Greg Madeley, Hands Across the Nations, Founder, Executive Director

Greg is an influential visionary, with over 35 years of international group travel and volunteer management experience and co-founder of Hands Across the Nations (HATN), a grassroots non-profit Canadian organization.

Greg’s career at Hospital for Sick Children included participation in innovative medical marvels sustaining and improving life. In contrast, his travels to Bolivia, Mali, and the Gambia showed a reality of rural survival to live; not live to thrive. The needs of medicine, food and more inspired his passion to make a difference in the lives he could reach, with equitable access to clean water, healthcare, and an education.

Greg facilitates and manages day to day operations for HATN Canada and led growth expansion of local NGOs in Bolivia, Mali, and the Gambia. His role of leadership and mentorship continues today. The ambassadors are essential in overseeing and managing ongoing projects, including during a global COVID and travel bans.

*Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal Recognition*

Building projects include schools, medical, dental & maternity centers, housing/sanitation facilities and a community training center. Educational training and programing include nutrition, family and community market gardens, water purification, rainwater harvest, women and children’s education, preventative health initiatives and sanitation projects are just a few of the projects and programs Hands Across the Nations handprint is in the communities and beyond.

Greg holds numerous instructional certifications and skills, volunteer recruitment and travel team leadership, significant public speaking experience, fundraising and public relations, Keynote speaker; Media & article publications; The Toronto Sun, The Globe & Mail, CTV & SNAP to name a few.

In 2013, Greg had the distinct honor of being a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his service to the community, presented to him by his good friend David Onley: 28th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (2007-2014).

The opportunity to share his passion led to developing and teaching courses in voluntourism, not-for-profit leadership, geography and travel and tourism at Seneca College School of Hospitality and Tourism. The Voluntourism’ course, a unique and loved course by students, outlines the developmental stages of creating a non-profit and not-for-profit Non-Government Organization and drew media recognition. Seneca College program explores 'voluntourism' | The Star

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