MEET OUR TEAM
The Public Affairs Team works in partnership with internal and external resources to promote the mission of The Salvation Army.
Rick Zelinsky
Major - Territorial Public Affairs Director
Taylor Briscoe
Assistant Director of Public Affairs
Kester Trim
Major - Government Relations Liaison Officer
Major Kester Trim has served the Salvation Army in several positions within Canada and on the African continent. His experience in various congregational and social settings enables him to assist the public affairs team in working with government officials and interpreting the mission of the Salvation Army. His special interest in correctional and justice services provides insight into the needs of those affected by their contact with the judicial system. Additionally, his background as a Salvation Army government relations representative in Ottawa and a divisional officer in Quebec supports the current efforts to clearly communicate the aims of the Salvation Army.
Jim Champ
Lt. Colonel - Territorial Ecumenical Officer
Main responsibilities include representing The Salvation Army at national ecumenical and inter-faith tables including The Canadian Council of Churches, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, and the Canadian Inter-faith Conversation.
Patricia Mamaic
Public and Government Affairs Director - BC Division
Patricia Mamic was inducted into The Salvation Army's Greater Victoria Advisory Board in 2007 and has been working as the Salvation Army Government Relations representative in British Columbia since 2016, including several years in public and media relations, as a spokesperson, and as an emergency disaster services government liaison representative. Patricia Mamic has many years of diverse Salvation Army experience. Coming from an educational background from the UBC Saunders School of Business, and boots on the ground skills as federal cabinet minister staffer and executive board member on various appointed and community tables, in promoting the mission of The Salvation Army in Canada to all levels of government and in supporting the BC Division with engagement, Patricia continues to specialize in building key relationships.
Karen Hoeft
Major - Public Affairs Officer for The Salvation Army for Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba and the three Territories.
Major Karen Hoeft has been a Salvation Army officer for 37 years and has been involved in frontline ministry in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and the Northwest Territories. These experiences have given her a broad overview of the Canadian landscape. Her ministry has included running shelters, half-way houses, addiction & mental health treatment programs, food and community programs, summer camps, youth programs and group homes, inner-city worshipping congregations, emergency disaster response teams and a multitude of other programs.
She wrote a chapter in the book, Beyond Shelters: Solutions to Homelessness in Canada from the Front Lines (2018), the knowledge for this came from the 100’s of people who shared their stories and their lives with her on their own journey to recovery.
She has been an advocate and has spoken to many community groups and government officials on the subject of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking since 2006, when The Salvation Army began a concerted effort to educate and bring awareness to this issue.
She is passionate about how The Salvation Army speaks to and works alongside government for the good of the people we are called to serve.
Jeff Jakubec
Analyst- Prairies and Northern Territories
Jeff is the Public Affairs Analyst for The Salvation Army in the Prairies and Northern Territories division. He is tasked with monitoring government legislation and funding opportunities, creating and maintaining relationships with government, educating government officials on the work of The Salvation Army nationally and in their constituencies, and conducting policy research on The Salvation Army’s key interests. On the other hand,he informs The Salvation Army leadership of government actions that will impact our services and collaborates with several Ministry Units and leadership members to bring The Salvation Army’s experienced and educated voice to government on topics pertinent to those we serve.
Liz Davidson
Manager - Ontario Division
As the Manager of Public Affairs for Ontario, Liz views her job as supporting you in your interactions with government and elected officials. She has an extensive background working within government and is more than happy to share any and all advice she can, while supporting you by making introductions to build relationships with your local elected officials, helping with writing and editing grant applications to support your work, providing briefing materials and background information before any meetings with elected officials, sharing invites or video/written message requests with staff, working with you and your team on fleshing out budget requests to make of the government and even attending and providing in-person support at meetings/events! The Ontario Public Affairs team also monitors legislation, runs media scans, and can provide briefing notes on any government policies and decisions.
Luke Orrell
Manager - Atlantic Division
Luke Orrell is the public affairs manager for the Atlantic region. He is responsible for building, planning, and implementing strategic government relationships in the Atlantic provinces, Quebec and the country of Bermuda.
Twinkle Dev
Public Affairs Analyst - Atlantic Division
Twinkle Dev is a Public Affairs Analyst with The Salvation Army Canada - Atlantic Division. She brings over 5 years of diverse experience from Canada and India, specializing in Public Policy and Sustainability.
Twinkle's current focus areas encompass housing & homelessness, climate change-induced migration, and modern slavery. She is dedicated to leveraging her expertise to drive meaningful change within the community through her work at The Salvation Army Canada.
Navita Shokeen
Administrative Assistant
Navita is the administrative assistant here at Public Affairs. With a knack for organization and a passion for seamless operations, she ensures that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. From managing schedules to coordinating events, she is here to support our team and ensure our mission is accomplished.
