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IRENE MOORE, CHAIR Dr. Moore graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1986 and was in a mixed practice for 8 years. Since 1994, she has been an instructor and an administrator at the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus. As well as being a noted speaker at conferences in Canada and the US, she has contributed to several publications. Irene has served as President of several veterinary related organizations and is currently Chair of the Veterinary Technical National Examination Committee, which is the credentialing examination for veterinary technicians in North America. Irene has received several awards, the most recent of which was the Outstanding Veterinary Award which she received in January, 2017. Irene joined the Foundation in 2016 and serves on several committees. She joined the Foundation because she appreciates, “the positive impact of the grants on various charitable groups in the community.” RUTH HOOK, PAST CHAIR Ruth has in the past had roles on the Board of Directors for Chatham Ringette and Chatham Ice Crystals. She has volunteered for the Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke and supports the Rotary Club. Ruth joined the Foundation in 2015 and serves on several committees. She felt, “involvement with the Foundation would be a good way to give back to the community.” JANINE GRIFFORE, VICE CHAIR Janine is a native of Grande Point and attended secondary school in Pain Court. She had a lengthy career in education–she taught secondary school and served as Principal of Ecole secondaire de Pain Court. She went on to serve as an Education Officer with the Ministry of Education, a Superintendent with the London-Middlesex Roman Catholic Separate School Board and le Conseil scolaire catholique Providence. From 2004 t0 2012, Janine assumed the position of Director of Education of the Conseil scolaire catholique Providence. In December 2012, Janine took on the role of Assistant Deputy Minister for the French Language, Aboriginal Leaning and Research Division of the Ministry of Education. In retirement, Janine completed a review of the National Standards Curriculum for the Government of Jamaica and has worked with a variety of educational partners in the area of French-language education and First Nations, Metis and Inuit student achievement. She is currently the Chair of the Tripartite Committee working with pan-Canadian education and community partners to implement the Federal Strategic Plan for French-language Education. RUSS WEIR, TREASURER
Russ is a resident of Pain Court. He graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Mathematics. He is a CPA, CA. Currently Russ is the President of Weir Mediation Services helping families and businesses in Southern Ontario. He retired from BDO Canada LLP after 41 years of service. During that time, he was in charge of various offices and was the COO for 6 years. Russ has vast experience on Not-for-Profit Boards. Currently Russ is the Treasurer of the Chatham Kent Community foundation and the Chatham Kent Health Alliance ADMINISTRATIONCHRIS PEGG Chris was born and raised in Chatham-Kent in the Rondeau-Blenheim area, and lives in Blenheim with his wife and two sons. He holds a BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Western Ontario. Chris has been with the Foundation since 2019, and he has enjoyed the challenges of the Executive Director position, and working with everyone involved in making a positive contribution to the Chatham-Kent community. KATHRYN BIONDI Kathryn is a long-time resident of Chatham-Kent and has raised her family here. Retired after almost 40 years with the Ontario Public Service, she held various executive positions, including Director of Centralia and Ridgetown Colleges, Director of Agri-food Continuing Education at the University of Guelph, Director of Ontario Correctional Services College, and lastly, Director of Management and Operational Support, Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Recently, she has volunteered on local boards, including Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Erie St. Clair CCAC, Association of CCACs, CK Women United, Chatham-Kent Police Services Board and Chatham-Kent Community Strategic Planning Committee. Currently, she is on the Council of Ontario College of Optometrists, where she is chairing their Governance Committee. Kathryn holds a Bachelor’s Degree in home economics and a Master’s in Education and is a graduate of Queen’s University Executive Leadership Programme. She is a professional agrologist and has much experience in rural community development. CINDY BREWER Cindy is a native of Dresden, and she and her husband, Tim, have two children and one grandchild. Cindy retired from North Kent Mutual Insurance in Dresden, where she held the position of Marketing and Admin Manager. Her involvement in the community includes being an elder at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, a director with the Dresden Community Healthcare Foundation and driver for Meals on Wheels. She was the volunteer organizer of the Dresden Terry Fox Run for 25 years, and is currently on the Dresden Shines steering committee, which is a group of local volunteers dedicated to increasing community spirit in Dresden. The Foundation mandate of giving 100% of donations to charitable groups, attracted Cindy to a Director role and she is anxious to represent the Dresden area and to advocate for the work of the Foundation DAVE HARWOOD Raised in Nova Scotia, Dave attended the Dalhousie University studying Biology. Upon completing his undergraduate degree, he attended the University of Guelph studying plant breeding completing an MSc., specializing in corn genetic improvement. Since that time, he has served in various plant breeding and business roles in the seed industry. He currently is the Technical Services Manager with Corteva Agriscience where he has worked since 1968. Dave began his career in the seed industry in 1984 working in the Chatham area. Since then he has also been based near Guelph and in Des Moines, IA. For the bulk of his career, however, Chatham has been his base. Throughout his career Dave has been involved in industry trade associations serving in various capacities including: with the Canadian Seed Trade Association as committee chairs and board member, Canadian Plant Technology Agency as board member, and Canadian Biofuels Network as board member. Locally Dave has served on the board and as president of the Chatham Girls Minor Softball Association and in the same capacities of his neighbourhood association. SHANNON PRINCE
Shannon is a 6th generation descendent from the Elgin Settlement and Buxton Mission. She is the curator at the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum. She is a graduate from the Museum Studies Programme through the Ontario Museums Association; Chair of the National Historic Sites Alliance; Co-chair of the Tourism Advisory Committee; a member of the National Trust of Canada, a member of the Chatham Kent Community Leaders Cabinet, a member of Ontario’s Underground Railroad Alliance and is a historical storyteller. Shannon is involved in joint UGRR projects with York University, Toronto, The Underground Railroad Freedom Centre in Cincinnati, and the Network to Freedom programme with the National Parks Service. She and her husband have received numerous awards including YCA of Chatham Kent’s Peace Medallion and the Underground Railroad Free Press international prize for “The Advancement of Knowledge” and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. Shannon actively farms with her husband Bryan & their four children, and eleven grandchildren and she enjoys cooking, reading and playing baseball. RICK NORTH Rick spent the last 32 years managing the family business, Harold North Trucking Ltd., the last 20 of which he has been co-owner. He is extremely proud to be well-known in the industry for the commitment to customer, Maple Leaf Foods, for over 40 years. Giving back to and being involved in the community in a meaningful way has always been important to his family. Rick has served on a number of boards and committees, including Community Futures Development Corporation, The Chamber of Commerce and the Municipal Industry Committee. He has also served as the church auditor for Christ Church and coached house league softball and hockey. Rick has been a board member of the Chatham Kent Community Foundation since 2018, and has had an active role in the Foundation’s continued growth and development, as well as being a strong advocate for the Foundation in our community
DAVID TAYLOR David has previously served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Chatham-Kent Women’s Centre and Restorative Justice Chatham-Kent. Dave has joined the Foundation because of the significant impact that the Foundation can have in supporting the valuable work that other community groups do in Chatham-Kent. BILL WEAVER Bill is a farm owner and also lectured at Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph. Bill was a councillor for Chatham-Kent 1998-2010. He was the president of the Kent Federation of Agriculture and served five years on the provincial executive. He has coached the Chatham-Kent Legion Track Team, co-chaired Chatham Kent United Way and is currently a mentor and a Big Brother. He chaired the VIP tent for the plowing match 2018. Bill received the award of the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce Agriculturalist of the Year in 2012 and was inducted into the Kent Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2014. |
FOUNDATION DIRECTORS
Rick grew up in the town of Florence in Lambton County and attended high school in Dresden. In 1974, he moved with his family to Chatham. He and his wife, Hilary now live on River Line in what was previously known as Harwich Township.
