Our Team

Barb Sutherland

Legal Counsel

Barbara Sutherland is MEDA Canada’s Legal Counsel, Risk Compliance and Governance. She provides legal and governance advice to MEDA Canada and works with external counsel to obtain legal advice to ensure compliance for all other MEDA entities.

Over the course of her thirty-seven-year career, she has practiced in a wide variety of areas including real estate, banking, construction, leasing, and contract law. Her past organizations included McMillian, the City of Waterloo, and Home Hardware Stores Limited.

Barb earned a BA from the University of Waterloo, an LLB from the University of Western Ontario, and her ICD.D Corporate Directors designation from the Haskayne School of Business.

Melissa Young

Director, Global Talent Management & Engagement

Melissa Young is the Director, Global Talent Management & Engagement at MEDA. As a member of the People & Culture team, she works with hiring teams across MEDA to acquire, engage, and retain the high-caliber talent needed to deliver MEDA’s organizational strategy.

Equipped with 15+ years of human resources experience, Melissa’s areas of expertise include talent acquisition, employee engagement and wellbeing, employee relations, and performance management.

Melissa has experience working in the service industry, manufacturing, and non-profit sectors. Throughout Melissa's tenure with MEDA, she has occupied roles of increasing seniority, from Human Capital Generalist and Senior Manager of Human Capital to her current position of Director, Global Talent Management & Engagement.

Melissa is a graduate of the Human Resources Management program at Conestoga College and has a Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designation.

Patrick Asante

Sr. Finance Director, Global Programs

Dr. Patrick Asante is MEDA’s Senior Finance Director, Global Programs. He manages a global finance team that oversees the financial management of all MEDA projects in the implementing countries.

Patrick is an accounting, financial management, and international development professional with over twenty-two years of experience. Patrick joined MEDA with relevant diverse skills and experience in leadership, accounting and financial management, budget development and management, financial reporting analysis, business planning, staff management, mentorship, professional presentations, and capacity building of staff and partners. He has worked at Gap Inc. (U.S.), North York General Hospital (via Robert Half Accounting Agency), The Yonge Street Mission, Dignitas International, World Vision International, and World Vision Canada. Before joining MEDA, Patrick held finance and project management positions, from Finance Officer, Area Development Project Manager to Deputy Regional Finance Director in West Africa.

Patrick has a bachelor’s degree in Commerce (B.Com) from the University of Cape Coast, a master’s degree in International Development Studies (Economic Development) from Ohio University, a master’s degree in Business Administration (partial) from Franklin University, and a business law course from McMaster University. He also has a Doctorate in Business Administration (specializing in Accounting and Financial Management with a thesis focusing on Small and Medium Enterprises) from Manipal GlobalNxt University, a Chartered Professional Accountant designation (Professional Education Program Level), and is a certified Grants Management professional.

Rita Muigai

Director, Global Change Leadership & Compensation

Rita Muigai is the Director Global Change Leadership & Compensation at MEDA. A member of the Global People and Culture team, she supports change leadership, and compensation and benefits globally. In addition, she works closely with Regional Directors in ESCA & WAMENA and Chief of Party Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund, implementing the People and Culture strategy in these regions.

A fully licensed HR practitioner of the Institute of Human Resource Management of Kenya, Rita has over 15 years of experience managing Human Resources from Private and Development Finance sectors in Africa and Middle East. She is accomplished at organizational development, job evaluation, talent acquisition and management, HR information systems, change management and employee relations.

Rita holds a Master of Business Administration degree, specializing in Human Resource Management from Daystar University. She also holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

Scott Ruddick

Sr. Director, Global Security

Scott Ruddick is MEDA’s Director of Global Security. Scott is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing security operations for numerous long-term, multi-year projects in countries where MEDA operates.

Scott is a Board certified security professional with over two decades of experience. . His career has taken him throughout Africa, Asia, Central America & the Middle East, working in complex & at-risk environments. Scott is a recognized strategic expert in the management of security systems, safeguarding staff & assets, and crisis and recovery planning. He frequently provides expertise to organizations on security management issues and serves on several professional committees.

Scott has an MBA from Royal Roads University and a diploma in Security Management from the International Security Management Institute (UK). He also holds several security certifications including Security Risk Management Professional- Regional (SRMP-R); International NGO Safety & Security Association (USA); Chartered Security Professional (CSyP) – Registrar of CSyPs (UK); and Certified Security Management Professional (CSMP) – International Security Management Institute (UK)

Steve Cumming

Director, Strategy and Planning

Steve Cumming is MEDA’s Director of Strategy and Planning where he is responsible for overseeing MEDA’s annual planning process and supporting priority change initiatives linked to MEDA’s strategy. An international development professional with more than 15 years of experience, Steve led the design, implementation, and governance of a portfolio of economic development, skills, workforce, and labor market programs. He has expertise in portfolio design and governance, strategy development, and organizational transformation.

Steve has worked and lived across the African continent, collaborating closely with national governments, foundations, development agencies, private sector organizations, and international non-governmental organizations. Prior to joining MEDA, Steve was the Director of Programs and Partnerships at Blueprint ADE, an evaluation and advisory firm focused on domestic employment programs. He also spent ten years at The Mastercard Foundation as part of the Youth Livelihoods and Strategic Operations teams.

Steve has a bachelor’s degree in History from Queen’s University, a master’s degree in Social Work from Carleton University, and a master’s degree in Post-war Reconstruction and Development from the University of York.

Vicki Loree

Director, Marketing and Constituent Engagement

Vicki Loree is the Director of Marketing and Constituent Engagement for MEDA. With a background in Public Relations, Design and Biblical Studies, Vicki has over a decade of experience working in non-profit marketing and fundraising. In her role, she provides expertise and leadership to the Marketing and Constituent Engagement team in donor relations, digital and direct mail marketing, donation processing and reporting, engagement and stewardship, and event management.

Throughout her career she has had the opportunity to work in a variety of different roles – from database management – to stakeholder communications – to event and volunteer management – to graphic design. But what she is most passionate about is connecting donors with causes by telling dignifying and compelling stories that uplift and inspire. At MEDA that means showcasing the exceptional talents and entrepreneurial efforts of businesspeople around the globe.