Leadership Team

Jeff Guthrie joined the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA) as President and CEO on July 1, 2022, and represents Canada’s credit unions on the World Council of Credit Union Board (WOCCU). He is an accomplished financial services executive with a wide range of experience in financial services and leading organization-wide transformations.

Jeff began his career in retail banking as a teller at the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). During his tenure with RBC, he held various roles with a progression of responsibilities, eventually becoming an executive team member as Vice President of Card Services.

Inspired to take on a new challenge, Jeff left RBC in late 2000 and became one of the founding executives of Moneris Solutions (Moneris). Today, Moneris is Canada’s number one payment processor and one of the largest in North America. Over his 19-year tenure at Moneris, he held multiple senior roles, including Senior Vice President of Operations and Integrations, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer.

During his time with Moneris, Jeff served on the MasterCard Canada, Visa International, and Discover North American Advisory Boards. He also served as an Advisor to the Canadian Professional Sales Association (CPSA) in developing competencies and curricula related to establishing a graduate degree program for sales.

Most recently, Jeff served as President and COO of Hank Payments, a Canadian start-up focused on providing tools to help consumers improve their financial well-being.

Jeff holds a Master of Management degree from McGill University, specializing in international business. An avid traveller, he has visited over 40 countries and plans to continue to explore the world.

Jeff is an accomplished ultra-marathon runner, never shy of a challenge, having completed races in the most extreme conditions, including the Egyptian Sahara, Amazon Basin, Northern Iceland, and Fijian mountains. Jeff resides in Toronto, Canada, when not indulging his passion for travel and adventure.

Nita Chandarpaul is the Human Resources Director at the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA). With over 20 years of human resources experience across various sectors, she oversees the planning, directing, and managing of all human resource initiatives, focusing on policies, practices, and strategies at CCUA.

Nita obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto in 2000. She later received her Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designation from the Human Resources Professional Association and her Payroll Leadership Professional (PLP) designation from the National Payroll Institute. As a lifelong lover of learning, Nita has also received her Prosci Certified Change Practitioner Certification and Industrial Relations Certificate from Queens University.

In her spare time, Nita is an active volunteer for the MS Society of Canada, serving as a member of the Chair Organizing Committee for the York Region MS WALK.

That said, Nita’s true passion lies in her family. She is passionate about travelling and adventuring with her husband and kids.

Mirren Harris is Vice President of Education & Professional Development at the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA). She is responsible for the education programs and accreditations offered to our member credit unions. A trusted, high-energy leader, Mirren is dedicated to lifelong learning and has helped thousands of learners in their career development, ensuring they have the tools, opportunities, and support needed to succeed.

Mirren brings close to twenty years of experience in the cooperative financial services sector to CCUA and is well-known for her extensive work with the CCUA’s National Young Leader and Lending Committees. Mirren has a Master of Education in Adult Learning, a Bachelor of Commerce, and is a Fellow of the Credit Union Institute of Canada.

Michael Hatch is CCUA’s Vice President of Government Relations. Michael manages government relations and the team that runs CCUA’s advocacy and policy work at the federal and provincial level on behalf of credit unions. Prior to joining CCUA in 2018, Michael spent a decade at a government relations consulting firm working primarily for national associations. During that time he also served as chief economist to a large retail trade association, and was their national media spokesperson as well, conducting well over 2,000 media interviews in all formats over ten years. Michael also worked on Parliament Hill for three years as an economic policy advisor. Originally from Newfoundland and Labrador, Michael has a degree in Economics from the University of Toronto.

Dimah Khalili is an experienced Communications and Member Engagement leader with extensive national and global experience. She has helped organizations bring their missions and brands to life through compelling stories, strategic thought leadership, and robust strategies that leverage creativity, design thinking, and project management skills.

In her previous roles, Dimah has worked for world leaders in the public and non-profit sectors, including the late King Hussein of Jordan, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and The Crown Prince of Wales (currently the King of the UK). Additionally, she has worked in the private sector for a global multi-billion-dollar private equity firm, Saraya Holdings.

Dimah was awarded the Jordanian Medal (Decoration) for Achievements at the World Economic Forum, Dead Sea by Jordan King Abdullah II in 2003. She is also a recipient of two academic scholarships: the Carol Dickson Memorial Scholarship from the Rotman School of Management, the University of Toronto, in 2012 and the British Chevening Scholarship from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2000.

Dimah holds an Executive MBA in General Management from the University of Toronto, a Master of Arts degree in International Communications and Development from the City University of London, UK, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a specialization in PR and Advertising, and a Minor in Economics from the American University.

Dimah has lived in five countries and has travelled to over 60 countries across the globe. She is also an aspiring public speaker, having participated in conferences and panel discussions on topics related to strategic planning, communications, and leadership. Dimah enjoys yoga, hiking, sailing, and food. She is passionate about volunteering, ESG (environment, social, and governance), and serving her community.

Victoria Mainprize is Vice President, Policy, & General Counsel at the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA) and is responsible for all legal and legislative policy matters at CCUA. Victoria brings over a decade of experience in the cooperative financial services sector and leads the team that manages CCUA’s analysis of financial institution legislation, regulation, and policy, including the federal compliance obligations of credit unions, and helps develop strategies for credit union advocacy ensuring that the interests of credit unions are understood and considered.

A lawyer by profession, Victoria brings more than twenty years of experience in corporate law, governance, financial services regulation, legislative policy, and compliance to her role in supporting and advocating for Canada’s credit unions. Prior to joining CCUA, Victoria was part of the Executive Leadership Team at Atlantic Central & League Savings and Mortgage Company, worked in private practice, taught an upper-year course on the Regulation of Financial Institutions at Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law, and worked for a federal financial sector regulatory body. Victoria has received a BA(Hons) from the University of King’s College, an LLB and an MBA from Dalhousie University, and an LLM from Osgoode Hall Law School.

Angela is a seasoned finance professional with extensive experience in the association space, having worked as the Director of Finance for the Insurance Institute of Canada (IIC), the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA), and most recently, the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA).

With over 20 years of experience, Angela began her career in finance in the healthcare field, having worked for notable long-term care facilities such as Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, Extendicare Canada Inc., and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

Angela obtained her Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English, and a Bachelor of Commerce from St. Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She received her Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation in 2002 from the Society of Management Accountants of Canada (now the Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) of Canada) and her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in 2017 from the University of Fredericton.

In her spare time, Angela enjoys writing, baking, and volunteering with her local SPCA.

Brenda M. O’Connor is Vice President, Governance & Strategy at the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA). As a member of CCUA’s Executive Team, she is responsible for all legal, compliance, governance and strategy matters. A member of the Ontario bar, a graduate of the University of Ottawa Law School and Carleton University, Brenda brings over 30 years of experience in financial services regulation, compliance and legislative policy to her role as a strategic legal advisor and advocate for Canada’s credit unions.

Brenda has served on the Board of Directors of Interac Corp. and is currently a Governor on the Carleton University Board of Governors and Vice-Chair of Carleton’s Governance Committee. She has completed the Queen’s Strategy Program and the Rotman ICD Directors Education Program. Earlier in her career, Brenda spent some time in private practice and held senior legal positions at CIBC and ING Canada.