Blight
Strategic Leadership Council Ontario
Buruzoth Bala
Claudia Brabazon
Christopher Williamson
Elaine Harrison
Jennifer Bromley
Kristin Pahapill
Laura Amantea
Malini Ondrovick
Pakizah Kozak
Shawn Maloney
Stephen Ondrik
Tim Smitherman
Strategic Leadership Council Saskatchewan
Amy Alsop
Bobbi Janzen
Cathy Hinther
Chidinma Obidegwu
Evan Bray
Ian Zerr
Luc Lemoine
Palash Sanyal
Ron Pugsley
Ryan Graham
Thank you to our incredible leadership volunteers who are committed to creating a Canada where everyone with sight loss can live, learn, work, and play without barriers.