Management Team

• President and CEO: Deborah Apps

  Deborah Apps is a charitable sector leader with more than twenty-five years experience in government, health care, education, and the arts. Deborah joined the Trans Canada Trail as President and CEO in September 2008. Before assuming the role of CEO, Deborah served on the Board of Directors for three years. Deborah brings a strong record of accomplishment in organizational leadership, strategic planning and change management to the Trans Canada Trail.

  Prior to joining TCT, Deborah was the Senior Vice President of Communications and Community Relations for the Calgary Health Region, overseeing strategic communications, community outreach and philanthropy. During her time at the Calgary Health Region, she was responsible for the Health Region’s rebranding as well as providing executive leadership to the launch and successful completion of Reach!, a $300-million fundraising initiative between the Calgary Health Region and the University of Calgary.

  Previously, Deborah served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation. Under her leadership, the Foundation completed the most successful fundraising campaign for pediatric health care in Calgary, raising more than $55 million in support of the new Alberta Children’s Hospital and its programs.

  Through her active engagement as a volunteer and professional leader in the communities where she has lived, Deborah has developed an international network of senior corporate and government leaders, local and national philanthropic organizations, and community philanthropists that speak to her reputation as a collaborator and her ability to bring people together in support of organizational vision.

• Vice President, Resource Development & Government Relations: Gail Urquhart

  Gail Urquhart brings over 20 years experience in the charitable sector to the Trans Canada Trail, with a proven background in strategic management and the building of effective, donor-centred fund development programs in wildlife conservation, arts and culture and health care organizations. She has a strong record of success, creating organizational cultures for philanthropy that result in lasting relationships with donors and increased charitable giving.

  Prior to joining the Trans Canada Trail in February 2009, Gail was the first Executive Director of the David Thompson Health Trust, a unique model for healthcare philanthropy that focused on increasing the fundraising capacity of rural and urban health care centres in Central Alberta. Under Gail’s leadership, net fundraising revenue at the David Thompson Health Trust increased by 30% in its first two years and volunteer engagement was enhanced significantly.

  Previously, Gail successfully led a cross-organizational staff team and supported a senior volunteer cabinet as Co-Director of Reach!, a joint $300-million fundraising campaign of the Calgary Health Region and the University of Calgary. She also served as senior fundraiser on the Calgary Health Trust’s $20-million annual fundraising program.

• Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer: Lori Spence

  Lori Spence is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of experience managing the finances of non-profit organizations in Canada and the United States. She began her career with Deloitte Touche and worked as an auditor for several years before entering the philanthropic field. She has worked with numerous organizations from small community-based groups to large national institutions including the Kidney Foundation of Canada and St John’s Ambulance.

  She has served as a volunteer Treasurer for several organizations and currently is the Chair of a major fundraising event for Montreal Children’s Hospital. Her experience is varied and includes managing large government contracts, implementing financial reporting and control systems, developing policies and procedures and creating efficient work environments.

  Lori joined Trans Canada Trail in November 2008.

• Director of Communications: Julie Brouard

  Julie is a communications leader with over 20 years experience in marketing, communications, advertising and journalism. Julie has held senior communications and marketing positions in a number of major companies including Pratt and Whitney, Air Canada, Natrel and Bombardier. Most recently, she served as Manager of Communications for the Canadian operation of Air Liquide, an international corporation with over 40,000 employees in 80 countries.

  Julie brings extensive experience in public relations, internet and intranet development, advertising and branding, and as a professional writer and editor. Julie is based in the Trail’s national office in Montreal and joined the Trail in 2011.

• National Director of Trail: Jane Murphy

  Jane brings to the organization experience in the field of recreation, tourism, non-profit and community development. She has assisted organizations in leadership development initiatives, member and volunteer relations, and planning and program development. Prior to working for TCT Jane spent over 10 years in the voluntary sector, including work with the New Brunswick Trails Council Inc. While at NB Trails she successfully developed and implemented a provincial trail wellness program, coordinated the development of major destination trail projects throughout New Brunswick, and oversaw the initial development of Tourism Atlantic Bicycle Tourism Initiative.

  Jane obtained a degree in Recreation Management from Acadia University with subsequent studies in Tourism and Leadership. In her spare time she enjoys cycling, gardening, yoga and reading. Jane also spends her time making crafts from reclaimed materials and is a featured artisan in the Chal-Baie Artisan Boutique in Bathurst, New Brunswick. She is very involved in her community and recently organized a 65th Anniversary Reunion for the summer camp that directly influenced her career path.

  Jane joined Trans Canada Trail in November 2008.

• Director of Development: Wes Moon

  Wes is a seasoned fund development professional with over 12 years of demonstrated results in creating and executing strategic, growth-focused fundraising programs. His background includes leading substantial innovation and growth of the University of Toronto’s annual fundraising program as well as direction of the business development portfolio for Cornerstone Group of Companies, which offers comprehensive fundraising services to a wide variety of national and international not-for-profit organizations.

  Wes is leading the revitalization and expansion of our annual fundraising program and working closely with Gail Urquhart to integrate our fund development activities across the organization.

  He joined the Trans Canada Trail team in January 2011.