Our Team & Board

Rodger Jacobson

Chief Financial Officer

As Chief Financial Officer, Rodger brings over thirty years of experience in senior roles with for profit and non-profit organizations. As a hands-on leader, he has managed accounting, budgeting, and forecasting as well as managed bank relationships, oversaw tax and regulatory filings, and assessed cash flow and risk management. Rodger believes in collaborating with many leaders, especially HR and IT in support of their goals and those of the organization.

As VP Finance and then CFO for 15 years at On Campus Marketing, Rodger managed the accounting and finance teams, culminating in the sale of the company in 2016. He pivoted to a consulting CFO role for a global non-profit primary and secondary school group where he supported thirty-three private schools across in the United States and Canada. Rodger’s work focused on financial reporting, cash flow management, tax and donor reporting, internal controls, risk management and human resources. He advised the Board and Leadership team on strategic planning and implemented accounting policies to streamline processes and improve internal controls, leading to accounting best practices and consistent, timely reporting. Other consulting projects include a fractional CFO role for a cyber-technology start-up and an oversight role for a bankruptcy winddown.

In addition to his professional experience, Rodger has served or continue to do so on multiple not for profit Boards and Committees, focusing his efforts in the areas of Finance and Development. A graduate of Rider University, he resides in Bethesda, Maryland and is married with two adult children.

Nicole Varner

Vice President, Technology and Cybersecurity

As the Vice President of Technology & Cybersecurity, Nicole administers CAF Canada’s information and cybersecurity policies and programs to ensure the security of CAF Canada’s systems and the important data we are charged with. This department works jointly with a team of vendor partners that provide the tools and resources we use to maintain the highest levels of cybersecurity and technological infrastructure.

Nicole holds a BA in Anthropology with minors in Spanish and Business Administration from The George Washington University, and her international experience was enhanced at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in Spain. She is certified in Anti-Money Laundering (AML/CFT) by the Society of Tax and Estate Professionals (STEP).

Brooks Reed, CAP ®

Vice President, Thought Leadership and Philanthropy

Brooks joined CAF Canada in February 2018 as Director of Business Development. He comes from a background in international development, with research interest focusing on the private sector in development and multi-sector structures of global governance. His professional experience includes time with international NGOs and within the Executive Office of the Governor of Florida. Before coming to CAF Canada, Brooks worked closely with Charities Aid Foundation in the UK, as a co-author on the report titled Beyond Integrity: Exploring the role of business in preserving civil society space (Charities Aid Foundation, 2016).

Brooks holds a MSc in Development Management from London School of Economics (2016), as well as a BA in International Affairs and a BA in Political Science from Florida State University (2015).

Robynn Benner

Senior Director, Program Services 

Robynn Benner is the Sr. Director of Program Services at CAF Canada. She joined the CAF family in 2013 as a Grants Officer with the CAF America team, and transitioned to CAF Canada operations in its infancy and has helped the organization grow through her leadership and interest in assisting charitable individuals support the causes important to them through project work. 

In her current role she manages the Project Team and focuses most of her time on providing guidance to Canadian philanthropists interested in funding projects around the globe; as well as drafting and approving Project Agreements with charitable project partners. She can also be found assisting with special projects or collaborating with her team members in one of the many working groups: Values, Principles and Practices Working Group,  Culture Deck Working Group and Benefits Working Group, to name a few.

Prior to joining the CAF family she spent 8 years with AYCO, a Goldman Sachs Company as the Account Manager for one of their three Donor Advised Funds. In this role she enhanced her knowledge of philanthropic giving and sparked her interest in becoming a liaison between donors and organizations working together to fund impactful projects all over the world.

She spends most of her non-working hours taking care of three very energetic children between the ages of 2-13. She likes to look for volunteer opportunities in her community and help out at the girls’ school when possible.

She received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from The State University of NY at Buffalo (UB) and is certified in Anti-Money Laundering (AML/CFT) by the Society of Tax and Estate Professionals (STEP).

Avery Brooks

Finance Officer

Born and raised in the Washington D.C. metro area, Avery graduated from Bowie State University with a Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance. Over the last several years, he has gained experience working with the U.S. State Department, a multinational investment bank, and a Capitol Hill law firm. Avery is passionate about using his love of numbers to effect change in his local community and is excited to have the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of others around the world.

Avery is certified in Anti-Money Laundering (AML/CFT) by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

Rebekah Siddique

Program Services Officer

Rebekah Siddique, Program Services Officer at CAF Canada. Her responsibilities include communicating with charity organizations to facilitate the completion of eligibility applications and validation of grantee organizations. Prior to joining CAF Canada, she held a variety of internships including interning for the International Rescue Committee as an Asylee Caseworker.

In Rebekah’s spare time she enjoys watching the Great British Baking Show, doing puzzles, reading and curating international vacations.  Rebekah is currently wrapping up my Masters of Arts at American University in International Relations where she concentrates in National Security and Foreign Policy and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology from Towson University.

“Pa’lante”- A phrase that I hold dearly and keeps me going everyday is an old one that my mother always tells me. It means to keep moving forward. To keep pushing forward even when you feel defeated or to not stop moving forward when you’ve accomplished a major goal. When I hear it, it picks me up and encourages me to keep improving myself, to accept each challenge and never give up on my personal, academic or professional goals.”

Meet Our Board of Directors

Kostas Andrikopoulos

Board Chair

Kostas N. Andrikopoulos holds an impressive track record of success in the field of wealth management. Throughout his career, Kostas has developed broad experience in strategic planning, general management, marketing and product development. Kostas has found great success leading T. E. Financial Consultants Ltd., one of Canada’s largest private wealth management firms, to sustained profitability. Today, he is president of KNA Strategic Wealth Consulting Corp. His company assists families with the development and structuring of their family office. He is a recognized expert on wealth management and has made numerous appearances on television including CBC evening news, ROB TV and BNN. He has also been a member of over 13 boards, and a lecturer for both McGill and Concordia University. Mr. Andrikopoulos has received a DEC from Vanier College, a B.A. from McGill University, and a Graduate Diploma in Public Accounting from Concordia University with CPA, CA, and TEP designations.  Kostas is fluent in English, French, and Greek.

Janet Boyd, Esq.

Treasurer

For more than 18 years, Janet has provided legal counsel to a number of tax-exempt organizations. She has served as a CAF America board member since 1999, and as president of CAF America from 2002-2014.

Janet currently works for the Dow Chemical Company in Washington, D.C., providing legal and policy advice on tax, corporate governance, and employee benefits issues. Before joining Dow, she was a partner in the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer and Feld, L.L.P.

Janet received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Texas-Austin and a law degree from the George Washington University National Law Center. She is a member of the Bar in the District of Columbia and a member of the American Bar Association’s Tax Section. She also serves on the board of the Tax Council.

Neil Gallaiford

Secretary

Neil is a former national director, donor-based campaigns, at the MS Society of Canada and founder of Cornerstone Response Management, the leading fundraising database management and donation processing firm in Canada. He was also founding editor of The Fundraiser’s Handbook, published by the Canadian Marketing Association. In 2006, upon his appointment as president of Stephen Thomas, FRM Consulting, which Neil founded in 2000, merged with ST. FRM Consulting to provide strategic advice, program audits, and marketing consulting services to some of Canada’s leading not-for-profits, including the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario and British Columbia & Yukon Divisions, the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario, the March of Dimes, the Toronto Humane Society, and Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.

Liz Choi

Board Member

Liz Choi is a dynamic senior executive with nearly 20 years of experience, currently CEO of Education Canada Group. She disrupts systemic biases with candor and heart, fostering transformative change. Known for her “future think” approach, Liz drives innovative solutions and strategic visions. As a change and community champion, she values teamwork and transparency, achieving significant growth and impact.

Liz serves on the Premier’s Business and Jobs Council and has held leadership roles at ECG, Robertson Online, and Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology. She holds an MBA from Kellogg-Schulich and degrees from the University of Manitoba, emphasizing lifelong learning.

Liz, a proud bilingual Korean-Canadian, enjoys nature, coffee, and time with her dogs.

Anil Shah

Board Member

Mr. Anil Shah, a Chemical Engineer by profession & a metal trader at heart, is the President of Ni-Met Metals Inc. Ni-Met was incorporated in Toronto (year 1990) to trade in metals and allied industrial raw materials. As a first generation entrepreneur, Mr.
Shah understands the importance of relationship building both professionally and socialy. Anil has a deep sense of gratitude and has made giving back to the community the mantra of his life.

Prior to that, he founded another company – Margi Industrial Services Pvt. Ltd. in Mumbai (1983). After running it very successfully for 7 years, Anil migrated to Canada.

An avid golfer, Anil lives in Oakville (Ontario) and is involved with many charitable causes and Organizations.

Sam Vise

Board Member

Sam is an accomplished entrepreneur serving as the founder and CEO of Optimum Retailing. In his role, he leads the executive team while also overseeing global sales and product development initiatives. With a proven track record in strategic planning and a wealth of experience in nurturing early-stage businesses and product concepts. Before establishing OR, Sam played a pivotal role as a Founding Partner at CV Studio, where he spearheaded retail marketing endeavors. His responsibilities included crafting and implementing strategies for global retail campaigns, marketing services, and data management. Drawing upon over 25 years of engagement with top-tier executives across renowned retail brands, agencies, and technology firms, Sam has honed his expertise in synthesizing insights, corporate analysis, strategic planning, and understanding consumer behavior. His multifaceted background uniquely positions him as a leader capable of seamlessly integrating innovative solutions with market demands to drive sustainable business growth.

Tom Wong, CPA, CIA, CISA, CRISC

Board Member

Tom is a Consulting Partner at Atom Risk Consulting. He is a seasoned executive and corporate director who contributes his keen understanding of governance, finance and regulatory compliance programs. Tom’s experience in Chief Risk & Audit Executive roles in financial services and other complex organizations can help bring insights to modernize governance programs particularly around enterprise risk management, audit and regulatory compliance (including AML, privacy, and sanctions requirements). Experience gained as a former Partner and Western Canada Financial Services leader at Ernst & Young has helped shape Tom’s entrepreneurial leadership acumen and financial reporting skills.

Tom is fortunate that his professional career allowed him to work and experience first-hand many different cultures and regions around the world – from the remote Himalayan plateaus in China and Aegean region in Turkey to the bustling metropolises of London, Mumbai, New York and Singapore. This has opened his eyes and his heart to appreciate the richness that diversity of ideas brings but also the importance to align common purpose.

Tom holds several designations: Chartered Professional Accountant of BC (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC). He has also served a 2-year term as the Canadian delegate on the International Steering Committee for the IT Governance Institute (ITGI), a global think-tank for shaping risk, governance and controls frameworks.