New Three-Year Strategic Plan and New Chair of the Board of Directors

Opportunity International Canada Announces New Three-Year Strategic Plan and appoints new Chair of the Board of Directors

“Truly I tell you, whatsoever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)

January 6, 2020 – The Board of Directors of Opportunity International Canada, following the completion of a successful 20th Anniversary year, is pleased to announce the development of a new Three-Year Strategic Plan, designed to position Opportunity Canada for the next phase of Opportunity providing innovative micro-finance and other financial services and resources, to the working poor in the developing world.

This initiative will include more resources dedicated to our Education Finance program, resources to the ultra-poor in Haiti, and a catalogue of offerings to our long-standing partners in Africa, India and Latin America.

This process of developing the new Strategic Plan has been led by CEO Dan Murray, who was appointed CEO a year ago and as such, will oversee its implementation. Dan will lead our outstanding Canadian team of professionals, as well as work in collaboration with our network of Opportunity International Support Partners (in the US, UK, Germany and Australia), and with our Opportunity International Implementing Partners in the field.

As a part of this new strategic thrust, the Board is also pleased to announce that John Mach has been appointed as Chair of the Board. John is a long-standing and active member of the Board, and currently Treasurer of the Board and Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee of the Board. He and his wife Dawne, have participated in numerous events, activities and Insight Trips and have brought solid governance, creativity, and entrepreneurship to the Board, while demonstrating a heart and compassion for the poor. John will bring outstanding leadership in his new role.

As a part of this new multi-year initiative, Dale Patterson, following over 20 years of engagement with Opportunity International Canada, and serving in the roles of Board member, CEO and Chair of the Board, is completing his term and is stepping down from his role as Chair, as he looks forward to semi-retirement and all that offers, as well as continuing to support Opportunity. Dale is one of the founding Board members of Opportunity Canada and with his wife Joan, have both dedicated these years to enhancing the impact of Opportunity and to improving the lives of those living in poverty. We are grateful for their dedication and service and wish them well in their new “season”.

This is an exciting time at Opportunity Canada and we are confident we have the organization, skills, leadership and the products and services, to take Opportunity to the next level of fulfilling our vision, mission and ministry to the developing world. It is also a time of thankfulness and gratitude to Dale and Joan Patterson.

A multitude of clients that Opportunity International Canada has served around the world since 1998, have been embraced and served by their faithfulness. Dozens of staff have been cared for and many fellow Board members worked alongside of and were encouraged as Dale has endeavoured tirelessly to bring the mission and vision of Opportunity International to fruition. With expansive gratitude, we would like to thank him for his many years of devoted service and care above and beyond the call of duty.

Dale is a founding member of Opportunity International Canada since before its incorporation in 1998. He served on the original Board of Directors (1998-2002) then again from 2006-2010 and 2013-2015. He then stepped in to serve as the President/CEO from 2015-2018. Dale most recently served as the Opportunity International Canada Board Chair from 2017-2019 and helped to transition and onboard Opportunity Canada’s current President/CEO, Dan Murray. He played a leading role in the re-casting of the Opportunity International Global Board, as a member of that Board, and serves on the Opportunity International United States Board.

Over the years, Dale has chaired many Opportunity Canada subcommittees, served on Executive Committees, led Insight Trips, has spoken across Canada and around the world on Opportunity’s behalf and graciously served in any capacity for which he has been asked. For 22 years Dale and his wife Joan have been devoted donors, and dedicated volunteers and partners in serving the world’s poor through their time, resources, influence, talents and care. Their entire family has wrapped their arms and hearts around Opportunity International clients striving to achieve a life free from poverty, with dignity and purpose.

We look forward to Dale and Joan continuing to stay involved as supporters and active participants in the Opportunity International world-wide organization.