Our Team

Peter worked closely with founding President Bob Bernardo for many years both in the context of Chartwell Baptist Church and The Charis Foundation. Peter considered him a dear friend and mentor. Peter has 30 years of pastoral experience with local Oakville churches and has a huge heart for helping others ‘listen to Jesus.’ Peter’s book, Mercy – Life in the Season of Dying, was released in 2018. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto, Tyndale Seminary and Arrow Leadership and currently serves as an Arrow trainer. Peter loves spending time with his wife, Sharon, and daughters, Erica and Julia. Peter loves to travel and experience the world in all of its beauty and brokenness. He enjoys being outdoors whenever he can. Peter joined The Charis Foundation as a Director in 2005 and became President in 2011.

Stephanie has been working at The Charis Foundation since 2016. Stephanie holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Media and the Public Interest from Western University and is a graduate of the Arrow Leadership Program. She is currently working on a Master of Arts in Global Leadership at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. Stephanie lives in Oakville with her husband, Patrick, and daughter, Isabella. Steph and Patrick love taking Isabella on adventures and spending time with family and friends.   

Martha joined The Charis Foundation in January 2020 as a Research and Administrative Assistant. Martha studied Physiotherapy at Manuela Beltrán University in Bogotá, Colombia. After graduating, she realized she had a special interest in administration, and completed a Master’s in Health Administration at Del Rosario University also in Bogota. Martha grew up in a Christian family and has always had a deep longing to serve the Lord. Working at The Charis Foundation is part of that call. Martha has been living in Canada since 2019, when she moved from Colombia with her husband Rodrigo and her two children, Sofia and Santiago. Martha loves spending time with her family. She also enjoys writing and singing.

Nez rejoined The Charis Foundation in August 2024 as a maternity leave replacement for Stephanie. A law graduate of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, she holds a PhD from Nnamdi Azikiwe University. She started her career as a state prosecutor in the ministry of justice then moved on to private practice before joining the academia in 2010. Her time as a Sunday school teacher, youth pastor and cell fellowship leader stirred Nez to write a series of children’s books to tell edifying stories of Nigerian children. Nez is an avid reader and has been introduced to the joys of gardening since moving to Canada in 2021. Nez and her husband Kingsley are blessed with three children.

Following a broad-ranging international business career, Paul developed a passion to use his skills in the context of a Christian organization. He has served faithfully at The Yonge Street Mission since 2009 in an executive capacity. Paul and his wife, Sue, attend Chartwell Baptist Church where they became good friends with Bob and Leslie Bernardo. Paul’s current hobbies include mentoring younger managers and executives in both not-for-profit and for-profit organizations, as well as golf, tennis and fishing. Paul joined Charis as a Director in 2014.

After working for several years in youth ministry, Rhondi served for 10 years with Impact Romania, a program of International Teams Canada. Rhondi is a Registered Social Worker who currently works as a Student Counsellor at a Christian High School in Oakville. She completed the Arrow Leadership program in 2007 and graduated from Laurier with a Masters in Social Work in 2012. Rhondi and her husband, Jon, live in Oakville with their daughter, Katie. Rhondi loves exploring new places, reading a good book, playing board games and chatting with friends over coffee or breakfast. Rhondi became a Director in 2014.

Doreen has spent her career in strategic Human Resources, both in industry and as a consultant, now having a practice for over 20 years. Working with both social profit and for-profit, Doreen helps organizations align their HR strategy to their organizational strategy with a view to enhancing employee engagement. Doreen is also passionate about developing emerging and experienced leaders and has delivered leadership training both in Canada and abroad, most recently developing Learning Circles with her business partner, Marla Konrad. Doreen and her husband Rob, live in Oakville, Ontario, and they have two adult children, Alex and Kathleen. She and her husband attend Knox Oakville and in her spare time, Doreen is busy with music, having tea with friends, knitting, skiing, exercising and reading. She loves to travel, especially with her family! Doreen has served on a number of boards and holds an MBA and an HBA from the Schulich and Ivey Schools of Business. Doreen joined the Charis Board as a Director in 2024.

Brad started out his career as a robotics engineer before God prompted him to change vocational directions in 2003. Since then, Brad served in various roles in support of church planting. Brad currently serves as the Pastor of Missions & Mobilization at Compass Point Bible Church. He is an alumni of Queen’s University, Tyndale Seminary and the Arrow Leadership program. He is married to Lisa and together they have three children, Caleb, Sarah and Joshua. Brad is passionate about his family, being a foster parent, wilderness canoe tripping, sports of all kinds and helping others move into areas of Kingdom service. Brad joined the Charis board in 2014.

Glynis began her career as an Executive Assistant and later became a Registered Nurse in Corner Brook, NL.  Her nursing experience included Surgery in Corner Brook, NL, Medicine in Fredericton, NB and Surgical Intensive Care in Saint John, NB.  Glynis has since retired. Glynis first met Bob and Leslie Bernardo through Chartwell Baptist Church in 1998. Glynis had the opportunity to appreciate the Bernardos’ heart for missions when she traveled with Bob and other team members to India, Nepal and Indonesia. Glynis joined The Charis Foundation in 2006 serving as Executive Assistant until 2016. In 2008, Glynis was invited to become a Director. Glynis lives in Oakville, ON with her husband, Alan. They have two adult daughters. She enjoys showing hospitality, golfing, fishing, reading and quilting.

Janet has 37 years of experience working in corporate finance, most recently serving 10 years as the Director of Finance for a midsized Canadian Corporation. Janet attends Chartwell Baptist Church with her husband Michael.  They have three adult children: Ryan, Danielle and Matthew.  Janet especially enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as all things cooking, golfing, reading, crocheting and spending time at the lake.  Janet joined the Charis Board as a Director in 2018.

John is an independent financial advisor with Industrial Alliance Securities and the President/Founder of Viewstone Partners Inc. He has his office in Oakville, ON. John is a past member of The Yonge Street Mission board and chaired its Finance & Audit Committee. John and his wife Keri have four young adults (Kaitlyn, Melissa, Michael & Kyle) all in university. He is an avid golfer, fledgling cyclist and mediocre hockey player. John enjoys reading and playing the piano. John became a Director in 2010.