Compassion Series Council

The Compassion Series Council is a small select group of inspiring educators and inspired parents who serve as a creative think-tank and advisory around original resources, projects and the development of the Compassion Series.

Annie Brandner

Together with her husband Paul, Annie leads The Grove Retreats, creating beautiful and therapeutic retreat experiences for families that have experienced trauma. Previously, Annie worked for over a decade in international human rights and religious freedom. After an internship with the International Justice Mission in Washington, DC, Annie earned her MA in Political Science, International Relations. Annie worked in policy and advocacy roles in Ottawa and Toronto, addressing issues including extreme poverty, religious freedom and peace building. She worked as Director of Policy and International Relations for Toronto-based Global Peace Initiative and served on the international Leadership Team of the Religious Liberty Partnership. Annie’s work has taken her around the world, from refugee camps on the Eritrea-Ethiopia border to the US State Department, from the streets of Hong Kong to the United Nations Human Rights Council. With a degree in Communications and a passion for editing, Annie also works as a freelance writer and editor. She lives in British Columbia with her husband Paul and their three awesome kids.

Susie Stackaruk

Susie has a rich history of activity and leadership in community engagement, social justice and parenting. This includes several years teaching parenting courses with Relationship Central Canada, and serving as an Ontario advisor for the organization. Susie has also been active both on the front lines and behind the scenes with Loving Arms, a Canadian charity serving in Guatemala, and as a member of the Board of Directors for Alpha Canada. As the mother of four teenagers, Susie has led and participated in numerous school initiatives and parent councils. Additionally, Susie helped pioneer and develop the inaugural Compassion Series’ interactive classroom sessions.

Alison Hardman

Alison began her career in marketing at Kraft Foods after completing a Business degree at Queen’s University. She went on to join the family spice business and served as Vice President Sales before taking a 10 year hiatus to focus on raising her children. Since re-entering the workforce in 2008, Alison has found her true calling in charitable development work. With her solid business background and ample fundraising experience, Alison is thrilled to serve as Stewardship Manager at The Meeting House, a multi-site church based in Oakville. Alison also serves on a fundraising advisory committee for the DAM in Mississauga, and on the board of StreetLevel Network. Alison is married, has three children and lives in Oakville, Ontario.

Jodi Janzen

Jodi holds a BA in Elementary Education, is certified with the Ontario Colleges of Teachers, and has enjoyed time as a classroom teacher in public, faith-based and private schools in Canada and the USA. She has taught in a wide variety of educational settings from Kindergarten to Middle School, including time as a classroom music teacher and an adult ESL teacher. Jodi also helped initiate a special program to teach ESL to new Canadians, and has taught piano at a not-for-profit music school for children in Toronto’s east end.

Jodi has worked at Nyumbani Hospice in Nairobi for orphaned children with HIV, facilitated short-term missions trips for youth from across North America into inner-city Chicago, engaged in community-care youth work in inner-city Winnipeg as well as community and parish engagement in downtown Toronto.

Jodi is married to Mike and they have two beautiful daughters.

Keith Martin

Keith is a Chartered Financial Analyst and has been a skilled practitioner of the Value Investing approach for over thirty years. His passion for people who are challenged by poverty and profound hardship began very early in his life but crystallized during two experiences 25 years ago. The first was a “Meet the Street” walk in downtown Toronto where he met Tim Huff and many other champions of the poor in downtown Toronto, and the second was a sojourn to the Dominican Republic on an insight trip with Opportunity International. Keith’s real passion is to combine the resources he has been given, and the friendships he has nurtured to endeavour to make a difference in an increasingly bifurcated and alienating world. He has sat on various boards including the Regent College Foundation and Bloorview Children’s Foundation. Keith has been married to his spectacular wife Jennifer for 33 years, and has three incredible children (with incredible spouses), and four gorgeous grandchildren.