Who We Are

About SVP

SVP Waterloo Region is a partnership for giving. Our Partners come from many professions, ages and interest areas, but we all share an interest in creating lasting social impact in our community. By pooling annual contributions and social resources, we are making a bigger, more meaningful impact than any of us could make on our own.

Our Mission

SVP connects community builders with nonprofit leaders to foster intentional partnerships that strengthen the community and drive positive impact in the Waterloo Region.

Our Vision

A vibrant Waterloo Region fuelled by the collaboration of community builders and charities, where everyone can thrive and contribute to community well-being.

Our Values

Engagement & learning in a Social Environment

Our Principles

Equity & Partnership Respect & Inclusiveness Leverage & Strengthen Connection & Collaboration

Our Staff

Mehrunnisa
Kharodia

Director, Partnerships and Operations

Nathenia
Meng

Marketing and Communications Specialist

Board of Directors

Allyson
Kroetsch

Board Chair

Jaime
Jacomen

Vice Chair

Melissa
Haynes

Director

Daniel
Hussey

Director

Sally
Lee

Director

Ingrid
Pregel

Director

Oluseun
Olayinka

Director & Secretary

Jeffrey
Stacey

Director & Treasurer

Non for Profits We Currently Support

The Children and Youth Planning Table (CYPT) is a community-wide partnership that includes over 800 service providers, researchers, planning bodies, and funders serving children, youth, and families in Waterloo Region.

COMPASS Refugee Centre began in 1987 as a coalition of four Mennonite Churches in Kitchener-Waterloo and MCC Ontario. First Mennonite Church provided comprehensive support for refugees, including Hispanic services, host families, legal aid, housing, jobs, language training, medical support, and education for children.

SHOW supports long-term homeless individuals, providing 24/7 support to achieve stability and personal goals. They advocate for fair resources and supportive housing and aim to change community perceptions, relying on grants and donations to foster belonging.

Mehrunnisa Porfile Photo

Mehrunnisa
Kharodia

Director, Partnerships and Operations

About

Mehrunnisa recently completed her MBA, a goal she had set for herself a few years earlier. Prior to her MBA, Mehrunnisa spent time working in the not for profit sector, getting to know the sport and insurance industries. Here she was able to take that hands-on experience and develop a robust understanding of some of the issues and work being done by the sector in Canada. A native of Cambridge, Mehrunnisa is excited to be back and working in the community. She’s always been amazed by the community’s ability to come together during tough times and pull off some amazing projects. Mehrunnisa will find ways to be outside year-round, she’s always looking for new hiking trails and places to run, or outdoor skating rinks and snowshoe trails in the winter.

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Nathenia
Meng

Marketing and Communications Specialist

About

Nathenia joined SVP as a Marketing and Communications specialist for the summer of 2024. She is a student at the University of Waterloo, pursuing a degree in Global Business and Digital Arts, and recently completed her third year. Nathenia also completed an enriching exchange program abroad in the UK. With her background in UX/UI and graphic design, Nathenia enjoys exploring various media forms, such as video, audio, animation, and traditional art, especially painting. She is passionate about creating a positive impact through meaningful designs and is excited to keep learning and growing as a designer by bringing her creativity, empathy, and problem-solving skills to her work.

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Allyson
Kroetsch

Board Chair

About

Following a lifelong commitment to volunteering at hospitals, with Girl Guides, as a Big Sister with Big Brothers and Big Sisters, with Carizon, and the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides program, Allyson (and her husband Dave) joined SVP in 2019.  Allyson is the Vice Chairperson of the SVPWR Board of Directors and works closely with investees as a co-lead partner.  2022 saw Allyson actively involved in planning for Perfect Pitch and working on other sub-committees and projects that will help shape the future for SVP in the Waterloo Region! Allyson has a corporate background in global integration management for mergers & acquisitions and a passion for large, messy international projects that focus on people (company and country culture) and technology. Dave and Allyson’s kids are now 8, 6 and 4.  Together they love to travel and stay connected to family and friends, especially while skiing or hiking.  Allyson continues to hold the primary job of chief household officer and looks forward to continuing to expand her work in the not for profit sector in Kitchener-Waterloo.

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Jaime Jacomen

Vice Chair

About

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Daniel
Hussey

Director

About

Daniel is the Owner and Managing Partner at Hussey Philanthropic Consulting (formerly Wayne Hussey Consulting Inc.), a second-generation family firm that is passionately committed to empowering philanthropy. Hussey Philanthropic Consulting specializes in helping charities with strategic planning, fundraising campaigns, and the execution of both to achieve their transformational vision. Daniel is currently the lead consultant on an $80M campaign, which has successfully raised over $55M in less than four years. Daniel is on the development committee for House of Friendship, the community granting committee for the KW Community Foundation, a strategic advisor to Kind Canada, and multiple social entrepreneur start-up companies. Outside of the world of philanthropy, Daniel loves to be outdoors with his partner Juliet and their dog Winnie; hiking, biking, rock climbing, running, and camping are at the top of their list.

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Sally
Lee

Director

About

Sally Lee is a retired attorney and a former genomics scientist. Sally is originally from the US and moved to Kitchener in 2017.  Sally (and her husband, Jay) joined SVP in 2019 so that they could contribute to the community that had welcomed them as new residents. Sally has a long history of volunteering in her community. She has assisted various political campaigns, tutored homeless children, helped domestic violence victims obtain restraining orders, and was a public defender (Legal Aid Lawyer) for indigent clients in California.  Sally is currently concerned with nurturing liberal democracy and combating racial discrimination and gender inequality.

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Ingrid
Pregel

Director

About

Ingrid Pregel is an unabashed cheerleader for Waterloo Region and its not for profit sector. She has spent her career as a consultant, facilitator and coach working with the people of community based organizations to help them do more good for people. The work comes in different guises such as strategic planning, organizational governance, board of directors effectiveness or organizational design and development. She joined SVP in its first year curious to experience a new way of building capacity for community organizations. She continues because it is so clear that we make a difference. Her passion is to make a difference at the system level of our community and is currently on a journey to understanding how to influence equitable access to services and wellness outcomes for all our neighbors. Ingrid spent years with KPMG’s consulting group. She has held a variety of leadership roles including President of Food Bank Waterloo Region, Chair of United Way Kitchener Waterloo and Area and Co-Chair United Way Waterloo Region Communities. She lives in Conestogo with Rob McKay, is the grandmother of Eve and Zoe and mom to four footed “kids” Samantha, Tucker, Diva and Aura.

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Oluseun Olayinka

Director & Secretary 

About

Oluseun is a strategic communicator with over 16 years of experience in administration and capacity development. She designs and implements programs that drive positive change and improve company performance, focusing on strategy, leadership, diversity, equity and inclusion.

With a Bachelor’s in Chemistry and a Master’s in Managerial Psychology, she is completing another Master’s in Leadership. Oluseun has worked as a Business Development Manager for ShiftIN Partners in the UAE and led the Human Capital Development Unit at Paul Esther Consulting in Nigeria. She also trained staff on Health Information Management systems at Grand River and St. Mary’s Hospitals.

Currently, as Executive Director at Adventure4Change in Waterloo, Ontario, Oluseun is using her expertise to grow and sustain the organization post-pandemic.

Jeffrey Stacey

Director

About

Jeffrey Stacey is the founder of Stacey Muirhead Capital Management Ltd. and he has over 35 years of investment industry experience. Jeff has an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. 

Jeff has been involved in many charitable and board activities throughout his career. He has served on several investment committees including for two Canadian universities. In addition, he has served on the advisory boards for two Canadian university student managed investment funds. 

Jeff is married and has two children. Personal interests include hiking, fitness, reading, travelling, and playing drums.