The GeShiDo leadership team is comprised of philanthropy, finance, technology, public policy experts and community leaders from Canada, Finland and Germany. Advisors on the implementation design are Levers for Change and the Audacious Project —experts who have successfully implemented the adaptive philanthropy model that we use.
Core to this model is the inclusion of industry experts who have deep knowledge on specific issues related to the three crisis areas we are focusing on. They come from both for-profit and non-profit sectors across Canada and collectively provide the brain trust to effectively evaluate projects and lead the learning journey for GeShiDo funders.
Leadership Team
Gena Rotstein
CHIEF INSPIRATION OFFICER
Gena grew up in a family business and part of a larger enterprising family. She has over 20 years of philanthropy management experience with a Masters in Non-Profit Management and Jewish Communal Service from Brandeis University and as a certified Family Enterprise Advisor. She has also received a certification from 21/64 in NextGen Philanthropy, and a certification in Strategic Doing Project Management and System Design from the University of North Alabama.
Nishan Chelvachandran
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Nishan’s career spans equestrian and agriculture, operational policing, cybersecurity, cyberwarfare, agri-futures, AI and entrepreneurship. He has a passion for building constellations, breaking down barriers and thinking unconventionally to catalyze meaningful impact. He has consulted for businesses, NGOs, municipal and state governments in Finland, wider Europe and Canada on intersections of technology and human impact, and data protection and privacy legislation. He also collaborates with the Vatican on AI and Humanity, and the UN on the AI for Good, and Collective Futures Streams, and the IEEE on the creation of industry standards for ethically aligned AI and technology. He is the Canadian Ambassador for the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), leading centuries tested mechanics for social innovation into current and future deployments. He has held advisory and board roles in city councils and for the British Chambers of Commerce and Entrepreneurs/Startup Accelerators in Finland and the US.
Richard Ouellette
Richard is a serial entrepreneur, having started and successfully exited from a number of companies in the technology and environment industries. Throughout his career, Richard has been involved in starting or growing non-profits that focus on technology, science and engineering in jurisdictions in BC, Alberta, and NWT.
Christopher Day
Chris Day has over 25 years of leadership and business development experience. His formative years were earned as Regular Force member of the Canadian Armed Forces. This is where Chris learned community service. Professional experience includes over eleven years with a national big four firm followed by entrepreneurial and boutique consulting and financial services firms. Volunteer community services includes board of director work with Alberta Women Entrepreneurs, committee work with the Calgary Stampede Corporate Relations Committee and The Rotary Club of Calgary. Volunteer work in fundraising for: I Can For Kids, The Branch Out Foundation and The Alberta Cancer Foundation is also where Chris has made an impact in our community.
Jean-Marc Chouinard
Jean-Marc is widely recognized in Canada and beyond for his remarkable accomplishments in fostering partnerships, shaping public policies, and driving strategic social and organizational transformation. He has been integral to the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation since its inception in 2001, emerging as a leading Canadian authority in strategic philanthropy and societal change. Serving as President of the Foundation from 2016 to 2022, his leadership was instrumental in advancing policies and strategies aimed at preventing poverty, addressing systemic issues, and implementing social programs that enhance the holistic development of young people, enabling them to reach their full potential. His professional background is complemented by professional experience in planning at the Department of Housing and Urban Development of the City of Montreal and nourished by nearly twenty years of experience as an Olympic athlete (OLY) in fencing.
Michael Seberich
Michael is Managing Partner at Wider Sense where he heads advisory work and handles all questions relating to philanthropy, CSR and impact investing. Michael is especially passionate about social justice work with a focus on education. He regularly writes for Alliance Magazine, Center for Effective Philanthropy and other blogs. He has been asked to speak on a variety of industry topics. Michael studied North American Studies, Anthropology and International Law at the University of Bonn and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. After his graduation, he worked as language and cultural affairs lecturer at the University of Oxford.
Gillian Hickie
Gillian is co-principal of GOOD Company, a values-forward creative agency that for more than 12 years, has partnered with social innovators, cause-based organizations and community builders to deliver purposeful creative communications. She is an active member of the Registered Graphic Designers of Canada, and in this capacity has held the role of judge and panelist of their So(cial) Good Design Awards, and, is a member of the Evaluation Committee. She is also on Mount Royal University’s Industry Advisory Committee for the department of Information Design.