Our Staff and Board | Bereaved Families of Ontario

Our Staff and Board Members

Our Wonderful Staff

Jody O'Brien

Program Coordinator

Jody is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, welcoming environment where individuals can find comfort, connection, and understanding in their grief journey.

Jody O'Brien

Program Coordinator

With over 20 years of experience in administration and as a certified fitness leader, Jody, approaches her work with warmth, reliability, and genuine care for the people she supports. She joined Bereaved Families of Ontario-Ottawa in 2025, bringing with her a strong passion for creating community and being a safe, supportive presence for others. For years, she has also volunteered with a variety of organizations, always guided by her compassionate nature and desire to make a difference.

Phone:+1 (613)-567-4278
Email:programs@bfo-ottawa.org

Monique Strathern

Volunteer Coordinator

Monique gives back to BFO by volunteering as a grief and bereavement facilitator and most recently as Volunteer Coordinator.

Monique Strathern

Volunteer Coordinator

Monique Strathern joined the BFO Ottawa staff in 2023. She brings to BFO Ottawa a background in training, business development, event planning, finance and working with volunteers. She is a retired Chartered Professional Accountant, a business owner and is involved in the local business networking community. After losing her best friend tragically, Monique turned to BFO Ottawa for support. Later, she chose to give back to BFO by volunteering as a grief and bereavement facilitator. Monique enjoys camping, backpacking, and hiking with her family.

Phone:+1 (613)-567-4278
Email:office@bfo-ottawa.org

Jane Davey

Bookkeeper

Jane is passionate about supporting and educating others in grief, and bringing bereavement and death literacy into mainstream conversations.

Jane Davey

Bookkeeper

Jane retired as a financial analyst after spending her career at Calian and The Ottawa MacDonald Cartier International Airport Authority. She has been involved with BFO Ottawa since 2004 following the death of her daughter, Emily. Her roles included Board of Director, Program Manager and grief support facilitator. Jane is a co-business owner who is passionate about supporting and educating others in grief, and bringing bereavement and death literacy into mainstream conversations.

Phone:+1 (613)-567-4278
Email:janed@bfo-ottawa.org

Our Dedicated Board Members

Micheline Lepage

Chair

Micheline participated in BFO Ottawa's programs after the loss of her son Bruce to cancer in 2014.

Micheline Lepage

Chair

Micheline joined our Board in January 2021.

She held positions with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC), among other companies. Micheline retired from a career in information technology in 2019.

She participated in BFO Ottawa's programs after the loss of her son Bruce to cancer in 2014. She is a trained facilitator who supports others who have lost a child.

Email:chair@bfo-ottawa.org

Larry Cadman

Director

Larry is committed to give back and help others, and impact as many people as possible in the bereavement community.

Larry Cadman

Director

Larry Cadman has been involved in providing grief support since November 2012 following the death of his son Mitchell. Since then, Larry has been extremely involved in various functions of grief support and remains active in sharing his personal experience and growth, with the loss of both his son Mitchell and recently with the passing of his wife Paulette.

Larry retired after serving 21 years in the military and 20 years with the public service. Larry enjoys many life experiences including hiking, kayaking, biking, weight training, playing drums and the guitar in his spare time.

His commitment to give back and help others, will have a huge impact and contribution to the BFO Ottawa bereavement community.

Email:larryc@bfo-ottawa.org

Kelly Campbell

Director

Kelly's personal connection to BFO's mission stems from experiencing many losses.

Kelly Campbell

Director

Kelly's personal connection to BFO's mission stems from experiencing many losses throughout her life. But her desire to join as a volunteer facilitator in 2023 was in honour of her best friend Emma who died when the two were in a car accident in 2007.

Kelly spent more than 16 years in federal public service. However, in 2024, after her good friend Susan died, she left government to embark on a new career path. She now focuses on supporting others through transitions and building organizational capacity for lasting change.

She is currently the Senior Manager, Stakeholder and Government Relations for Matthew Perry House. Kelly also operates her own business, guiding individuals, families, and charitable organizations in shaping their lasting legacies through personal transformation, end-of-life planning, or systemic change.

In addition to her volunteer role with the organization, Kelly joined the BFO Board of Directors in 2025.

Email:kellyc@bfo-ottawa.org

Kate Capogreco

Director

Kate worked as a Specialist with the Community Funding team at the City. She is excited to bring her knowledge of grants and funding to support BFO..

Kate Capogreco

Director

Kate started out her work life as a Chartered Accountant and then discovered that she was drawn to working with people who were navigating deep personal challenges.

She completed a Master’s of Pastoral Studies at St. Paul University and went on to a rewarding career as a caseworker with social services at the City of Ottawa.

Five years ago, she started working as a Specialist with the Community Funding team at the City, a position from which she recently retired. She is excited to bring her knowledge of grants and funding to support BFO.

Email:katec@bfo-ottawa.org

Moira Costello

Secretary

Moira found great comfort in joining BFO after her losses and is dedicated to supporting BFO’s important mandate in the community.

Moira Costello

Secretary

Moira has been involved with BFO Ottawa since 2023 and joined the Board in January 2025. She is currently retired and volunteers at a number of charities in the Ottawa area.

Before retirement, Moira worked as an investigator with both The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and the Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada. Previously, Moira completed a Master of Social Work degree at the University of Toronto and was subsequently employed as a social worker for over 15 years in the healthcare sector.

Moira joined the Board in honour of her mother, Colleen who passed away in 2023 and her brother, William who passed away in 2024. Moira found great comfort in joining BFO after her losses and is dedicated to supporting BFO’s important mandate in the community.

Email:boardsecretary@bfo-ottawa.org

Kerry Clifford

Director

Kerry is committed to supporting compassionate, accessible resources for those experiencing loss. Kerry has empathy and a deep respect for lived experiences.

Kerry Clifford

Director

Kerry is committed to supporting compassionate, accessible resources for those experiencing loss. Kerry has empathy and a deep respect for lived experiences.

Kerry’s past experience serving on various boards will be a tremendous asset to BFO Ottawa. She is deeply committed to supporting compassionate, accessible resources for those experiencing loss and brings empathy and a profound respect for lived experiences.

Kerry also participated in the BFO Ottawa Loss of Parent closed group in the spring of 2019 following the death of her mother. Having personally experienced the support BFO Ottawa provides, she is now giving back by joining the BFO Ottawa Board.

Email:kerryc@bfo-ottawa.org

Ajaykumar Kanabar

Treasurer

Ajaykumar Kanabar is a Finance and Accounting Consultant with specialized expertise in micro-finance. He brings over 30 years of senior experience in banking, policy development, compliance, operations, and auditing.

Ajaykumar Kanabar

Treasurer

Ajaykumar Kanabar is a Finance and Accounting Consultant with specialized expertise in micro-finance. With dual degrees in Commerce & Accounting and Law and as an Associate of the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance, he brings over 30 years of senior experience in banking, policy development, compliance, operations, and auditing. He currently consults with the U.S.-based nonprofit Start Small Think Big, supporting global accounting set-up and women’s empowerment programs. Ajaykumar was recognized as “Best Banker” by EDI-EU in 2000 and has long served various social and cultural organizations with integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to community development.

Email:treasurer@bfo-ottawa.org