Volunteer Board Members
David Flannigan
Chair
David was elected Dominion President in 2016. In 1968, he was a member of the first Cadet Corp formed in Lawn, Newfoundland and Labrador. He later served as Cadet Liaison Officer at the Labrador City Branch. He then served in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1975 where he later received a medical discharge. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal in 2013, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers in 2017.
Thomas D. Irvine
Vice Chair
Tom Irvine is Immediate Past Dominion President and Vice-Chair of the Dominion Command Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League Committee, and a member of other operational committees. He is a Director of the Canvet Publications Board of Directors which guides the production of Legion Magazine. Tom first joined the Legion in 1988 and is currently a life member of the Hemmingford #244 Branch in Quebec. Along with various awards for his Military Service, Tom was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals in 2002 and 2012 and the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers in 2019.
Larry Murray
Director
The Grand President of The Royal Canadian Legion, Larry serves as the federal government’s Chair of the Independent Review Panel on Defence Acquisition. He was Chairman of the Board of the Public Policy Forum, first Chair of the Veterans. A Member of the Order of Canada, Larry’s awards are numerous and include Commander of the Order of Military Merit, the NATO Special Services Medal, Chief of Defence Staff Commendation, and Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals.
Andrea Siew
Director
Andrea served in the Navy as an intelligence officer in a variety of challenging positions. Since retiring in 2008, she has been a passionate advocate for Veterans and their families leading the Legion’s Dominion Command Service Officers, and providing policy advice to the National Association of Federal Retirees and the Veterans Ombudsman. She is Chair of the Legion’s Defence and Security Committee a member of the Women Veterans Research and Engagement Network (WREN) and the Women Peace and Security Network – Canada. Most recently she was appointed the Intelligence Branch Colonel Commandant.
Bruce Burnham
Director
Bruce is a founding member and past Vice President of the Third Party Administrators’ Association of Canada, which establishes guidelines and standards within the insurance industry.
A recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, he was appointed the Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the 4th Battalion of The Royal Canadian Regiment in 2017.
Dr. Paul Kavanagh
Director
Paul has been recognized with several honours for his work with Veterans. Among them are the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, The Royal Canadian Legion’s Certificate of Merit, and the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation. Paul is the Founder of Operation Veteran – a program in association with the Canadian War Museum that honours and raises awareness about Veterans and their sacrifices.
George O’Dair
Director
A Life Member of the Legion’s Cornwall #297 Branch, George has served as a Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command Vice President, Ontario Command President, District and Zone Commander and Branch President. He has spent significant time as a member of several Legion committees at the national and local levels.
Foundation Staff
Randy Hayley
National Coordinator, Legion National Foundation
Randy Hayley joined The Royal Canadian Legion National Headquarters in 2015 after an extensive operational sales career with a Canadian National Media Company. He is an Associate member of the Legion and joined the Headquarters in the Member Services department where his team began the modernization of the Legion membership experience. In 2023 he was appointed the organization’s Director, Corporate Services and Strategic Planning and joins the Legion National Foundation as National Coordinator.
Sam Laprade, CFRE
Director, Development, Legion National Foundation
As a professional fundraiser Sam works closely with generous donors to impact Veterans through the Legion National Foundation. Ms. Laprade’s extensive experience, for over three decades, in fundraising, media and municipal politics has created an impressive network of community and business leaders.
Steven Clark
National Executive Director
Steven Clark served as a Royal Canadian Air Force Reservist and member of the Cadet Instructor Cadre, before his transition to the non-profit sector. He is an Ordinary member of the Legion and joined its National Headquarters as an Administrative Officer in 2005. He later became the organization’s Director, Corporate Services and in 2019 was named to the position of National Executive Director.
Cynthia Ngarachu
Philanthropy Coordinator
Cynthia Ngarachu is a dedicated community builder. With over a decade of experience in fundraising and program development, she has made significant contributions within leading national and global charities underscoring her commitment to supporting marginalized communities within and beyond Canada.
In her capacity as the Philanthropy Coordinator at the Legion National Foundation, Cynthia plays a vital role in cultivating relationships with donors and partners, spearheading fundraising campaigns, and pioneering innovative approaches to generate financial support for Veterans and their families.