Our Full Time Camp Leadership Team
Adam Kertesz, Camp Director
Adam is thrilled to be stepping into his first summer as Camp Director after seven incredible summers as Associate Director. Camp is in Adam’s blood. He has spent more than 15 years growing up and working at Jewish overnight camps across North America. Before joining Camp Northland, Adam served for nearly seven years as Assistant Director at The Jack and Pat Kay Centre Camp at the JCC, and prior to that co-owned Dynamix Toronto, leading team building and leadership development workshops for kids, teens, and educators across Ontario. Adam has long been a driving force in Jewish camping, bringing vision, warmth, and steady leadership to our camp and community while building strong partnerships and advocating for the value of camp as a cornerstone of Jewish identity and engagement. In addition to his Camp Northland role, he serves as Co-Chair of the Ontario Council for Jewish Camps, working in partnership with UJA Federation to support and enhance the Jewish camping movement, and is currently completing a fellowship in the Yitro Leadership Program, a strategic initiative of the Foundation for Jewish Camp that provides advanced leadership training, mentoring, and Jewish learning for professionals in senior overnight camp roles. Adam is a collaborative leader with a strong focus on relationships and a passion for creating a safe, inclusive, and spirited environment where campers and staff thrive. He and his amazing wife, Lauren, have two incredible children, Cole and Isla, who are now campers themselves, and of course one very cuddly dog named Oscar, who is thrilled to spend another summer up north with the other camp pups. “Ever since I first stepped foot in Jewish summer camp at 9 years old, I’ve believed in its magic. To now lead a place that gives so much to so many, and to help shape experiences that inspire growth, connection, and ruach each summer, is a privilege I will never take for granted.” You can best reach Adam at [email protected] 
Rachel Evans, Registration Director
Rachel has been part of the Camp Northland family for decades, with her journey beginning in the '80s and '90s as a camper and staff member. Camp has played a pivotal role in her life—it’s where she met her husband, Greg, and where her own children have spent their summers for the past ten years. For Rachel, Camp Northland isn’t just a place—it’s a lifelong community. Now in her second year working out of the Thornhill office, Rachel serves as Registration Director and is often the first point of contact for camp families. She helps returning campers continue their NBB journey and warmly welcomes new families into the Northland community. Before joining the Camp Northland team, Rachel had a long and successful career in public relations and communications. She was inspired to make a meaningful career shift, drawn to the camp’s purpose and its impact on building a stronger Jewish future. What she loves most at camp is the peacefulness of Moose Lake and the feeling of stepping back in time while walking down Main Path. "I love this job because I get to open the door for others to experience the same magic that’s shaped my life and my family’s for generations." You can best reach Rachel at [email protected] 
Rachel Chitiz, Development Director
Maternity Leave as of October 2025 Rachel’s camp journey began in Unit 1, and she went on to spend seven incredible summers at Camp Northland as both a camper and staff member. Some of her fondest memories include Moose Lake swims, camp socials, chanting in the mess hall – and of course, the friendships she built. After earning her Bachelor of Business Administration, Rachel worked in marketing and brand management for large food companies before backpacking through New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and Israel. Inspired to pursue more meaningful work, she shifted into the charitable sector, spending six years in donor marketing for an international non-profit. Today, she brings that passion and expertise to her role as Development Director, strengthening the donor experience and advancing fundraising to ensure future generations of children can experience the magic of camp. When she’s not dreaming up ways to support camp, Rachel is busy with her husband, Mitch, and their two (almost three) future NBB campers! She loves travel, good food, and any chance to be outdoors. “Camp Northland gave me some of the happiest memories of my childhood. Even when my time at camp ended, I always dreamed of finding my way back in some way. I feel so lucky to now be giving back to the very place that gave me so much.” You can best reach Rachel at [email protected]. |
Leore Zecharia, Assistant Director - Programs and Year Round Engagement
As a lifelong camper, Leore couldn’t imagine working anywhere else than Camp Northland! She started her NBB journey in 2004 as a Unit 1 camper and spent fifteen summers on Moose Lake. Leore's favourite activity at Camp is Arts and Crafts, where she spent four years as staff and two years as Head of A&C. She knows where all the best boondoggle is hidden, and she can help you start square. One of her proudest camp accomplishments is designing and creating camp t-shirts that generations of Northlanders still wear! Leore has a Masters in Museum Studies and Jewish Studies, and a certificate in fundraising management, with a focus on community engagement, development and programs. She is also currently a part of the Toronto Cohort of the Kehillot: M2 Community Fellowships to gain the skills and tools to design holistic, nuanced educational experiences for our Camp community. While her love for the Jewish community started at Camp, Leore began her career at community organizations, like Hillel Ontario and Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies. She is using her experiences and knowledge in community and program building in her role at Camp Northland in order to give the next generation of Camp Northland campers the same experiences she had. Leore can’t imagine spending her summers anywhere else, but at Camp Northland, with all of you, her husband (and alum), Jake and her son (and future camper!), Abe. “I am who I am because of Camp Northland. It has made me a better person, leader and friend.” You can best reach Leore at leore@campnbb.com 
Josh Akum, Assistant Director - Logistics and Business Operations
Josh has been part of the Camp Northland family since 2013, beginning as a camper and later taking on leadership roles such as Head of Media, Section Head, and member of the Directing Team. Josh's favourite part of camp has always been guiding campers and staff to grow into strong, resilient leaders for our community. Outside of camp, Josh has been deeply involved in Jewish organizations in Toronto and Washington, D.C. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Miami University, where he specialized in Business Analytics and Information Systems. "Camp is where I found my closest friends, my greatest mentors, and my sense of belonging. Being able to pass that forward to the next generation is what makes my role so meaningful, and I feel incredibly fortunate to do this work year-round!" You can best reach Josh at [email protected]. 
Brian "Marsh" Marchand, Facilities Director
Brian’s connection to Camp Northland runs deep, rooted in the summers he spent at Moose Lake and in the way camp helped shape the person he grew up to become. Known in the mid-90s as “Marsh,” he spent memorable summers on trip staff, learning responsibility, teamwork, and leadership from the Northland legends who came before him. Even after many years away, camp never stopped feeling like home. Returning in 2024 as Head of Maintenance felt like a true homecoming. Brian quickly rediscovered the spirit of camp, the sense of belonging, and the purpose that comes from caring for a place that means so much to so many. What began as a summer role grew into an opportunity to give back to the community that shaped him. Brian became Facilities Director at the end of 2025. His focus is on strengthening the camp’s long-term infrastructure, modernizing essential systems, and ensuring the property remains safe, reliable, and ready for each new generation of campers. He feels most connected to his work when he is standing at Northland Enclosure, looking out over Moose Lake and making sure the camp he loves remains strong and ready for summer. Sharing this experience with his family makes the work even more meaningful. His wife Erika, their son Brady, and their dog Beau spend their summers living at camp with him and embracing the same Northland spirit that shaped Brian’s own formative years. “This place gave me so much growing up. Being trusted to care for it now and to help ensure its magic continues is a responsibility I carry with deep gratitude.” You can best reach Brian at [email protected] 
Alex Costa, Office Manager & Registrar
Maternity Leave as of February 2026 Alex is Camp Northland alumni and is honoured to continue to be apart of the Camp Northland Family. From her first summer, Camp Northland has been a place of magic, growth, and lifelong friendships. Now, she is beyond excited and honoured to give back to the community that gave her so much, and to help pass along the NBB spirit to the next generation of campers. Some of Alex’s favourite parts about camp are seeing the campers walk down Main Path every morning excited to find out what activities they’ll get to do, the loud cheering in the mess hall, and of course the NBB Burning. Born and raised in Thornhill, Alex maintains strong relationships with her 2 older siblings who also attended NBB. Alex graduated from Seneca College with a diploma in Early Childhood Education and credits her love of children to the amazing students she has worked with in the past. Alex’s own family has recently grown, too! Her and her husband, Alexander, recently welcomed their daughter Nova in June, 2024 and are expecting a baby boy in February 2025. As a parent, she’s even more inspired to continue the Camp Northland legacy, knowing how powerful a summer at NBB can be in a child’s life. Alex is honoured to carry forward the Camp Northland spirit and is excited to welcome the next generation of campers to the NBB family. “Camp isn’t just a place you go…it’s a part of who you become” You can best reach Alex at [email protected] |
