SENIOR MANAGEMENT

GLEN MURRAY, RAIC (Hon.)
President and CEO
Glen Murray is the chief executive officer and president of the Canadian Urban Institute. As the former Mayor of Winnipeg for six years, his vision for urban centers is anchored in practical and very successful experience on the council floor, working with business and union leaders, and collaborating with other levels of government. His vision for a new deal for cities started with the formation of the C5 - a coalition of mayors from five Canadian cities. It was during that time that he became the first chair of the Big City Mayors Caucus 2002. He was appointed by the Prime Minister of Canada to the chair of the Canadian National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, where his extensive experience in municipal government is helping to shape environmental policy and respond to climate change in Canada.

JEFF EVENSON
Principal, connector
Jeff Evenson is Principal of connector - the strategy and engagement practice of the Canadian Urban Institute. His clients are municipal governments, agencies, boards and commissions, educational institutions, and public and private sector corporations. Jeff has more than twenty-five years experience managing urban issues. He was chief of staff to two Toronto mayors and has worked as a community organizer at the neighborhood level and as a political advisor to senior politicians at the provincial and municipal levels of government. He specializes in public engagement and participatory design of public policy, strategic issues management, communications and project management. Jeff has a strong interest in the creative economy and sustainable urban development, the public realm, urban regions and affordable housing. Jeff was born and raised in Toronto and did his graduate and undergraduate studies in politics at Queen's University in Kingston, Canada.

ANDREW FARNCOMBE, MCIP, RPP
Vice President, International Partnerships
Andrew Farncombe directs CUI's portfolio of international initiatives undertaken in partnership with cities and communities around the world. He is skilled in all aspects of design, planning, implementation and results-based management of large international cooperation projects related to local governance and urban management. He has worked on projects in Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Eastern Europe and the Balkans funded by CIDA, AusAID, UN-HABITAT, World Bank and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Earlier in his career, Andrew worked as a municipal planner, as a public affairs specialist in the financial services sector, and as a legislative assistant in the House of Commons. Andrew holds a Masters in Environmental Studies (Planning) from York University (Toronto) and a Bachelor of Arts (Geography) from the University of British Columbia (Vancouver). He is a professional planner, with membership in the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) and the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI).

BRENT GILMOUR, MCIP, RPP
Director, Urban Solutions
As the director of the Canadian Urban Institute’s Urban Solutions unit, Brent Gilmour is responsible for the delivery of the Institute’s practical solutions and services. Brent is a registered professional planner who brings more than 6 years of specialized knowledge in the areas of energy and land-use planning, integrated systems development, high performance building, value-planning and sustainability policy implementation. Brent has a strong focus on the Institute’s urban energy programs and is involved with the research and communication initiatives related to land-use, municipal practice, integrated planning, and advice to public agencies on sustainable urbanization practices. Since 2004, Brent has contributed to the establishment of CUI’s Canadian programs by publishing applied research and analysis, convening conferences, and providing objective commentary on critical urban issues. Brent also operates the Institute’s internship and volunteer program in Canada. Brent holds a Masters of Science in Planning from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Toronto.

GLENN R. MILLER, FCIP, RPP
Vice President, Education and Research
Glenn Miller is responsible for CUI's education, applied research and innovation programs. Glenn is a registered professional planner who brings more than 25 years of experience providing advice to the private sector, governments and the non-profit sector. He is the founding editor of the Ontario Planning Journal, the professional practice magazine of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute. Glenn is a graduate of McGill's School of Urban Planning (Masters of Urban Planning) and Concordia University (Honours BA in Urban Studies). In 2005, he was elected as a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Planners in recognition for his contribution to planning in Canada.

CHRIS VANDOOREN
Vice President, Finance and Corporate Services
Chris VanDooren provides leadership and oversight to the finance and corporate services of the CUI. This includes the accounting, budgeting, audit, purchasing, finance, human resources, systems analysis, insurance, information management and technology, and office management. Chris also serves in the capacity of treasurer to the Board of Directors. Prior to taking on this position in 2008, Chris spent 10 years as manager and technical specialist on various international cooperation projects, where he spent significant time overseas, and 2 years as an economic development consultant in Canada. Chris holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from McMaster University, a Masters in Applied Environmental Studies in Local Economic Development from the University of Waterloo, and a post-graduate certificate in Communication for Professionals from the University of Toronto.

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CANADIAN STAFF

CHRISTINE CARR
Assistant Planner, Urban Solutions
Christine Carr is an Assistant Planner with the Canadian Urban Institute’s Urban Solutions Division. With a background in international business and urban planning, Christine’s interests are rooted in retail and community planning, planning for multiculturalism and economics. At the Institute, Christine has a direct focus on downtown revitalization strategies, engagement processes and growth management through energy and land-use mapping. Christine is responsible for coordinating the Institute’s value planning activities. Christine contributes to the Institute’s internship and volunteer program. Before joining CUI, Christine worked with the Urban Marketing Collaborative on the Lawrence Heights Revitalization Project with the Toronto Community Housing Corporation. Christine graduated from Ryerson University’s School of Urban and Regional Planning and also holds a degree in International Business from Florida International University in Miami. She is a member of the American Planning Association.

JOSE CASTRO
Financial Administrator
Jose Castro provides financial accounting and bookkeeping support for the Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED) as well as the International Urban Partnership Program (IUPP). He has about 30 years accounting experience at various levels. Before joining the CUI Jose worked as Finance Manager with Partners International. Jose obtained a Diploma in Public Accounting from the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, which is comparable to a four-year Bachelor’s degree, with specialization in Public Accounting, from a reputable Canadian university offering a similar program.

LISA CAVICCHIA
Program Manager, International Partnerships
Lisa Cavicchia manages CUI's International Urban Partnerships (I-UP) program, the Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development (Philippines), and the Institute's international youth internship program. She has over 15 years of experience as a senior manager of large international cooperation projects funded by CIDA, the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Lisa has worked in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Cuba, Jamaica, Paraguay, the Philippines, Indonesia and Ethiopia. She is an accomplished team leader who has managed multi-disciplinary teams to implement a range of successful projects in the municipal and urban sectors. She is skilled at project planning, financial management, results-based implementation, as well as the design of skills building, civic engagement and policy development initiatives. Prior to joining CUI, Lisa worked as consultant with a Toronto-based planning consultancy. She is trained as an urban and regional planner and holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts (Urban and Regional Planning) from Toronto's Ryerson University. Lisa speaks French and has a basic knowledge of Spanish.

ELENA DINU
Project Manager, International Partnerships
Elena Dinu is a Project Manager with CUI's International Partnerships centre. She currently is the Canadian-based manager of the Regional Governance and Development (RGD) Project in Ukraine, funded by the Europe, Middle East & Maghreb Branch of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Before joining CUI in 2008, Elena served as the Canadian-based Project Director of the CIDA Vietnam Program Support Unit, and has managed a wide range of programs and projects for over 35 countries in Central and South America, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, and Middle East, funded by CIDA, IBRD, USAID and other donors, since 1993. The programs focused on democratic governance and legal reform, environment, economic competitiveness in financial services, tourism, agriculture. A certified Project Management Professional, Elena is fluent in French, English and Romanian. Ms. Dinu holds a Masters degree in education, and an LLB equivalent degree from the University of Bucharest.

EMESE DOMBOVARI
Project Assistant, International Partnerships
Emese Dombovari provides financial, administrative, and logistical support to CUI's Ukraine RGD program. She is responsible for project accounting and records' management, coordinating logistics for international missions of staff and consultants, liaising with administrative staff in the overseas offices, and providing hands-on support to the project team. Ms. Dombovari holds a Diploma in Travel and Tourism from the International Institute of Travel and is currently attending Sheridan College to pursue a Business Certificate. She speaks English and Hungarian.

CAREESA GEE
Events Coordinator, Education and Research
Careesa is responsible for developing and implementing conference and seminar concepts. One of her key responsibilities is the annual Canadian Brownfields conference, which this year will be held in Vancouver on October 26-28. She completed her Masters in International Affairs at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA), Carleton University in 2004. Her graduate studies included conflict analysis and foreign policy, with a focus on the role of the media. She consulted for Environment Canada on issues of water management and transboundary water sharing, and for the International Research and Development Centre on issues of water and waste management for agricultural use in developing countries. Before joining CUI, Careesa worked with a private sector conference developer.

SIMON GERAGHTY
Research Engineer, Urban Solutions
Simon Geraghty is an Engineering Researcher with Urban Solutions at the Canadian Urban Institute. His work focuses on alternative fuel and energy generation systems, district energy, and the environmental impacts associated with energy generation in urban regions. Linking his knowledge of energy and the environment to social development, Simon communicates important technical-related data and concepts to decision makers, planners, and the public in ways that are both well organized and easy to grasp. Prior to joining the Institute, Simon worked on various projects with Hydro One Brampton, including testing and updating energy equipment in the field to revise the energy capital equipment database. Simon is working towards his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto.

EVELYN GERE
Project Officer, International Partnerships
As Project Officer, Evelyn Gere coordinates the Canada-Ukraine Regional Governance and Development (RGD) Project. Prior to joining CUI, Evelyn worked as the Communications Coordinator and Projects Assistant at the Centre for Studies in Food Security at Toronto’s Ryerson University. In 2008, she undertook a three-month internship in Jamaica, where she worked with CUI’s local partners in the final stages of completing Manchester’s Local Sustainable Development Plan. In 2009, Evelyn will graduate with a Masters in Environmental Studies from York University, specializing in participatory urban regional planning, sustainable community development, agriculture, and Local Agenda 21. She also holds a Masters Degree in Sociology from Queen’s University. Evelyn brings to the team experience in project coordination, communication and outreach, event organization and facilitation, and applied research. She also has significant experience working and traveling in the South, particularly in West Africa and Central America. She is fluent in German and has an advanced working knowledge of Spanish, as well as basic knowledge of Croatian and French.

JANIS LYNCH
Project Manager, Urban Leadership Program
As a Project Manager with the Urban Leadership Program, Janis Lynch undertakes the management of the CUI's annual Urban Leadership Awards program. In this role, her responsibilities include securing sponsorship, overseeing the nomination process, coordinating the work of the awards jury and producing the annual Urban Leadership Awards luncheon. Janis also contributes to the development of other CUI leadership activities and is responsible for a variety of communications and outreach activities including the production of The Urban Century magazine. Before assuming her role in Urban Leadership programming, Janis was a Project Manager in the CUI's International Partnerships program, responsible for the delivery of several CIDA-funded development initiatives in Central Europe and the Balkans. Prior to joining the CUI, Janis worked as a planner and policy analyst for the Government of Ontario and as a planner and public consultation coordinator with a variety of private consulting firms. Janis has also served two terms as an elected municipal councillor in the Town of Kingsville, Ontario. Janis holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from McMaster University.

GILL MACLACHLAN
Project Assistant, International Partnerships
Gill MacLachlan provides financial, administrative, and logistical support to CUI's International Urban Partnerships program. She is responsible for project accounting and records' management, coordinating logistics for international missions of staff and consultants, liaising with administrative staff in the overseas offices, and providing hands-on support to the project team. Gill has many years of project and financial administration experience through her work at Ryerson University, University of Toronto, the Institute for Computer Studies and most recently as part of a team delivering public consultation and community engagement services.

ED MAFA
Financial Administrator
Ed Mafa brings to Canadian Urban Institute over 8 years of experience in banking and finance. He has worked as a bank branch operations manager in Zimbabwe and as a Customer service officer of a bank in Canada. Before joining the CUI, Ed worked as an investor reporting administrator at a mortgage finance company in Toronto. As a financial administrator at the Canadian Urban Institute, Ed’s main responsibilities is in ensuring accurate information is entered into the accounting system and payables and receivables are timely processed. Ed holds a Master of Arts degree in Economics from Michigan and a Bachelor of Science Honors degree in Economics from Zimbabwe. He is also currently studying towards a Certified Management Accounting designation with The Society of Management Accountants of Canada.

JUAN CARLOS MOLINA
GIS Specialist, Urban Solutions
Juan Carlos is a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Specialist in the Urban Solutions unit of the Canadian Urban Institute where he is involved in the development and implementation of urban and regional information systems for local decision-making. With a background in spatial analysis and agro-environmental sciences, his experience and interest fall within the application of GIS for optimizing and protecting natural resources in urban and agro-environmental systems. Prior to joining the Institute, Juan Carlos worked on numerous projects with international organizations such as the International Centre for Science and High Technology (ICS-UNIDO) in Italy, the Spanish Embassy, California State University, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Honduras. Juan Carlos has a Master’s of Spatial Analysis from Ryerson University and completed a Remote Sensing and GIS tools fellowship with the ICS-UNIDO in Italy.

IAIN MYRANS
Senior Planner, Education and Research
Iain supports the Institute’s research initiatives through his experience and enthusiasm for social science and applied planning research. Some studies and research endeavours that Iain has been involved with at the Institute include the impact of broadband technologies on cities and city-regions, a long-range office-intensification strategy study, research into the impacts of human aging and mobility. His personal research interests include urban and lighting design in the public realm, brownfield redevelopment, transit planning, and public engagement techniques through web 2.0. As an avid photographer of urban landscapes, Iain's images have been featured in the International Society of City and Regional Planners' (ISOCARP) Review and on covers of the Ontario Planning Journal. Iain holds degrees in urban and regional planning (Ryerson University) and political science, and urban, economic and social geography (University of Toronto).

MARLENA ROGOWSKA
Partnership Officer, Education and Research
In addition to responsibilities related to conference development, and helping organize roundtable and urban leadership events, Marlena acts as a partnership officer to support the activities of the Canadian District Energy Association (CDEA). As well as managing the affairs of the CDEA, Marlena is responsible for organizing the conference, which next year will be held in Vancouver, B.C. Marlena is a graduate of the University of Toronto, where she completed a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Political Science. She has been active in student affairs and worked in an educational capacity abroad before joining the CUI. Marlena is also proficient in several languages, including Polish.

LEAH ROSS
Project Officer, International Partnerships
Leah Ross is part of the International Urban Partnerships Program team, providing program support to CUI’s work in Ethiopia, Jamaica, Cuba and the Philippines and to CUI’s international internship program. Before joining CUI, Leah worked for the City of Toronto on a variety of community-based, youth employment projects. She worked directly with different sectors to provide economic opportunities for young people, as well as managed the implementation of a youth employment project in three high-risk communities. Prior to returning to Toronto in 2007, Leah worked for the Canadian High Commission in Georgetown, Guyana on governance and donor harmonization issues. She was also an intern in Guyana, working on municipal environmental awareness projects, P3 developments, and small-scale infrastructure projects. Leah holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto, with a major in Urban Studies. She also holds a Masters of City Planning degree from the University of Manitoba.

OLGA SEMENOVYCH
Senior Project Officer, International Partnerships
Olga Semenovych is responsible for coordinating CUI's International Urban Partnerships Program. Previously, she coordinated the Regional Governance and Development (RGD) Project in Ukraine on the Canadian side. Olga was also a CIDA-funded intern working as a Social, Environmental, and Economic Strategic Planner in Zakarpattya, Ukraine, one of the RGD Project’s pilot regions. During this internship, Olga supported the implementation of a participatory strategic planning process in that region. Prior to joining CUI, Olga worked at the Department of National Defence in various capacities, including in areas of technical, administrative and project management support to departmental programs and reserve units. She remains an active reservist in the Canadian Forces. Olga graduated from Carleton University with a Bachelor Degree in Public Affairs and Policy Management (Honours), specializing in International Relations. She is fluent in Russian and Ukrainian and has a working ability in French.

RAIJA SUOMELA
Administrator
Raija Suomela is responsible for providing organizational and administrative services for CUI's Canadian-based programming, pertaining to event planning and implementation, executive support and membership services. She is in charge of the web updates, email marketing and online registrations of CUI events. She compiles researched information to produce various deliverables and promotional materials and oversees the administration and development of CUI's database. Raija brings an array of organizational and knowledge-based skills from her previous employment with senior executives and professionals. She has an Honours BA in Linguistics from the University of Helsinki (Finland). Raija speaks Finnish and has a good knowledge of Swedish, German and French.

CHARLES TILDEN
Planner, connector
Charles Tilden is a Planner at connector – the strategy and engagement practice of the Canadian Urban Institute. Prior to that, he worked at the National Capital Commission in Ottawa and for the City of Toronto’s Real-Estate Division. With a background in urban and regional planning, Charles is a member of the Institute’s public engagement practice, which designs and facilitates community and stakeholder involvement in master planning and policy development processes. He also contributes policy research, demographic and economic analysis, graphics and online media design. Charles’ interests and expertise are rooted in sustainable community development, interactive online engagement, youth education and mentoring, cultural planning, land use and urban design policy, and economics. Charles is fluently bilingual in French and English. Charles holds a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning from Ryerson University.

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INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

ARLENE N. AVANCEÑA
Financial Administrator, Urban Partnerships Program, Philippines
Arlene Avanceña is the Financial Administrator for the Canadian Urban Institute's office in Iloilo, Philippines and is also responsible for administrative operations of the Urban Partnerships Program-Philippines (UPPP). She provides support in budgeting and reporting, bookkeeping, office maintenance and logistics for all program activities. UPPP is focused on the theme of making decentralization work, based on the country’s decentralization of powers to local authorities and empowerment of communities in local decision-making, and works with a range of local governments and communities across the Western Visayas region. Prior to joining CUI, Arlene was the Finance and Administrative Officer for two CIDA-funded projects – Local Government Support Program (LGSP) Phase Two in Western Visayas Region, and LGSP in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Arlene holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from the University of the Philippines, and she is a Certified Public Accountant. She also has a Master's degree in Management-Business Management from the University of the Philippines in the Western Visayas. Arlene speaks English, Tagalog, Kinaray-a, and Hiligaynon.

RAFAEL BETANCOURT
Regional Manager, Urban Partnership Program, Latin America and the Caribbean
Rafael Betancourt manages CUI's projects in Cuba and has responsibilities for other initiatives in Spanish-speaking countries of the Americas. He is an urban economist and specialist in Latin American studies with over 25 years of employment and academic experience in program development and management, business administration and economic research. Resident in Havana, Rafael has extensive on-site experience managing, coordinating and implementing international development and local capacity building projects including local administrative and financial management, organization and delivery of workshops and trainings, and research. He understands how to effectively build cross-cultural relationships and partner with multi-lateral agencies. In 2005 Rafael initiated a partnership with UNDP and UN-HABITAT in Cuba, where CUI has expanded its programming to support the CIDA-funded Program for Local Human Development (PDHL) in the Eastern provinces of Cuba and UN-HABITAT's Localising Agenda 21 Program. Rafael also facilitated a promising new partnership for applied research between the Environmental Health Unit of Cuba's Ministry of Public Health and the Canadian Public Health Agency. In addition to managing CUI projects in Cuba, Rafael also teaches postgraduate courses in Urban Economics for local government officials in Cuba. He was born in Cuba and holds a Masters in International and Urban-Regional Economics and a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) from the University of Florida (USA). Mr. Betancourt is fluent in English and Spanish.

ANASTASIYA BEVZ
Oblast Senior Project Coordinator, Regional Governance and Development Project, Ukraine
Anastasiya Bevz coordinates CUI’s work in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, one of the two pilot oblasts (regions) of the Regional Governance and Development (RGD) Project. Prior to joining CUI, Anastasiya worked as an expert of the payments department of the First Ukrainian International Bank (FUIB). In this position she provided support to international wire transfers, including dispatching payments in foreign currency, documents operations, business correspondence with clientele, and translation of business materials in Russian, Ukrainian and English. Anastasia has also worked as a translator in the protocol department of Zaporizhstal Integrated Iron & Steel Works JSC and as Acting Director of events organization at the recreation centre for children “Lutchistaya” in Zaporizhzhia. Anastasiya graduated from Zaporizhzhia National University with a Masters Degree in Philology (Honours), specializing in Linguistics and Translation. She also holds a Masters Degree in Economics from Zaporizhzhia National Technical University, specializing in finances and international economics. Anastasiya speaks Ukrainian, Russian, and English, and has working ability in French.

EVELYN CAMPOSANO-JIZ
National Enabling Environment Program Manager, Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development, Philippines
Based in Manila, Evelyn Jiz is responsible for managing the national-level policy work of the Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED) and its application locally. She has over 15 years experience in successfully managing CIDA-funded local governance projects in the Philippines. As CIDA Regional Advisor, Regional/ Area Manager and National Program Coordinator of LGSP I, LGSP II and LGSP Extension, she was responsible for managing the project, coordinating with various stakeholders, and ensuring the mainstreaming of CIDA’s crosscutting themes of Gender Equality, Environment, Poverty Reduction as well as Peace and Unity. Both LGSP I and II had LED components such as Enterprise Planning, Local Public Economic Enterprise (LPEE), Local Alliances for Economic Development and Community-Based Eco-tourism. During the Extension phase, Evelyn was National Program Coordinator as well as Policy Advisor to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Local Government Unit (LGU) Leagues. For DILG, she provided technical assistance in the review and rationalization of devolution and identified functions of the National Government that should further be devolved. Her contribution to LGUs involved working with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in strengthening the capacity of the League of Municipalities and Cities (LMP and LCP) in policy development and advocacy through working on issues such as the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Act and review of the Local Government Code. During that time, she was also part of the subcommittee responsible for the Decentralization and Local Governments of the Philippine Development Forum (PDF). After LGSP, she was a business development officer at the International Finance Corporation, Private Enterprise Project (PEP). She holds degrees in Arts and Law from the University of San Agustin as well as a Masters of Public Administration from the University of the Philippines. She has taught courses in political science, law and management. She is a member of the Philippine Bar, and has fluency in English, Tagalog and Hiligaynon as well as has a working knowledge of Cebuano.

SOLOMON ENDRIAS
Technical Assistant, Urban Development Partnerships Project, Ethiopia
Based in Addis Ababa, Solomon Endrias provides technical, financial administration and logistical support for CUI’s Urban Development Partnership Program-Ethiopia (UDPP-E). UDPP-E is supporting the City Government of Addis Ababa to develop model approaches to enhancing urban governance, urban sustainability and poverty reduction. Solomon has over 8 years of experience in financial management and accounting for the banking sector and in project management at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Addis Ababa. Solomon holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics (Distinction) from Unity University College and a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems (Distinction) from Addis Ababa University and a Diploma in Accounting from Addis Ababa Commercial College. In addition, he obtained two journalism certificates offered by World Bank Institute. Solomon is fluent in Amharic, English and French.

FRANCIS GENTORAL
Associate Field Director, Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development, Philippines
Francis Gentoral is the Associate Field Director for the CIDA-funded Local Government Support Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED) in the Philippines, which is managed by CUI in partnership with the Association of Canadian Community Colleges. Prior to joining the LGSP-LED team, he was the Regional Manager for the Urban Partnerships Program Philippines (UPPP), funded by CIDA’s Canadian Partnership Branch. In this role, he oversaw three projects in the Western Visayas Region and shared successful CUI project experiences in the Philippines as national best-practice models, initiating knowledge networking activities with the Department of the Interior Local and Government (Philippines), UN Habitat (Philippines), USAID Making Cities Work Project, UNEP and CIDA. Francis Gentoral has 20 years experience working in the public, private and non-profit sectors in the Philippines and Southeast Asia in participatory program design and in the planning, implementation, results-based management for local economic, environmental, and governance initiatives. His areas of experience include local government capacity building, sustainable development planning, regional economic strategy development, partnership building and intergovernmental cooperation. Mr. Gentoral holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of San Agustin (Philippines) and Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Agribusiness) from Western Visayas State University (Philippines). He is fluent in English, Tagalog and Hiligaynon.

OLENA GORYEVA
Senior Technical Advisor, Regional Governance and Development Project, Ukraine
Olena Goryeva is CUI's Senior Technical Advisor for the Regional Governance and Development (RGD) Project in Ukraine. Prior to joining CUI in early 2009, Ms. Goryeva worked for the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE) where she managed a four-year Community Economic Development project in Ukraine that was funded by the Canadian International Development Agency. She also served with CBIE as the Ukraine Manager for its Civil Society Community Roots Project. Olena has expertise in international project management, civil society strengthening, governance, the development of training programs, monitoring and evaluation, grant management and results-based management. Olena previously worked as the Child Protection Program Officer for UNICEF and with the Renaissance Foundation (Soros Fund). She is one of the authors of the book "Communities of Ukraine: Way to Rebirth", and chaired the editorial board of the Civic Initiatives Journal, which covered issues related to community development, local self-governance and NGO strengthening. Olena received a Specialist Degree with Distinction in English and French Language and Literature from the Kyiv State Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages (Ukraine). Ms. Goryeva speaks Ukrainian, Russian, English and basic French.

NATALIYA HELETSKA
Project Assistant, Regional Governance and Development Project, Ukraine
Based in Kyiv, Nataliya Heletska provides logistics and financial administrative support to CUI’s Regional Governance and Development (RGD) Project in Ukraine. Prior to joining CUI, Nataliya worked at the National Association of Regional Development Agencies (NARDA), CUI’s Ukrainian partner organization on the RGD Project. At NARDA she provided financial support to the chief accountant and administrative support to the organization’s main office in Kyiv. Nataliya holds a Bachelor Degree from the University of Economy and Law in Kyiv, specializing in the Economics of Enterprise, and a junior specialist certification in Economy and Entrepreneurship from the College of Economy, Law and Informational Technologies. She speaks Ukrainian, Russian, and English.

LYUDMYLA KOVAL
Oblast Project Coordinator, Regional Governance & Development Project, Ukraine
Based in Uzhgorod, Lyudmyla Koval coordinates CUI’s work in Zakarpattya, Ukraine, one of two pilot oblasts (regions) of the Regional Governance and Development (RGD) Project. Lyudmyla has diverse experience in supporting international cooperation projects, such as the FOR-ZA Swiss-Ukrainian cooperation project and the UK Department for International Development “Social Sphere Assets Transfer and Maintenance” Project. She also participated and coordinated the activities of the UN Sweden – Ukraine project “Youth Partners in Development.” Lyudmyla holds a diploma of Economist-Manager specialist from the Donetsk National University, and a professional diploma from State Teachers Training Institute for Foreign Languages, specializing in English, Spanish and German languages and literature. Lyudmila is fluent in English and has knowledge of Spanish and German.

REYNALDO LEON-CASTILLO
Project Assistant, Urban Partnerships Program, Cuba, Ukraine
Reynaldo León provides and coordinates financial, administrative and logistical support to CUI’s Urban Partnership Program in Cuba. He is primarily responsible for maintaining project financial records and monitoring, administering CUI Project office and vehicle, providing hands-on support to the project manager, maintaining communications with project partners, and coordinating programming activities and logistical arrangements for local and overseas missions of staff, consultants and interns. Prior to joining CUI, Reynaldo was the assistant to the ambassador of Paraguay in Cuba from 1997 to 2004. Before that, he held the position of Local Coordinator at Baljet Management as well as served as Legal Advisor at the Ministry of Construction. Reynaldo holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Havana.

IRINA LEKH
Oblast Project Manager, Regional Governance & Development Project, Ukraine
Irina Lekh is CUI's Oblast Project Manager in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, one of two pilot oblasts (regions) of the Regional Governance and Development (RGD) Project. Prior to joining CUI, Irina worked as a regional consultant on a technical assistance project where she was responsible for supporting and developing entrepreneurship in Zaporizhzhia Region and providing business and legal advice and services in the field of regulatory reform. Ms. Lekh has previously served as Chairperson of the Entrepreneurs' Union in Zaporizhzhia, as a consultant for the United Nations Development Programme, regarding the creation of a safe environment for youth, and as an entrepreneur where she provided legal counselling and business registration to foreign and local entrepreneurs, represented business interests, and consulted on investment activities. Irina has extensive NGO experience and was a pioneer in establishing NGOs in Zaporizhzhia. She also is experienced in participatory program design, project implementation, performance monitoring and evaluation of local economic and governance initiatives, as well as social service activities. Irina is the author of many articles and an active participant in many regional and Ukrainian social activities. She speaks Ukrainian, Russian, and English.

NEREO LUJAN
Project Officer, Urban Partnerships Program, Philippines
Nereo Lujan serves as Project Officer for CUI’s Urban Partnerships Program-Philippines (UPPP), based in Iloilo City. Nereo is responsible for coordinating the program’s activities, with key responsibilities for communications and knowledge management. UPPP is focused on the theme of making decentralization work, based on the country’s decentralization of powers to local authorities and empowerment of communities in local decision-making, and works with a range of local governments and communities across the Western Visayas region. Before joining CUI, Nereo was a journalist in the Philippines, working for various newspapers for 10 years. He distinguished himself in travel and environmental reporting and was cited as Travel Writer of the Year by the Department of Tourism, Western Visayas in 2000 for his story on the unique courtship tradition of the mountain people in southern Iloilo. Then, in 2004, an investigative report Nereo wrote about the impact of tourism and poor governance on the environment of the famed white-sand Boracay Island in the Philippines earned him the second place prize in the 1st WASH Media Award conferred by the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council. Prior to his work as a journalist, Nereo served as a Congressional Fellow in the Philippine House of Representatives. Nereo has completed various communication courses from local and international organizations, and has become a favourite resource person and lecturer in communications-related topics. His other interests include blogging, history, photography, digital art and web development. Nereo is currently pursuing his Masters in Mass Communication at the West Visayas State University (Philippines) where he also completed his Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication. He speaks English and Hiligaynon.

OLENA NAZAROVA
Project Coordinator, Regional Governance and Development Project, Ukraine
Based in Kyiv, Olena Nazarova coordinates CUI's Regional Governance and Development (RGD) Project on the Ukrainian side. Prior to joining CUI in September 2006, Mrs. Nazarova served as the Administrative and Financial Assistant on the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) "Integrity in Action: Governance Program" in Ukraine. She has wide experience working with numerous technical assistance projects in Ukraine in various positions. Olena holds a Bachelor Degree in English and Russian Languages and Literature from the Ukrainian State Pedagogical University in Kyiv (Ukraine). Mrs. Nazarova speaks Ukrainian, Russian and English.

HERMAN Z. ONGKIKO
Local Economic Development and Local Governance Program Manager, Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development, Philippines
Herman Ongkiko is the Local Economic Development and Local Governance Program Manager for the CIDA-funded Local Government Support Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED) in the Philippines, which is managed by CUI in partnership with the Association of Canadian Community Colleges. The aim of LGSP-LED is to reduce poverty and support sustainable local economic development. Based in Manila, Herman is responsible for facilitating local economic development and governance by providing technical assistance to project partners and participants. He has more than 20 years of broad experience in socio-economic development work particularly in the formulation of integrated area development master plans, the preparation of technical proposals for foreign assisted projects and the development of strategic country and sector level policies. He has extensive knowledge and expertise in the management of multi-sectoral development projects. Prior to his engagement by CUI, Herman served as Senior Management Adviser to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Mindanao Basic Urban Services Sector Project for five years and as National Program Manager of the ADB-funded Agrarian Reform Communities Project for four years. Herman also managed two of the largest European Union assisted projects in the Philippines, which focused on resource management and local economic development. He has been a team leader of several inter-disciplinary teams of consultants and experts who were engaged in the formulation of integrated area development master plans in the Philippines. Herman holds a Masters in Economics from the Lyceum of the Philippines and undertook post-graduate studies in regional planning at the Australian National University. He speaks fluent English, Tagalog, Ilocano and Ibanag, and has working knowledge of Cebuano.

REBECCA ONGTANGCO
Financial Manager, Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development, Philippines
As the Financial Manager of Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED), Rebecca Ongtangco is responsible for overseeing and maintaining the project office’s financial systems. Prior to joining LGSP-LED, Rebecca held the position of Finance and Administration Specialist/Manager as well as Program Officer for Gender and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) with the CIDA-funded Private Enterprise Accelerated Resource Linkages (PEARL2) project in Makati City. She brings to the team extensive experience in financial, grants and administrative management of internationally funded projects and private enterprises. Rebecca has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a major in Accounting, and is a Certified Public Accountant. She speaks fluent English and Tagalog.

MARIA POPADYNETS
Oblast Project Manager, Regional Governance and Development Project, Ukraine
Based in Uzhgorod, Maria Popadynets manages CUI's work in Zakarpattya, Ukraine, one of two pilot oblasts (regions) of the Regional Governance and Development (RGD) Project. Prior to joining CUI, Maria held the position of Deputy Head of the Main Department of Economy of Zakarpattya Oblast State Administration. In her previous position, she was actively engaged in the RGD project for the past few years in several capacities. Maria supported the development of Zakarpattya Regional Strategy and the action plan for regional priority "Developing a Competitive and Sustainable Economy." She was a key participant in the regional strategic planning process, served as editor of the strategy document itself, and prepared an essential inventory of oblast-level resources available for strategy implementation. Maria holds a degree in Economic Geography and Regional Economics from the Kyiv Shevchenko National University. She speaks Russian, Ukrainian, and basic French.

JAY PRESALDO
Project Manager, Urban Partnerships Program, Philippines
Based in Iloilo City, Jay is responsible for managing the CUI's Urban Partnerships Program-Philippines (UPPP). UPPP is focused on the theme of making decentralization work, based on the country's decentralization of powers to local authorities and empowerment of communities in local decision-making, and works with a range of local governments and communities across the Western Visayas region. Prior to joining CUI, Jay worked in the private sector in marketing and promotion. He has also worked with the Department of Trade and Industry, a national government agency charged with creating a business-friendly environment conducive to the growth of enterprises and supportive of fair and robust trade in goods and services, both within and outside the Philippines. Jay brings more than ten years of experience in project planning and implementation, training, marketing, and administration gained from working with government, business and non-government agencies. Jay holds an undergraduate degree in Management from the University of the Philippines. He also holds a Masters in Management degree and is currently enrolled in a diploma program in urban and regional planning. He has been involved in community projects for youth development, local governance and the church. Jay is fluent in English, Tagalog and Hiligaynon, and has a working knowledge of Spanish.

IHOR SANZHAROVSKYI
Project Manager, Regional Governance and Development Project, Ukraine
Ihor Sanzharovskyi manages CUI's Regional Governance and Development (RGD) Project in Ukrainian. Prior to joining CUI in 2005, Mr. Sanzharovskyi served as Project Manager/Senior Research Associate on Project on Community and Regional Development of the East-West Institute's Kyiv Center. He has expertise in international project management, governance and public administration, monitoring and evaluation and results-based management. Ihor has previously served as Head of Department on Interaction with Cities of the Association of Ukrainian Cities, where he coordinated the training program for municipalities across Ukraine. Mr. Sanzharovskyi also was elected as a Member of Cherkasy City Council and has served as a lecturer in Management and Economics at the Department of Economics of the Cherkasy Institute of Technological Engineering (Ukraine) in the mid 1990s. He is the author of a number of books and articles on citizen participation, strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation and fundraising and grant writing. Ihor received a Specialist Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Cherkasy Institute of Technological Engineering (Ukraine) and a Masters of Public Administration from the National Academy of Public Administration (Ukraine), office of the President of Ukraine and the University of North London (Great Britain). Mr. Sanzharovskyi speaks Ukrainian, Russian and English.

TEFERRA SILESHI
Project Manager, Urban Development Partnership Project, Ethiopia
Teferra Sileshi manages CUI's activities in Ethiopia. He is an urban planner and urban management specialist living in Addis Ababa. Prior to joining CUI, Mr. Sileshi was General Manager of the Urban Management Institute, an institution established by the City of Addis Ababa to provide need-driven urban management training, research and consultancy services to the City as well as municipal and non-municipal offices, non-governmental agencies and private sector organizations. Teferra has engaged in several multi-lateral agency-funded projects including Public Sector Capacity Building Program (PSCAP), a five-year, World Bank-funded program, and a UN-Habitat project assessing capacity gaps of professionals supporting urban development/planning in Ethiopia. He has extensive experience designing and managing capacity building projects including performing training/capacity assessments, producing training manuals and conducting training workshops. Prior to joining the Urban Management Institute, Mr. Sileshi was lecturer and Deputy Dean of the College of Urban Planning and the Ethiopian Civil Service College, Addis Ababa. Mr. Sileshi holds a Master of Science (GIS) from the International Institute for Aerospace Survey and Earth Science, the Netherlands, and Bachelor of Science Urban Planning (Honours) from the College of Urban Planning, Addis Ababa. Teferra is fluent in English, French and Amharic.

MARION VILLANUEVA
Canadian Field Director, Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development, Philippines
Marion Villanueva is the Canadian Field Director for the CIDA-funded Local Government Support Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED) in the Philippines, which is managed by CUI in partnership with the Association of Canadian Community Colleges. Based in Manila, she is responsible for the overall management of LGSP-LED and its team in the Philippines and for providing technical assistance in the themes of the program. The aim of LGSP-LED is to reduce poverty and support sustainable local economic development. Marion Villanueva is a seasoned capacity development and governance professional with more than 20 years of international development experience. She was the program field manager for CIDA’s flagship Local Government Support Program Phase II (LGSP II) in the Philippines from 2000–2005, then the Local Governance Support Program in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (LGSPA) from 2005 to the present. She has in-depth knowledge of institutional development and public policy issues related to governance reform, decentralization and post-conflict environments, and extensive project management experience in NGO capacity development and participatory rural development. With a strong background in results-based management, Marion has designed and implemented many institution-building programs in a wide variety of sectors. She has managed projects that have contributed to poverty alleviation through community-based resource management and empowerment. In addition, Marion has 12 years of experience with social research, policy analysis, community development and advocacy. She speaks English, Tagalog and Hiligaynon.

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