| Who we are |
Board of Directors
Holly E. DignardFounder
Stephen GeddesDirector, VP
Merewyn WagnerDirector
Emma LahanaDirector
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Caleb's Hope - Online      MissionCaleb’s Hope is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for vulnerable women and children affected by war, poverty, and HIV/AIDS. CH helps provide access to improved healthcare, education, and generates innovative job-creation programs. VolunteeringCurrent Volunteer Opportunities: There are no opportunities at this time. |
Holly Dignard is a Canadian actress and a Maritime native, born and raised in Moncton New Brunswick. She has been working in film and television and on the stage for well over a decade. A trained classical musician, she was going to pursue a career in that field but mid-way through her teens she found her true love: acting. She studied at Dalhousie University and Vancouver Film School. Under her production company, Jackal Empire Productions, she is producer and writer. Holly has worked with many organizations, charities, and youth programs since her teen years. She has carried positions such as tutor to school children, gymnastics coach to mentally and physically disabled children and teens, a volunteer and activist for SIDA/AIDS Moncton – successfully spear-heading a campaign to involve the youth and high-school students in the then very controversial AIDS Walk - at the age of 17. She’s been a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, an ongoing member and activist for Students for a Free Tibet, a mentor for PLEA’s KidStart Mentoring Program for high-risk children and youth, a volunteer for Rose Charities, and a volunteer via Global Volunteer Network and VIDCA in Nairobi, Kenya. She is currently a proud and vocal supporter of WSPA and the BC SPCA Biscuit Fund, SOS Children’s Villages in Kenya, is a blogger and adamant supporter of Make Poverty History (
With 15 years of legal and entrepreneurial experience behind him, Stephen brings a unique skill set to his corporate law practice. After practicing with a boutique civil litigation firm in downtown Vancouver for 5 years, in 1997 Stephen followed his entrepreneurial passion and started a highly successful financial services company modeled after the European Tax Free Shopping group. He acted as president and general counsel for this venture from 1997 through 2002, when he led the sale of the company to a European multi-national. In 2000, Stephen was named one of Business in Vancouver’s “Top 40 under 40” in recognition of his business achievements. Since 2002, Stephen has acted as legal counsel to a number of different companies, with a particular emphasis on growth oriented companies in the entertainment and new media industries. Stephen has volunteered his time and services to a variety of community organizations. He lives in Vancouver with his wife and two children.
Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Merewyn is a graduate in International Development Studies with focuses in Asian Studies and Cultural Anthropology from Saint Mary’s University. She worked in the Development field for 3 years, and sat on a number of boards and committees before moving to Vancouver, British Columbia in 2003, to pursue other goals. Merewyn has over a decade of experience in coordinating and program planning in very different arenas. Working with non-governmental organizations to production coordinating in film and television. Presently Merewyn is making a shift in the film and television industry, to development & writing. She is creating concepts and scripts for movies, television series, animations and documentaries.
Living in a world where women have less of a chance at an education, earn less money, face more sexual and daily violence, are just a few of the reasons why Caleb’s Hope is so important and necessary. Through this program, women coming from extraordinarily difficult circumstances and backgrounds are able to work, gain skills and confidence, better their lives, and the lives of their children. I believe it is crucial that these amazing women are given this chance. Women’s empowerment is the key to a stronger future, and with programs like Caleb’s Hope I truly believe we can get there.
Julia Hewko's background is in the arts. With a diploma in Arts Management, Julia has worked throughout the film and TV as well as theatre industry on the west coast. She's worked with one of the top agency's in Vancouver and is now currently working with Carousel Theatre. Julia's forte is fundraising, events coordinating, and having an all-around passion and drive to see things through. She is very proud to be apart of the Caleb's Hope family and is excited to see the organization grow and touch more lives of women and children around the world.
