Headquarters:

1929 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4G 3E8

Year founded:

CNIB in 1918, DBCS in 1943

Number of employees:

546

Phone:

1 (800) 563 2642

Email:

contactus@freedominvestmentlending.com.au

Website:

cnib.ca and deafblindservices.ca

LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/company/cnib-dbcs

Angela Bonfanti

President and CEO

Christall Beaudry

President and Chief Operating Officer, Deafblind Community Services

Craig Anderson

Chief Financial Officer

Leadership

After being a driving force behind the creation of CNIB Deafblind Community Services (DBCS) in 2019, Angela Bonfanti continued to work closely with CNIB during her tenure as its chief operating officer, championing both non-profits’ shared goal of creating a more inclusive, accessible world for people who are Deafblind, blind, or have low vision. She was proud to be appointed as president and CEO of both DBCS and CNIB in 2024. Prior to joining the DBCS and CNIB teams, Bonfanti held senior roles within Canada’s House of Commons. She is also an active and long-time community volunteer who has dedicated her personal time to a number of causes, including hunger and clothing security.

President and CEO

Angela Bonfanti

Christall Beaudry is president and chief operating officer of Deafblind Community Services (DBCS). In this role, she is responsible for leading the organization’s operations, executing strategy, and advancing high-quality, client-centered services for individuals who are Deafblind across Canada. She also continues to serve as chief inclusion officer for CNIB. Beaudry brings more than a decade of leadership experience with CNIB, where she has held a range of senior roles of increasing responsibility. Most recently, she served as chief of staff, a role in which she provided strategic counsel to the president and supported organizational alignment with strategic priorities. Previously, Beaudry served as regional vice president for Western Canada, as well as executive director for Manitoba and Saskatchewan. She has also led national initiatives including Come to Work and CNIB’s Indigenous Strategy, contributing to meaningful growth and impact across the organization. A lifelong learner, she holds an MBA and certifications in International Trade, Immigration, Coaching, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. In addition, she is currently taking American Sign Language (ASL) classes through the University of British Columbia.

President and Chief Operating Officer, Deafblind Community Services

Christall Beaudry

Craig Anderson serves as CNIB’s chief financial officer (CFO), playing a key role in the executive leadership team. He brings a wealth of experience from the nonprofit, healthcare, and consumer products sectors, having held executive roles at CPA Ontario, University Health Network, and Dr. Oetker Canada. Known for driving strategic financial planning, empowering high-performing teams, and driving informed decision making, Anderson is committed to making a positive impact on both the organization and the broader community CNIB serves.

Chief Financial Officer

Craig Anderson

Diane Bergeron

Head, International Partnerships

Diane Bergeron is head, international partnerships at CNIB and plays a pivotal role in global blindness issues as treasurer of the World Blind Union. As president of the program, she has held several positions at CNIB and most recently advanced the work of CNIB Guide Dogs. Bergeron is partnered with her own CNIB Guide Dog, Carla, and together they advocate for the rights of people who are blind or have sight loss in Canada and around the world. Before joining CNIB in 2012, Bergeron held senior roles with the Government of Alberta and City of Edmonton.

Head, International Partnerships

Diane Bergeron

President, CNIB Guide Dogs

Since joining the CNIB team 12 years ago, Robert Gaunt has held several senior leadership positions – including those with executive oversight for several provinces – and, most recently, the role of president of CNIB SmartLife and Innovation. Gaunt has led transformational business development strategies, managed expansive cross-functional portfolios across the country, and fostered collaborative relationships with a wide range of diverse stakeholders, from international allied organizations to government bodies to community partners. As president of CNIB Guide Dogs, Gaunt is leading the business model’s next strategic phase of growth and evolution for Canadians seeking a guide dog.

President, CNIB Guide Dogs

Robert Gaunt

Patrick Milne

Chief Operating Officer

Garry Nenson

Chief Revenue Officer

Nicholas Avramides

Investment Lending Manager Team Leader

David Sexton

Director Business Services

After nearly 20 years in the retail sector, Patrick Milne discovered his true passion in the not-for-profit world and is committed to CNIB’s mission of supporting its community of Canadians who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. As chief operating officer at CNIB, Milne oversees several key business units, ensuring the organization’s strategies align with its mission and vision. Drawing on his background in human resources, Milne applies a leadership philosophy centred on creating a positive, inclusive work environment that empowers employees at all levels. He is fortunate to work with dedicated professionals who are united in their commitment to change what it means to be blind in Canada today.

Chief Operating Officer

Patrick Milne

Garry Nenson joined CNIB in 1989 as part of its philanthropy team based in Manitoba. Since then, he has held several senior leadership roles, including executive director, regional director, and national director of training and advancement. Nenson has now come full circle and landed back in the philanthropy team as chief revenue officer, overseeing all philanthropic revenue generation for CNIB. He leads a team of professionals who thrive on raising funds to support the important programs and services of CNIB across Canada.

Chief Revenue Officer

Garry Nenson

As an Investment Lending Manager Team Leader, Nick is responsible for leading, coaching and developing our team of Investment Lending Managers. He works directly with brokers to strengthen technical capability, lending strategy, compliance and overall performance, while driving consistent service standards and exceptional client outcomes across the organisation. Through regular coaching, performance reviews, and deal strategy workshopping, Nick plays a key role in building broker capability, embedding best practice and fostering a high-performing culture focused on delivering outstanding client outcomes.

Investment Lending Manager Team Leader

Nicholas Avramides

As Director of Business Services, David oversees the financial, operational and commercial aspects of the School. In this role, he contributes to shaping and implementing strategic initiatives, supports business sustainability and enables the next phase of campus development, including the 10-year Master Plan and Strategic Plan (2026–2028). He is an accomplished executive leader with over 25 years of experience at C-Suite and Board level spanning diverse sectors including education, not-for-profit, disability, sport and professional services. He has extensive experience shaping and executing strategic plans, driving income growth and diversification, master planning and major capital projects, stakeholder engagement, leading high-performing teams and managing complex budgets.

Director Business Services

David Sexton

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Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager. As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.

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Stephen McMillan

“Having close connections with our parents, staff and community, is integral to a rich learning environment. When we work together, we can achieve amazing things”

Karen Yager, Hills Grammar

“I believe that students learn in a supportive environment with passionate and inspiring teachers and staff. We surround our students with positive creative and inspiring people, enthusiastic about their own learning and keen to immerse students in the spirit of life-long learning across the whole community”

Karen Yager, Hills Grammar

Founded in 1918, Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) is a non-profit organization driven to change what it is to be blind today. CNIB delivers innovative programs and powerful advocacy that empower people impacted by blindness to live their dreams and tear down barriers to inclusion. CNIB’s work as a foundation in support of the blind is powered by a network of volunteers, donors, and partners from coast to coast to coast. CNIB Deafblind Community Services (DBCS) is one of Canada’s leading providers of specialized support and emergency services for people who are Deafblind. Its services enable people who are Deafblind to maximize their independence and engagement with the world around them.

Learning designed for educators The centrepiece of Hills Grammar’s approach to staff development is its Professional Learning Model, led by director of professional learning Dr. Chris Furner. Grounded in adult learning pedagogies, aligned with the school’s strategic intent and staff profile and standards, the model deliberately moves away from compliance-driven professional development towards something more meaningful. This is delivered as learning that is authentic, research-based and tailored to where each educator is in their career journey. Supporting this is the Learning Centre Staff Program, which creates structured opportunities for staff to share practice, reflect on their work and learn from one another. Mentoring, leadership development and action research opportunities are embedded throughout, making professional growth a continuous and collegial practice rather than a periodic obligation. It is a model that reflects Hills Grammar’s commitment to investing in the people responsible for delivering its educational vision. Future-forward leadership The school’s commitment to its team extends to how Hills Grammar approaches leadership. Working in partnership with the governing council, school leaders maintain a shared focus on developing what the school describes as a ‘future fit’ graduate and the workforce equipped to teach them. Innovation is encouraged, and the culture is one where academic ambition and professional development are seen as inseparable. Wellbeing in a remarkable setting Staff also benefit from complimentary wellbeing programs, a genuine commitment to work-life balance and access to an Employee Assistance Program. Additionally, for educators who value a workplace where the physical environment itself is part of the daily experience, Hills Grammar’s picturesque campus offers a setting that is as restorative as it is inspiring. There is also a proactive approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), such that employees are informed and educated through integrated professional learning frameworks. Hills Grammar is proud to be actively shaping bold thinkers, and in turn empowering the people who teach them.

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Robert Gaunt

President, CNIB Guide Dogs

linkedin.com/company/cnib