Team

We help thousands of children around the world because of our strong team of supporters, volunteers, community health partners and service providers. In addition to these dedicated individuals and organizations, our team is made up of staff who are passionately committed to achieving our mission.

Esteban Lasso – Executive Director

An international development professional with extensive experience working in social development around the world, Esteban leads Transforming Faces with strong skills in organizational strengthening, human resource capacity development, fundraising and social justice. Esteban has worked in the past with UNICEF, Catholic Relief Services and Christian Children’s Fund of Canada and, in 2007, was named one of the 10 Most Influential Hispanic-Canadians. Having built a solid foundation for the charity since 2002, Esteban continues to expand Transforming Faces’ capacity, presence and alliances to provide high-quality, multidisciplinary treatment and rehabilitation for children, families and communities affected by cleft lip and palate and related craniofacial disorders.

Laura Lewis-Watts – Program Manager

A dedicated professional with a range of experience in economic development and gender-based social justice in Latin America, Central Asia and Eastern Europe, Laura has been building Transforming Faces’ programming presence and expertise since 2006. Having received a Fellowship in International Development Management with the Aga Khan Foundation, Laura’s proven leadership in programming, strategic planning and policy development ensures Transforming Faces and our community partners uphold high standards in program ethics and service delivery.

Melanie Meloche – Administrative Officer

Melanie studied Business Administration / Accounting at St. Lawrence and Algonquin Colleges and the CGA (Certified General Accountants Association). With 13 years of experience in the field of accounting and administration in Canada and at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC, Melanie has a specific interest in the non-profit sector and has worked with Transforming Faces since 2004.

Susana Munarriz – Financial Officer

With a strong professional accounting background, Susana has over 20 years of experience working in the field of accounting, administration and finance within the private, non-governmental, charitable and community sectors. She has a strong interest in human rights and development issues. Susana has worked with the Jesuit Centre for Social Faith and Justice, Greenpeace, Our Times Publishing, and Lorne Waldman Barrister and Solicitor, in a variety of accounting and managerial positions and has been an active a volunteer in refugee organizations, human rights groups and community organizations in Argentina and Canada.

Caroline Abbotts – Office Assistant

Caroline is a graduate of Humber College’s International Project Management Post-Graduate program. Her interest in holistic approaches to rehabilitation was solidified through a five-month internship with the Higher Council for Affairs of Persons with Disabilities in Jordan, where she worked with the local women’s groups to strengthen their programming objectives and write funding proposals. She now passionately supports Transforming Faces by assisting in the administration of our office activities.

Debbie Silva – Communications Coordinator

Debbie graduated from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Journalism Honours. Since graduating, she has done communications work for the Canadian Federation of Agriculture in Ottawa, the Association for Science Education in England and Trees Ontario. Debbie assists Transforming Faces with website content management, social media, media relations and events.  

Want to contact any member of staff? Call us at 416 222 6581 or email us at info@transformingfaces.org