Our Team
Staff
Julia Ellergodt
Interim Executive Director
Julia has been a passionate member of the Defend Dignity team since its inception in 2010, serving for many years on the Advisory Team and more recently as Chair of the Board of Directors. In July 2024 Julia began serving as Defend Dignity's Interim Executive Director.
Being involved with Defend Dignity, an organization that is relevant & effective in addressing the issues that surround sexual exploitation, is of high value for Julia. She loves warm tropical climates & is smitten by her 8 wonderful grandchildren! Julia resides in Moose Jaw, SK.
Annie Vinodhini
Operations Director
Annie joined the Defend Dignity team in April 2017. She comes from the hot and humid land of India. With a Master's in Social Work, she is experienced in areas of Administration, Child Welfare, Adoption, Disabilities and Emergency Relief, She has also completed an internship in Maryland, USA on developmental disabilities. Annie is married to her husband Denver and they have two children. Annie was a stay-at-home mom until she felt God was leading her to work with Defend Dignity. She is passionate about the work of Defend Dignity and strongly believes that it is possible to end sexual exploitation in Canada.
Tarina Dharmawardane
Communications Coordinator
Tarina joined Defend Dignity as Communications Coordinator in June 2025, to contribute to Defend Dignity's online presence and engagement in the fight against sexual exploitation in Canada.
Tarina is a full-time Digital Marketing student and felt her skills could contribute to the work at Defend Dignity. Tarina resides in Vancouver, BC. She enjoys drawing, reading, and wildlife
Holly Wood
Advocacy and Research
Holly Wood holds a BA Hons. in Law and a Master's in Legal Studies from Carleton University. She enjoys exploring the intersections of law, human rights, Indigenous rights, and human trafficking, passionately working to improve legal responses to these critical issues. With experience at the Elizabeth Fry Society and the Ministry of Children, she emphasizes survivor-informed approaches. Her work is published in various academic journals, and she has proudly presented at the United Nations and international conferences. Holly enjoys research, writing and policy review, and prides
herself on critically analyzing current legislation and policy, identifying gaps, and finding
solutions for existing gaps.
Glendyne Gerrard
Fund Developer
Glendyne is the part-time Fund Developer for Defend Dignity. She is the Founder and was Executive Director of the organization from 2010 to 2023 when she retired. Glendyne has a number of sexual exploitation survivor friends who continue to inspire and challenge her. She has been married to Doug for 48 years and they live in Oakville, Ontario. She is mom to three adult children and their spouses and grandma to eight delightful grandkids. She loves to read and she and Doug enjoy travelling and spending time with family.
Board of Directors
Rebecca Reid
Rebecca has carried a deep passion for ending sexual exploitation from a young age. She was first introduced to the issue—and to Defend Dignity—through her church community as a teenager. Over the years, she has engaged in numerous frontline initiatives, offering support to survivors of sexual exploitation and incarcerated women. Rebecca is a labour and delivery nurse and lives in Ontario with her husband and their daughter. In her free time she enjoys reading, gardening, and being outdoors!
Lisa Shields
Lisa is passionate about creating communities where every person is valued, respected, and free from exploitation as a result the work of Defend Dignity deeply resonates with her. . With a career in municipal leadership and community development, she has worked to foster collaboration, compassion, and strategic vision. Lisa brings a deep personal commitment to justice and human dignity. As a board member, she is honoured to support Defend Dignity’s mission to end sexual exploitation in Canada and to contribute her voice and skills to this vital work.
Eric Magarrell
Born and raised in Manitoba, Eric has worked in the financial services industry for 20 years. Moved by the stories of individuals who have been exploited and trafficked in Canada and around the world, he joins the Defend Dignity board in 2024 inspired to make a difference and advocate for change in our nation. Eric lives in Manitoba with his wife Cindy and their 5 children.
Lorenz Berner
Lorenz was introduced to Defend Dignity in 2014, when a former volunteer gave a presentation at church about the pervasive harms of sexual exploitation and how Defend Dignity was fighting to counter them. He began volunteering in 2022 and joined the advisory team (now the board) later the same year. Lorenz’s “day job” as a senior regulatory lawyer gives him insight into the powerful impact that we can have when we band together to increase awareness, share powerful stories, stand against exploitation, and hold out helping hands to our sisters and brothers in need.
Susan Holtby
Susan joined Defend Dignity as a volunteer in 2017. After a unique volunteering opportunity ministering to vulnerable women, her eyes were opened to the sexual exploitation happening in Edmonton. Susan has been involved in advocacy to city council, police services and members of parliament. She has helped to bring awareness about the harms of pornography to churches and schools and is passionate about ending sexual exploitation. Susan is married and has four grown children. She enjoys reading, researching, cycling and skiing.