The Team

Philip is one of those people who seem to brighten a room when they enter it. As one of Calgary’s best-known fitness and martial arts instructors, Philip is an inspiring force around town sharing his positive outlook at The Glencoe Club and Repsol Sport Centre, as well as a personal trainer, and martial arts consultant. He grew up in Kampala, Uganda, where he resided until 2000. He owned and ran a fitness gym, represented Uganda in kickboxing and Tae Kwon Do, and trained a number of under-privileged and physically handicapped children in martial arts and fitness, becoming a mentor and providing them with valuable life skills. A founder of The Ssubi Foundation, he attributes his successes to the education he received while younger and believes strongly that learning is one of the keys to ending poverty.

You’d be hard pressed to find a kinder soul. Tracy’s warm and gentle nature is immediately palpable upon introduction. She’s worked in the non-profits sector her whole life, starting with her years as a biologist for the Jane Goodall Institute. While working in remote sections of Uganda, Tracy and interviewing local communities about the impacts of parks on their livelihoods, she experienced true poverty first hand, where education was a luxury and circumstances limited an individual's opportunity to succeed. It was that experience that drew her to become one of founders of The Ssubi Foundation.

Robert is a chartered accountant and lawyer, and is partner with the national firm of Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP. As a former Director with the Calgary chapter of the Canadian Association of Family Enterprises, and as current Board Chair of the Boys and Girls Club, he continues to demonstrate his dedication to giving back to his community. Robert plays a strong support role to The Ssubi Foundation in many areas, including his expertise in financial and accounting practices.

Margot first became involved with The Ssubi Foundation as a volunteer in 2008 when she purchased and donated solar lights to several supported schools. She also spent time as a volunteer in Uganda where she helped to build the Lily Kindergarten and Primary School. Margot currently lives in Calgary and continues to be a valuable supporter of the Foundation.

Stephanie is the Creative Director at Daughter, an advertising and design agency in Calgary. Their client roster includes some well loved institutions including Parks Canada, Phil & Sebastian, the University of Calgary, and Swimco to name a few. Her work has been widely recognized by award shows including the Crystal Radio Awards, Lurzer’s Archive, One Show, Communication Arts and Applied Arts. She has also been a judge the Marketing Awards. In addition to her work at Daughter, she serves on the Board of Directors for Long View, one of Canada's largest privately-owned technology companies.

Patricia is the newest member of the Board although she has been supporting Ssubi since 2007 when she first travelled to Uganda to visit the early projects.  Patricia is a distinguished lawyer in Calgary with Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP.  She has a long history of service to local, national and international projects that focus on creating opportunity and stability for individuals, especially children, who are experiencing poverty and trauma.  Patricia has received many awards for her accomplishments, including the Alberta Order of Excellence. This is the highest Award the Province of Alberta bestows on a citizen and which recognizes Albertans who have made a difference, who have served Albertans with excellence and distinction, and whose contributions wills stand the test of time.  In 2023 Patricia received the Distinguished Service Award from the Law Society of Alberta for her lifetime contributions to equity, inclusion and diversity within the legal profession. 

Joyce is a Teacher by profession, a practicing education administrator in the position of District Education Officer. She has particular interest in education policies and practices and is committed to deepening and supporting learning processes, education led actions and interventions and policy oriented responses.

A graduate from Makerere University with a Bachelors Degree in Education (Hons) and a Masters Degree in Education Planning Management and Administration from Gulu University. She further holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management of Uganda Management Institute and a Certificate in Administrative Law of Uganda Law Development Centre.