Meet the Team
Joanna Baron, B.C.L./LL.B
Executive Director (Parental Leave)
Joanna Baron has been the CCF’s Executive Director since 2019. Previous to that, Joanna was the founding Director of the Runnymede Society. A native of Toronto, Joanna studied classical liberal arts at St. John’s College, MD, and earned civil and common law degrees at McGill University. She clerked at the Court of Appeal for Ontario and was called to the bar in Ontario in 2013. Following her clerkship, Joanna worked in barrister’s chambers in London, UK as a Harold G. Fox Scholar. Following her return to Canada in 2014, Joanna practiced criminal law with the late Edward L. Greenspan, appearing at all levels of court in Ontario, including the Supreme Court of Canada.
Christine Van Geyn, B.A./J.D.
Executive Director (Interim)
Christine Van Geyn has been with the CCF since 2020 and is also a bestselling author and host of the national broadcast television program Canadian Justice. Christine earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science and Ethics, Society and Law at the University of Toronto, Trinity College. She earned her JD at Osgoode Hall Law school, and also studied at New York University School of Law. She was called to the bar in Ontario in 2012. Before joining CCF, Christine practiced commercial litigation, and then was the Ontario Director of a national non-profit where she was involved in several high profile constitutional challenges.
Josh Dehaas, B.A./J.D.
Litigation Director (Interim)
Josh Dehaas is Interim Litigation Director with the CCF. Josh earned his Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School, where he volunteered with Innocence Project and was president of Runnymede Society. Josh articled with the Ministry of Attorney General (Ontario) and was called to the bar in 2023. Prior to law school, Josh worked for nearly a decade in journalism including as a web writer for CTV News, as an online editor for Maclean’s, and as a freelance opinion writer for National Post. Josh holds a Master of Journalism degree from UBC and a degree in history from the University of Guelph.
Russell Phillips, B.A.
Development Director
Russell Phillips was appointed Development Director of the Canadian Constitution Foundation in 2025, following over a decade of service since joining the organization in 2014. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Calgary (2021) and a degree in Policy Studies from Mount Royal University (2013). A committed advocate of individual liberty and classical liberal values, Russell plays a key role in managing the CCF’s digital presence, while also managing its fundraising initiatives and event coordination.
Alexander Surgenor, B.A./J.D.
Counsel
Alexander Surgenor is Counsel with the CCF. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto and earned his Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School. In law school, Alexander wrote for the student newspaper and was a mediator with Osgoode’s Mediation Clinic. After being called to the bar in 2024, Alexander worked as a criminal defence lawyer in both Ontario and Saskatchewan where he represented clients at the provincial, superior, and appellate court levels.
Jessica Goddard, B.A.
Director of Communications
Jessica Goddard has been with the CCF since March 2025, bringing a strong background in communications from both the public and private sectors. She previously held communications roles with the Ontario Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Labour, where she focused on strategic messaging and public engagement. Jessica holds a degree in English from Queen’s University and has a long-standing interest in clear, thoughtful communication. Her writing has appeared in The Globe and Mail, CBC, and the Postmedia network.
Trish Gardham, B. Comm
Fundraising Consultant
Trish Gardham joined the CCF team in May 2022 as a part-time consultant, bringing over two decades of expertise in fundraising within the health and social services sector. With a strong foundation in sales from her 15-year tenure in the technology industry, Trish is deeply committed to advancing donor stewardship and ensuring every supporter experiences exceptional care and engagement. Trish has a B. Comm with a Major in Marketing and a Minor in Computer Science from Concordia University. Her dedication and experience make her an invaluable asset to the CCF fundraising team.
Board of Directors
Andy Crooks
CCF Chairman, Lawyer and Businessman, Calgary
Arbitrator, Vancouver
Entrepreneur, Port Sydney
Lawyer, Ottawa
Businesswoman, Toronto
Brad Dunkley
Businessman, Toronto
Dr. Glenn Fox
Professor, University of Guelph
Will Johnston, MD
Doctor, Vancouver
Hugh Meighen
Lawyer, Toronto
Dwight Newman
Professor, University of Saskatchewan
Chris Froggatt
Businessman, Ottawa
