Meet the Team

Dr. Steve Sider served at NCC as the Head of Schools from 1995-2005 in the previous management team with Kent Warkentin. He is a professor in the Faculty of Education at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada where he teaches courses in international education and school leadership. He has won multiple awards in teaching, research, and university service. He is the founding Director of the Centre for Leading Research in Education, a university research centre exploring interdisciplinary aspects of education. He is a Fellow at the Balsillie School of International Affairs. He is the founder of the Educator and Leadership Institute which has provided training to more than 3,000 teachers internationally. He has led research partnerships and projects in Egypt, Ghana, Haiti, Mauritius, St. Lucia, and Haiti. Dr. Sider is committed to seeing NCC thrive in its unique mission as a Christian international boarding school.

Charlene Gains-Lovegrove, a proud 1986 Niagara Christian Collegiate (NCC) graduate, carries a deep, multigenerational connection to the institution. She is an accomplished leader in the nonprofit sector with over 30 years of experience in governance, human resources, budgeting, grant writing, and corporate policy development. As a founding member of the Victim Services of Haldimand Norfolk Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Charlene has played a pivotal role as corporate manager, shaping organizational mission and vision.

Various boards have sought her expertise in strategic planning, change management and outcome measures, where she has brought strategic vision to complex organizational challenges. Charlene is renowned for her ability to drive outcomes while fostering a positive and productive organizational culture.

Charlene developed the only national advocate-accredited curriculum program, significantly influencing the landscape of victim services across Canada. Deeply grounded in her Christian faith, Charlene’s formal education in sociology and theology, combined with her roles as a national crisis responder, certified master coach practitioner, and Pastor, equips her with a unique understanding of human behaviour, empathy, and spiritual resilience.

Dr. “Ru” Ruth-Anne Wideman is a distinguished alumna of NCC (’79) and OAC (’80). She  graduated as the salutatorian in Grade 13 and later served the institution in several key  roles, including Dean of Student Life, Volleyball and Basketball Coach and as a member of  the Board of Trustees. Dr. Ru’s educational journey is marked by a series of notable achievements. She earned a  Bachelor of Arts from Messiah College, followed by a Bachelor of Education from the  University of Toronto. Pursuing further theological studies, Ru obtained a Master of  Theological Studies from Ontario Theological Seminary (now Tyndale). Her academic  pursuits culminated in a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from Regent University in Virginia  Beach, Virginia. 

Dr. Ru began her professional career teaching and coaching at Newmarket High School in  Ontario. She later moved to the United States, joining Eastern Mennonite University as  Head Volleyball Coach - NCAA Division III. In addition to coaching, she served as a  professor across several disciplines, including education, religious studies, physical  education, and general education. Her leadership extended to administrative roles, where she played a crucial part in  establishing the School of Undergraduate Studies at Regent University. She also served as  Department Chair of General Education at both Regent University and Harrisburg University  of Science & Technology. As an ordained minister with the Brethren in Christ (US), Dr. Ru served as Executive Pastor  at Grantham BIC Church. Alongside her pastoral duties, she was an adjunct professor of  General Education and Religion at Messiah College. 

During her time at NCC, Ru was actively involved in various athletic teams. Her passion for  sports continues, as she currently plays on a men’s ice hockey team. Ru credits NCC with  playing an instrumental role in her spiritual foundation and growth. 
Dr. Ru expresses her privilege in serving as a member of the NCC Board of Directors, a role  through which she continues to contribute to the institution that greatly influenced her  personal and professional development.

Randy graduated from NCC in 1985 and spent the majority of his career in the automotive service industry. He and his wife Lilly (class of ’89) spent the past eleven years in business ownership, serving the community of Wainfleet. 

Randy’s family has a long history of connection to, and involvement in leadership at NCC. He also has a long family history of connection and commitment to the Be In Christ Church and is an active member of the Wainfleet Be In Christ Church and a part of the leadership team. Randy and Lilly have 2 married children and 4 grandchildren, all living close by in Wainfleet allowing for much treasured time together. 

Shawn Sider, a proud graduate of Niagara Christian Collegiate class of ‘93 is deeply rooted in the Fort Erie community. He is the co- owner of a family-run business that operates with his brother Wayne. The company was founded in 1972 by their father, Carlton Sider, and his brother Leonard Sider who are both NCC alumni. Shawn continues the family business today that was built on quality, integrity and craftsmanship. 

Shawn has a strong background in church leadership, having served as chair of his church board for 5 years and engagement in other church ministries. Shawn and his wife Michelle are deeply committed to Christ-centered education and brings a heart of service and long-standing ties to NCC. 

Shawn comes from a legacy of NCC graduates including, his parents Carlton and Mary, his brother Wayne and sister-in-law Jill, and most recently his daughters Nicole and Jesse. 

Shawn looks forward to seeing four generations of NCC graduates in his family!

Craig is the founder of InFocus Leadership and former President & CEO of Movement.org. A seasoned leadership consultant, he has worked with faith-based organisations around the world. His long-standing role as Chair of the Board of Trustees at Messiah University adds valuable governance insight.

Lindsay (Hogan) Smith is an international civil servant, working in Access to Funding at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for the last 11 years. The Global Fund is a health financing organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, with $15 billion under management through donations from the public and private sector. Lindsay is responsible for a Communications and Information Management team that guides 100+ countries through the process to access grant funds to support their national HIV, TB, and malaria programs. Prior to moving to the Global Fund, Lindsay was a Marketing Manager in Procter & Gamble, an international consumer goods company. She managed the global design of brands in professional hair care and cosmetics over her 12 years at P&G, working in Canada, England and Switzerland. She is a graduate of NCC ('92), Queen's University (BAH, Politics '99), and the London School of Economics (MSc International Relations '00). 

Although she has lived in Europe for the last 25 years, Lindsay has strong ties to NCC and the BIC church. She is a third generation NCC grad: her grandparents met while attending NCC and then became a pastoral couple in the BIC denomination. Her mother and other family members have attended NCC and also taught at the school. Lindsay's home church is the Falls View BIC church. She is married to David and they have two children, Zeke (18) and Maddy (15). Lindsay loved her 4 years of high school at NCC and became a member of the SaveNCC core team during the summer of 2024 when she found out the school was struggling. She is committed to seeing the school and students thrive in the years ahead.