Executive Leadership Team

Liam Burns is the Executive Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Scouts Canada, a role he has held since May 2023. Liam has been connected to Scouts since he was six years old and credits the organization for the many skills, resilience, and compassion he learned. As CEO, Burns is responsible for leading the organization and implementing its strategic vision to empower more young people to thrive and become better prepared for success in the world. 

Before joining Scouts Canada, Liam held several executive leadership positions in the UK National Scouting Association, including external affairs, policy and strategy, and most recently, as Chief Programme Officer, focusing on program quality, fundraising, equity, diversity and inclusion. Previous to Scouting, Liam was President of the National Union of Students in the UK, campaigning for better access to further and higher education on behalf of seven million members, supporting the development of over 600 students’ unions, and acting as a non-executive director for several non-government and commercial bodies. 

Liam is known for his strong commitment to youth leadership, diversity and inclusivity, community service and social justice issues.

Scouting has played a critical role in Justin’s life since the age of six, when he first became a Beaver Scout with the 1st Coldbrook Colony in Nova Scotia. Justin continued onto Cub Scouts at 4th Kentville before joining the 2nd Berwick Group, where he continued through to Scouts, Venturer Scouts and onto Rover Scouts. It was not until 2013 when his journey as a volunteer first began when he became an Area Youth Commissioner. Following that he served as a Deputy Council Youth Commissioner, and then became the Nova Scotia Council Youth Commissioner (CYC) in 2016.  Following his term as CYC, Justin became a Group Support Scouter (GSS) in Halifax, spent a couple years leading a team to plan the first Atlantic Jamboree as well as serving as the Nova Scotia Council Communications Lead. Currently Justin, aka Hawkeye, works with a local Beaver Colony in Halifax, continues to support two groups as a GSS and is a member of the Scouts Canada Leadership Team. 

Outside of Scouting, Justin is currently attaining his Bachelor of Commerce degree at the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University. Aside from classes, Justin can be found spending time outdoors as much as possible whether that’s hiking, hammocking, canoeing or simply sitting around a campfire on the shore with some friends. 

Justin is incredibly excited for this next adventure in Scouting as he takes on the role of National Youth Commissioner. Justin hopes to build upon Scouts Canada’s successes and create an even stronger organization through increased volunteer engagement, leveraging meaningful youth leadership roles and by collaborating with our incredible staff members from coast to coast. 

Stephen joined Scouting as a Beaver in Bedford, Nova Scotia where he had countless adventures from Beavers to Venturers. He joined the volunteer ranks as a Scouter with 1st Wolfville, and then 36th Halifax while attending university where he was welcomed around the pond for the beginning of his Beaver Scouter career. During this time Stephen joined a team of Assistant National Youth Commissioners, supporting Councils and projects across the organization.

After moving to St. John’s, Stephen served as a Scouter with 1st Mount Pearl Beavers as well as working with an amazing team of youth, staff and volunteers as Council Commissioner in Newfoundland and Labrador Council. Stephen, his wife Nora, and there always fun loving dog Fig Newton now make Hinton, Alberta home where they enjoy the mountains and Stephen hopes to restart Scouting in the local area.

Stephen is passionate about youth leadership and volunteer engagement. He hopes to work with our many amazing staff, volunteers, and youth to solve problems and build a strong vibrant Scouting organization serving youth all across Canada.

Outside of Scouting, Stephen is a lawyer who works for the Province of Alberta.

Kathryn Ashby is a dynamic and seasoned marketing maven, who brings an unwavering passion for strategy and unparalleled expertise in brand management to Scouts Canada. Armed with a Marketing and Business degree from the Humber College, her prowess extends to the forefront of modern marketing with specialized training in digital marketing along with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Kathryn is not just a marketer; she is a strategic architect navigating the ever-evolving landscape of today’s high-octane marketing and communications portfolios.

With a marketing career spanning over two decades, Kathryn’s indomitable spirit has left an indelible mark on many diverse industries. Her trailblazing journey includes spearheading national and regional rebrand projects for iconic names such as Proactiv®, TMG The Mortgage Group, Ontario Place, and several US-based pharmaceutical giants. Kathryn is not content with merely managing brands; she elevates them to unprecedented heights with innovative strategies that captivate audiences and propel brand visibility.

While relatively new to the Scouting movement, Kathryn’s roots in leadership were nurtured during her youth as an avid and high-achieving Girl Guide. She attributes her success and confidence as a leader to the invaluable lessons learned through the program.

Beyond her corporate prowess, Kathryn is a noted foodie and former owner of a Quebecois restaurant in west Toronto. A globetrotter with a perpetually packed go-bag, she jets off at a moment’s notice. Her diverse interests extend to sports, where she passionately cheers for the Raptors and NFL teams. As if that weren’t enough, she harbours a lifelong passion for competitive swimming. Kathryn embodies innovation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in all facets of her life.

Tim has been part of the Executive Leadership Team since December 2022. He is a people leader with significant experience in the nonprofit sector, especially in the world of fundraising and social enterprising. 

“Growing up, Scouting was a big part of my life as a youth member with the 1st Prince George as a Cub, Scout and Venturer.” In addition to participating in adventures with his peers, he served as a youth commissioner for his district and region. Once his term was finished, He became Bubbles with his group's colony and a Scouter with the local troop. “Scouting helps introduce youth to the world around and encourage and empower youth to be leaders by starting with yes!” 

Tim left Scouting to enter post-secondary education. He completed the MBA from the University of Fredericton with a concentration in Social Enterprising. He has been working with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern BC for 17 years and held the position of Executive Director there for 11 years. “I have served community in local government since 2011 as a School Trustee and now as a City Councillor.” 

He is supported by his amazing wife, Carli. Tim spends his spare time playing golf or volleyball, watching the Blue Jays or losing Mario Kart against his kids: Ryan, Ian, Finn and Maggie. 

Kayleigh started her journey at Scouts Canada in 2017 as Director of Marketing and Communications. Since then, she has held portfolios in organizational planning, change management, risk management and governance. She currently supports the organization in implementing and designing strategic initiatives that build better opportunity for young people.

So far, the highlight of her Scouting adventures was serving as a Beaver Scouter for the 23rd Nepean Dino Colony from 2018 to 2023, where Kayleigh saw firsthand the way the movement builds confidence and appreciation for the outdoors in young people.

Prior to joining Scouts Canada, she served various ministers and parliamentarians. She possesses over 15 years of experience in the areas of strategic communications, media relations, change and issue management, stakeholder relations, cross-functional leadership and parliamentary affairs.

Kayleigh shares her life with her husband Joe, her children Liam and Kinsleigh, two cats, a dog and two budgies. Her hobbies include yoga, building puzzles and reading the latest psychological thriller when she is not driving her kids to hockey and dance, that is!