Our Team

At Marillac Place, our team shares a profound commitment to our mission, uniting us in our efforts. Discover the individuals behind our work: dedicated supporters, innovative thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and compassionate hearts, all working together to provide a safe and empowering environment for women, inspiring hope, and encouraging meaningful change.

Meet Our Team

Discover the talents, expertise, and unique personalities driving us forward. Each member brings something special to the table, propelling us towards our goals.

Julie Walder

Julie Walder

Executive Director

Kate Rockwell

Kate Rockwell

Operations Manager

Karen Martin

Karen Martin

Residential Director

Rebecca Hammond

Rebecca Hammond

Case Manager

Marguerite Poyton

Marguerite Macmillan-Corriveau

Program Coordinator

Hilary Zorgdrage

Hilary Zorgdrager

Office Administrator

Join Our Team

Become a part of our mission as we embrace the strength found in unity, the impact of diversity, and the shared ambition to effect positive change for the women and children of Waterloo Region. You’re not just joining a team; you’re entering the very core of our organization, where every contribution matters and every effort is valued.

Visit Our Careers Page

Board Members

Coleen

Colleen Barbeau

President

Duncan Wilson

Treasurer

Sarah Bismilla

Sarah Bismilla

Director

Julie Garasto

Julie Garasto

Director

Rob Donelson

Director

Kerri Hallman

Director

Deepa Mensinkai

Director

Volunteer with Us!

At Marillac Place, we have an amazing, dedicated group of volunteers. If you care about people and want to make a difference, check out our volunteer opportunities.

View Volunteer Opportunities

Have Questions? We are here to help.

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Julie Walder

Julie Walder

Executive Director

What do you find most fulfilling about your work at Marillac Place?

Witnessing the residents’ journey towards gaining confidence, independence, and self-reliance is deeply gratifying. Being part of a team dedicated to such a meaningful cause brings great professional fulfillment. Marillac Place’s commitment to fostering a sense of community, resilience, and optimism not only aids the residents but also profoundly impacts every staff member and volunteer. I am truly honored to contribute to the mission of this organization.

Kate Rockwell

Kate Rockwell

Operations Manager

What do you find most fulfilling about your work at Marillac Place?

 I value the collaborative approach to wrap around support and holistic care, both within our team at Marillac Place and alongside other partners in the community.

Karen Martin

Karen Martin

Residential Director

What do you find most fulfilling about your work at Marillac Place?

Marillac Place has the most dedicated and caring staff, it really is a great team to work within.

Rebecca Hammond

Rebecca Hammond

Case Manager

What do you find most fulfilling about your work at Marillac Place?

The best part of my job is when participants meet their goal of finding housing after tediously working on their housing plans. I enjoy supporting them in their journey of finding and keeping a home.

Marguerite Poyton

Macmillan-Corriveau

Program Coordinator

What do you find most fulfilling about your work at Marillac Place?

I personally enjoy interacting with Marillac participants directly and seeing the women connect and bond with their babies. I love helping the women with their development of new skills, supporting them as they learn and grow, and watching them achieve their goals.

Hilary Zorgdrage

Hilary Zorgdrager

Office Administrator

What do you find most fulfilling about your work at Marillac Place?

At Marillac Place, I really enjoy the variety in the diverse tasks that come with my role. The collaborative atmosphere within our team is something I love! Working together, we make sure that every individual feels supported and appreciated.

Colleen Barbeau

Colleen Barbeau

President

What do you find most fulfilling about your work at Marillac Place?

Colleen joined Marillac Place Board of Directors in May, 2023. Colleen has a diverse background in operations, shared services, customer experience with over 20 years in executive leadership roles with global organizations. She is currently leading her own coaching and consulting service with a focus on the not-for-profit sector. Colleen has 2 teenage boys and has lived in KW for over 25 years and is excited to be able to support her local community.

Duncan Wilson

Treasurer

Duncan is a CPA and works as an auditor at a national accounting firm. In this role, Duncan is a trusted business advisor to a diverse client base from Not-For-Profit Organizations, Charities, and Indigenous Communities to Investment Dealers and Funds, and Publicly Traded Companies in a variety of industries. Looking for a new challenge, and a way to put his strong financial background to good use in his local community. Duncan joined the Board of Directors in April 2025. Duncan is also part of the Finance Committee which is responsible for monitoring and guiding the financial activities of Marillac Place.

Sarah Bismilla

Sarah Bismilla

Director

What do you find most fulfilling about your work at Marillac Place?

Sarah joined the Marillac Place Board of Directors in the Summer of 2023. Sarah works in the Justice Sector serving marginalized and vulnerable populations. She is bilingual in English and French. She also holds a Bachelor of Civil Law, a Bachelor of Laws, and a Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management. Sarah lives in Kitchener with her partner and their rambunctious toddler. In her free time, she enjoys reading, dance, baking, and gardening.

Julie Garasto

Julie Garasto

Director

What do you find most fulfilling about your work at Marillac Place?

Julie joined the Marillac Board in March 2024 after volunteering in the home with the women and children. During her time volunteering at Marillac she enjoyed getting to know the residents and their children and making them dinners. It is this experience that inspired Julie to join the board to continue to foster the growth and need for Marillac Place within our community.

Julie was born and raised in Kitchener Waterloo. She currently works in Commercial Property Management managing 3,500,000 s. ft. of industrial, office and retail space across Ontario. She hopes to lend her expertise in managing property to Marillac Place.

Julie has 5 children and a Mini Australian Shephard who keep her active during her down time. She also enjoys going to the gym, cooking and spending her weekends in Kincardine.

Rob Donelson

Director

What do you find most fulfilling about your work at Marillac Place?

Rob joined Marillac Place’s Board of Directors in September 2025. Rob Donelson served as Interim Executive Director of the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation after a 41-year career leading advancement programs at universities and hospital foundations in Canada, Ireland, and Scotland. He held senior roles at the University of Aberdeen, University College Cork, and Wilfrid Laurier University. Recognised for leadership in charitable accountability, he guided the first Canadian charity to earn the Ethical Fundraising License and the first university to achieve Imagine Canada accreditation. He is a past CCAE Board member and recipient of AFP’s Outstanding Fundraising Professional and the St. Joseph’s Health System Mission Legacy Award.

Kerri Hallman

Director

Kerri joined the Marillac Place Board of Directors in September 2026. An entrepreneur and business owner for over 13 years, Kerri spent eight years owning and operating a women’s-only fitness facility before transitioning her business to focus on women’s health and wellness. Today, she works as a Health Strategist and Certified Hormone Specialist, helping women over 40 better understand their bodies and their health.
 
As a mom, Kerri felt a strong connection to the mission of Marillac Place and wanted to contribute to an organization making a meaningful impact on babies in our community by helping give them a safe and supported start in life.
 
Kerri and her husband have two children, ages 20 and 22. Outside of work, she is an avid reader, enjoys staying active, spending time by the water at her family cottage, and watching movies.

Deepa Mensinkai

Director

Deepa joined the Marillac Place Board of Directors in September 2026. She has spent 14 years identifying where organizations can grow, building the case to invest, and taking new products and strategies from early idea to global launch. She currently leads product marketing for LinkedIn’s global Job Search experience, helping shape how people find meaningful work.
 
What drew Deepa to Marillac Place is its commitment to going beyond providing necessities and building the community and skills that help mothers build confidence. As a newish mom of two, she knows how much of a difference that kind of support network can make, and that access to it is often a privilege. She is grateful for the opportunity to support Marillac Place and the women and children it serves.
 
Outside of work and board service, Deepa is a mom of three, two humans and one dog, and is always attempting to learn something new – currently focused on relearning French.