Our National Executive Council

The National Executive Council comprises elected representatives from each CIPHI branch, and a CIPHI president-elect, president, and past president. The NEC is responsible for:

1

The day-to-day operation of CIPHI as outlined by our constitution and bylaws

2

Identifying and pursuing initiatives that support CIPHI’s objectives, including, but not limited to, advocacy and the provision of educational opportunities

Meet the council

Casey Neathway, CPHI(C)

National President

president@ciphi.ca

Casey is the Regional Director of Health Emergency Management and Environmental Health at BC's First Nations Health Authority. He earned a BSc from Thompson Rivers University and environmental health training from BCIT, becoming certified in 2008. Committed to lifelong learning, he's gained certificates in communications, leadership, and climate health. His diverse career includes roles in environmental health, community care, and First Nations programs.

Before becoming President-Elect of CIPHI, Casey led the BC/YT Branch as President and contributed as a BoC examiner. A resident of the Okanagan valley, he enjoys the idyllic climate through a variety of outdoor activities.

Kevin Kapell, CPHI(C)

Past President

past.president@ciphi.ca

Appointed national-president elect on October 31, 2019, Kevin has been a valuable, dedicated and outspoken member of the NEC since May 2017. He obtained his BASc in Environmental Health and Science and obtained his CPHI(C) the same year. He is currently employed by the Saskatchewan Health Authority as a Clinical Integration Manager.  

Kevin has been a Branch Councilor and President and National President from 2021-2023.

Kevin currently lives in Saskatoon, SK. When he’s not working, he coaches both hockey and baseball, plays recreational hockey and golf, travels, and spends time at the family cabin.

Natalie Lowdon, CPHI(C)

President-Elect

pres.elect@ciphi.ca

Natalie is the regional manager for the Winnipeg Health Protection Unit with Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care. She holds a BSc degree from the University of Manitoba, a Bachelor of Environmental Health (AD) from the Concordia University of Edmonton, and certified in 2007.

She has been a MB Branch Councilor, Secretary, and President in 2019-2020. She was the National Director for advocacy in 2022 and led the first CIPHI national public awareness campaign.

She is currently the CIPHI National President-Elect. During her free time she enjoys travelling, spending time outdoors, and with family and friends.

Kari Engele-Carter, CPHI(C)

National Director - Education

Kari attended Concordia University College of Alberta’s After-Degree Program in Environmental Health and obtained CPHI(C) certification in 2003. Since then, she has been employed by the Saskatchewan Health Authority as a public health inspector and senior public health inspector. Kari has been an active CIPHI member since 2002. She has been a member of National Executive Council since 2013, formerly as SK Branch and National Presidents and currently as a National Director. Kari was co-chair of the National AEC in Saskatoon, SK (2018) and Halifax, NS (2019).

Kari lives in small town Saskatchewan with her husband and daughter. She enjoys camping, traveling, reading, spending time with family, and volunteering in small town Saskatchewan and with CIPHI.

Ann Thomas, CPHI(C)

National Director - Policy and Governance

Ann was appointed to the NEC in 2022 to fill one of the newly created National Director positions. Prior to this Ann was President of CIPHI from 2015-2019, Chair of BOC 2004-2011, a member of CIPHI since 1986 and a Life Member since 2020. She is a steadfast advocate for mandatory membership and the need for continuing professional development to allow CPHI(C)s to establish themselves as vital members of the health professional community across Canada. Ann retired in 2017 after a long career in environmental health protection in BC and the Northwest Territories and resides on Vancouver Island BC.

Meaghan Allen, CPHI(C)

National Director - Advocacy

advocacy@ciphi.ca

Meaghen Allen is a Certified Public Health Inspector working in Alberta, Canada. Meaghen currently sits on the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors, National Executive Council and previously served as the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors, Alberta Branch President. Her areas of interest include community infection control, vulnerable populations, and the built environment. Meaghen has a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Alberta, an After Degree in Environmental Public Health, and a master’s degree in public health management. Meaghen currently works as the Director of Safe Healthy Environments with Alberta Health Services.

Valerie Jackson, CPHI(C)

British Columbia and Yukon Territory Branch President

president@ciphi.bc.ca

Valerie’s first degree was in Bio-Anthropology, she went on to get a bachelor of Environmental Public Health from Concordia and is a CIPHI certified Public Health Inspector. Valerie currently works as an Environmental Public Health Officer (EHO) with First Nations Health Authority in Beautiful West Kelowna BC. She previously worked as an EHO in Manitoba with Indigenous Services Canada.

Outside of CIPHI and working as an EHO, Valerie is a certified yoga teacher, volunteer fitness instructor, and is passionate about health and wellness. She loves the outdoors and enjoys hiking, fitness, and spending time with her family, friends, and dogs.

Manny Ahmad, CPHI(C)

Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Branch President

president@ciphi.ab.ca

Manny completed his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alberta in 2005 followed by specialized training in Medical Laboratory Sciences until 2007. He also holds a Bachelor of Environmental Health from Concordia University of Edmonton and a Master of Public Health from the University of Waterloo.

He has been working in healthcare since 2007 and specifically in the field of Public Health since 2009. Throughout his career, he has held specialized roles in CDC, outbreak management, community-based health care investigations and municipal affairs. He is currently a Manager in Environmental Public Health at Alberta Health Services – Central Zone.

Kelsie Dale, CPHI(C)

Saskatchewan Branch President

president@ciphi-sk.ca

Kelsie Dale has been a CIPHI member since 2007. In 2019, following a move to Saskatchewan, she joined the Saskatchewan Branch Executive as a councilor and became the Saskatchewan Branch President in 2021. She is the Food Safety/Environmental Health Consultant for the Ministry of Health in Saskatchewan and is responsible for leading the development of legislation, regulations, policy, procedures, and collaborations for all things food and personal services related. Kelsie holds a B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Regina, a B.E.H. (AD) from Concordia University of Edmonton, and a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Brock University.

Kiran Sidhu, CPHI(C)

Manitoba Branch President

Kiran is an Environmental Public Health Officer with Indigenous Services Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  She holds an undergraduate degree in Human Nutritional Sciences from the University of Manitoba, and an after degree in Environmental Public Health from Concordia University of Edmonton.
Kiran has been an active member of CIPHI since 2011 and has worked with CIPHI MB in many capacities including councillor, secretary and the venue chair of the 100 year National Education Conference.

Kiran values CIPHI for all it does to advocate for our profession and better the lives of our members. Kiran enjoys reading, yoga, attending concerts and shows, and travelling.

John Cannan, CPHI(C)

Ontario Branch President

I graduated from Ryerson Polytechnic University in 1996 and worked at the Chatham-Kent PHU from 1996-2006. I then worked for Hasting Prince Edward Public Health until I retired in July 2023.
 
I was the Ontario Branch Health Promotion Councillor from 2007-2013. In 2016, I was President-elect and President in 2018. In 2021 I assumed the position of Branch Historian. In Jan 2023 I took over again as Branch President.
 
I have been a CIPHI member since 1994, and have participated on numerous BOC exams as well as sat on CoPE, BOC and NEC appeal panels.
 
My hobbies include golf, scuba diving, sky diving, camping and kayaking.

Joel-Andre Hachey, CPHI(C)

New Brunswick Branch President

Joël-André is a regional director for health protection services with the New Brunswick department of Justice and Public safety. Joël-André graduated from CCNB Industrial Chemistry and subsequently graduated from CBU in 2006. Joël-André previously worked as a program advisor for the New Brunswick department of Health and as a public health inspector for EOHU and New Brunswick.
 
Prior to being the NB branch president, Joël-André was actively involved as an examiner, webmaster, Newsletter Editor and Co-chair of the Annual National Education Conference. Joël-André lives in Saint-Jacques, New Brunswick with his family and his dogs.

David MacDonald, CPHI(C)

Nova Scotia/PEI Branch President

David is a Public Health Officer with Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change. He has been a member of CIPHI since 2012, and a NEC member since 2020. 

David holds a Bachelor of Science with Advanced Major in Biology from St. Francis Xavier University, and a Bachelor of Health Sciences from Cape Breton University. David spent much of his career providing strategic policy advice to senior leadership and developing recommendations to Cabinet as a Policy Analyst with Environment and Climate Change.

David is an advocate for active and sustainable transportation. He is also the proud dad to his daughter Isla.

Jillian Young, CPHI(C)

Newfoundland and Labrador Branch President

An environmental health officer with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Jillian lives and works in Clarenville, NL.

Jillian holds a Bachelor of Health Science from Cape Breton University, and has been a CIPHI member since 2014. In 2021, she joined the NEC because she wanted to give back to the environmental health profession and help spread knowledge and information about CIPHI. Jillian’s career highlights include serving as lead inspector in addressing a number of foodborne illness outbreaks in eastern Newfoundland, and being a member of the COVID-19 contact tracing team in Newfoundland and Labrador. In addition to operating her own small business, Jillian loves to travel.

All business units within CIPHI report to the NEC. These include: