The Senior Leadership Team is led by the Chief Executive Officer who reports to the Board of Directors via the Chairperson. The Senior Leadership Team is responsible for the operations and administration of ICO worldwide.
Linda McCarron BBA, CPA, CMA
Interim – Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Lead – Finance, Administration, and Technology Group
Linda is a knowledgeable professional with a wide range of competencies and experiences. During her career, she has held leadership positions in commercial, charitable, and municipal organizations. Linda also worked in public practice for 15 years with Ernst & Young and Grant Thornton.
Linda’s technical expertise includes accounting, forecasting, budgeting, financial reporting, and taxation. Linda’s operational expertise includes providing oversight for financial and administration divisions, building relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and providing oversight for quality assurance programs such as risk management, compliance management, and change management. Linda joined ICO in 2020 and has held several leadership positions, including Chief Executive Officer.
When Linda is not volunteering, she enjoys travelling and spending time with family and friends.
Dawn Robson BCom, CHRP
Chief Engagement Officer
Lead – Engagement Group
Property Management
Lead – Properties Group
Dawn has 25+ years of private-sector leadership experience and has also been volunteering with ICO since 2008. Dawn’s focus is in Human Resources and she has provided support at both the strategic and operational levels. She has worked in a number of sectors, providing expertise in change management, employee relations, and organizational design. Dawn is a Chartered Human Resources Professional and has a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Dawn has volunteered in several positions with ICO. She currently holds the role of Chief Engagement Officer and provides oversight for our Victoria property. She believes strongly in the value of collaboration, ensuring a shared understanding, and supporting the many volunteers that are part of the ICO community.
During her spare time, Dawn enjoys the outdoors and can often be found cycling, kayaking or hiking. She also enjoys her time with her family and friends.
Penny Pattison
Initiative Lead Representative
Co-Lead – San Antonio Palopo Guatemala Initiatives
Penny Pattison’s background is in Information Technology and Project Management. She has worked in the private and public sectors. Her passion is the endlessly fascinating differences between people and cultures. She has travelled extensively and done overseas volunteer work.
Penny has spent over 40 years as a member and active volunteer with Servas International, a
world-wide peace and travel organization completely run by volunteers. Roles included
Canadian National Secretary, International General Secretary, and project management of a tri-
annual international conference in Seoul Korea, attended by 170 members from 52 countries.
Servas has provided Penny with a wealth of experience with cultural, economic and attitude
differences, and experience with the complexity of multicultural interactions.
Penny joined the Guatemala San Antonio Palopo ICO initiatives in 2019 and took on the
financial responsibilities soon after. She visited San Antonio Palopo in 2020 and 2023 to
experience the initiatives first-hand. In 2023 she joined the Finance Team and has recently
taken a larger role in the Operations Team.
Katherine Power
Chief Communications Officer
Lead – Communications Group
Katherine Power has over 30 years experience creating award-winning Communications and Marketing strategies that drive innovation, market differentiation and value creation. She has a reputation for transforming an organization’s vision and strategies into cohesive, progressive messages that resonate with target audiences.
Katherine has served as a strategic communications executive in both the private and non-profit sectors, has served on multiple Boards and advised governments on health/human services and Indigenous economic empowerment.
Throughout her career she has been responsible for managing organisations’ reputations with customers, media, stakeholders and community groups as well as leading brand management, communications, marketing, crisis management, corporate responsibility, Indigenous affairs and diversity, equity & inclusion to help organisations achieve their goals.
In addition to her experience teaching Communications Strategy at Algonquin College, Katherine now provides executive training and coaching for media spokespersons as well as crisis management training and strategy development.
Katherine has worked in the US and Australia as well as Canada and is fluently bilingual in English and French.
In addition to her volunteer work with ICO, she also volunteers for the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides and the St. John Ambulance Pet Therapy program with Boo, her black Labrador.
Catalina Roberts BIR
Chief Operating Officer
Lead – Operations Group
Catalina brings a diverse background in operations, project management, and community leadership across a continuum of management and small business sectors. Currently working in condominium management and transitioning into full-time, licensed property management, Catalina has developed extensive experience overseeing operations, partnerships, strategy, recruiting, and organizational initiatives in both professional and volunteer environments.
A long-time volunteer with ICO, Catalina joined the organization at the age of 19, after being recruited by founder John Mitchell while serving as a Canadian youth delegate. Over the years, she has held several leadership roles within ICO, including Chief Communities Officer, Chief Communications Officer, and most recently Chairperson of the Board of Directors. Having “grown up” within the organization, Catalina is deeply connected to ICO’s mission, collaborative culture, and commitment to creating meaningful impact in communities both locally and internationally.
As Chief Operating Officer, Catalina provides operational leadership and support our initiative teams, helping ensure volunteers and Initiative Leads have the structure, guidance, and resources needed to continue transforming lives through ICO’s work around the world. Known for an adaptable and empowering leadership style, she strongly values collaboration, innovation, and community impact.
Catalina holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and Development Studies from the University of Calgary and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration specializing in Global Leadership.
Outside of volunteering and professional commitments, Catalina enjoys travelling, hiking, backcountry camping, skiing, reading, and continuously pursuing new challenges. Recently, she completed her first Ironman 70.3 and is working toward the lifelong goal of visiting every country in the world.
