The Leadership Team of the Foundation is led by the Co-Chief Executive Officers who report 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
Co-Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Lead – Finance, Administration & Technology Group
Linda brings to ICO 25+ years of experience in organizational management, strategic planning, team building, risk management, quality assurance management, finance, and accounting. 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.
Scarlette Verjinschi M Arch, MBA
Co-Chief Executive Officer
Chief Corporate Officer
Lead – Corporate Services Group
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 City of Victoria as Deputy Director of Facilities within the Parks, Recreation and Facilities department.
Scarlette is interested in social justice, multi-faceted personal and professional development, and sustainability for the social, built and natural environments.
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 Leads Liaison
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.
Bobbi Jacob B.Ed., B.A., MA, ACSW
Chief Operating Officer
Bobbi worked as a game warden and pilot in East Africa in the 1970s. In the 1980s, she was manager of CUSO and worked as a private contractor initiating health, water, and economic/community development projects in East Africa and Asia. In the 1990s, she returned to Canada where she briefly taught elementary school before moving into social services work. In British Columbia, Bobbi has implemented and managed social services programs in numerous communities including: women’s shelters, foodbanks, mental health therapies individuals and families, English as a Second Language (ESL), day care services, supports for seniors, legal assistance, and youth centres.
She enjoys, kayaking, golf, reading, environmental projects, volunteering at a local theatre. Bobbi is a consummate traveller. She estimates that she has visited as many as fifty countries and, in the past 15 years, volunteered and supported projects throughout Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
Describing herself as ‘over educated’ she holds a bachelor’s in education, a bachelor’s in political economy, a Diploma in Social Work and a master’s in environmental studies, with extensive work in the field of development and under-development.
