Team Rubicon Canada is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that supports global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises. Founded in the aftermath of the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, the organization has grown into a national network of more than 4,300 trained volunteers—Greyshirts—who step into the arena when communities need help the most.
In this talk, we’ll provide an inside look at who we are, how we operate, and the impact we’ve had across more than 140 disaster responses in Canada and around the world. We’ll walk through our approach to readiness, the types of operations we lead, and the unique role that military veterans and first responders play in delivering humanitarian assistance with purpose, skill, and compassion.
Josh Bowen - currently serves as Vice President, Organizational Excellence at Team Rubicon Canada, a veteran-led humanitarian organization supporting communities before, during, and after disasters and crises. In this role, he is responsible for People Operations, Finance, Risk, and enterprise organizational systems. His focus is on strengthening the foundations of the organization— people practices, financial discipline, risk management, and governance—so that operational teams can perform effectively and sustainably, particularly in demanding and uncertain conditions. While primarily focused on organizational leadership, he also supports disaster operations as required, including the 2024 Jasper Wildfire and 2025 Newfoundland wildfire responses.
Jim Hau is a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces with more than 25 years of distinguished service in the Canadian Army. Originally from Edmonton, Alberta, Jim completed multiple operational tours during his military career, including deployments to Alert in the Northwest Territories, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. His military experience shaped his lifelong commitment to leadership, resilience, and service to others.
In 2024, Jim joined Team Rubicon Canada, a veteran-led humanitarian organization supporting communities before, during, and after disasters and crises, where he currently volunteers as the Alberta Provincial Administrator. Through this role, he continues his dedication to helping communities during times of crisis and recovery. He has participated in operations supporting the 2024 Jasper wildfires, fire mitigation efforts in Fort McMurray, and community support initiatives in East Prairie Metis Settlement in 2025. Most recently, Jim served as Team Rubicon Canada’s reconnaissance lead during the April 2026 flood response at Peguis First Nation.
