Board Members

Executive Committee

Chair:
WAYNE BROWNLEE (Acting, pending Government appointment)
LONDON/TORONTO

Wayne began volunteering his time with Trillium in June 1993, and is currently Chair of the Board, effective January 1997. He is a member of the Executive Committee, the Human Resources Committee, and the Evaluation Committee. Wayne also serves on the Central Region Grant Review Committee.

He is a Chartered Accountant (FCA-Ontario) and is a senior partner in one of Canada's largest professional services firms. Over his career, he has held a number of senior leadership positions including Management Committee for 11 years; Partnership Board for 8 years; Vice-Chairman, Human Resources for 6 years; and Office Managing Partner, London, for 7 years.

Wayne's involvement with the voluntary sector includes: Carleton University Capital Campaign, 1996 to present; Director and President, London Regional Art Gallery, 1983-1989; Director, London Goodwill Industries, 1982-1988; London United Way, 1982-1989; London Regional Children's Museum, 1982-1989; Director and Treasurer, Social Planning Council of Ottawa-Carleton, 1976-1982; and United Way of Ottawa, 1974-1976.


Past Chair:
BETTY-LOU SOUTER (ex-officio)
ST. CATHARINES

Betty-Lou joined Trillium in 1989 and served as Chair from 1995 to January 1997. She currently chairs the Human Resources Committee, serves on the Nominating Committee, the Caring Communities Award Advisory Committee, and the Executive Committee.

Betty-Lou is Chief Administrative Officer of Community Care, a food bank and clothing distribution program in St. Catharines.

Betty-Lou's community involvement and voluntary experience includes Honorary President, Assn. of May Court Clubs of Canada; Past President, Associated Services of St. Catharines; Member, Advisory Board of Grey Gables School; Past President, Ladies Association, Multiple Sclerosis Society; Committee Member, St. George's Church; and Honorary President, Ridley College Women's Guild. She has served on various community task forces and is currently Chair of the United Way Executive Directors' Council, Co-Chair of the Hard to Serve - Blueprint for Action Committee, and a member of the Community Food Advisors Committee.

In 1989 she received a Volunteer Award of Recognition from the City of St. Catharines.


Treasurer:
DAVID BURN
TORONTO

Active with Trillium since 1992, David now serves as Treasurer and as a member of the Executive Committee.

David is currently Vice-President Taxation, at Northern Telecom. He has been associated with the Pickering/Ajax United Way, Toronto Heart & Stroke Fund, and the West Rouge Ratepayers Association. He is also a Director with the Tax Executives Institute Inc., as well as the Alliance of Manufacturers and Exporters Canada.


Government Relations:
FRED GORBET (Acting, pending Government appointment)
TORONTO

Fred joined the Trillium Board of Directors in 1997 and is a member of the Executive Committee, the Evaluation Committee and the Central Region Grant Review Committee.

Fred is a Principal in Strategy Solutions, a consulting company he founded in 1997 after a distinguished career in the public and private sectors. Fred served in the Public Service of Canada from 1968-1992 in a number of positions including Associate Secretary to the Cabinet (Strategic Policy) and Deputy Minister of Finance (1988-1992). From 1992-1996, Fred held senior executive positions in the insurance industry with the North American Life Assurance Company and with Manulife Financial. In 1996, Fred also served as a member of a five-person panel appointed by the Ontario Government to review the future of postsecondary education in the province.

Fred is a Director of the Institute for Research in Public Policy, a fellow-in-residence at the C.D. Howe Institute, a member of the Panel of Senior Advisors to the Auditor-General of Canada, a Governor of York University and an Advisor to the Dean of the Schulich School of Business at York University, and a member of the Board and founding chair of the Corporate Advisory Board of the North York Harvest Food Bank.


Communications:
PAULINE COUTURE
TORONTO

Pauline joined Trillium in 1994, and is a member of the Executive Committee, the Central Grants Review Committee, the Francophone Grants Review Committee, and serves as a communications advisor to the Board. Pauline is also Chair of the Caring Communities Award.

A former broadcaster and journalist with many years' experience in strategic communications consulting, she is currently principal in her own firm, advising such clients as Baton Broadcasting. She has also served as Vice-President, Corporate Communications with Alliance Communications Corporation.

Pauline is a franco-Ontarian who has written extensively about francophone concerns, and is frequently engaged as a public speaker on the subjects of Canada's constitutional future, women, social change, and information technologies. She is a Director of the Toronto International Film Festival and sits on the Board of Directors of the Saidye Bronfman Centre in Montreal, l'Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, and the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. She is also a member of the Steering Committee of the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.


Legal:
REBECCA WISSENZ (Acting, pending Government appointment)
HAMILTON

Rebecca joined Trillium in 1990 as a Volunteer for the past Regional Grants Program. She joined the Trillium Board in 1993, and has been reappointed until 1998. She is currently a member of the Executive Committee and the Western Region Grants Review Committee.

Rebecca is a Partner with the law firm Sullivan, Festeryga, Lawlor and Arrell. Her community involvement includes volunteer experience as Chairman, Dundas Division of the Hamilton and District Chamber of Commerce; Executive, Hamilton Lawyers Club; Executive, Governor's Lanes Residence; volunteer instructor, Junior Achievement, Project Business; Past Vice-Chair, Brighter Futures Family Centre; Corporate Counsel, Brighter Futures Family Centre; and Past Director, Kidney Foundation (Hamilton and District).


Grant Review:
SHERRI TORJMAN (Acting, pending Government appointment)
OTTAWA

Sherri joined Trillium in June of 1994. She is currently a member of the Executive Committee, the Evaluation Committee, and the Eastern Region Grants Review Committee; she also holds the position of Grant Review Coordinator.

She is Vice-President, Caledon Institute of Social Policy, and holds a BSW and MSW from McGill University. Sherri has a solid background in income security, health and social policy issues. Her past experience includes work for the National Council of Welfare, National Welfare Grants (Health and Welfare Canada), the Auditor General, the Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies, the Roeher Institute, the Canadian Public Health Association, the Canadian Association of Social Workers, and various other organizations.

She has worked with several Parliamentary Committees dealing with issues relating to disabilities and child care, and has several years' experience working directly with clients, as a community mental health worker with the Canadian Mental Health Association. Sherri is a frequent speaker on topics relating to income security, health and social policy, and has written extensively on these issues, and was a lecturer in social policy at McGill University in 1994.

She is also a former member of the Citizens' Advisory Committee, Social Services Department, Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton, and is active in other volunteer work including canvassing for health charities and assisting at local schools.


Other Board Members:

JABRIL ABDULLE (Acting, pending Government appointment)
OTTAWA

Jabril joined the Trillium Board of Directors in 1995, is a member of the Evaluation Committee and the Eastern Region Grant Review Committee, and is Co-Chair of the Get Up Stand Up grant program for youth.

Since arriving in Canada in 1987, Jabril has been an active volunteer with several organizations including Carlington Health & Community Services as a Board member, as a member of the RCMP Community Consultation Committee, and as a volunteer with the Mediation Centre at Carleton University, the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police, and the Ottawa-Carleton Housing Authority.

Jabril has worked with a low-income, ethnically diverse community in Ottawa to develop a non-adversarial dispute resolution system, and is currently Director, Ottawa Neighbourhood Coalition for Conflict Resolution. He is also a former President, Somali University Students Association, and a former Student Council Member of the Carleton University Students' Association.


PIERRE BERNIER
OTTAWA

A member of the Board of Directors since 1992, Pierre is Chair of the Evaluation Committee and serves on the Eastern Region Grants Review Committee and the Francophone Grants Review Committee.

Retired from the civil service in 1986, Pierre was an Economist involved in policy development work at the general and sectoral level, and was employed with the Department of Finance, Treasury Board Secretariat, and the Department of Communications.

Pierre's involvement in the voluntary sector includes work with organizations for seniors, and those concerned with children's learning disabilities. Pierre has acted as Advisor to La Fédération des aînés francophones de l'Ontario.


REVA BOMBERRY (Acting, pending Government appointment)
OHSWEKEN

Reva joined Trillium in 1995 and is a member of the Western Region Grants Review Committee.

She is a Member of the Mohawk Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy, Turtle Clan. Employed at the Six Nations of the Grand River for the past twelve years, Reva is now Director, Ganohkwa Sra Family Assault Support Services. She is responsible for the overall administration and supervision of the organization.

Reva was previously the Director of Social Services of the Six Nations Band Council and Coordinator, Six Nations Crisis Intervention Centre. She is a volunteer member of the McMaster University Family Violence Curriculum Committee; the Canadian Women's Foundation; and the McMaster University Advisory Committee of the Grassroots Communities Action & Research Project.


SHARON CLARKE
TORONTO

Sharon joined Trillium in 1994, and is a member of the Evaluation Committee, the Human Resources Committee, and the Central Region Grants Review Committee.

She is currently the Special Projects Coordinator with Labour Community Services, and is a member of the Transportation Communications Union (TCU). Sharon has earned a BA from York University, and has has also completed the Addiction Studies Program at University of Toronto and the Labour Studies Program at Humber College.

Sharon's volunteer involvement includes participating as a member with the Handling Unemployment Groups (HUG) Advisory Board, as a member of the Metro Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, as well as sitting on the Foodshare Public Education and Advisory Committee. Sharon was also a member of the Employment Committee of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women, and National Health and Safety Coordinator with the TCU Airline Division.


MARY-JEAN CORMIER (Acting, pending Government Appointment)
THUNDER BAY

Mary-Jean started with Trillium in 1995. She is a member of the Western Grants Review Committee and is Co-Chair of the Get Up Stand Up grant program for youth.

Mary-Jean has been involved in community development for several years. A great deal of her work has been with the Regional Multicultural Youth Council (as Director, Past Chair, and staff member); she is presently the Programs Co-ordinator. She has considerable involvement at the board level with many organizations including Wesway, an organization providing family support and respite care, where she was also a youth recreation worker; the Ontario Multicultural Association Multiculturelle de l'Ontario; and the King's College Board of Directors.

Mary-Jean has also been a part of her school community throughout her secondary and post-secondary education. She has been recognized with various citizenship awards, including a Canada 125 Medal.

She has recently completed an Hon. B.A. in Politics and has a B.A. in Public Administration & Public Policy from University of Western Ontario, and has studied at l'Université Canadienne en France.


GEORGE EATON (Acting, pending Government appointment)
WILLOWDALE

A member of the Central Region Grants Review Committee, George started with Trillium in 1993.

George is a Professor of Economics and Senior Scholar at York University. He is also a Member of the Board of Governors of Ryerson Polytechnic University.

His vast community involvement ranges from acting as government Relations Committee Member with the Ontario March of Dimes, as Founding President and current Managing Director for the Organization for Caribbean Canadian Initiatives, to Founder and Convenor of The Round Table - a voluntary community think-tank. Other volunteer positions have included Past Chairman, Board of Directors of the Caribbean Cultural Centre; Founding Director (Jamaica), Board of Directors of the Latin American Centre for Development Administration; and Chairman, Caribbean Initiatives 80's Program at York University.

George has also served as UN Senior Public Administration Advisor in the Somali Republic; as Advisor on Manpower and Training to the Ethiopian Government; as Permanent Secretary (Deputy Minister) and Head of Civil Service, Jamaica, and Special Advisor to the Prime Minister and Minister of Labour- both of Jamaica; as an international management consultant; as a labour arbitrator in Ontario; and as a consultant to CIDA, the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on various projects.


VICTORIA GRANT
NEW LISKEARD

Victoria joined the Trillium Board in 1992. She is a member of the Human Resources Committee and the Western Grants Review Team.

Victoria is currently employed as the Financial and Personnel Manager in a law office. She is also a native designer and artist.

Her volunteer experience includes past Board Member, Donwood Clinic; Executive Director, Temiskaming Nordic Ski Club, which is completely volunteer run; Treasurer, Pied Piper Kidshows; and President, English Catholic PTA.


LESLIE LAM (Acting, pending Government appointment)
TORONTO

Leslie is a Pharmacist, and operates a medical supply business dealing with performance wheelchairs, walkers and other equipment. He began with Trillium in 1992, as a member of the Technology Committee. He is in contact with many social issues in his professional capacity at his own pharmacy and through his involvement in sports.

His community service includes volunteer experience as Past Director, East End Community Health Services Centre; Past Director, Canadian Paraplegic Association; and Member of the March of Dimes Committee for Social Outreach.

Leslie is also a wheelchair basketball player, and competed in the 1972, 1976, 1980 and 1984 Paralympics.


JEAN-SERGE LAUZON
OTTAWA

Jean-Serge began his term with Trillium in 1991 and currently Chairs both the Eastern Grants Review Committee, and the Francophone Grants Review Committee. He also serves on the Community Connections Advisory Committee.

Jean-Serge is Coordinator of the Social Work Gerontology Program of La Cité-collégiale in Ottawa. His voluntary experience includes acting as Board Member, National Capital Research Institute on Gerontology and as Chair of the Task Force for the Council on Aging; he also has extensive experience with francophone concerns, and was Founding Chair, Centre de jour des aînés francophones d'Ottawa-Carleton.


JOANNE NOTHER (Acting, pending Government appointment)
SUDBURY

Joanne's involvement with the Foundation began as a Member of the Community Connections Advisory Council. She also sits on the Eastern Region Grants Review Committee.

Currently, Joanne is the Coordinator of the Centre for Equity in Human Rights, Cambrian College.

Her volunteer involvement includes Chair, Persons United for Self-Help for the Northeastern Ontario Region, and volunteer with the Long-Term Care Committee of the Sudbury-Manitoulin District Health Council. She has first-hand experience with disability issues and extensive experience with disability groups. She is a former Member of the Advocacy Commission.


ROB PEACOCK (Acting, pending Government appointment)
MISSISSAUGA

Rob joined the Trillium Board of Directors in 1997 and is a member of the Central Region Grant Review Committee and the Nominating Committee.

He is currently the Associate Campaign Director, Development and University Relations, at University of Toronto. His past positions held include Executive Director, Development, of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at University of Toronto; Vice-President of the Mississauga Hospital Foundation; and Executive Director of the P.C.Canada Fund. Rob has also worked as an assistant to several provincial Cabinet ministers.

As a community volunteer, Rob is a member of the Board of Directors of the Mississauga Living Arts Centre Foundation.


DEBRA ROBINSON
TIMMINS

Debra is a lawyer, practising in the area of family, criminal, mental health, and administrative law. She serves as a Panel Lawyer with Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services on the James Bay coast, and has acted as Chair of the Board of Inquiry Hearings into public complaints about the conduct of police officers. She also represents children on behalf of the Office of the Children's Lawyer.

Debra joined the Board of Trillium in 1991. She is very active within her community, and is a speaker on law and social issues. She is currently on the Citizen's Review Committee of the Porcupine United Way; and is a past Board Member of Jubilee Centre for Addiction Treatment; the Porcupine Branch of the VON; and the Porcupine United Way.


VERNA SHACKLETON (Acting, pending Government appointment)
CAMPBELLFORD

Verna joined Trillium in 1993. She is currently a member of the Central Region Grants Review Committee. She also Chairs the Community Connections Advisory Committee. She is employed as a counsellor with the Northumberland/Clarington Board of Education.

Verna's community involvement and voluntary experience includes Founding Member of Ontario Child Care Worker Assn.; Founding Member and Executive Member of Ontario Group Home Assn.; Former Member of Northumberland Community Services Groups regarding children's mental health services; Member of Kinark Advisory Committee; Former Board Member, Northumberland Children's Centre; Founding Member of Campbellford Women's Network; Board Member, Northumberland Big Sisters Association; Board Member, Campbellford Assn. for Community Living; Former Board Member, Northumberland Help Centre and Northumberland Community Legal Centre. Verna was also a Member of the Steering Committee of the Trent/Peterborough Women's Coalition Conference for the 1990's.

Verna is a Founding Member of the Coalition of Women Working for Social Change, Peterborough and of Clothesline Project, Northumberland; and is Regional Representative of the Coalition for Services for Lesbian and Gay Youth.

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Email: trillium@trilliumfoundation.org
Web: http://www.trilliumfoundation.org/