Executive Director
Russell Wolf
After 31 years of being involved in agriculture production, not-for-profit and for-profit boards, and a variety of other businesses, in 2015 Russell began his journey into full-time mission work. This journey included several short-term mission trips to East Africa and ministering to the motorcycle community in Canada. In 2021 Russell and his wife Anita made the move to South Sudan to join SIM South Sudan. Russell’s leadership brings the focus of Christ-Centered governance and management. He has a deep desire for all to hear the hope of salvation we have through Jesus. Russell and Anita have three married adult children and 7 grandchildren.
Board of Directors
Brian Mitton (Chair of the Board)
Brian & Kim served with SIM Canada in Benin, West Africa for 18 years in the area of Leadership Training and TEE to local Pastors and lay leaders in rural settings. Without a doubt my greatest passion is to come alongside of men and women and see them come to Christ and then discipled. Upon returning to Canada Brian & Kim worked with SIM Canada in the greater Montreal area, assisting both French & English churches with their missions outreach initiatives. Brian then worked as the Missions Pastor at The Metropolitan Bible Church with a heart towards empowering and encouraging on their missionaries. Brian has recently rejoined the SIM Canada Board in 2020.
John Steadman (Vice-Chair of the Board)
John serves as the Advancement Officer of McMaster Divinity College and brings his passion for fundraising and relationship building to the SIM Board. Formerly a small church Pastor, John finds that fundraising shares many of the same Pastoral skills, and he enjoys helping donors feel connected and appreciated. When not working, John can often be found scuba diving on Great Lakes shipwrecks, or volunteering his photographic skills as head photographer for the Honda Indy Toronto and the Royal Winter Fair.
Eric Reynolds
Eric Reynolds (MBA) is the co-founder of Mobile Escape with locations in Calgary and Edmonton, AB. This is a company that brings escape rooms to you! Mobile Escape exists to awaken wonder in people of all ages. Eric has served on the SIM Canada board since 2017.
Elaine Maxwell
Elaine has been surrounded by SIM connections for much of her life. She is married to an SIM MK (Mark), her sister-in-law a member of the SIM family and she has many friends who are currently working with SIM. Elaine serves as the Managing Director of Finance at Prairie College, in Three Hills Alberta. She and Mark have been at Prairie for more than 10 years and are amazed to count over 300+ Prairie graduates that have served with SIM. She has 3 daughters and 5 grandchildren who are her delight and joy.
Gary Coghill
Gary has worked in the agriculture industry for over 20 years with a background in agricultural economics. Currently, he is the purchasing manager for Dutch Industries, an equipment manufacturer located just outside of Regina, SK. Gary is a supporter of the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement Course in Regina and has served as the coordinator since 2006.
Phil Ruten
Phil has served at Millar College of the Bible for the past 27 years, 20 of those years as President. He loves working with college students. He has been blessed by a long family heritage in SIM. He spent the first 18 years of life living primarily on Burkina Faso. His parents served there for 38 years. He is married to Esther. They have four children, two of whom are married, and they enjoy nine grandchildren.
Leevin Mah
Leevin has been a family physician in Burlington, Ontario for the past 20 years where he enjoys caring for patients and their families in the community. He has a heart to blend work and faith, and has served on various medical missions in Asia, Latin America, and Africa (including with SIM in Galmi, Niger). He is married to Olivia and they have three children.
Andy Paterson
Andy joined SIM Canada in the summer of 1986. He served in the area of Financial Management in the field offices in Niger and Benin. He also served as the International Internal Auditor for 12 years. Andy joined the SIM Canada Board in 2022 and now serves on the Finance Committee. His Wife Barbie, and two children Alastair and Jessie were all born in West Africa in SIM Hospitals.
Susie Shin
Susie has over 20 years of experience in client-facing, leadership, and strategy in the financial services industry. She holds an Executive MBA from the Kellogg School of Management. Susie has been a co-founder and board member of non-profit organizations and actively serves in various ministries in the local church she has attended since childhood. In her free time Susie enjoys swimming, golfing, watching Formula One racing, puzzles and travelling.