BROCK UNIVERSITY

BOARD OF TRUSTEES BIOGRAPHIES 2019-2020

AGGELONITIS, Sophia

A former Ontario Cabinet Minister with a track record as a successful

entrepreneur in private business, Sophia Aggelonitis brings over 30 years of

public and private-sector experience to Armstrong Strategy Group and is their

Senior Strategic Advisor.

Sophia was elected as a Member of Provincial Parliament in 2007. 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 she 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 has received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond

Jubilee Medal for Community Service, is a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow and a recipient of the Friends of

Mohawk College Award. She has served on numerous boards including Hamilton’s Theatre Aquarius, The

Canadian Club of Hamilton, Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice Fundraising Committee and Phoenix Place (second-stage

housing). She also served as a member of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association. Sophia holds a

Bachelor of Arts degree from Brock University.

ARTHUR, Mark

Mark Arthur is the President of Industrial Alliance Private Wealth

Management. He is the CEO of three operating companies within the IA

group, TE Wealth, Leon Frazer & Associates Inc. and Hahn Investment

Stewards & Company Inc. 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.

BURNETT, Michele-Elise

A forerunner in communications, marketing and the arts, Michele-Elise Burnett preserves a three-generation

family legacy and commitment to Brock University where her late mother, Dr. Suzanne Rochon Burnett, also

served on its Board of Trustees and received her Honorary Doctorate of Letters. A proud Métis and steward

of her mother’s bequest at Brock, Michele-Elise continues to raise funds and awareness for The Suzanne

Rochon Burnett C.M.,O.Ont Scholarship that gifts coveted education and opportunities to Aboriginal students

in the Goodman School of Business. She comes to the Board with a distinctive perspective—venerating

Brock’s past, present and future. Michele-Elise attended Brock and her son, a film major, currently attends

the university.

With 25 years in leadership, business development and fundraising, Michele-Elise fuses her business acumen

with a personal allegiance to higher education and her aboriginal community. Her life’s work—professionally

and civically—is rooted in the philosophy that healthy, educated children give rise to strong, efficacious

communities.

Raised with ambition and a passion for broadcasting, she was a third-generation business owner in the

industry that originated from her paternal side of the family. Later partnering with her mother, she owned

and operated the most powerful signal in the Niagara Region, Spirit 91.7 FM Radio, serving Southern Ontario

and Western New York. The accomplished mother/daughter team was the first two Aboriginal women to be

granted a private broadcasting license in Canada by the CRTC.

Michele-Elise is Co-Director of Advancement for the National Legacy Project, “Landscape of Nations”, to be

located at Queenston Heights. This distinctive memorial will, for the first time in history, honor the

courageous contributions and inspiring sacrifices of The Six Nations and their Native Allies during the War of

1812. Long overdue, this tribute will revitalize the alliance of The First Nation and Canadians with an

enduring cultural, historical and educational landmark.

A graduate of Ryerson University’s esteemed School of Radio and Television Arts, she is equally active in

Canada and the U.S. with significant volunteer endeavors. At her alma mater—Ridley College—she served

as a member of the Board of Governors for more than a decade. Currently, she is Vice President of the

Ridley College Fund USA and initiated the Women of Ridley Network in 2013. In the U.S., Michele-Elise is

the previous Chairwoman of Kaleida Health’s Josephine Goodyear Committee, founder of the “Kick for

Life” initiative and coordinator of Kaleida Health’s “Beautiful Women” program, all of which have raised

significant funds for Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo.

Chancellor

CHEECHOO, Shirley

Shirley Cheechoo is a renowned and acclaimed mentor, actress, artist,

writer, producer and director. Born in the Cree community of Eastmain,

Quebec, on the shores of James Bay, she went on to live in the Ontario

communities of Moose Factory and Hearst. She went to residential schools

in Ontario where she experienced violence and abuse. She incorporates her

struggles to retain her identity and Cree heritage into her art, film and

theatrical work, raising awareness and exploring themes of healing post-

trauma.

Cheechoo teaches drama and video workshops to Native youth across Ontario and is the founder of

Weengushk Film Institute and Debajehmujig Theatre Group. Cheechoo is the first First Nation woman to

write, produce, direct and act in a dramatic feature length film from Canada. A respected visual artist,

her paintings have been exhibited around the world, and her commissions include Christmas cards for

UNICEF, Amnesty International, The Ontario Native Women’s Association and The Hospital for Sick

Children. She is a recipient of the Aboriginal Achievement Award in the area of art by Indspire (aka The

National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation) and Premiers’ Awards for Excellence in the Arts as well as

the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award recognizing her commitment to education. She lives on Ontario’s

Manitoulin Island.

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.

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.

DE DIVITIIS, Mario

As a prominent Niagara community and business leader, Mario is a

committed Niagara champion, often found supporting the promotion and

growth of the Niagara Region in a variety of capacities. Currently, Mario is

the Director of Ancillary Operations for Ridley College, a private boarding

and day university-preparatory school located in St Catharines. Prior to

Ridley, Mario was the Chief Executive Officer at Niagara Workforce

Planning Board representing one of the 25 planning boards in Ontario,

acting as the voice for labour market research in Niagara. During his

tenure as CEO Mario led a complete organizational transformation and re-

established the Planning Board to prominence. Prior to NWPB Mario was

the founding Executive Director of Leadership Niagara. During his time

with Leadership Niagara, Mario was able to transform the organization to become the highest enrolled

program in Canada. A born entrepreneur, Mario and the De Divitiis family have been real estate and

hospitality leaders in the Niagara Region for the past 40 years owning and operating several restaurants,

banquet halls and residence buildings across Niagara.

As a certified Corporate Director, Mario has served on various different boards across Niagara. In addition to

his role with Brock, Mario currently is the Chair of the First Ontario Performing Arts Centre Board and is a

Member of the Pen Financial Credit Union Board of Directors. In the past Mario has also served on the

Niagara Health System Governance Committee and The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce.

In 2011 Mario was a recipient of Niagara's 40 under 40 business achievement awards and in 2014 was

awarded the Business Education Council Community Partners Award.

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.

President and Vice-Chancellor

FEARON, Gervan

Gervan Fearon began a five-year term as Brock University’s President and Vice-

Chancellor on August 1, 2017. Before joining Brock, he served at Brandon

University as President and Vice-Chancellor (2014-17) and also as Provost and

Vice-President Academic (2013-14).

Prior to his time at Brandon, Fearon served several other academic positions,

including as the Dean of The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education

at Ryerson University; as Associate Dean at York University’s Atkinson Faculty of

Liberal & Professional Studies; as a Visiting Scholar at the University of

Washington; and as an Associate Professor at York University.

Fearon received his Ph.D in Economics from the University of Western Ontario,

after having received his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Agricultural

Economics at the University of Guelph. He also holds a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA)

designation.

Besides academic achievements, his career includes several years in the Ontario government in roles as a

senior analyst at Treasury Board Division, Ontario Ministry of Finance, and an executive assistant to Deputy

Minister at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

He is passionate about the role of post-secondary education in supporting regional development and has

served on numerous community boards and helped champion significant community development

initiatives.

FISHER, John

After working in the mining industry in western Canada, John began his

career in the late 1980s in the construction materials and waste management

industries in business development and then in line management with UK-

based Steetley Quarry Products Inc. He subsequently joined Philip Services

Corp. in Hamilton where he was responsible for a variety of businesses

including quarries, landfills, waste transfer and processing facilities and

demolition and remediation services. In 2001, he joined Walker Industries as

Vice-President and General Manager of its Environmental Services business

and in 2007 became the Company’s President & CEO. Walker is a fifth-

generation family business with its roots in Niagara and operations elsewhere

in Ontario and across Canada and in the United States. Its three business

lines include aggregates, asphalt and road construction; waste disposal, organic waste processing and

landfill gas utilization; and specialty chemical manufacturing. The company has 1100 employees and is

recognized for its progressive approach to health and safety, environmental performance and community

engagement. He retired from Walker at the end of 2019.

John is a former Board member of the Niagara Community Foundation and is a past Chair of the Board of the

Ontario Waste Management Association.

He has an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Queen’s University (1981) and a Master of

Business Administration (finance) degree from McMaster (1984).

John and his wife, Lauretta, live in Dundas, Ontario and are the proud parents of three twenty-something

children.

KHAN, Bilal

Bilal Khan is a fourth-year accounting student at Goodman School of Business

and plans on pursuing a CPA Designation after graduation. Bilal is currently

serving as the President of Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU). He has

previously served as the Vice-President, Finance and Administration at BUSU

and was also a member of Brock University Students’ Administrative Council.

Bilal has a seat on BUSU Board of Directors and has previously served on Brock

University Senate as an undergraduate student senator.

Bilal is a strong advocate and representative of undergraduate students to

stakeholders not only at the university but within the community as well.

During his time at BUSU, he has dedicated significant attention to improving

public transportation and made it more accessible for students living in the Niagara Region.

Bilal is also passionate about student housing, student health and wellness, community engagement and

other issues facing post-secondary students in Niagara.

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).

MAURIN, Bill

Bill Maurin was appointed Meridian’s President and Chief Executive

Officer in 2014. Under his leadership, Meridian has grown its assets under

management from $10 billion to $17 billion, expanded its digital banking

offering and increased its branch footprint by more than 25 per cent.

Bill leads 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 over 25 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 has 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 a

key role in Meridian’s amalgamation with Desjardins Credit Union in 2011 and Meridian’s acquisition of

Roynat Lease Finance in 2016, which created Meridian OneCap Credit Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of

Meridian.

Bill received his CA designation in 1991 and graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from

McMaster University in 1988.

Bill currently sits on the Board of the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA), and CUCO Co-operative

Association. He is a past member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of St. Catharines, Central 1

and CUMIS. He currently resides in Mississauga.

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.

MORDEN, Beverley

Beverley Morden is an advisor to CEOs on business and marketing strategy.

Prior to this, she was President and CEO of publicly-traded and privately-held

businesses with operations in Canada, the United States and the United

Kingdom. During the early part of her career, Beverley led the Human

Resources functions in multi-national and Canadian companies. Beverley has a

BA from York University. She previously served for six years on the Board of

Governors of Humber College Institute of Technology and Applied Learning and

currently serves on the Board of YPO-WPO Ontario Chapter. Beverley is

actively engaged as a mentor with MicroSkills, a non-profit charitable

organization serving immigrant women.

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.

PHILLIPS, Chris

Chris Phillips is a Senior Advisor within the City of Hamilton’s Planning and

Economic Development Department, and currently leads the City’s ambitious

West Harbour Waterfront Re-development Project.

During his 9 years at the City of Hamilton, Chris has been involved in some of

the most high-profile and significant “City Building” projects in a generation.

The new Tim Horton’s Stadium, the Downtown McMaster Health Campus, the

expansion of GO Transit service, and now the “West Harbour” Waterfront Re-

Development, are all key strategic initiatives where Chris has helped in

brokering solutions of mutual community benefit.

Prior to joining the public service, Chris served as Senior Advisor to former

federal cabinet minister the Hon. Tony Valeri, served as the Executive Officer

of the Hamilton-Halton Home Builders’ Association, and led a specialized consultancy practice where he

acted on behalf of a broad spectrum of clients from both the private and public sectors.

Chris is no stranger to the local Hamilton-Niagara community. He has spent over 27 years actively engaged

in the broader community, where his professional career and personal interests have spanned the private

sector, non-profit sector, as well as from within government itself.

Chris earned his Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from the Goodman School of

Business at Brock University in 1994, and has served as President of the Brock University Alumni Association

since 2015. He also serves as a Director with the Canadian Mental Health Association-Hamilton. Chris lives

in Grimsby with his wife Christina and their two children Victoria and Daniel.

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.

RICKERS, William

Bill joined Crawford, Smith and Swallow as a Partner in 1997. A graduate of

Brock University, he earned the designation of Chartered Accountant in 1985.

Bill provides advisory services to entrepreneurs and professionals. He is

responsible for income tax compliance, planning and appeals, and has

completed the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants In-Depth Tax

Course. He is also a Certified Financial Planner licensee.

Bill has been recognized by the City of St. Catharines for his volunteer

activities. He was a member of the Board of Directors of United Way St.

Catharines and District from 2013 to 2017. He has served the Niagara Grape

and Wine Festival, Canadian Henley Rowing Corporation and St. Catharines

Chamber of Commerce as an executive officer and director.

On June 30, 2012, Bill completed eight years as a member of the Board of Trustees of Brock University.

During this period, he had the privilege of being Chair of the Capital Projects and Facilities Committee,

Financial Planning and Human Resources Committee, and Advancement and Community Relations

Committee. He also served as a member of the Executive Committee and Audit Committee, and as a Board

representative to Senate.

Bill was reappointed to the Brock University Board of Trustees in 2015. Since then, he has chaired the Audit

Committee for three years; been a member of the Executive Committee; and, served two terms as the Board

representative on Senate. Bill is presently Chair of the University and Community Experience Committee.

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]

Vice-Chair

WILLIAMS, Robin

A paediatrician and a public health physician, Dr. Williams is currently

a Special Advisor to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in

Ontario, and a former Medical Officer of Health for Niagara Region

(1995 to 2011).

She is widely recognized locally, nationally, and internationally for

her contributions to the area of children's health and welfare. She is

former Chair of the Council for Early Child Development and her

outstanding work in the area of early childhood development led to her appointment as Chair of Ontario's

18-Month Expert Panel. She has a special interest in early literacy and early child development.

In 2014, Dr. Williams was also named a recipient of the Order of Canada "for her contributions as a public

health leader promoting effective policies in early childhood development”.

As the past CPS President, (2013/14) Dr. Williams has also taken on an active role in advocating for:

• A federal child and youth health commissioner, who would support children's interests at the

national level and report on their progress;

• Promotion of children’s literacy, as an important part of health and well-being.

Currently Dr Williams is a member of the Board of Brock University, acting as co-chair.

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 as the 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.

ZIMMERMANN, Elisabeth

Elisabeth Zimmermann has worked for over twenty years in the non-profit human services sector, the last

eight years, as Executive Director of the YWCA Niagara Region, a non-profit organization working with

homeless women and their families providing emergency shelter, transitional supported housing, and

ongoing support services.

Her deep understanding of the importance of addressing the issues of poverty, and the need for quality

support systems to minimize the long-term impact of systemic inequality, Elisabeth’s expertise in the

areas of poverty and homelessness is sought out and she is actively involved in committees throughout the

Niagara Region to help raise awareness and implement change.

As Chair of the Niagara Poverty Reduction Network, a group that is comprised of over 30 organizations and

individuals, with the purpose to educate and raise awareness around the issues of poverty, Elisabeth with

the support of this group, has worked hard to bring to the forefront the need for action on the part of the

government at all levels in addressing poverty.

Elisabeth brings passion to everything she does and as a native of the Niagara Region, she has a strong

connection within the community and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Niagara

residents. She looks forward to providing her expertise and perspective to the Brock University Board of

Trustees.