Meet our Board of Directors

Helaine Boyd - Board Chair

Helaine is the Executive Director of Disability Alliance BC and Disability Alliance Canada. She joined the MAC board in September 2021. Helaine considers joining the board of MAC as coming “full circle” in her mine action journey over the past 12 years, as it started back in 2012 when she was fortunate to receive an International Youth Internship Program placement with MAC in Nepal. From there, her career in mine action took off, working for Humanity and Inclusion France (formerly known as Handicap International) and then the HALO Trust over five years in several positions. 

Helaine has worked in over 18 landmine and explosive ordnance-affected countries around the world and has extensive experience and knowledge in monitoring and evaluation, and program management. In her current role as Executive Director of Disability Alliance BC and Disability Alliance Canada, Helaine is able to provide insight on non-profit leadership and management within the Canadian context.

Helaine lives on the unceded lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, in downtown Vancouver. In her spare time, Helaine can often be found dancing ballet, going to pub quiz nights, hiking the nearby mountains and kayaking or sailing the nearby waters.

Helaine holds both undergraduate and post graduate degrees from the University of British Columbia. 

Gavin Charles - Board Vice-Chair

Gavin joined the Mines Action Canada Board in 2022. He has over a decade of experience providing analysis, advice, and strategic communications on a wide range of global issues. He is currently based in Stockholm, where he writes speeches and prepares briefing materials for the Secretary-General of International IDEA, the leading intergovernmental organization supporting democracy worldwide. He previously advised Canada's Official Opposition Critic for Foreign Affairs; served as policy lead for Cooperation Canada, the national association of international development and humanitarian organizations; and worked in the Canadian public service as an international security policy analyst.

Gavin specializes in translating varied and complex perspectives into clear and concrete policy products. He has written briefing notes, speeches, op-eds, press releases, project proposals, and parliamentary motions; advised parliamentarians and top officials on opportunities and strategies; convened and coordinated national and international meetings and networks; and recommended foreign policy for a major political party. Gavin has a strong track record of leading and contributing to substantive policy change from the organizational to international level, in diverse areas like inclusive governance, military munitions, and accountability for international aid.

Gavin comes from Halifax, Nova Scotia. He holds an MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and History from Dalhousie University and the University of King’s College, along with education from work and travel in over 40 countries.

Catherine Lappe

Catherine Lappe has worked for the Government of Canada in different capacities since 1991. She has lived in North Vancouver, BC since 2001 and is the proud mother of a teenage daughter.

Catherine has been the Assistant Deputy Minister for Child and Family Services Reform with Indigenous Services Canada since April 2021. 

Previous to this role, Catherine was the Regional Director General for the Indigenous Services Canada BC Region from 2016 to 2021, during which time she developed strong relationships with First Nations leadership across the province and worked on a broad range of social and economic files, including during a series of emergencies such as wildfires and the pandemic. 

From 2012 to July 2016, Catherine worked at Service Canada, as Director General, Citizen Services and Program Delivery and Senior Executive Director, Processing and Payment Services, for the Western Canada and Territories Region of Service Canada. She also held the position of Regional Director General at Health Canada for British Columbia (2005 to 2012) and has held numerous other senior positions in other departments. 

Catherine started her career in senior positions in Ministers' offices, including at Health Canada, Privy Council Office, Foreign Affairs and Western Diversification. As Director of Communications for the Minister of Foreign Affairs (1997-1998), she was privileged to be at the ground floor of the process to start the Ottawa Landmines Treaty, an initiative that continues to impact her and drive her interest to join the Board of Directors of Mines Action Canada. In much of her career, she has been able to work on social justice files, alongside many partners and looks forward to building on this experience while on the Board. 

She has also served on the Board of Directors of the United Way of the Lower Mainland for two years, and led the federal campaign for the United Way for the Government of Canada for another two years. Catherine previously also served on the Board of Directors of Learning for a Sustainable Future. 

Catherine holds a Bachelor of Arts (political science) from the University of Toronto and a master's degree (political science) from the University of Ottawa. In 2016, Catherine obtained a Certificate in Public Leadership and Governance from the University of Ottawa.

Anne Duhamel

Anne Duhamel has 20 years of solid experience as a senior manager in policy, advocacy, government relations, public engagement and non-profit governance, working with international bodies, government and the non-profit sector. 

She brings extensive experience in strategic thinking, management and planning to MAC’s Board, in addition to a long and abiding commitment to support well-informed decision-making.

Active in both the federal and Quebec political arenas for the past two decades as a senior foreign affairs and international development policy advisor, she has advised a Critic for Foreign Affairs in the House of Commons of Canada as well as an Official Opposition Critic for International Relations and La Francophonie at the Quebec National Assembly and led the advocacy work of 40 NGOs in the Americas Policy Group of the Canadian Council for International Co-operation. Serving as Director of Policy and Campaigns and a member of the Senior Management Team for Oxfam-Québec, Anne advanced policy files related to peace, security and humanitarian assistance, international arms control and disarmament, in addition to campaigning to support women and youth inclusion in peacebuilding.

Among her many diverse duties, she penned a report for the Quebec Department of International Relations and La Francophone on alternative methods of funding a Quebec International Development Agency. She also drafted a 2018-2022 strategic plan for the International Political Science Association and wrote the first evaluation report on the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission's work on the youth, peace and security agenda. 

Ms. Duhamel holds a Master’s degree in political science from Université du Québec à Montréal 

Sarah Bollozos

Sarah Bollozos is a senior executive and global development leader with over 20 years of experience across humanitarian, international development, and nonprofit sectors. As Chief Development Officer at United Way British Columbia, she leads provincial philanthropy and corporate partnership strategy, aligning resource mobilization with community impact priorities. 

She began her career as a Young Professional, working with the Uganda Landmine Survivors Association, supporting advocacy and community-based initiatives, and represented civil society at the 2004 United Nations Nairobi Summit for a Mine-Free World.

Sarah brings strong governance experience and has worked closely with Boards to advance strategy, strengthen oversight, and support long-term sustainability. Her international experience spans Afghanistan, Central Asia, and East Africa, and she is deeply committed to advancing humanitarian disarmament, survivor support, and inclusive, community-led solutions. 

Olivia Meader

Olivia is the Manager of Development at the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights, where she leads fundraising and organizational development initiatives that advance the human right to housing across Canada. 

Prior to this, Olivia spent a decade (2015-2024) with The HALO Trust, where she held roles in grants management, country program management, and government and stakeholder affairs. Through her work in Lao PDR, Kosovo, Angola, Zimbabwe, and the United States she has gained first-hand experience of the impact of conflict and the importance of humanitarian disarmament and civilian protection.

Olivia’s areas of expertise include organizational development, fundraising, strategic planning, and financial stewardship. Her professional experience spans international humanitarian assistance, as well as the Canadian and US charitable sectors, providing both operational and governance perspectives on mission-driven organization

Kayla Pries

Kayla Pries is a humanitarian and international development professional with more than 14 years of experience managing programs and informing policy across Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Myanmar, Yemen, and other contexts affected by explosive hazards and arms proliferation.

Her work has focused on delivering evidence-based programming, fostering partnerships with governments, UN agencies, and civil society, and translating field experience into practical policy and funding strategies. A graduate of NPSIA, Kayla brings expertise in international human rights and humanitarian law, as well as risk management, and is committed to advancing humanitarian disarmament and protecting civilians affected by conflict.

Having previously participated in Mines Action Canada's youth programming, she is proud to contribute to the organization's mission as a member of its Board of Directors.

Raphaëlla Ayina

Raphaëlla Ayina is a lawyer, member of the Barreau du Québec. She holds a Master of Laws from the University of Toronto and a Licentiate in Law and Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences in International Development from the University of Ottawa. She previously served as a judicial law clerk at the Federal Court of Canada working on issues related to international humanitarian law and as a Graduate Research Assistant at Osgoode Hall Law School, where she conducted research on Canadian mining companies and human rights obligations abroad.

As the representative of Ordre Suprême des Ancêtres, an NGO with consultative status at the United Nations, Raphaëlla has advocated for over 535 African chiefdoms before OHCHR, ECOSOC, OAS, and WIPO, including at the 2024 diplomatic conference that produced the historic Treaty on Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge. She holds a Red Cross certification in International Humanitarian Law.