Staff
Alex Robertson, Director of Programs
Alex has been in the camping community since he was a camper himself. Alex got his start at Camp Mazinaw, and later Camp Ponacka in Bancroft, Ontario where he spent twelve summers including four summers on staff. Before Oochigeas, Alex was with Paul Newman’s “Hole In The Wall Gang” Camp in Ashford, Connecticut. Similar to Ooch, The Hole In The Wall serves children and families affected by cancer and other serious blood diseases. As the Assistant Camp Director, he helped to build camp programs geared to the special needs of the campers. In 2001 and 2002, he worked with the Association of Hole In The Wall Camps in Botswana. As a program director, he helped develop and facilitate a first-of-its-kind camping program for children affected by AIDS and other life-threatening circumstances. Alex holds a current certification in Behavioural Therapeutic Crisis Intervention from Cornell University, Department of Human Ecology. He graduated from the University of Victoria with a BFA in theatre. Alex likes swimming and playing piano, his favourite colour is green and he loves the Hula Hop song!
Rob Drynan, Executive Director
After volunteering up at camp during the summer of 2003, and after participating in many of the year round events, Rob joined Ooch as the Executive Director in the spring of 2004.
As Executive Director, Rob is responsible for the strategic planning of Ooch’s future, ensuring that the voices and opinions of key stakeholders are heard, as well as ensuring Ooch’s viability for years to come. He oversees the entire management of the organization and reports to the Board of Directors.
Under Rob’s leadership, Ooch has won four Canadian Marketing Association Awards for its biennial fundraising event, An Evening of Summer Dreams (Direct Response/Direct Mail category [2004 & 2008] and Fundraising/Non-Profit/Public Service [2004 & 2008]).
In addition, Ooch was granted the Award of Excellence (Small Organization category) by the International Association of Fundraising Professionals, as well as the Award of Excellence (Small Organization: Innovative and creative fundraising strategies) by the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Toronto Chapter, both in 2007.
During his tenure at Ooch, Rob has personally been recognized for his achievements: he was named the 2009 New Fundraiser of the Year by the AFP Toronto Chapter and is currently on the shortlist for the 2009 Ernst & Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Rob also has a rich camping history, having spent the majority of his youth in the Muskoka region. He was a camper and staff member for six years at Camp Pine Crest, as well as attending several other summer camps over the years.
Rob majored in Psychology at Carleton University, and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Rob is the current Vice-Chair of Planned Parenthood Toronto and a member of the Emerging Leaders Network, an initiative of the Toronto City Summit Alliance.
When Rob is not at home spending quality time with his wife and two young children, he is helping out at one of the many Camp Ooch programs.
Dr. David Malkin, Camp Medical Director
When David first came to Camp Oochigeas as a one-week camp doctor in 1987, little did he realize he’d one day become Medical Director for the camp. David assumed that role four years ago, and today also serves as a member of the Camp Ooch Board of Directors. David is a Professor of Pediatrics and a staff oncologist at The Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids) in Toronto, where he is also Associate Chief of Research. He combines his care for children with cancer with his research that focuses on understanding the genetics of childhood soft-tissue tumors, bone tumors, and cancer predisposition. His dedication to the study of childhood cancer is limitless; he has published more than 100 scientific papers, book chapters and reviews on the subject.