Executive Leadership Team

Leonard Baker

Leonard Baker

President and Chief Executive Officer​

Len Baker has led March of Dimes Canada since 2018. Under his guidance, MODC is evolving into a dynamic, innovative organization that serves communities across Canada. He initiated the largest community feedback process in MODC’s history and led the creation of our game-changing strategic plan, Champion Equity, Empower Ability. A strong believer in the power of partnerships, Len also works with other disability organizations to advocate for systemic changes — like the Canada Disability Benefit — that advance the vision of a barrier-free society. Len holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and an Education degree from Memorial University in Newfoundland. His 25 years of not-for-profit experience include multiple executive-level strategic and operational roles at CNIB (the Canadian National Institute for the Blind).


Tim Alcock

Tim Alcock

Chief Operating Officer

Tim joined March of Dimes Canada as the Vice President, Strategy, Integration and Partnerships in July 2019. In September 2021 he was promoted to MODC's Chief Operating Officer. An accomplished executive with over 25 years of demonstrated success in non-profit senior management and leadership positions, Tim has a solid record of achievement in delivering innovation and results, through strategic planning, marketing, fundraising, as well as health education programs and community led initiatives. Tim joined the MODC from The Lung Association (Ontario) where his most recent role was the Vice President, Programs and Operations. Before joining The Lung Association, Tim served as Vice President, Marketing, Communications and Philanthropy for CNIB where he led a broad portfolio of responsibility, including integrated brand marketing, fundraising, and social enterprise operations for accessible consumer products and technologies.


Lucy Lombardi

Lucy Lombardi, CPA, CA

Chief Financial Officer

Lucy Lombardi joined March of Dimes Canada in July 2023 as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. A Chartered Professional Accountant and a Chartered Accountant, Lucy brings a wealth of finance and operations experience from both private and public corporations. She has held progressively senior finance positions within the regulated Ontario electricity sector, and most recently was Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & Vice President, Regulatory Affairs at Elexicon Energy Inc. Previously, she was CFO & Vice President Finance, Procurement & Information Technology at one of Canada’s oldest regulated not-for-profit organizations within the bereavement sector. She also volunteers as a board and committee member for another independent, not-for-profit institution serving the bereavement sector.


Jason Lye

Jason Lye

Executive Director / Vice President, Community Support Services

Jason Lye joined March of Dimes in 1994 as a part time attendant. During his tenure he has served in almost every position within the Independent Living Program and became National Director in July 2014. Jason began his career in the Developmental Disabilities Sector and has worked within the physical disabilities field for 25 years. Jason is a graduate of York University and the Executive Management Program from Schulich School of Business.




Lesley Smith

Lesley Smith

Executive Director / Vice President, Skills Development and Employment

Lesley Smith is the Executive Director/Vice-President of Skills Development & Employment with March of Dimes Canada. She is an accomplished senior executive with over 15 years of experience delivering results within the private and charitable sectors. Dedicated to supporting people with disabilities in the areas of skill development and employment, Lesley joined March of Dimes Canada (MODC) in 2010 to support the mission, vision and purpose of the organization. Her expertise in program delivery and design as well as in strategic partnerships is demonstrated through the ongoing success of employment and charitable programming offered by MODC today. With a drive for change, Lesley is focused on advancing awareness and knowledge of the success and value to create and foster inclusive workforces.​


Victoria Pearson

Victoria Pearson

Vice President, Strategy, Impact & Social Change

Victoria Pearson joined March of Dimes Canada as Director, Communications and Public Affairs in 2020, and was promoted to Vice President, Strategy, Research and External Affairs in 2021. Her professional experience in the charitable sector spans nearly 20 years and includes strategic planning and implementation; brand marketing and communications; government relations and consumer advocacy; and enterprise risk management. Previously, Victoria held a series of executive portfolios at CNIB and its affiliate organizations, Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada and CNIB Deafblind Community Services. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Carleton University.


Monica Merrifield

Monica Merrifield, ESG.D, CRM

Vice President, Risk & Resilience

Monica Merrifield joined March of Dimes Canada in 2022 to lead Enterprise Risk & Compliance, and was promoted to Senior Director, Strategic Risk & Resilience in 2023. Over her extensive career in the social sector, Monica has pioneered integrated risk and resilience-building programs to strengthen strategies, operations, processes, and teams. Before joining MODC, she held various leadership roles including Vice President of Risk Intelligence at YMCA of Greater Toronto, and Chair of the Global Risk Management Society (RIMS) Strategic & Enterprise Risk Council. A published author, Monica’s work examines the risk and strategy interplay to solve problems that matter and enable productive change. Monica is the first Canadian to receive the RIMS Global ERM Award of Distinction, and Risk Innovator Award from Risk & Insurance Magazine.


Alison Staples

Alison Staples, CHRE, MBA

Chief People Officer / Chief Privacy Officer

Alison Staples is a Human Resources specialist who champions talent and culture. She has over twenty years of experience in developing sustainable, strategic people and culture programs and solutions designed to unleash leadership potential, drive performance, increase organizational effectiveness and steer business results. Before joining March of Dimes Canada, Alison held executive HR positions at the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society, Kids Help Phone and Deloitte & Touche. She is a Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE), holds a Master of Business Administration, and is a certified Diversity and Inclusion professional. Alison also completed the High Potential Leadership Program at Harvard University.





​

​