Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation Team
Allen LeBlanc
Chief Executive Director
Born in Chicoutimi, QC, Allen feels incredibly fortunate to have been raised across Canada. He continued exploring the country on his own, arriving to Ottawa in 2011 with a young family.
Over 30 years ago, he decided to pursue a career to help others based on core values which were instilled in him very early on in life including service above self.
During his professional life, he has served social missions in education, arts & culture, the environment, community and social services, international development and health.
Allen continues to be inspired by the potential of making great things happen for the betterment of humankind, whether locally or globally. He remains a lifelong learner and is driven by curiosity, creativity and innovation. He draws much of his energy from working alongside similarly impassioned individuals, like those at the Shepherds of Good Hope and its Foundation and looks forward to nurturing authentic relationships that reflect the wonderful goodwill and generosity that exists in Ottawa in supporting its most vulnerable community members; Homes for all, Community for All, Hope for All.
Meighan Hartley, CFRE
Chief Development Officer
Born and raised in Alberta, Meighan has been a community-oriented individual from the get-go.
Since relocating to Ottawa in 2002 to obtain her bachelor’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Meighan went on to develop and hone her fundraising skills by completing her post-graduate studies in Volunteer and Resource Management at Georgian College.
Meighan also attained her Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) in June 2023.
Having spent the last 19 years in the non-profit and charitable sector, Meighan is committed to supporting the Ottawa community in her professional life, while lending her spare time to various efforts and initiatives across the region.
Meighan has always enjoyed working in the realm of donor relations and annual giving. She has a passion for writing, ethical storytelling, and relationship building, while connecting donors to projects that strongly align with their personal interests.
Celina Oliveira-Stipanic
Senior Officer, Corporate Philanthropy
Celina Oliveira-Stipanic is the Senior Officer, Corporate Philanthropy at Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation.
Celina brings more than 25 years of experience in high performance sport, philanthropy, and community engagement.
Born and raised in Ottawa, Celina always had a deep-rooted connection to her community and a strong drive to make a meaningful impact.
She began her career at Skate Canada, where she served as High Performance Manager for Canada’s Olympic and World Figure Skating Teams.
In 2016, she transitioned into fund development and alumni relations, sparking her passion for philanthropy, an area she further pursued through roles at the CHEO Foundation and Brain Canada Foundation.
Her career has also included involvement in major international sporting events including the Olympic Games, FIFA, and the LPGA, along with advocacy work supporting athletes through ITP Sports.
One of her most meaningful volunteer experiences has been with the community kitchen at Shepherds of Good Hope, an organization she’s now proud to serve in a professional capacity.
A lifelong athlete, Celina enjoys golfing, snowboarding, and staying active.
She brings energy, empathy, and dedication to everything she does and is thrilled to continue supporting the most vulnerable members of our community through her work at Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation.
Corey Roberge
Database & Gift Processing Coordinator
Born and raised in Ottawa, Corey studied at Carleton University and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Communications & Media Studies, along with a Minor in English Literature Studies. Following his time there, he spent a brief period working as a civil servant for the Federal Government, before moving on to Shepherds of Good Hope. He handles the processing of gifts through the foundation, and likely if you’ve called in to donate, then he’s the one you’ve spoken to!
On his time off he enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with his friends.
Temitayo Sharon Adunmo
Officer, Philanthropy
Sharon’s journey with Shepherds of Good Hope started the way many meaningful things do — by showing up. Born and raised in Ibadan, Nigeria, she came to Ottawa in 2021 to pursue a master’s in Feminist and Gender Studies, but it was her time volunteering at the Foundation that truly rooted her in the community. One day, she was giving her time. The next, she was being asked to stay. She hasn’t looked back.
Now, as Officer, Philanthropy, Sharon spends her days connecting with mid-level donors — people who care deeply about the Foundation’s mission and want to see their support make a tangible difference. She finds genuine joy in walking donors through the impact of their generosity, whether through facility tours, volunteer opportunities, or gift-in-kind experiences. Sharon brings sunshine, strategy, and serious heart to her work in philanthropy.
Her “why” is grounded in a quiet, steady belief: everyone deserves to live with dignity, respect, and compassion. In a world where homelessness persists, she refuses to accept it as inevitable. She shows up, for her neighbours, for the community that welcomed her, and for anyone who needs someone to see them fully. For Sharon, philanthropy isn’t transactional. It’s about building relationships that turn kindness into action.
Outside the office, Sharon is a voracious reader and the proud founder of a book club that champions African and feminist literature (bring your hot takes, she’s ready). She’s a self-proclaimed eat-all-a-tarian who considers food a love language, and a champion napper who can catch Z’s just about anywhere (bench, couch, or quiet corner). She calls it strategic recharging.
Sandra Obaji
Administrative Coordinator
Born and raised in Owerri, Nigeria. Sandra moved to Ottawa in 2022 to pursue a Master’s degree in Business Analytics, specializing in Technology Innovation Management.
Her journey led her to Shepherds of Good Hope, where she began as a frontline staff member. Driven by a deep commitment to community impact, she advanced to the role of Assistant Manager before taking on the role of Administrative Coordinator at the foundation.
In her current position, Sandra effectively manages in-kind donations, oversees the reception line, and ensures the smooth operation of the office.
Outside of work, she enjoys cherished moments with her children, indulging in movies and favourite shows.
Emma Bernans
Director
Born and raised in Chatham, Ontario, Emma is passionate about making an impact in her community. As the daughter of two dedicated educators, she learned the value of service and compassion from an early age and is excited to bring her experience and knack for relationship-building to the Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation.
Having spent the last 13 years in the charitable sector working closely with donors to achieve their philanthropic goals, Emma looks forward to creating meaningful opportunities for people to make a difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness in Ottawa.
Emma’s personal values, her commitment to ethics and transparency, and her ability to foster long-term relationships align perfectly with the Shepherds’ mission and vision of Homes for All, Community for All, Hope for All.
Sarah Langham
Community Events Coordinator
Having been raised in Ottawa, Sarah has always had a passion for bringing communities together and helping organizations tackle societal challenges. She graduated from Bishop’s University with a double major in Political Science and Sociology. Sarah has over 5 years of experience working with groups of volunteers and donors to help engage their communities.
In her free time, Sarah enjoys staying active by playing sports or being outside. When she is not attending community events around the city, she is teaching children’s Jiu-Jitsu and sparring with friends.
Mona Bhatia
Marketing Manager
Born and raised in Mumbai, India, Mona is deeply committed to supporting people and strengthening community through her work. She moved to Ottawa in 2023 and has since made the city her home.
Mona holds a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing. She brings over 8 years of experience in marketing, brand development, and campaign strategy. Her background in hospitality shaped her understanding of presentation, audience experience, and meaningful connection.
At Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation, Mona supports fundraising campaigns and manages the Foundation’s digital presence. She shares the stories of community partners and volunteers, highlighting their impact and helping strengthen engagement across the community.
Outside of work, Mona enjoys cooking, photography, and travelling to explore new places and cultures. She is happiest when planning her next trip or gathering friends around a home-cooked meal.