BROCK UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES BIOGRAPHIES 2021-2022
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BROCK UNIVERSITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES BIOGRAPHIES 2021-2022
AGGELONITIS, Sophia
A former Ontario Cabinet Minister with a track record as a successful
entrepreneur, Sophia Aggelonitis has over 30 years of public and private-
sector experience. She is the founder of Silver Alert Canada, a not-for-profit
organization advocating for a silver alert system to help find missing seniors
who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.
Sophia was elected as a member of provincial politics in 2007, where she
served as Ontario’s Minister of Revenue, Minister Responsible for Seniors and
Minister of Consumer Services in the government of Premier Dalton
McGuinty. While in government she was named Chair of the Small Business
Agency of Ontario, appointed by the Premier as a member of the Treasury
Board Working Group and served on several Cabinet Committees. She was
also a member of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs
and a member of the Standing Committee on Social Policy.
As an entrepreneur, Sophia built her own specialty food business from a small start-up to a successful
Ontario company. Sophia served as a past President of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.
An active volunteer with a passion for her community, Sophia is the grateful recipient of the Queen
Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for community service, a Paul Harris Fellow and the Friends of Mohawk
College Award. She has served on numerous boards including, Theatre Aquarius, The Canadian Club of
Hamilton, Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice Fundraising Committee and Phoenix Place. She also served as a member of
the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association and is a member of the Ontario Association of Former
Parliamentarians. Since 2018, Sophia has been a member of the Board of Trustees of Brock University.
Sophia holds a bachelor of arts degree from Brock University.
Chair
ARTHUR, Mark
Mark Arthur is the President CWB Private Investment Counsel and has been in
that role with its prior incarnations since 2007. In 2003, Mr. Arthur joined
Jovian Capital Corporation, which invested in the financial services arena by
acquiring, creating and growing companies. Over 10 years, Jovian built a
diversified growing portfolio of unique companies involved in the traditional
and emerging asset management business.
Prior to that, Mr. Arthur held the title of President, Chief Investment Officer
and Director at RBC Global Investment Management Inc. where he managed a
team of 180 employees, including 65 professional staff of portfolio managers
and analysts. Mr. Arthur was also responsible for the management of over $48 billion in mutual funds, and
pooled funds and helped lead the division’s growth in assets from $2.5 billion to over $45 billion by 2002.
Earlier in his career he served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer at Royal
Bank Investment Management Inc. – Royal Mutual Funds. Mr. Arthur was also appointed as the Chairman of
Investment Strategy Committee, Wealth Management Division.
Mr. Arthur is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with an MBA from the University of Western Ontario and a
Bachelor of Business Administration from Brock University and holds the ICD.D designation.
BERTI, Greg
Greg Berti is Vice-President, Global Markets, Industry Relations and
Business Development for Andrew Peller Limited, a TSX listed wine
company that owns and operates Estate and Commercial wineries across
Canada including Trius, Thirty Bench, Peller Estates, Wayne Gretzky
Winery and Distillery, Sandhill, Red Rooster, Tinhorn Creek, Black Hills
and Gray Monk to name a few. He sits on the company’s Executive
Committee as well as several industry boards including, Wine Growers
British Columbia, Wine Growers Ontario, Wine Growers Nova Scotia and
Wine Growers Canada as well as the Wine Appellation Authority. He has
been in the wine industry for more than 30 years and has had executive
level experience in Sales (international and domestic), Retail,
Restaurants, Tourism, e-commerce, Marketing, M&A and Government
Relations. He holds three post-secondary degrees: B.Sc.(Guelph); MBA (Kedge-Bordeaux), Chartered
Director (McMaster). He has previously served on the boards of the Shaw Festival and CAA (Niagara).
CLARKE, Bradley
Brad Clarke (BA ’00, MEd ’18) is an innovative Student Affairs & Services
educator with over twenty years’ experience.
Brad’s love and appreciation for the “Brock Experience” is a definite
driving force and he has dedicated his career to building community and
improving the campus experience for all; understanding that this is only
possible with a corresponding commitment to issues of equity, diversity,
and inclusion.
As an undergraduate, Brad was actively involved in student leadership,
both within the residence system and with student government, having been elected as President of the
Brock University Students’ Union in 1999/2000.
In his current role as the Director, Student Life & Community Experience at Brock University, Brad has
helped develop and implement a wide variety of leading-edge programs related to student engagement,
student rights and responsibilities, student leadership, co-curricular learning, and community outreach.
Brad’s academic interests are centered on exploring students’ co-curricular learning experiences; and on
the potential for assessment activities to be a catalyst for transformative change in Student Affairs and
Services.
Service is important to Brad. He has served a three-year term as a staff representative on Brock’s Board of
Trustees (2003-2006), and a six-year term as an executive of the University’s Alumni Association (2000-
2006). Brad also chaired the University’s Human Rights Task Force in 2016/17. He represents Brock on
numerous external committees and boards and regularly participates in charitable activities with local
organizations.
Brad lives in Welland with his wife Kacey, a teacher and also a Brock graduate, and their kids Lauren, 13,
and Lee 11 – both of whom have already made clear that they plan to be proud Brock Badgers as well-
classes of 2027 and 2029 respectively.
Immediate Past Chair
COMERFORD, Gary
For over 37 years Gary Comerford has been actively involved in dealing with
the enormous changes that have taken place in the financial services
industry.
Gary first entered the financial services business in 1977 as a Branch Manager
for Canada Permanent Trust Company (TD Canada Trust) and rose to become
its Vice-President of Marketing. In 1986, he joined Sun Life of Canada as
Vice President of Marketing and worked in a number of roles including
General Manager for India, retiring as Senior Vice-President, International.
In 2009, he joined Reinsurance Group of America as Executive Vice President
and was later appointed Executive Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer. Throughout his career Gary
has written for a variety of industry publications and has spoken extensively at industry seminars about the
future of the financial services industry.
Gary is a Past Director of Aditya Birla Minacs; Vice-Chair of the Canada-India Business Council; Director of
the International Insurance Society (IIS); and a past Director for Birla Sun Life Insurance, Birla Sun Life Asset
Management and Birla Sun Life Distribution in India. In 2008, Gary received the Indo-Canada Chamber of
Commerce (ICCC)’s President’s Award for his role in strengthening the trade relationship between Canada
and India. In addition, he is a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, and in 2001 received the Alumni Award of
Distinction from King’s University College at the University of Western Ontario.
Gary is also an active member of his community. He is a past President of the Catholic Children’s Aid
Society Foundation of Toronto, and Past President of the Rotary Club of Oakville. He was also Co-Chair for
The Learning Partnership’s 2007 and 2008 Tribute Dinner. In 2012, he received the Queen Elizabeth II
Diamond Jubilee Medal for significant achievement and remarkable service. In 2013, the International
Insurance Society (IIS) appointed Gary as Chair of IIS Ambassadors, a newly created role in which he will
head the group of 30 IIS members and supporters from 25 countries who serve as IIS representatives in their
regions. That same year he also was appointed as Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Insurance
Conference. Gary is currently a member of the Board of Directors of TV Ontario, Ontario’s public
educational media organization, and is immediate past Chair of The Shaw Festival Board. In 2014 Gary was
appointed as a member of Brock University’s Board of Trustees.
Gary received his Bachelor of Arts, History (Honours) degree in 1973 and his Master of Business
Administration in 1975 from the University of Western Ontario. In November 2006, he received the
Institute of Corporate Directors’ ICD.D. certification through the Rotman School of Management,
University of Toronto. Gary and his wife, Catherine, have two grown children, Patrick and Brian, and live
in Oakville. His hobbies include carpentry and running marathons.
COORSSEN, Jens
Jens is a St. Catharines native. He studied Biology (Hon BSc) and
membrane biophysics (MSc) at Brock and completed a PhD in Cell
Physiology at McMaster (Health Sciences) before undertaking funded
Fellowships at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research
(Heidelberg) and the National Institutes of Health (USA). He held a
prestigious NIH Visiting Scientist position when recruited to the Faculty
of Medicine and Hotchkiss Brain Institute (U. Calgary). In 2007 he was
recruited as Foundation Professor and Chair of Molecular Physiology, to
help establish the new School of Medicine, Western Sydney University
(Australia); in 2009 he was asked to establish and lead the WSU
Molecular Medicine Research Group and guided that into a large, well-funded transdisciplinary team
spanning the university and local health regions. In 2016, he came 'home' to Brock to serve and give-back
to this place he loves; he is cross-appointed in the Faculties of Applied Health Sciences and Mathematics
& Science.
His collaborative research programs are designed to identify critical molecules and dissect essential
mechanisms to address medical disorders and provide a solid training strategy for the next generations of
researchers; he has also been active in providing mentorship to primary and high school students. His
research thus grows from the interface of several disciplines and his new lab provides critical strength in
Proteomics /Systems Biology to Brock researchers. His current research focusses on (i) early biomarkers to
identify women at risk of preterm labour; (ii) understanding the initiation of Multiple Sclerosis and
developing better models; and (iii) further refining sensitive, high resolution approaches to Top-down
Proteomics. A strong, quantitative approach to fundamental research thus provides solid grounding for
translational and applied research.
Jens currently sits on the editorial boards of six international journals. Recognition of his research,
teaching, and community engagement include being named a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, a Brock Alumnus
of Distinction, and receiving Celebration of Excellence and Young Innovator Awards (U. Calgary); he is an
Honorary Professor (Medicine, U. Sydney), Adjunct Professor (Medicine, U. Calgary and WSU), and an
Associate Member of ICORD/ Blusson Spinal Cord Centre (Vancouver) . He and Susie make their home in
Port Dalhousie with their sons Max, Owen, and Liam (and their dog, Layla, who's a real Aussie).
CYR, Don
Don Cyr is a Professor of Finance in the Goodman School of Business at
Brock University and Chair of the University Senate for 2019-20, having
served on the University Senate over different time periods. Don has a
BSc in Geology from Concordia University, an MBA from the University of
Saskatchewan and an MA in Economics and PhD in Finance from the
University of Alberta. Born and raised in Montreal, Don has lived in many
areas of Canada and previously worked as a uranium exploration
geologist in northern Saskatchewan and as a financial analyst for Shell
Canada in Calgary. He held academic positions at the University of
Saskatchewan and the University of Northern British Columbia before
joining Brock University in 1995. While at Brock he has held the administrative positions of Department
Chair, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Research, as well as the inaugural Dean in the Goodman
School of Business and has extensively recruited international students for the Goodman School of Business
MBA program in both China and South America. He has also served as the acting director of Brock
University’s Niagara Community Observatory.
Don teaches courses in corporate finance, investments and international finance at the undergraduate and
graduate level and has co-authored a textbook in corporate finance. He has been the recipient of a number
of teaching awards within the Goodman School of Business and at the University level.
Don’s areas of research and publication have been in investment finance and derivative securities. In
recent years, however, his research has focused on the business aspects of the viticulture industry including
hedging the financial impacts of climate change and weather volatility and his research has been featured
in the Globe and Mail, BNN and numerous radio interviews and wine industry publications across Canada. He
serves on the executive committee and advisory council of Brock’s Cool Climate, Oenology and Viticulture
Institute, and on the editorial advisory board of the Journal of Wine Economics.
Don resides in St Catharines, serves as vice-chair of the Niagara Industrial Association, and occasionally
plays jazz piano at local venues and events.
Vice-Chair
DE SOUSA, Mary
A twenty-five year financial services marketing professional, Mary De Sousa
joined FirstOntario Credit Union in 2010 as Assistant Vice President of
Marketing and was appointed Executive Vice President in June 2014. Mary
took on the role of directing all facets of marketing and communication for
the credit union. Her experience in marketing and the financial services
industry, combined with her extensive industry knowledge, led to her
appointment of Executive Vice President of Marketing. Her responsibilities
include public relations, advertising, branding, corporate strategy
development, product development, corporate communications, corporate
social responsibility, government relations and most recently, overseeing
facilities and property management. Within the last three years, Mary has
negotiated corporate sponsorship contracts for FirstOntario Centre (formerly Copps Coliseum and includes
sponsorship of the Hamilton Bulldogs), FirstOntario Concert Hall (formerly Hamilton Place), FirstOntario
Performing Arts Centre (Niagara), FirstOntario Arts Centre Milton (and the Every Child, Every Year Program)
and being the official financial institution for the Hamilton Tiger Cats.
Prior to joining FirstOntario Credit Union, Mary worked at First Canadian Title to add business-to-business
marketing to her background. In her nine years as Senior Manager and Director of Marketing at First
Canadian Title, she led the charge on a consumer awareness campaign educating on the effects of title
fraud. This campaign garnered national print and television coverage and resulted in Government
legislation protecting consumers from the devastating effects of title fraud.
Mary started her marketing career with TD and then TD Canada Trust. Her 12 years of experience provided
broad exposure to marketing and communications for various lines of business such as wealth management,
electronic banking, corporate brand, philanthropic initiatives and Visa. Mary developed and implemented
the strategic plan to leverage the corporate sponsorship of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Vancouver
Canucks.
Mary was also a member of the Athena Oakville Steering Committee – a group that recognized women
executives who gave their time and expertise to local community initiatives. She was a Board Member for
Oakville Economic Development and she served for two years as a member of the McMaster Children's
Hospital Fundraising council. She was appointed to the Brock University Board of Trustees in 2016 as well as
the Oakville Chamber of Commerce. Previously she sat on a number of credit union professional
committees enhancing the national and provincial brand awareness.
Mary completed a Masters Certificate in Marketing and Communications from the Schulich School of
Business, a Certificate of Achievement in Strategic Planning from Queen’s University and holds a Bachelor’s
degree in Marketing from Brock University. Mary’s work has been awarded numerous marketing awards
throughout the credit union system.
FREEMAN, Arti
Arti Freeman is a highly experienced grantmaker, capacity builder and
knowledge mobilizer. She has over 20 years’ experience leading
programs and strategies, organizational change initiatives and business
process improvements in the non-profit and philanthropic sectors. She
is currently the Manager of Partnership Investments at the Ontario
Trillium Foundation (OTF), one of Canada’s largest grantmaking
foundations. In this role, she provides strategic direction and oversight
for the development of cross sectoral partnerships to support
innovation and the demonstration of impact across the nonprofit
sector.
Prior to this role, Arti was the Strategy Lead responsible for the development and implementation of
the Foundation’s investment strategy as it pertains to the positive development of children and youth.
Arti joined OTF in 2003 as a Program Manager and has served in a variety of roles at the Foundation.
Her work has resulted in the design and implementation of high impact philanthropic models and
investments that build local communities across Ontario. Prior to joining OTF, Arti led the training
and consulting offerings at the Centre for Community Leadership at Niagara College, where she
concurrently served as a consultant for Niagara's nonprofit sector.
Arti is committed to strengthening the capacity and resiliency of the nonprofit sector and to
supporting young people to thrive. Inspired by deep curiosity and a desire to see meaningful change,
she enjoys building strong partnerships and working collaboratively to address the complex social
problems facing our communities. Arti’s experience includes the following: Board Member, Bethlehem
Housing and Support Services, Niagara; Youth Social Infrastructure Committee, the Laidlaw
Foundation; Advisory Reference Group, Canadian Index of Child and Youth Well-being, UNICEF
Canada; and Advisor, Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Project.
Arti has lived and worked in the Philippines, India, Belgium, and South Africa. She is a Certified
Change Management Professional with a Bachelor of Science in International Business from Assumption
College in the Philippines and a Master of Science in Poverty Reduction and Development Management
from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Arti and her husband have been living St.
Catharine’s, ON since 1996.
HILL, Ava
Ava Hill, whose traditional name is Iohahatie, was born on the Six
Nations Reserve and is a Mohawk, Wolf Clan. Ava was the Elected
Chief of the 56th and 57th Six Nations Elected Council. Prior to
holding the Office of the Elected Chief, Ava was a Councillor for
District Two for three terms, a total of nine years. After serving
for fifteen years as a member of the Six Nations Elected Council,
Ava did not seek re-election in 2019.
During her tenure as Chief, Ava represented the Chiefs in Ontario
on the Ontario Provincial Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction
and Social Inclusion up until June 2018.
Ava is a former member of the Board of Governors at the University of Waterloo. She is currently a
member of the National Consortium for Indigenous Economic Development at the University of Victoria
and a member of the Advisory Council for Victoria Forum 2020. She is also the Co-Chair, along with the
President of the International Commonwealth Games Federation, for a Working Group that is working
on a Declaration on Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples Through Sports.
She was also appointed by the Minister of Natural Resources Canada to the position of Indigenous
Advisor to the Geographical Names Board of Canada.
Ava was also appointed as a Board Director for Commonwealth Sport Canada. As well, she is a member
of the Canadian Advisory Board for Right to Play. Her most recent appointment, as of July 1st, 2021, is
as a member of the Board of Trustees of Brock University.
She was awarded with the YMCA Peacemaker Medal for 2020, which was presented by the YMCA of
Hamilton, Burlington and Brantford.
KNIBUTAT, Kristian
Kristian Knibutat is the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Risk Officer and a
member of the Canadian Leadership Team at PwC Canada. He is
responsible for the strategic oversight of the firm’s national operations,
including the Internal Firm Services group, IT, national security, risk and
compliance, Independence Office, the Office of the General Counsel, real
estate, administrative support services, pension investments and the firm’s
strategic mergers and acquisitions. Kristian represents PwC on numerous
global organizations including operations, technology and insurance.
Kristian was previously the Chief Financial Officer (2013-2018), National
Deals Leader (2009-2012) and the Canadian Valuations, Forensics and
Disputes Leader (2004-2009). He was also a Trustee of PwC’s Global
Business Trust. As a Deals partner, Kristian has extensive experience on a wide range of business issues
including: the valuation of businesses for tax planning; financing; restructuring; shareholder disputes;
purchase and sale transactions; family law matters; intellectual property valuations; due diligence
reviews; and purchase price allocations. He has provided strategic counsel and business solutions to
public and private companies across many industries and sectors, including: pharmaceutical and
healthcare; industrial product manufacturing; real estate; financial services; food and beverage;
education; and technology.
Kristian also appeared as an expert witness in the Ontario Court and has presented papers on the
valuation of intellectual property and fair value on financial reporting at various conferences.
Kristian was the Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee and a Director of the Board of the Shaw
Festival from 2013 to 2019 and was also a member of the Shaw’s executive committee and strategic
planning committee. He was the Chair of Board of the YMCA of Oakville 2006 to 2010 and a Board
member from 2000 to 2012. Kristian was also the Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee of the
YMCA of Hamilton Burlington from 1995 to 1998.
LANG, Brian
Brian Lang is President and Chief Operating Officer, Real Matters.
In this role Lang is charged with driving operational excellence and
alignment as the company continues to grow market share and
scale across all of its businesses in Canada and the US.
Brian currently serves on the board of NuData Security, a
Mastercard company, Brock University, as well as Crescent School in
Toronto. He is a mentor at the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL),
serves on the United Way of Toronto Major Individual Giving
council, and is a Trustee of the Adair Trust. As a recent Chair of the
Junior Achievement Africa Board, he remains involved with Junior
Achievement in Canada. Brian is also a member of the Business
Council of Canada and the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).
MATHANY, Erin
Erin Mathany is the Vice President, Marketing, Communications and
Partnerships for the Canada Games Council where she is building on 50
years and over 100,000 alumni of history to grow the Canada Games brand
and engage partners nationally.
Erin previously spent 10 years working within the Olympic Movement at the
Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Organizing Committee and the
Canadian Olympic Committee specializing in commercial rights
management, business development, sponsor servicing and strategic
partnerships.
Erin holds a Bachelor of Sport Management from Brock University and a
Master of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University and is Past Chair of the Brock
University Alumni Association after serving a four-year term. She has been recognized by the Brock
University Faculty of Applied Health Sciences with the Distinguished Graduate Award in 2015 and by the
Department of Sport Management with the SPMA Service award in 2017.
MAURIN, Bill
Bill Maurin served as President & Chief Executive Officer for Meridian,
Ontario’s largest credit union and second largest in Canada from 2014,
stepping down from his post effective May 31, 2021. He remains on
board in an advisory capacity until July 31, 2021.
Under his leadership, Meridian’s assets under management grew from
$10 billion to $26.5 billion (effective December 31, 2020), expanded its
digital banking offering and increased its branch footprint by almost 50
per cent.
With Bill at the helm, Meridian developed a strong and agile strategic
framework, experienced a remarkable growth trajectory, and cultivated
a collaborative yet entrepreneurial culture. Most recently, Bill has successfully navigated the organization
through the COVID pandemic. Bill led an Executive Leadership Team focused on implementing Meridian’s
strategic vision of delivering Meridian’s unique brand of co-operative banking with a strong emphasis on
providing quality service and innovative financial solutions while strengthening the communities it serves.
With more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, Bill began his career at KPMG
Chartered Accountants and then at The CUMIS Group as National Manager, Finance and subsequently as
Director, Finance and Accounting.
In 2002, he joined Niagara Credit Union as the Senior Finance Manager. Following Meridian’s legacy merger
between Niagara Credit Union and HEPCOE Credit Union in 2005, Bill became Meridian’s Vice President of
Finance and later Meridian’s Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer in 2008.
Since joining Meridian, Bill built a solid reputation of enabling business growth while protecting the balance
sheet and ensuring that risk management is top of mind in all key strategic decisions. Bill played the lead
role in Meridian’s amalgamation with Desjardins Credit Union in 2011 and drove Meridian’s acquisition of
Roynat Lease Finance in 2016, which created Meridian OneCap Credit Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of
Meridian. Bill also spearheaded the creation and development of Meridian’s new subsidiary, motusbank, a
full service national digital retail bank, launched in 2019. Bill also served as President and CEO of
motusbank.
Bill also sat on the Meridian OneCap Credit Corporation (Board Chair) and motusbank (non-independent
member). He currently serves on the Board of The FICANEX Group of Companies and is a member of the
Board of Trustees for Brock University.
Bill received his CA designation in 1991 and graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from
McMaster University in 1988.
He has served as Board Chair of the Canadian Credit Union Association and as a member of the Board of
Directors for CUMIS Group, CUCO Cooperative Association, Central 1 and for the United Way of St.
Catharines. He currently resides in the Niagara Region.
McCOURT, Anne
Anne McCourt is the Senior Vice President of Dealer Relations at Canadian
Tire accountable for managing the relationship between Canadian Tire and
the Associate Dealers who own and operate Canadian Tire Retail stores.
Anne is a seasoned retail executive with a track record of delivering results
in a multidisciplinary environment.
Anne joined Canadian Tire in 2000. While at Canadian Tire Anne has held a
number of senior roles in Supply Chain, Logistics, Productivity and Non-
Merchandise procurement. Much of the focus of her work at Canadian Tire
has been on driving strategic change. This work has encompassed using a
problem-solving approach to reach consensus with a diverse group of stakeholders, including Associate
Dealers, driving change communication and partnering with technology teams to deliver new capabilities.
Prior to joining Canadian Tire, Anne held senior roles in manufacturing, management consulting and
financial services. Much of her work during this time focused on quality, process management and change
management.
Anne has an engineering degree from the University of Waterloo.
McLENNON, Trecia
Trecia McLennon is Brock’s Intercultural Communications Coordinator
in the Office of Human Rights and Equity, tasked with leveling up
people on campus’ capacity to work better across cultural and other
differences.
Trecia works with Brock students, faculty and staff. She also serves on
the City of St. Catharines advisory committee for equity and inclusion,
and as an elected staff representative serving as Trustee on Brock
University’s Board of Governors.
She is a former assistant professor in the School of International
Studies at the University of Ulsan in South Korea and a former
instructor of Global Management Studies at Ryerson University. Trecia
is the author of the anthology Trailblasian, the only known published
collection delving into the voices and experiences of 17 Black women
from three different countries living and working in East Asia; and co-
author of an Open Educational Resource on Professional Communication being used at no cost to
students by several institutions in Canada and around the world.
Her experience traveling to 18 and living in five different countries allowed her to learn varying degrees
of five languages, cultivate a passion for all things intercultural and nurture a deep commitment to
equity and inclusion.
She has a BA in Communications (University of Windsor), an MBA (Aston University, UK), and certificates
in Human Rights Theory and Practice (Osgoode), Intercultural Practice (ICI) and Adult Training and
Development (OISE). She’s a qualified IDI administrator, and a Certified Training and Development
Professional (CTDP).
Trecia is a proud AfroJamaiCanadian mom of one living on Turtle Island looking to be a good ancestor
and leave the world better for future generations.
O’NEILL, Marylee
Marylee O’ Neill is President and Managing Director of Intersect International Ltd. She works with CEOs and
their Boards to address the challenges and risks of major change while accelerating organizational
performance to deliver results. Marylee helps CEOs and their Boards increase their leadership and
organizational impact and the overall organization’s effective governance. Since its’ inception, the
Intersect International group, based in New York, Toronto, London (UK) and Bermuda, continues to work
with many Boards and CEOs, along with their senior management teams, around the world.
Previously Marylee was a senior partner at Oliver Wyman, a member of Marsh McLennan (MMC) Group of
Companies and Johnson Smith International. She has also held several senior leadership positions
in operations, and public affairs in the private sector and the Government of Ontario. Marylee completed
her undergraduate degree at York University and her postgraduate degree at the University of Toronto.
Committed to community-building, especially young adult mental health, Marylee’s past voluntary board
work has included: Board Director and Chair, Governance Committee, The Shaw Festival Board, Co-founder
and Board Director, Stella’s Place, Toronto (mental health services for young adults) and Board Director,
Providence Healthcare. Marylee is currently a board director of Niagara Health. A mother of two adult sons,
Marylee made Niagara on the lake and the Niagara Region her home a decade ago.
Chancellor
PEARSON, Hilary M., CM. LL.D
Hilary Pearson has had a twenty-year career in the field of foundation
philanthropy in Canada. As the founding President of Philanthropic
Foundations Canada from 2001 to 2019, she collaborated with many of the
largest private charitable foundations in the country.
Author of numerous articles, book reviews and columns, Ms. Pearson
speaks frequently on Canadian philanthropy at conferences and workshops
in Canada and globally. In her role at PFC, she edited comprehensive
guides to starting and managing foundations, as well as guides for funders
working with governments, with universities, and in policy advocacy. She
writes a regular blog on trends and issues in foundation philanthropy for
her website, www.hpearson.ca and acts as a strategic advisor and facilitator for family and
independent foundations.
In 2019, Ms Pearson was appointed co-chair of the Advisory Committee on the Charitable Sector,
advising the federal Minister of Revenue on charitable policy and regulatory issues.
In July 2018, she was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada for her contributions to building
the field of philanthropy in Canada. In October 2020, she was installed as Chancellor of Brock
University.
She holds a BA and MA in Political Economy from the University of Toronto and honourary doctorates
from Carleton University and the University of New Brunswick.REHAN, Rafay
Rafay Rehan is the current President & CEO of the Brock University
Students' Union. In this role, Rafay spearheads the development
and implementation of the organization's multi-year and annual
strategic priorities. Before beginning his term as President & CEO,
Rafay served the Students' Union in the roles
of Vice President (VP), Finance & Administration, Board Member,
and Councilor. While serving as VP, he was involved with the Brock
University Senate and the Governance Committee.
A proud graduate of Brock University, Rafay completed his Bachelor
of Business Administration degree in 2021. During his time at Brock
University, Rafay co-founded The Citizens Foundation’s Brock
Chapter which is one of the leading not-for-profit organizations
providing free education for the less privileged. Rafay served as the Director of Photography for the
Goodman Business Students’ Association and documented events such as the 10th Annual Brock
University Accounting Conference and Break the Case Competition for the Goodman Accounting
Students’ Association (ASA). Rafay has worked closely with the Brock University Campus Store for
almost 2 years now. He has become a familiar face on campus for students through modelling different
Brock University branded outfits. Rafay also participated in Brock University’s brand-new Augmented
Reality Marketing course and was part of the first group of students that worked with the Rabble Wine
Company to develop an AR Marketing Strategy for their new edition of Wine.
Rafay is looking forward to learning from the devoted Trustees and serving the Brock community this
year.
RICHARDS, Miriam
I am a professor at Brock University, in the Niagara Region of southern
Ontario, Canada. I teach courses in Animal Behaviour, Ecology, and
Evolution. I do research on the social behaviour, ecology and evolution
of carpenter and sweat bees, and on restoration of local bee
communities. My favourite hobbies are gardening and riding my mules,
which fits right in as applied ecology and animal behaviour.ROBERTO, Dr. JoAnna
BA’97, M.S.Ed.’00, Ph.D.‘21 Leadership and Policy. Roberto began her
career in education in 1997 as an elementary teacher with the
Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board. She worked at the
Ministry of Education and she then returned to her hometown of
Niagara Falls where she worked in several roles for District School
Board of Niagara including teacher, vice-principal, principal, and
superintendent of education, curriculum, and student achievement. As
Superintendent of Curriculum and Student Achievement, she was
responsible for the learning agenda and Information Technology,
Indigenous Education, French Immersion, Early Years, International
Education, Math Strategy and English as a Second Language.
JoAnna Roberto was appointed to Director of Education and Secretary
to the Board at the Grand Erie District School Board following eight
years as a Superintendent of Education at DSBN.
JoAnna currently serves a district that spans a geographic area encompassing the City of Brantford and the
Counties of Brant, Haldimand, and Norfolk. The district has 25,973 students including 480 on Education
Services Agreements with Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation with 58
elementary and 14 secondary schools, adult and alternate learning, and virtual learning.
JoAnna is responsible for Executive Council, Strategic Direction, Annual Operating Plans, Board
Improvement Planning and Implementation, Board Governance, and Communications & Community
Engagement Department. She is also a member of the Modernization in Measurement Advisory Panel for the
Education Quality and Accountability Office.
THOMPSON, Stephanie
Stephanie Thompson is a passionate engineer and community leader
who actively pursues new and innovative ways of promoting science,
technology and learning in the Niagara area.
Originally from Ottawa, Stephanie attended the University of
Waterloo for Chemical Engineering, before being hired by General
Motors of Canada. With an extensive 21-year career in
Manufacturing Engineering, she is currently a Senior Manufacturing
Engineer, leading engineering teams on major capital investment
projects to design assembly lines and optimize the production of
engines and transmissions. Past roles include Vice Chair of the GM’s
Women’s Council, helping engage and retain women across the
organization. Stephanie also sits on the GM of Canada’s STEM
Committee and reviews the Corporate Social Responsibility funding
allocations for STEM not-for-profits across the country.
As a FIRST Robotics Mentor, Stephanie ran FIRST Robotics teams at local schools led the Niagara FIRST
Lego League as Tournament Director since 2005. Her focus is on empowerment of female students in
leadership and technical roles, and she continues to reach out to former students in a mentoring
capacity. Since 2018, Stephanie has been a member of the Girls in STEM Executive Advisory Council and
leads teambuilding and design workshops at the Girls in FIRST Robotics Weekend and STEM-a-thons.
Stephanie was recognized by the robotics community with the prestigious Woodie Flowers FinalistAward, which celebrates the effective communication of mentors in the art and science of engineering
and design.
In 2018, Stephanie launched a new social enterprise called Women in STEM Experiences (WISE), under
the umbrella of STEM by Steph. This unique and innovative workshop series breaks down barriers for
women and makes STEM subject accessible to all ages and creates moments of career coaching for
students and women. Over 250+ women have participated in these experiences, which will continue to
expand to reach underserved communities. Stephanie is routinely sought out as a facilitator and guest
speaker by organizations which encourage more girls to pursue STEM fields.
In 2020, Stephanie was recognized by the Women’s Executive Network as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most
Powerful Women. She was also a finalist by the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce Women in
Business Award for Science and Technology category in 2018 and 2020, and received from her alma
matter, the University of Waterloo, the 2020 Alumni Achievement Medal for Community Service.
Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering, a Certificate of Professional
Management from Brock University, and is a Professional Engineer in Ontario. In 2016, Stephanie
graduated from the Leadership Niagara Civic Leadership Development Program.
She and her husband Richard are raising their daughter Amelia to love STEM by exploring the unique
eco-systems of Niagara, and hope to one day return to travelling to exotic locations like China, New
Zealand and Newfoundland.
WELCH, Rob
Rob obtained an Honours BA degree as well as a MA degree from Queens
University in Kingston, Ontario. He then went to University of Toronto,
where he obtained an LL.B. degree. He was called to the bar in 1982.
Rob is a senior partner of the firm of Lancaster Brooks and Welch LLP.
On a personal note, Mr. Welch is married to Kathie (1995) and his interests
include golf and recreational rowing.
Rob’s community involvement includes:
• Chancellor Diocese of Niagara, [Anglican] 1992-2018.
• Director, United Way of St. Catharines and District, 2008-2014.
• Director Niagara Community Foundation, 2009-2015. [Chair, Community leadership committee]
• Director-YMCA Niagara, 1999-2008. [Chair, Board of Trustees, 2004-2006], member - Strategic
Planning Committee, 2012-2017; Philanthropy Committee 2018-present.
• Candidate for Mayor, City of St. Catharines, 2006.
• Member, Rotary Club of St. Catharines South since, 1985. [President. 2003-2004].
• Director, Lincoln County Law Association, 1995-1998.
• Councillor-Regional Municipality of Niagara, 1985-1994. [Candidate for Regional Chair 1991].
• Chair, Hospital Restructuring Steering Committee, Niagara District Health Council, 1996-1997.
• Candidate for Member of Ontario Legislative Assembly, 1990.
• Member-Board of Management, St. Catharines Historic Museum, 1982-1988 [Chairman, 1987].
• President-Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. [Lou Gehrig’s disease] Society of Canada, 1984-1986.
• Member-Board of Directors, Family and Children’s Services of Niagara region, 1985-1988.
• Board Member-St. Catharines Downtown Association, 1988-1995.Honours-Order of Niagara. [Anglican Diocese of Niagara], 2-time Paul Harris Fellowship [Rotary Club of St.
Catharines South], William Galloway Spirit of Giving Award [YMCA Niagara], Lifetime Achievement Award
[Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce]
Interim President and Vice-Chancellor
WELLS, Lynn
Dr. Lynn Wells is a Canadian scholar, teacher and university
leader, with over fifteen years of experience in senior
academic leadership positions. In 2020, Dr. Wells was
appointed as Provost and Vice-President Academic at Brock
University. On July 1, 2021, Dr. Wells also became Interim
President at Brock. Prior to 2021, she served as Associate
Vice-President, Students and Teaching at MacEwan
University in Edmonton and held a number of senior positions
at the University of Regina, including Acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Associate Vice-President
Academic. For seven years, Dr. Wells supported the work of national reconciliation with Indigenous people
through her service as Vice-President Academic and Special Advisor to the President at First Nations
University of Canada. Dr. Wells is a respected scholar in her field of Contemporary British Fiction, having
published two books and numerous articles. Her fields of scholarly interest include urban representations,
literary ethics and surveillance studies. She has served on the Executive Committee of the International
Association for Philosophy and Literature and as a Board member for the Canadian Federation for
Humanities and Social Sciences. Dr. Wells holds a Master’s in English and a B.A. Honours (summa cum laude)
in English and French Studies, along with a PhD in English from Western University.
YENDT, Christopher P.
Christopher Yendt is currently the President of the Graduate Students’
Association (GSA) at Brock University, having previously served as its Vice-
President, Finance from 2017 to 2019 and as a Board Member since 2015. He
has also served as a Senator on the Brock University Senate since 2018,
having previously held that role from 2012 to 2015. Christopher is a proud
alumnus of Brock University, having graduated in 2015 with both a Bachelor
of Arts (Honours) and a Bachelor of Education.
As an undergraduate student he served as Vice-President, Finance and
Administration, as well as Chair, Vice-Chair and Member of the Brock
University Students’ Union (BUSU). In joining the GSA Executive team in
2017, Christopher became the first student in Brock history to serve as an
executive of both the undergraduate and graduate student associations. In addition, he has served on the
Board’s of Brock University Student Radio, The Brock Press, BrockTV and the Brock Chapter of the Ontario
Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG).
After experiencing a mental health crisis and a mental illness diagnosis as an undergraduate Christopher
gained a greater understanding the marginalization and oppression faced by members of this community.
Having been inspired by the personal journeys of friends and family, he chose to a course of study that
would allow for greater understanding and advocacy for those afflicted with mental health concerns.
Currently a candidate in the Master of Education, Administration and Leadership program, he is researching
mental health literacy (MHL) among pre-service teacher candidates.
Christopher’s experiences within the field of mental health also sparked a passion for community service.
He currently serves on the Board President for the Niagara Branch of the Canadian Mental Health
Association (CMHA), having served previously in the roles Vice-President, and Treasurer. He also serves asthe Chair of Rainbow’s End Community Development Corporation and as Past-Chair of NEXTNiagara, Board
Member of Compass Community Health (formerly North Hamilton CHC) and the Quality and Safety
Committee of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.
Christopher is a dedicated advocate for graduate students both on and off campus and looks forward to
continuing that advocacy at the board level.
ZIMMERMAN, Debbie
Since 2003, Debbie has been the CEO of the Grape Growers of
Ontario, the official organization that represents over 500 farm
families producing grapes on over 17,000 acres across the province.
Debbie was actively involved in local politics for 36 years, starting
in 1978 as a local alderman for the Town of Grimsby. In 1989 Debbie
was elected to Regional Council, and elected as Regional Chair for
the Regional Municipality of Niagara in 1997, a position that she served for two terms.
Debbie is the past Chair of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation for the Province of Ontario
(2004-2010), and was assigned by the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario, to the 2015/16
Provincial Review Panel for Ontario’s Land Use Plans. In 2017, Debbie joined the Premier on the
Provincial Trade Mission to China and Vietnam.
Debbie currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Buffalo/Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority, McNally
House and 2021 Canada Summer Games. Most recently, Debbie was a member of the YMCA Board of
Directors and a Co-Chair of the Pathstone “Mending Minds” fundraising campaign.
Debbie has been the recipient of many awards including the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
“Community Leadership Award” in 2013, the “Niagara Award” in 1998, the Niagara College “Board of
Governors Award” in 2001 and the YWCA “Woman of Distinction” award in 2003. In 2015 Debbie was
awarded the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation’s “Local Food Champion” award for her commitment to
local food and her years of service to Niagara, and in 2017 Debbie received a Lieutenant Governor
General’s Award and was named a “Friend of the Greenbelt” for her work on the Provincial Review Panel.
Most recently, Debbie received an honourary Doctorate of Laws from Brock University for her lifelong
work and commitment to the Region of Niagara.You can also read
