Mennonite Economic Development Associates of Canada

Mennonite Economic Development Associates of Canada is a Canadian charity (No. 107 691 057 RR0001). It was established as a nonprofit in 1974 and registered as a Canadian charity in 1983.

The Mennonite Economic Development Associates of Canada Board of Directors is composed of volunteer members who bring together diverse skillsets in areas including entrepreneurship, finance, business operations, and investment. The board develops and guides organizational strategy, provides governance oversight, and proactively monitors risk (fiduciary, operational, reputational, etc.). Members serve a maximum of three 3-year terms.

Board Officers

Rob Schlegel
Rob Schlegel

Rob Schlegel

Chair

Rob Schlegel is a highly skilled professional and leader in the financial services field. Over his career, Rob has managed governance structures, complex investment and financial portfolios for large organizations. He is currently the Chief Financial Officer at RBJ Schlegel Holdings/Schlegel Villages Inc., which provides seniors’ care, mental health, and addictions treatment across Canada. Rob manages the finance teams in all four divisions of the business and has arranged financing for related entities of over $1 billion dollars.

Rob has a Business Diploma in Accounting from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Bachelor of Science degree (Chemistry) from the University of Western Ontario. He also holds Chartered Accountant and Chartered Professional Accountant designations.

Rob is a generous philanthropist whose involvement with MEDA goes back over 30 years. Recently, he chaired MEDA’s Building Enduring Livelihoods Campaign, which raised over $50 million dollars towards MEDA projects. Rob is also active in the Kitchener-Waterloo community: he served as the CFO of the Kitchener-Waterloo PC Association, co-chairs the fundraising committees for the Homewood Research Institute and the Research Institute for Aging and serves on the board of the Kitchener Panthers Baseball Club. Rob generously served as MEDA’s interim Chief Financial and Investment Officer (CFIO) from May to September 2021.

Rob lives in Waterloo, Ontario with his partner Jen.

Chair

Rob Schlegel

Chair

Rob Schlegel is a highly skilled professional and leader in the financial services field. Over his career, Rob has managed governance structures, complex investment and financial portfolios for large organizations. He is currently the Chief Financial Officer at RBJ Schlegel Holdings/Schlegel Villages Inc., which provides seniors’ care, mental health, and addictions treatment across Canada. Rob manages the finance teams in all four divisions of the business and has arranged financing for related entities of over $1 billion dollars.

Rob has a Business Diploma in Accounting from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Bachelor of Science degree (Chemistry) from the University of Western Ontario. He also holds Chartered Accountant and Chartered Professional Accountant designations.

Rob is a generous philanthropist whose involvement with MEDA goes back over 30 years. Recently, he chaired MEDA’s Building Enduring Livelihoods Campaign, which raised over $50 million dollars towards MEDA projects. Rob is also active in the Kitchener-Waterloo community: he served as the CFO of the Kitchener-Waterloo PC Association, co-chairs the fundraising committees for the Homewood Research Institute and the Research Institute for Aging and serves on the board of the Kitchener Panthers Baseball Club. Rob generously served as MEDA’s interim Chief Financial and Investment Officer (CFIO) from May to September 2021.

Rob lives in Waterloo, Ontario with his partner Jen.

Jenny Shantz

Jenny Shantz

Secretary

Jenny Shantz retired in 2018 after 27 years at Mercedes Corp and Stone Crock Inc. These family businesses developed a diverse portfolio of enterprises across the food, retail, hospitality and real estate sectors until they sold the majority of their assets in 2018.

Jenny was critical to the development of the St. Jacobs region as a tourist destination and was closely involved in multiple aspects of her family’s ventures over the course of her career.

Jenny describes MEDA as a creative and effective organization that partners with those in need to become economically active and create sustainable livelihoods for their families. She says, “The world needs more MEDA because it's a positive force for good.”

Jenny is vice chair of the Grand Philharmonic Choir, past president of the Waterloo Region Centre for Family Business, St. Jacobs Daycare, and currently serves on the board of The Mennonite Story Inc.

Jenny and her husband, Willem Moolenbeek, live in Waterloo, Ontario. They attend St. Jacobs Mennonite, and St. Paul's Anglican in the summer months.

Secretary

Jenny Shantz

Secretary

Jenny Shantz retired in 2018 after 27 years at Mercedes Corp and Stone Crock Inc. These family businesses developed a diverse portfolio of enterprises across the food, retail, hospitality and real estate sectors until they sold the majority of their assets in 2018.

Jenny was critical to the development of the St. Jacobs region as a tourist destination and was closely involved in multiple aspects of her family’s ventures over the course of her career.

Jenny describes MEDA as a creative and effective organization that partners with those in need to become economically active and create sustainable livelihoods for their families. She says, “The world needs more MEDA because it's a positive force for good.”

Jenny is vice chair of the Grand Philharmonic Choir, past president of the Waterloo Region Centre for Family Business, St. Jacobs Daycare, and currently serves on the board of The Mennonite Story Inc.

Jenny and her husband, Willem Moolenbeek, live in Waterloo, Ontario. They attend St. Jacobs Mennonite, and St. Paul's Anglican in the summer months.

Karin Krahn

Karin Krahn

Treasurer

Karin is the principal for her company, KLK Consulting, focusing specifically on accounting and compliance. Karin received her Canadian CPA designation in 2002 after graduating from University of Saskatchewan with a BA, majoring in Psychology and a BComm, majoring in Accounting.

While serving on the Abundance Canada (formerly Mennonite Foundation of Canada) board, Karin met Abe Fehr, a former MEDA board member. After many conversations about similar values and interests, Karin found herself drawn to the mission that MEDA has to reach out globally to assist people to enhance their livelihoods and support their families through business opportunities that they see, but need a little assistance.

Karin and her partner, Harold, live in Calgary.

Treasurer

Karin Krahn

Treasurer

Karin is the principal for her company, KLK Consulting, focusing specifically on accounting and compliance. Karin received her Canadian CPA designation in 2002 after graduating from University of Saskatchewan with a BA, majoring in Psychology and a BComm, majoring in Accounting.

While serving on the Abundance Canada (formerly Mennonite Foundation of Canada) board, Karin met Abe Fehr, a former MEDA board member. After many conversations about similar values and interests, Karin found herself drawn to the mission that MEDA has to reach out globally to assist people to enhance their livelihoods and support their families through business opportunities that they see, but need a little assistance.

Karin and her partner, Harold, live in Calgary.

Board of Directors

Albert Friesen

Albert Friesen

Vice Chair

Albert D. (Bert) Friesen is founder, CEO and Chairman of Medicure Inc. He is also founder of Genesys Venture Inc. (GVI), which provides the expertise for launching and managing emerging health and biotechnology ventures. Dr. Friesen has been instrumental in the founding and development of several health industry companies, including ABI Biotechnology (now Apotex Fermentation), Canada's first profitable biotech company, and the Winnipeg Rh Institute, where he led the development of Canada's first biotech product, WinRho.

Bert has also played a key role in a number of regional and national organizations, including a founder and first Board of Director Chair of the Industrial Biotechnology Association of Canada (now BIOTECanada). He holds a Ph.D. in protein chemistry from the University of Manitoba.

Bert served as a board director with MEDA for 9 years from 2012-2020. He was first attracted to MEDA by its mission to explore the intersection of work and faith, and its emphasis on efficiency and sustainability in building business solutions to poverty. His appreciation for the organization’s work deepened when he visited MEDA’s projects in Paraguay, Peru and Bolivia, witnessing the entrepreneurial spirit and impacts of the projects there first-hand. Bert and his wife Lee live in Manitoba, Canada, and attend Fort Garry Mennonite Fellowship in Winnipeg They have 3 children and 9 grandchildren.

Vice Chair

Albert Friesen

Vice Chair

Albert D. (Bert) Friesen is founder, CEO and Chairman of Medicure Inc. He is also founder of Genesys Venture Inc. (GVI), which provides the expertise for launching and managing emerging health and biotechnology ventures. Dr. Friesen has been instrumental in the founding and development of several health industry companies, including ABI Biotechnology (now Apotex Fermentation), Canada's first profitable biotech company, and the Winnipeg Rh Institute, where he led the development of Canada's first biotech product, WinRho.

Bert has also played a key role in a number of regional and national organizations, including a founder and first Board of Director Chair of the Industrial Biotechnology Association of Canada (now BIOTECanada). He holds a Ph.D. in protein chemistry from the University of Manitoba.

Bert served as a board director with MEDA for 9 years from 2012-2020. He was first attracted to MEDA by its mission to explore the intersection of work and faith, and its emphasis on efficiency and sustainability in building business solutions to poverty. His appreciation for the organization’s work deepened when he visited MEDA’s projects in Paraguay, Peru and Bolivia, witnessing the entrepreneurial spirit and impacts of the projects there first-hand. Bert and his wife Lee live in Manitoba, Canada, and attend Fort Garry Mennonite Fellowship in Winnipeg They have 3 children and 9 grandchildren.

Crystal Weaver

Crystal Weaver

Vice Chair

Crystal Weaver is a visionary entrepreneur who thrives on creating businesses that contribute to the social landscape of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She is passionate about creating job opportunities within the hospitality sector that are meaningful, empowering and forward-thinking while also connecting people to places in ways that have lasting impact.

Her strong work ethic and commitment to the city have been evident in the success of Prince St. Cafe, Passenger Coffee Roasting, as well as prior city business ventures in a market stand and residential housing. Crystal is co-owner of Commons Company, Passenger Coffee Roasters, Prince Street Café, Surveyor Hotel and Blue Line Lancaster. She is active on multiple organization boards, including Fields of Hope and the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.

Crystal brings expertise in human resources and business management alongside a background in psychology from her studies at Westminster Theological Seminary. Her experience running a B Corp Company and leveraging the capacity of business to address social issues brings a social entrepreneurship lens to her role with the board. Crystal became a director in 2017, led by her belief that business is a force for good.

Crystal lives in Pennsylvania and attends The Worship Center church.

Vice Chair

Crystal Weaver

Vice Chair

Crystal Weaver is a visionary entrepreneur who thrives on creating businesses that contribute to the social landscape of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She is passionate about creating job opportunities within the hospitality sector that are meaningful, empowering and forward-thinking while also connecting people to places in ways that have lasting impact.

Her strong work ethic and commitment to the city have been evident in the success of Prince St. Cafe, Passenger Coffee Roasting, as well as prior city business ventures in a market stand and residential housing. Crystal is co-owner of Commons Company, Passenger Coffee Roasters, Prince Street Café, Surveyor Hotel and Blue Line Lancaster. She is active on multiple organization boards, including Fields of Hope and the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.

Crystal brings expertise in human resources and business management alongside a background in psychology from her studies at Westminster Theological Seminary. Her experience running a B Corp Company and leveraging the capacity of business to address social issues brings a social entrepreneurship lens to her role with the board. Crystal became a director in 2017, led by her belief that business is a force for good.

Crystal lives in Pennsylvania and attends The Worship Center church.

Gregory Gaeddert

Gregory Gaeddert

Chair

Greg Gaeddert is a managing partner with B12 Capital Partners and B12 Real Estate Advisors - private equity investment firms located in Kansas City, Missouri. He has experience in investments focused on manufacturing, distribution and real estate-related entities. Greg has an operational background in manufacturing and commercial banking, with equity investment and fund management roles at Capital for Business and the B12-related entities. He has an MBA from the University of Kansas, and serves on the boards of numerous manufacturing, distribution, financial services and non-profit entities.

Greg is a firm supporter of MEDA and resonates with its work in blended finance. Greg and his wife, Terri, live in Leawood, Kansas. They have three sons and are members of Rainbow Mennonite Church in Kansas City.

Chair

Gregory Gaeddert

Chair

Greg Gaeddert is a managing partner with B12 Capital Partners and B12 Real Estate Advisors - private equity investment firms located in Kansas City, Missouri. He has experience in investments focused on manufacturing, distribution and real estate-related entities. Greg has an operational background in manufacturing and commercial banking, with equity investment and fund management roles at Capital for Business and the B12-related entities. He has an MBA from the University of Kansas, and serves on the boards of numerous manufacturing, distribution, financial services and non-profit entities.

Greg is a firm supporter of MEDA and resonates with its work in blended finance. Greg and his wife, Terri, live in Leawood, Kansas. They have three sons and are members of Rainbow Mennonite Church in Kansas City.

Documentation

MEDA Canada Annual Report 2023

MEDA Canada Annual Report 2023

44 downloads

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MEDA Canada Financial Statements (Jun2021)

MEDA Canada Financial Statements (Jun2021)

368 downloads

41 views

Mennonite Economic Development Associates is an international economic development organization that creates business solutions to poverty.

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MEDA International is a Canadian non-share capital not-for-profit corporation incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act.

Mennonite Economic Development Associates is a 501(c)(3) status non-profit organization in the United States: EIN 23-7398678.
Mennonite Economic Development Associates of Canada is a registered charity in Canada: No. 107 691 057 RR0001.

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