Leadership Team

Esther Moghadam
Interim Executive Director
Esther is excited to join Cornerstone as the Interim Executive Director. She has over 25 years of service to Ottawa Public Health, City of Ottawa. During this time, she was the Chief Nursing Officer/Director of Community Well-being & Chronic Disease Prevention. In that role, she has supported many portfolios including public health clinics, mental health and harm reduction services, health equity, healthy public policy, client and employee engagement. She is a passionate collaborator, building municipal, regional and provincial partnerships, caring for others, encouraging and supporting employees to be their best.

Kate Jackson
Director of Finance and Administration
Kate is a Chartered Professional Accountant, who joined Cornerstone with over 20 years of experience in financial analysis, reporting, long-term and short-term forecasting and budget creation. Kate brings expertise in the development and implementation of financial policies and strategic decision-making and has led the key strategic processes to monitor the financial health, risk management and goal progression of an organization. Kate is committed and honored to support Cornerstone’s mission to provide safe affordable housing and emergency shelter to vulnerable women in Ottawa.

Shannon Miller
Director of Shelter Operations
Shannon Miller has been working in the social services sector for well over 20 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton University and a Social Services Worker Diploma from Algonquin College. Knowing her passion was directing her to the human services field she started her career as a frontline worker with youth, as well as supporting individuals in a local Ottawa drop-in centre. Shannon has been a dedicated employee of Cornerstone Housing for Women for the last 24 years. Shannon’s time with Cornerstone has seen her move from the frontlines at the Emergency Women’s Shelter to individual Case Management and Housing support, to the Director of Shelter Operations. She oversees the daily operations of the busy Cornerstone Emergency Women’s Shelter and is responsible for a team of more than 25 dedicated frontline staff, case managers and managers. When Shannon is not at work she is a busy Mom to three teenagers and two fluffy fur babies.

Chantal Cadieux
Director of Supportive Housing Operations
Chantal Cadieux brings over 10 years of management experience in residential services, shelter and supportive housing. Chantal joined Cornerstone in 2014 as dedicated relief support worker at our Shelter until 2021, when she took on the position of Overnight Manager and subsequently Evening Manager. Most recently, Chantal has served as our Senior Program Manager of Eccles, here she has shown great leadership supporting staff and services-users through this transitional time. While working as a relief support worker at our Shelter, Chantal worked in management at Red Wood Retirement Residence for 10 years, a position she held up to accepting the position at Eccles. Chantal brings a well-rounded experience managing unionized employees, expertise in budget development, diverse experience in residential programs and services management. Chantal is a supportive leader who brings thoughtful contributions and strategic thinking to all she does. She is mission-driven, passionate about ending homelessness and creating a positive workplace culture.

Kate McCord
Director of Human Resources
Kate McCord joined Cornerstone in November 2019. She has over 8 years of progressive experience in human resources, specializing in labour relations, talent management, policy and organizational development. Kate takes the lead on Cornerstone’s strategic HR initiatives and implementing creative frameworks for talent acquisition and retention. Kate holds her Certified Human Resources Profession (CHRP) designation. In her spare time, Kate is an avid long-distance runner and reader.

Amber Bramer (on leave)
Director of Development and Communications
Amber joins Cornerstone with over 5 years of expertise in donor relations, strategic communications, and advocacy. Amber has held various roles in development, communications, research, and program management in organizations such as Cornerstone Housing for Women, Shepherds of Good Hope, and Centretown Community Health Centre. With a background in political management and sociology, Amber has contributed to policy analysis, fundraising, and community outreach initiatives. Amber's experience also includes working with youth programs at YWCA Hamilton and as a Recruitment and Liaison Officer at Brock University. Throughout her career, Amber has demonstrated strong skills in communication, program development, and crisis management.
In Amber's absence, please contact donate@cornerstonewomen.ca for all inquiries related to fundraising.

Chris O'Gorman
Acting Director of Development and Communications
Chris O'Gorman is the Acting Director of Development and Communications at Cornerstone Housing for Women. Before acting in his current role, Chris was the Fundraising Manager at Cornerstone, where he worked to build donor relationships, planned Cornerstone’s events, and developed strategies to bring in new donors. Prior to joining Cornerstone, he worked as the Director of Development and Communications at Caldwell Family Centre and as the Manager of Marketing and Communications at Shepherds of Good Hope. Chris is an experienced fundraiser and communications professional with a passion for storytelling and creating community connections. He is passionate about working to end chronic homelessness in our city, harm reduction, and housing justice. Chris is proud to work alongside the incredibly talented staff at Cornerstone.