Who We Are

Our Team

Ivo Balinov

Regional Director, Asia & Europe

Ivo Balinov leads the development, and implementation of the Parliamentary Centre’s programs across Asia, and Europe. With over 18 years of experience in worldwide parliamentary development. Ivo also acts as an in-house advisor across the Centre’s programming in Canada, and abroad. Since 2003, Ivo has formulated and led key initiatives focused on the strengthening of inclusive democratic governance in over 25 major countries with a focus on Asia and Eastern Europe. He brings to our team a solid track record of successful programming, award winning innovations, extensive partnership networks, and an intimate understanding of the working cultures across Asia and the European region. Educated in diplomacy and political science, Ivo holds a MA in European Studies from Carleton University, Ottawa. Ivo has also received a graduate degree in International Relations from the University of National and World Economy in Sofia, Bulgaria. Ivo’s dedication to creating change in his field has been assisted by the understanding that sustainable democratic governance relies on constructive relationships between individual citizens, local civil society actors, and institutions of governance. Ivo believes the empowerment of marginalized groups is an essential prerequisite in the decision-making process when it comes to the development of peace, and stability.

Edith Gingras

Regional Director, Africa and MENA

Edith Gingras brings over 25 years of professional experience in designing strategic, innovative and multi-country programming in Canadian, African and Asian local and national governments. Her work has played a pivotal role in influencing legislative and governance processes, fostering decentralization, enhancing transparency, supporting gender equality and fortifying economic development strategies. Recognized for her thought leadership and strategic initiatives, she has designed and led several complex multimillion-dollar projects, showcasing her expertise in driving impactful and innovative initiatives. She possesses a M.URB graduate degree in Urban Planning from the University of Montréal, is a member of three professional associations and has recently concluded a short-term graduate program in Program Evaluation at l’École nationale d’administration publique (ENAP). In 2018, she received the Knight of the National Order of Burkina Faso in acknowledgment of her significant contributions to advancing decentralization and governance. She is a strong advocate for visionary leadership, gender equality, democratic empowerment policies, and participatory decision-making.

Anastasiya Shtaltovna, Ph.D.

Senior Project Officer, Europe & Asia

Anastasiya Shtaltovna brings more than 10 years of experience in managing an array of international development and research projects focusing on sustainable development, knowledge and innovation, local economic development, and governance in Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Anastasiya holds a Ph.D. in Development Studies from the University of Bonn, an international MSc in Rural Development awarded by Ghent University and Humboldt University, Berlin, and an MA in Management from the National Agrarian University, Kyiv. Over the course of her career, Anastasiya worked for two high-level institutes in Germany and Canada (the Montreal Center for International Studies (CÉRIUM) and Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Germany). She provided consultancy services to GIZ, USAID, and the Open Society Foundation. The results of her work have been disseminated through publications, at international conferences, and via direct communication with local and international partners. At the Centre, Anastasiya supports the activities of the Ukraine, Armenia and Myanmar projects.  Besides, she is engaged in organizational communication and thought leadership activities. She joined the Parliamentary Center team in November 2020.

Emmett Mark

Executive Assistant and Project Assistant

Emmett Mark is Executive Assistant to the CEO and Project Assistant. In this role, Emmett supports the President/CEO and acts as an assistant for various external relations projects, such as EngageParlDiplo. Through our President/CEO, he is coordinator of the Centre’s Board of Directors, as well as partnerships, outreach, and communications, including our outstanding team of Centre Associates.

Emmett began working part-time at the Parliamentary Centre as a Project Assistant with EngageParlDiplo earlier this year. Born and raised in Vancouver, he holds a BA in International Relations from UBC and is in the final stages of completing a Master of Arts at Carleton University. Previously, Emmett worked for several parliamentarians in the House of Commons and the Canadian Senate.

Badr Moussadek

Controller and Finance Manager

Badr Moussadek has years of experience and knowledge in the INGO sector and has worked in several countries. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration – accounting stream from Nipissing University. He is pursuing a Master of Accounting degree at Carleton University. He has served in WUSC from 2013 to August 2016, Canadian Red Cross from 2017 to 2019, and Oxfam Canada from 2019 to July 2023. Throughout these years, Badr has acquired excellent knowledge in financial management, data analytics, budget parameters, planning, internal control, auditing, developing strategies, mitigating financial risks, and developing and maintaining solid policies and procedures.

Badr has worked on several projects, developed training, and conducted several capacity buildings to enhance the working capacity of the finance department in-country offices. His technical knowledge and IT skills are used to create robust financial reports and data analytics to support the decision-making of the company leadership.

Dulcine Djetouan

Administration and Finance Project Officer

Dulcine Djetouan is the Administration and Finance Project Officer. Her role consists of supporting international projects and corporate accounting. She holds a Bachelor of Accounting and Business Administration from Methodist University. She worked in cost accounting and audit prior to pivoting her career into the international development space. Dulcine has acquired extensive knowledge related to, among others, project fund management, audit, and budget development.

Evodius Rutta, Ph.D

Project Officer, Network of Women Legislators in Defence, Security and Peace (WLID)

Evodius Rutta has over 12 years of experience in managing global development projects. Over the years, he has worked with several international development organizations, including the World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the German Development Agency for International Development (GIZ), Pathfinder International, and several others. In these different roles, he was a team leader and was directly involved in program management, monitoring, evaluation, research, and policy advisory in and outside Sub-Saharan Africa. He is the recipient of the 2022 Eisenhower Fellowship and a National Geographic Society Explorer, resulting from his leadership in the environmental sustainability work he is doing in Tanzania. Evodius holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Studies from  Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, and a Masters in Environmental Policy from Memorial University in St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada. He joined the Parliamentary Centre in August 2023. 

Maggie Piper

Program Associate

Maggie Piper is excited to join the Parliamentary Centre as the new Program Associate. Maggie earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Development from Trent University and is now pursuing her Master’s at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs. Her academic pursuits have fueled her passion for poverty alleviation, Refugee and Migration Advocacy, and justice. This commitment grew while living and studying in Washington, DC, The Hague, and Rio de Janeiro. Eager to leverage her academic foundation and practical experience, Maggie looks forward to making meaningful contributions to the Parliamentary Centre’s initiatives.

Katie Kissick

Program Associate

Katie Kissick is currently a graduate student at Carleton University completing a graduate diploma in Migration and Diaspora Studies. She holds a BA in International Development from the University of Guelph and has experience working with international NGOs as well as local non-profits. Katie is extremely excited for the opportunity to support the meaningful initiatives and work done by the Parliamentary Centre.