Bev Carrick | Executive Director
Paul Carrick | Founder & Director of Special Projects
Roland Vanderburg | Program Director
Deb Penninga | Public Engagement Coordinator
Dusty Parker | CAUSE Kids Canadian Program Manager
Debra Peters | Administration & Donor Relations
Adam Linnard | Program Research & Carbon Offsets
Carolynn Breakey | Events Coordinator
Darlene Bartha | CAUSE Kids Administration
Lawrence Nyman | Financial Officer

Bev Carrick | Executive Director
Bev began working overseas 35 years ago as a famine relief nurse in Ethiopia and has development experience in both Latin America and Africa. Initially trained as a health professional, Bev recently completed a Masters of Leadership degree at Trinity Western University.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

This verse has had particular significance for Bev. Throughout her life she has relied on Christ and His strength to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. She seeks to reflect his compassion and integrity through her work at CAUSE Canada. Bev's hobbies include folk singing, downhill and cross country skiing, weightlifting and motorcycle touring.

Paul Carrick | Founder and Director of Special Projects
Paul Carrick is the founder of CAUSE Canada and co-founder of the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation (ACGC). Paul was a full time instructor at Champlain Regional College in Montreal, Quebec for 10 years and is currently an adjunct Professor at the University of Calgary within the Faculty of Continuing Education. He regularly speaks and writes on peace, justice and foreign aid issues throughout Canada. Paul has over 30 years of experience in working in conflict zones and enjoys sharing tales of faith and courage that he has witnessed over the years. Paul lives in Canmore, Alberta, and is married to Bev Carrick. They have three children, Christina (25), Jamie (24) and Jonathan (20). Paul's favorite novel is The Lord of the Rings, but his favorite author is William Shakespeare. Paul enjoys mountain biking, cross-country skiing and riding his motorcycle. His favorite passage of scripture is from Ecclesiastes 11:4; "If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done".

Roland Vanderburg | Program Director
The Christian mandate from Jesus Christ to love and serve the most marginalized, suffering and oppressed people on this earth, and even our enemies, is Roland's greatest motivation to do the work of CAUSE Canada. After more than 20 years of community development experience, 12 of these living overseas, Roland is convinced that CAUSE Canada's integral, grassroots, relationship-based approach to sustainable development is the best. He has witnessed profound transformation in the persons, families and communities of Central America, West Africa and elsewhere, by the grace of God. This is the greatest joy and the biggest reward, with eternal value.

Deb Penninga | Public Engagement Coordinator
Debbie moved to the Bow Valley in 1990 and has had a taste of life in Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore and Exshaw (where she and her husband have made a vow to move no further eastward). She loved her work as an adult ESL teacher, but it was in volunteer commitments such as the literacy program, food bank, church and, of course, CAUSE Canada that she found her passion. Familiar with the work of CAUSE as a champion of the dignity and rights of all people, she was thrilled when the opportunity arose to join the organization. Debbie works as the Public Engagement Director, promoting awareness of poverty issues, educating Canadians about the Millennium Development Goals, and working with students, churches and community groups to develop and realize goals of global citizenship. Debbie believes that Jesus calls us to demonstrate his perfect love in acts of service toward one another and that, in the words of James, "by (such) works, faith is made perfect."

Dusty Parker | CAUSE Kids Canadian Program Manager
Dusty Parker is the Canadian Program Manager for CAUSE Canada’s child sponsorship program - CAUSE Kids. Inspired by multiple trips to Africa and other parts of the world, Dusty has become passionate about championing the rights of children and women in developing countries. She has worked in the business sector for many years and feels privileged to share her skills and experience with an organization dedicated to making a positive impact in the world. Dusty enjoys camping and kayaking with her husband Mike, gardening, traveling just about anywhere and spending time with her wonderful grandson Braedan.

Debra Peters | Administration and Donor Relations
Debra followed her husband to Canmore in 2010 and feels especially blessed to be a part of this cozy town nestled between the mountains. Debra's favourite role in life is being a mother of three and grandma of two. Her past career choices included being involved in the theatre as a stage director and actor, as well as an Educational Assistant. As an E.A. she worked in both the public and private school sector for over 10 years while working with challenged students. This, in turn, would become the catalyst to begin caring for the marginalized and the disadvantaged.

Debra feels honoured to work for CAUSE Canada and to extend her hand helping as an Administrative Assistant in the Donor Relations department. Her passion for people makes her value individuals in a holistic sense, with the spiritual componenet being just as critical as the physical, mental, and emotional. She has a love for learning, writing, teaching, traveling with her husband, baking, and gluten-free cooking.

Adam Linnard | Program Research & Carbon Offsets
Adam was born in Canmore, Alberta, and raised in hockey rinks throughout Southern Alberta. He studied International Development at Dalhousie University in Halifax, where his greatest accomplishment was the co-founding and flourishing of the Dalhousie Tea Drinkers’ Society. Adult life has been defined by rotational employment between Banff National Park and CAUSE Canada, for whom he has occasioned predominantly research-and-writing-based positions since 2006. Adam has particular passion for issues of gender, environmentalism, and the great plethora generally adjectived with the noun “local.” He studied and researched the socio-cultural impacts of tourism in Nepal in 2007, and volunteered with CAUSE Canada in Sierra Leone in 2006, before becoming a CIDA intern in the latter country in 2010. Adam also serves on the Board of Directors of the Canmore Community Gardening Society.

Carolynn Breakey | Events Coordinator
Over the past number of years, Carolynn has been exploring, studying, working and drinking coffee in more than twenty countries throughout the world; during which she completed a MSc in Global Health and Public Policy, and a BSc in Kinesiology, at Universities on three different continents. Upon returning home, she has felt challenged to combine both her academic interests with her spiritual beliefs, and inspired to live out the words of Micah 6:8. She is excited to contribute as a member of the CAUSE team locally in a way that makes a positive impact globally. Carolynn is also an enthusiastic sport participant, an avid food experimenter, and the proud aunt of (almost) three.

Darlene Bartha | CAUSE Kids Administration
Darlene came to the Bow Valley in 2005 with her husband and 3 kids, after living in several different Canadian cities. Darlene’s concern for the well-being of the extreme poor began after a personal trip to Calcutta, India and subsequent trips to Africa, Mexico and a Somalian refugee camp. Working with World Vision for a few years opened her up to the needs of the world’s disadvantaged, and created a desire to keep Canadians aware of their ability to reach out. Darlene volunteers on her children’s School Council where she focuses her energies on influencing and mobilizing the school's Global Citizenship program. She considers it a joy to work in an organization such as CAUSE Canada that reflects her passions, and also to live in a beautiful mountainous town that acts as a haven and inspiration to her.

Lawrence Nyman | Finance Officer