About Us

Our Leadership

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  Maggie John

  DIRECTOR

  Maggie is the Founder and Director of The Baby Depot. Maggie saw the glaring need to help Hamilton's babies in need when another organization that was delivering baby hampers stopped functioning. In 2013, with the help of family and friends, Maggie started The Baby Depot out of her home. The first Christmas they helped 10 families and since then over 400 families have been served by The Baby Depot. What is Maggie's motivation to continue this mission? She says "We need to show our neighbours they are not alone- especially the littlest ones in our community".

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  Bob Leadley

  Board Member

  Mr. Leadley is a chartered accountant with 30 years financial management experience.  He was a member of the national executive committee of a top ten accounting firm for 5 years and launched the firms consulting operation.

  Mr. Leadley has given executive seminars in Canada and the United States on the principles of managing a successful business with particular emphasis on planning and financial controls.

  Bob has spent his entire career working with and mentoring executives of small and mediums businesses on how to plan and manage their companies more effectively, specifically how to increase profits and cash flow. This process has produced dramatic results in innumerable diverse business operations.

  Bob was instrumental in the development of DuroAir Technologies. He led the process to obtain the two DuroAir patents and has provided the vision for the company. Bob has been the CEO since the company was formed and is the largest shareholder.

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  Joella Reitsma

  Board Member

  Joella is the Director of Operations and Programs for Kentro Christian Network, an association she has been working for since 2010. She has an MA in Development Studies and has extensive experience working with international development relief and development agencies to develop and manage projects and partnerships. It is Joella’s passion to express her love for God by being involved in the physical and emotional restoration of vulnerable children, families and their communities. She is a huge advocate of the work of The Baby Depot!

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  Lorraine Lowry

  Community Relations Coordinator

  Lorraine is thrilled to serve as the Community Relations Coordinator at the Baby Depot. With a passion for building connections and nurturing community spirit, she has found her dream role in a place where families come together to celebrate new beginnings. Her journey into community relations began with a deep-seated belief in the power of togetherness. She has always been fascinated by the way a strong community can uplift and support its members, particularly during the most pivotal moments of their lives. One of the most rewarding aspects of her role is bringing people together for a common cause. She is dedicated to creating opportunities for our community members to unite, lend a helping hand, and make a positive impact.

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  Kristy Hamilton

  Board Member

  Kristy, a devoted wife and mother of three, serves as a Regional Service Coordinator at Spinal Cord Injury Ontario. With over 20 years of experience in the social service sector, she specializes in aiding individuals with spinal cord injuries and developmental disabilities. Her life is Christ-centered, and she passionately uses her gifts to support marginalized communities. In her free time, Kristy enjoys family time and boating on the Trent Severn.

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  Kathryn Fair

  Board Member

  Kathryn, Habitat for Humanity Hamilton's Director of Affiliate Operations since 2018. She's dedicated to fostering strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Committed to a community where safe housing and basic needs are accessible to all.

  A proud Jersey Girl, she's raised $85,000 for the Juravinski Cancer Hospital. Eight years on the boards of Community Resource Services and Brantford Food Bank. Her greatest joy? Being a mom to two incredible young adults. Outside of work, she enjoys nature walks, art galleries, and cherished time with family and friends.

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  Katie Double

  With 15+ years of senior leadership experience in not-for-profit organizations of all sizes, Katie brings a unique combination of human resource and communications expertise. She routinely partners with leaders to align human resource strategy with the organizational objectives in an inclusive and clear manner. She knows first-hand that people are every organization’s most important asset, and that creating strategies that provide clarity and allow opportunity for growth will help the organization flourish. This has been demonstrated in her experience leading teams directly, and in designing and implementing organizational HR strategy.