Leadership Team

The Leadership Team of the Foundation is led by the Chief Executive Officer who reports to the Board of Trustees via the Co-Chairs. The Leadership Team is responsible for the operations and administration of ICO worldwide.

Linda McCarron BBA, CPA, CMA
Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer 
Lead – Finance, Administration & Technology Group

Linda brings to ICO more than 25 years of experience in organizational management, strategic planning, team building, risk management, and quality assurance management. She has 15 years of public practice experience and has held several leadership positions in commercial, charitable, and municipal organizations.  Linda is a connector and values the collaborative, people-focused approach which is a pillar of ICO’s success.

Linda’s focus is on expanding global support, strengthening organizational processes, enhancing volunteer experiences, and supporting team members in their strong contributions to communities around the world.

When Linda is not working or volunteering, she enjoys traveling, attending concerts, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

 

 Dawn Robson BCom, CHRP
Chief Engagement Officer
Lead – Engagement Group

Property Management
Lead – Properties Group

Dawn Robson has over 20 years of private-sector leadership experience and has also been volunteering with ICO since 2008.  Dawn’s focus has been in Human Resources and has provided support at both the strategic and operational levels. She has worked in a number of sectors providing expertise with change management, employee relations and organizational design. Dawn is a Chartered Human Resources Professional and has a Bachelor of Commerce degree.

Dawn has worked in several positions with ICO and, in addition to the Co-CEO role, she 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 a 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.

 

Jennifer Wade BSc Kin
Chief Operating Officer
Lead – Operations Group 

Jennifer has proudly been a member of ICO since 2011.

Jennifer received her Kinesiology Degree from the University of Waterloo and moved to Campbell River BC where she has lived with her husband Brad McLoughlin since 1997. Jennifer has a health, safety and ergonomics background and works for Island Health as an Occupational Health and Safety Team Lead. She has developed and facilitated workshops in peer coaching, communications and safety and utilizes her leadership and process improvement skills both in her work with Island Health, as well as within the 50-member ICO Operations Group.

Jennifer and Brad, Initiative Lead for Nepal have also organized over 15 trips (for over 250 volunteers), travelling to Nepal, including several groups of high school students from Campbell River. Planning the logistics and safety for travel, accommodation, food, village living, volunteer working, hiking, orphanage visits and sightseeing can be daunting but sharing her love for Nepal and it’s people with her friends is a joy. The benefits that have been realized within an entire village in Nepal, sparked from a single friendship, are a constant reminder that we CAN make a difference if we have a friend to share the experience with.

Jennifer is an outdoor enthusiast who has biked across Canada solo, enjoys camping and hiking, has coached youth volleyball and loves travelling to experience places and learn new cultures. 

 
 

Profile photo for Catalina RobertsCatalina Roberts BA
Lead – Communications Group

Catalina is currently in the process of completing her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Development Studies at the University of Calgary. Her degree allows her to focus on her passion within the African region and the importance of security and strategy, specifically within conflict zones.

 In 2018, she joined ICO after being a youth representative for the British Columbia Council for International Cooperation at the United Nations High-level Political Forum. She has held several positions within ICO, as intern with the Secretariat, as Lead of ICO Communities and now as Lead – Communications Group.

In her spare time she embraces the cold weather of Calgary with snowboarding and hiking but also enjoys bouldering, hanging out with friends, and traveling the globe.

 

 Scarlette Verjinschi M Arch, MBAProfile photo for Scarlette Verjinschi
Lead – Corporate Services 

Scarlette immigrated with her family to Canada in 1993.  She joined the BC Public Service in 2002, after working in architectural firms in Victoria, and briefly being a partner in one.   She has a Master degree in Architecture and obtained a Master degree in Business Administration in 2002, from Royal Roads University.  She also has an Executive Certificate in Negotiations, obtained at Harvard Law School.

As a public servant, she led and developed various provincial initiatives and programs at the Ministries of Social Development, Health and Citizens’ Services and University of Victoria. In 2022 Scarlette joined the Parks, Recreation and Facilities team at the City of Victoria.

Scarlette is interested in social justice, multi-faceted personal and professional development, and sustainability for the social, built and natural environments.