Board of Directors

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Board of Directors

CHW National President

Lynn Gillman

Although Lynn has lived in Ottawa for almost 45 years, she was born in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Lynn was introduced to CHW at a very young age by helping her mother and grandmother at fundraising events.

She has contributed to CHW on a national level as a member of the Board of Directors for four years, with two years as National Vice-President and two years as Chair of the Fundraising and Membership Committee.

Prior to that, she participated in the CHW National Leadership Assembly for two years.

During her 40-year involvement with CHW Ottawa Centre, she took on such roles as Centre President and Vice-President, each for two terms, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Publicity Chair, and chairs of various campaigns and fundraising events.

Her professional life spanned 44 years, working in the high-tech industry for Fortune 500 companies or leading technology providers as one of the top-producing salespersons in Canada.

She recently retired to devote all her efforts to her upcoming role as CHW National President. She hopes to transfer the skills she developed during her career to help CHW achieve its new fundraising milestones and to inspire CHW teams of devoted volunteers and supporters. 

Elayna Latsky

Immediate Past President

Elayna Latsky

Elayna Latsky

Elayna Latsky was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec and speaks both English and French. She holds a bachelor of commerce from Concordia University and a graduate diploma in public accountancy from McGill University. Elayna worked in public accounting in Montreal for several years before moving to Toronto to continue her career.

Elayna has volunteer experience from several boards and not-for-profit organizations, including The Leo Baeck Day School. She is a proud member of CHW Toronto Tamid Chapter, supporting CHW at the Chapter, Centre, and National level.

A member and leader within CHW for 25 years, this will be Elayna’s ninth year as a CHW Director. As CHW Immediate Past National President and past CHW Toronto Centre President, Elayna is excited to take CHW higher and higher while helping more people in Israel and here in Canada. For over 100 years, CHW has continued to make the world a better place and that has always been her motivation to volunteer with our wonderful organization.

Elayna and her husband Jonathan have been married for 27 years and have four sons. Elayna also loves visiting Israel, taking family trips there to experience CHW projects in person.

Lisa Colt-Kotler

Chief Executive Officer

Lisa Colt-Kotler

Lisa Colt-Kotler

Lisa took the helm at CHW on March 1, 2021. Lisa is a seasoned not-for-profit professional with 17 years of experience in senior management and executive roles. Before taking the role of CHW Chief Executive Officer, she served as National Executive Director of the Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation. Her experience in strategic direction, development, operational management, and relationship building with multiple stakeholders and staff, including those in Israel, make her a great fit for CHW’s next stages of growth.

Along with a new direction for CHW fundraising, Lisa has introduced modern branding that represents the interconnectedness of Canada and Israel to CHW’s mission and vision for the future.

Lisa has already spearheaded inventive fundraising strategies, and restructured the organization, attracting new professional talent and stakeholders for support, beginning a new chapter for the organization. Her vision includes creating fresh approaches for philanthropy that generate impact, provide sustainable revenue streams, and fund social enterprises to empower women. “Ultimately, my goal is to remove all obstacles to giving. I support an environment of donor directed giving to bring our organization, with its rich history, forward into the 21st century. A key strength of CHW is our passionate base of volunteers and lay leaders from coast to coast. I am inspired by the dedication of women from all different backgrounds, who collectively share CHW’s mission to ensure all Israelis can access excellence in healthcare, education, and social services in a safe and secure environment. By investing in Israel, we are shaping the future of the Jewish State,” said Lisa Colt-Kotler.

As a CHW volunteer for nearly 30 years, the organization was the introduction to a lengthy career as a professional fundraiser. Lisa is honoured to lead CHW during this time of transition as its first CEO, which brings her relationship with CHW full circle.

Elayna Latsky

Elayna Latsky was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec and speaks both English and French. She holds a bachelor of commerce from Concordia University and a graduate diploma in public accountancy from McGill University. Elayna worked in public accounting in Montreal for several years before moving to Toronto to continue her career.

Elayna has volunteer experience from several boards and not-for-profit organizations, including The Leo Baeck Day School. She is a proud member of CHW Toronto Tamid Chapter, supporting CHW at the Chapter, Centre, and National level.

A member and leader within CHW for 25 years, this will be Elayna’s ninth year as a CHW Director. As CHW Immediate Past National President and past CHW Toronto Centre President, Elayna is excited to take CHW higher and higher while helping more people in Israel and here in Canada. For over 100 years, CHW has continued to make the world a better place and that has always been her motivation to volunteer with our wonderful organization.

Elayna and her husband Jonathan have been married for 27 years and have four sons. Elayna also loves visiting Israel, taking family trips there to experience CHW projects in person.

Lisa Colt-Kotler

Lisa took the helm at CHW on March 1, 2021. Lisa is a seasoned not-for-profit professional with 17 years of experience in senior management and executive roles. Before taking the role of CHW Chief Executive Officer, she served as National Executive Director of the Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation. Her experience in strategic direction, development, operational management, and relationship building with multiple stakeholders and staff, including those in Israel, make her a great fit for CHW’s next stages of growth. 

Along with a new direction for CHW fundraising, Lisa has introduced modern branding that represents the interconnectedness of Canada and Israel to CHW’s mission and vision for the future.

Lisa has already spearheaded inventive fundraising strategies, and restructured the organization, attracting new professional talent and stakeholders for support, beginning a new chapter for the organization. Her vision includes creating fresh approaches for philanthropy that generate impact, provide sustainable revenue streams, and fund social enterprises to empower women. “Ultimately, my goal is to remove all obstacles to giving. I support an environment of donor directed giving to bring our organization, with its rich history, forward into the 21st century. A key strength of CHW is our passionate base of volunteers and lay leaders from coast to coast. I am inspired by the dedication of women from all different backgrounds, who collectively share CHW’s mission to ensure all Israelis can access excellence in healthcare, education, and social services in a safe and secure environment. By investing in Israel, we are shaping the future of the Jewish State,” said Lisa Colt-Kotler.

As a CHW volunteer for nearly 30 years, the organization was the introduction to a lengthy career as a professional fundraiser. Lisa is honoured to lead CHW during this time of transition as its first CEO, which brings her relationship with CHW full circle.

Lynn Gillman BOD

Director

Lynn Gillamn

Lisa Colt-Kotler

Elayna was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec and speaks both English and French. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University and a Graduate Diploma in Public Accountancy from McGill University. Elayna worked in public accounting in Montreal for several years before moving to Toronto to continue her career.

Elayna and her husband Jonathan have been married for 25 years and have four sons (16, 19, 22, and 24 years old) that keep her on her toes. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, needlepoint, walking outdoors, and snowshoeing in the winter. Elayna also loves visiting Israel, taking family trips there to experience CHW projects in person.

As she assumes the position of National President, Elayna brings with her volunteer experience from a number of boards and not-for-profit organizations, including The Leo Baeck Day School.

A member and leader within CHW for 23 years, and a past CHW Toronto Centre President, Elayna’s goals during the course of her two year-term, are to implement changes that will move the organization forward in the 21st century, improve our virtual presence, and develop creative strategies and programs that will attract a new generation of supporters to join the CHW family.

Marcia Glick BOD

Director

Marcia Glick

Lisa Colt-Kotler

Elayna was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec and speaks both English and French. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University and a Graduate Diploma in Public Accountancy from McGill University. Elayna worked in public accounting in Montreal for several years before moving to Toronto to continue her career.

Elayna and her husband Jonathan have been married for 25 years and have four sons (16, 19, 22, and 24 years old) that keep her on her toes. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, needlepoint, walking outdoors, and snowshoeing in the winter. Elayna also loves visiting Israel, taking family trips there to experience CHW projects in person.

As she assumes the position of National President, Elayna brings with her volunteer experience from a number of boards and not-for-profit organizations, including The Leo Baeck Day School.

A member and leader within CHW for 23 years, and a past CHW Toronto Centre President, Elayna’s goals during the course of her two year-term, are to implement changes that will move the organization forward in the 21st century, improve our virtual presence, and develop creative strategies and programs that will attract a new generation of supporters to join the CHW family.

Roslyn Joseph BOD

Director

Roslyn Joseph

Lisa Colt-Kotler

Elayna was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec and speaks both English and French. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University and a Graduate Diploma in Public Accountancy from McGill University. Elayna worked in public accounting in Montreal for several years before moving to Toronto to continue her career.

Elayna and her husband Jonathan have been married for 25 years and have four sons (16, 19, 22, and 24 years old) that keep her on her toes. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, needlepoint, walking outdoors, and snowshoeing in the winter. Elayna also loves visiting Israel, taking family trips there to experience CHW projects in person.

As she assumes the position of National President, Elayna brings with her volunteer experience from a number of boards and not-for-profit organizations, including The Leo Baeck Day School.

A member and leader within CHW for 23 years, and a past CHW Toronto Centre President, Elayna’s goals during the course of her two year-term, are to implement changes that will move the organization forward in the 21st century, improve our virtual presence, and develop creative strategies and programs that will attract a new generation of supporters to join the CHW family.

Jeannette Hoffman (CHW Calgary)

Jeannette was born in 1946, in a displaced person’s camp in Italy. Her parents, Fay and Max Kifer, were survivors of Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen concentration camps.

Jeannette immigrated to Canada with her parents in 1948. They lived in Calgary, Alberta, close to the uncle who had sponsored their immigration. Jeannette grew up in Calgary and attended universities in Calgary and Edmonton. She married Bernie Hoffman in 1968. They were together for 52 years until his passing in 2021.

Jeannette taught Junior High School in Calgary until she and Bernie moved to Red Deer with their two children, Tamara and Sam, in 1977. Bernie ran the hotel in Red Deer that he and his brothers had purchased. Jeannette worked in the hotel for many years until she opened her own chocolate and wedding shop in Red Deer.

In 1991 Jeannette, Bernie, and the family moved to Edmonton where they started Medichair, a franchised homecare medical company. In 2017 they separated from the franchise and became independent under the name Medmobility.

Jeannette still runs the company but takes time out to enjoy her four granddaughters.

Marcia Glick (CHW Kitchener-Waterloo)

Marcia is proud to have served as CHW National Treasurer for the past two years and will continue to do so for the next two years.

She enjoyed the opportunity to use her skills to help our cause, for which she feels a great passion and has great respect and admiration for the volunteers and staff.

She joined the CHW Kitchener-Waterloo Sharon Chapter in 1982. She served as Chapter Treasurer and President and then as Council President. She sat on several fundraising committees and served as Co-Chair of the Annual Campaign in K-W for many years. She is a lifetime member, a Sustainer, a Keyholder, a Major Donor, and a member of the Legacy Circle.

She earned an honours psychology degree and a master’s in cognitive psychology from the University of Waterloo. She went on to complete an MBA with a major in accounting from York University.  

Subsequently, Marcia worked at KPMG for over 20 years as an accountant in the Independent Business group and the Tax group with a focus on Estates and Trusts and personal taxation.

Marcia has been married to Bernie for over 50 years. Her son and daughter-in-law have blessed her with three grandchildren, who are the light of her life.

Dorothy Hanson (CHW Calgary)

Dorothy Hanson was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. After graduating from American Academy of Dramatic Arts in California, she acquired a BA in psychology from the University of Calgary. Dorothy then moved to Vancouver, BC, where she obtained an executive secretarial diploma, then worked in theatre administration and as a talent agent. Eventually, she and her husband, Sheldon, owned a Belgian chocolate shop in West Point Grey, Vancouver. In 1998, they moved back to Calgary to start a family.

Before taking on the role of CHW Calgary Centre President in April 2021, Dorothy had been involved with CHW for many years. She had chaired the Connections Tea, co-chaired Games Day and served as Master of Ceremony at the latter. She was also one of the actors in the musical Ladies Who Lunch, with all proceeds going to Youth Aliyah.

Dorothy’s following in the footsteps of her mother, Lucille Hansonz”l. She served as Treasurer and President of a CHW Calgary Chapter over many years and was an integral part of the annual Hadassah Bazaar. Dorothy hopes her daughter Davita will one day follow in her footsteps as well.

Dorothy is also on the executive of the Jewish Historical Society of Southern Alberta and is a member of the Minyan League at Beth Tzedec synagogue.

Dorothy believes that everything we do as an organization should be with reverence to the past; that will guide us into CHW’s future.

Stephanie Rusen BOD

Director

Stephanie Rusen

Linda Senzilet BOD

Director

Linda Senzilet

Brondell Shapiro BOD

Director

Brondell Shapiro

Director

Tova Train

Shanna Mittleman (CHW Toronto)

Shanna Mittleman is a lawyer at Aaron Waxman and Associates, practising in Personal Injury, Disability, and Employment law.

Shanna has been a member of CHW for several years as a member of CHW Toronto L’Netzach Chapter and has held the position of CHW Toronto L’Netzach Chapter President since 2021. Other roles within L’Netzach Chapter include Secretary and Fundraising Co-Chair.

Shanna is honoured to serve as a CHW Director and is looking forward to working with her colleagues across Canada to promote the goals of CHW in its support of education, healthcare, and social services for women and children in Israel and Canada.

Linda Senzilet (CHW Ottawa)

“In the nearly 40 years since joining this wonderful organization, I have held executive positions at both the Chapter and Centre levels. In 2014, I participated in a mini-mission to Israel. Seeing first-hand the enormous difference that CHW makes in so many lives was a lifechanging experience. Upon my return, I became the Co-President of CHW Ottawa, and have remained very active since. With all of my experience and my strong belief in the extraordinary value of CHW, I feel that now is the right time to take my participation to the next level and become a member of the National Board of Directors.”

Brondell Shapiro (CHW Toronto)

“I would like to be a member of the Board of Directors of CHW in order to be a part of the decision making process with like minded committed persons. We support amazing projects and services which bring Israeli families the necessities of life. We also provide them with outstanding hospitals and welcoming, vital daycare centres. Women are able to find safety from abusive situations. Educational institutions such as the Hadassah Academic College teach women vital skills often their first time at that level and integrate them with different members of Israeli society. Almost all graduates are able to find employment and thus contribute to society. We make a difference in the lives of Israelis and give them hope for the future.”

Tova Train (CHW Toronto)

“This is my opportunity to gather all that I’ve learned in my chapter and in the CHW Toronto Centre and help navigate our organization’s national initiatives. I am so proud to be affiliated with an established and responsive charity. I believe that we impact the future of Israel by nurturing its citizens. I also believe that working for the State of Israel nurtures my soul, our souls, here in Canada. These are the reasons why I aspire to be a CHW National Director.” 

DIRECTOR

Jeannette Hoffman

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DIRECTOR

Marcia Glick

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DIRECTOR

Dorothy Hanson

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DIRECTOR

Barb Rosenstein

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DIRECTOR

Shanna Mittleman

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DIRECTOR

Ariella Schachter

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Director

Linda Senzilet

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DIRECTOR

Tova Train

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