Humanitarian Initiative for Leadership and Learning – HILL Collective
The Collective: who are we?
We are a team of trusted, experienced and respectful practitioners and facilitators.
We prioritize a collaborative and inclusive posture – welcoming other aid workers, in the spirit of cooperation within our humanitarian, development, human rights and security risk management communities of practice.
Our diverse collaborations and contributions stem from direct requests. We care about providing meaningful support when and where it is needed.
Our mission is to strengthen individual, operational and organizational resilience in a complex and changing world where basic people needs and dignity are tested in rapidly deteriorating environmental and geopolitical conditions.
Fondateurs. Founding Team
Experience. Trust and Passion
The HILL Collective was founded in 2019 by Patrick Robitaille and Christine Persaud. The concept was to connect together under a collective, people we knew well and who demonstrated key values and experience that would be helpful in strengthening trusted
Collective members
Wayne Nightingale
Wayne is an experienced humanitarian and security advisor with over 25 years in humanitarian aid and risk management. He has held senior positions at a major International NGO across Africa and Asia, focusing on risk mitigation, policy development and staff safety. Wayne mentors security teams in over 20 countries, enhancing local capacity and fostering growth for national staff. His military background and field experience in conflict zones provide him with a unique perspective on complex security challenges. Wayne is a University of Manitoba graduate and lives in Ottawa with his family.
Hal Hemming
Hal is a retired Canadian Armed Forces member with 15 years of service as a combat engineer, including operational experience in Afghanistan. He has instructed various topics, such as small arms and explosive ordnance disposal, and holds advanced qualifications in CBRN defense and tactical medicine. Hal has contributed to SiCE training for the CRC, providing classroom and simulation training for diverse professionals. In his spare time, he enjoys bladesmithing, blacksmithing, skydiving, and rock climbing.
Lena Watkins
Lena was born and raised in Europe and is a long-time resident of Ottawa. She holds a post-secondary degree in biology (specializing in genetics) and she remains ever curious about the complex biology and function of the human body. She has experience organizing and facilitating a broad range of training events, in addition to acting as a SiCE role-player and assistant-instructor on asymmetric warfare and tactical medicine topics. In her spare time Lena enjoys reading horror fiction, exploring new foods, hiking, herding cats, and perfecting her one-match-fire making techniques.