Board of Directors
At the end of each Rotaract term, Rotaract members vote in a new board for the following term. This year we have a dynamic executive board bringing together students from both Carleton University and the University of Ottawa, as well as young professionals from the Ottawa community.
President: Mangla Shandal
Mangla loves all things Rotary! She began her Rotary involvement with Interact in 2001, then joined Rotaract in 2007, served as International Service Director in 2008-2009, and Vice President in 2009-2010. Mangla is currently working as a Junior Policy Advisor in the Agri-Environment Services Branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. She plans on pursuing a Masters in Public Policy after completing her Undergraduate Studies in Economics from the University of Ottawa this December. Apart from University, work, and Rotaract, Mangla enjoys practising yoga, swimming, listening to jazz, reading, and exploring new coffee shops and tea houses with friends. She eagerly awaits another splendid year and looks forward to welcoming you to the Rotaract family!
Vice-President: Terryl Knox
Secretary: Julia Hartviksen
Julia Hartviksen is entering her second year at the University of Ottawa, pursuing her Honours BSocSc in International Studies and Modern Languages in French Immersion. Julia’s involvement in Rotary began in 2007, when she participated in a year-long Rotary International Exchange to France, and since her Parisian adventure she has continued her commitment to Rotary and service through Rotaract. With an interest in politics, Julia worked as a Page in the House of Commons from 2008-2009 and is currently a Tour Guide with the Library of Parliament as well as a Student Ambassador for the University of Ottawa. She also enjoys Highland dancing, running, music, and of course – Rotaract! Julia is looking forward to serving as a member of the executive and is enthusiastic about her upcoming year with the Rotaract Club of Ottawa!
Treasurer: ???
International Service Director – Marcus Hewitt
Community Service Director – Lauren Robertson
Membership Director: Andrew Melchers
Andrew Melchers in a Civil Engineering Student at Carleton University in his last year of studies. He was born and raised in Brockville, Ontario only a few hours from Ottawa. After spending 3 years in Ottawa, he finally joined the Rotaract Club of Ottawa in the Fall of 2009. He quickly rose to the Board of Directors by taking over the position of Director of Memberships and Recruitment at the start of 2010. Andrew has enjoyed his short time with Rotaract by participating in the Rotary at the UN Conference in New York City and the Rotary International Conference in Montreal. Andrew is the son of Rene Melchers who is also a Paul Harris Fellow and a member of the Rotary Club of the 1000 Islands. His brother, Charles Melchers, is also a Rotarian in the Rotary Club of Ottawa.
External Communications Director: Cristiano Gato de Rezende
Cristiano is on his third year as a PhD candidate in Computer Science at the University of Ottawa. He is Brazilian and moved to Ottawa for his PhD in December of 2007. He is from the awesome city of Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais – one of the 26 Brazilian states. Following the steps of his Rotarian father, he has been around Rotary as long as he can remember. In 1999 he joined the Rotary Youth Exchange Program and went to Szeged-Hungary to have an incredible year, definitely an once in a lifetime experience. In 2003, he helped to re-open the Rotaract Club de Belo Horizonte – Padre Eustáquio, and became the club president for the Rotary year of 2004-2005. As soon as he came to Ottawa, he joined the Rotaract Club of Ottawa hoping to use his skills and experience in Rotary to help the club to have another productive and outstanding year. Whenever he is not working on his research, Cristiano likes to travel and to play soccer. He also enjoys live concerts and the company of good friends.
Past President: Annie Chu
Annie Chu returns from a worldwide Rotaract fun tour to take on the exciting post of president this year. A 4th year International Studies and Modern Languages (French Immersion) student at the University of Ottawa, elle est fière d’être partie d’un club bilingue. Of all the wonderful things in life, she probably enjoys scrapbooking, camping, finding her inner chi, and colour coding her closet the most. Apart from Rotaract-erizing the world, that is. This is her thrird-and-a-half year in Rotaract, after having served as International Service Director in 2007-2008, as well as honourary member of the Rotaract Club of Lyon, in France of 2008-2009. She is very excited about the amazingness that this year will bring and can’t wait to bring it all back to you, à la S Club. Annie is also co-chair of the Rotaract International Pre-Convention in Montreal this year.
