Neil Hannam, CEO
Neil Hannam has over 25 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector. Before Neil started V Formation, he spent the previous 12 years in healthcare fundraising and was the Executive Director of the Campbellford Memorial Hospital Foundation. He then moved to the Ontario Shores Foundation for Mental Health. Neil also served on the senior management team of both hospitals.
The V Formation team has been leading many recent capital campaign feasibility studies including St. Joseph’s at Fleming, Public Energy – The Power of Performance, Brant County SPCA, Quinte Humane Society, and the Ontario SPCA Cornwall Branch. V Formation has been leading the following campaigns including Ontario SPCA/Peterborough Humane Society’s capital campaign, Quinte Humane Society campaign, and Brant County SPCA.
V Formation has also worked on annual programs and annual fundraising with Humane Society of Durham Region, Warming Room Community Ministries, St. John’s One Roof program, Quinte Humane Society, Maryam Monsef election campaign, Kawartha Lakes Food Source, YES Shelter for Youth and Families, Grace Inn Shelter, Belleville General Hospital, West Haldimand Hospital and Health Care Foundation, and Public Energy.
Neil completed a Master’s degree in 2013. His thesis focused on organization transformation.
Neil has been a Rotarian for 18 years and is the founding chair of the new Rotary Club of Otonabee Satellite Club. Neil served on the board of the Kawartha Gymnastics Club for the four years and finished his term as Board Chair in 2019. Neil was the founding board president of the Peterborough Regional Farmers Network and the treasurer for the board of COSA Canada, a restorative justice organization.
Karen Ormerod,
Principal Consultant
Karen Ormerod has been working in the not-for-profit and charitable sector for over 30 years. Described as a visionary leader and organizational change agent, she earned a Master’s of Management Degree for National Voluntary Sector Leaders from McGill University in 2003 and her Certified Fund Raising Exectutive (CFRE) designation in 2015.
Karen is currently a Principal Consultant with V Formation assisting clients with various projects including strategic planning, planning for fund development diversification, capital campaigns, and interim executive management roles. Former positions held include: Executive Director, Humane Society of Durham Region; Chief Operating Officer, Lakeridge Health Foundation; Executive Director, Durham Hospice; CEO, Institute for Global Ethics; President & CEO, Osteoporosis Canada; Executive Director, ALS Ontario; District Manager of the CNIB, York Region; and the National Manager of Chapter Operations for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
In these positions, Karen has led fundraising efforts that raised millions of dollars in revenue and is considered an expert in raising funds through direct mail, events, major gifts, planned giving, and annual programs.
In 2013, Karen consulted with the Ontario Tech University’s Management Development Centre to develop their highly successful Not-for-Profit Leadership Certificate Program. An energetic and popular instructor, Karen continues to teach the Strategy & Leadership module twice yearly, with particular emphasis on best practices for developing, implementing, and reporting on multi-year strategic and operational plans, risk management issues, critical and ethical decision making, consensus building, and storytelling.
In addition to her work experience, Karen remains committed to the sector in her role as a volunteer. She currently volunteers with Golf Fore Good, raising funds through women’s golf and has held volunteer roles with the Durham Community Foundation, Girl Guides of Canada, Scouts Canada, Pickering Village Soccer Club, and the Migraine Association of Canada.
Ryan Erb
Ryan Erb brings over 25 years of leadership in
non-profit management, community development, and fundraising. As Executive Director of United Way Perth-Huron, he has guided the organization to become Canada’s largest small-market chapter, leading many successful annual campaigns, capital campaigns, and major gift initiatives. Recently, Ryan played a pivotal role in launching United Housing an affordable and attainable housing corporation dedicated to developing, acquiring, and operating mixed income rental units across Perth and Huron counties.
Holding an M.A. in Leadership and certifications in governance, Ryan also consults with non-profits on strategic planning and board development. With more than 35 years of board experience, he is committed to strengthening community organizations through innovative partnerships and solutions. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys volunteering, hiking, hockey, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Melissa Johnston,
Research Consultant
Melissa began her career in photography, working for 10 years in studio administration, production management, and digital editing and retouching. She then shifted her focus to holistic nutrition, sustainable agriculture and food systems, and community-based research. Her diverse experience and interests serve her well in her current role as research consultant.
Melissa received her MA from Trent University in Sustainability Studies in 2017. Her thesis focused on governance and management best practices at farmers’ markets across Ontario. More recently, she has worked on projects pertaining to local food advocacy, rural transportation alternatives, rural arts networking and expansion, poverty reduction, and socioeconomic impacts of food insecurity. Her work has involved quantitative and qualitative research, administrative support, and project coordination in laboratory, classroom, non-profit, and commercial settings. Melissa’s portfolio of written work includes project evaluation and needs assessment reports, grant proposals, a farmers’ market improvement guide, a rural food system action plan, a local food resource toolkit, and a 2-acre market garden design. She has also served on the planning committees for a number of stakeholder engagement conferences to discuss local food sustainability and economic development.
Melissa was a founding Board member of the Peterborough Regional Farmers Network, and volunteered at U-Links Centre for Community-Based Research as a research associate. She volunteered with the Kawartha World Issues Centre and Trent Oxfam, spearheaded the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems student group at Trent, and co-hosted a weekly hour-long radio show on Trent Radio entitled Food Fight.
Melissa currently volunteers with two local food committees, Harvest Haliburton in Haliburton County, and the Future of Food and Farming Working Group in Peterborough.
Katie Kelly,
Designer
Katie’s formal studies in design began at the Faculty of Fine Arts at York University where she studied the principles of visual design, painting, and art history while completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts Studies. Katie continues to study and refine her design talents with a broad range of charitable sector and business clients.
Katie’s talents translate beautifully within integrated direct response (digital and print) and donor-focused cases for support.
Katie learned the print trade from her father and can work cost effectively in that medium.
Katie’s clients appreciate her professional and collaborative approach.
Carol Conrad,
BA, CIH
Carol Conrad has over 30 years of experience in the social and affordable housing and non-profit sectors.
Carol managed housing operations at the Nipissing District Housing Corporation including a mixture of seniors, families, and singles in 856 units. This experience involved all aspects of the operations including governance, administration, finance and accounting, capital management, maintenance, human resources, development, emergency management, projects in difficulty management, etc. Her extensive experience with strategic planning and operations reviews round out her holistic approach to business and organizational management.
Carol also has extensive policy and legislation development experience at several levels including experience at the provincial government level. Carol has spent in excess of 20 years working on many boards including the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA), Housing Services Corporation, SoHo Insurance, Nipissing District Housing Registry, and various associated committees. She holds the CIH Canada designation and is a charter and founding member in Canada. The Chartered Institute of Housing is an international designation for housing professionals.
In recognition of her many years of service and accomplishments, Carol was awarded the 2018 ONPHA Sybil Frenette Outstanding Leadership Award. This award recognizes individuals who have created a lasting legacy through significant contributions to their organizations, communities and Ontario’s non-profit housing sector, and have demonstrated vision, collaboration and commitment in their efforts to serve the needs of low-income individuals.
Al Cannon
Consultant
Al Cannon has worked in non-profit in artistic, administrative, and consulting roles since 2012. With a background in music, Al holds expertise in arts operational and strategic planning, board roles and development, audience expansion, and stakeholder education. He educates organizations on representation and equity in arts organizations, and is known as an advocate for youth creativity and inclusivity through arts-based community initiatives.
As a music educator, Al has led stabilization, expansion, and modernization in multiple El Sistema-modeled social programs across Canada. He served as the Head of Brass at the Vancouver Academy of Music/SK Lee College, and his students have attended renowned training programs at Interlochen, Tanglewood, California Institute of the Arts, the Curtis Institute, and at universities around North America. Al holds a PhD from the University of British Columbia, and specializes in brass pedagogy, and has served as the Artistic/Music Director for multiple youth ensembles.
Cannon has performed and/or recorded on trumpet with Vancouver Opera, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver New Music, the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra, the Turning Point Ensemble, Chor Leoni Men’s Choir, and the Vancouver Chamber Choir. He has served as the guest principal trumpet (and on occasion as a soloist) with many BC regional orchestras including the Prince George, Kamloops, and Okanagan Symphonies. Al led the Erato Ensemble as the Ensemble in Residence at Vancouver's annual Sonic Boom Festival, and has performed all across North America and overseas in Thailand, Ireland, Taiwan, China, and Ukraine.
Joining V Formation in 2024, Al also continues his active schedule as a freelance performer and conductor, adjudicator, and music educator, and maintains a side business in woodworking. For over twenty years he has supported small animal rescue organizations, and is a dedicated foster parent to a long series of guinea pigs.