Our Board

1. Michael McLeod, PRESIDENT

8.    Nora Sawyer, Alderville First Nations Appointee

2. Dave Slater, VICE-PRESIDENT

9.    Donalda Simmons

3. Jay Taugher, TREASURER

10.  Keith Stansfield

4. Elaine Philip, SECRETARY

11.  Alan Whyte

5. Anne-Marie Burrus

12.  Caitlin Dougherty

6. Marilyn Curson

13.  Susan Barberstock, MBQ Appointee

7. Ray Dassylva, The Children's

Foundation Appointee

14.  Vacancy

Name:

Michael McLeod

Board Position:         

PRESIDENT

Term of Office:                             

2016-2019

Education:                           

Mike has an Honours degree in geography and community planning from York University and is a graduate of the regulatory studies program at Michigan State University. 

Employment:

Private business consultancy focused on local community development. He has more than 35 years of public and private sector experience specializing in the areas of environment, cultural heritage, tourism and energy. Mike has been a member of the Highland Shores board of directors since 2012.  Prior to that he was a board member with the Hastings Children's Aid Society.

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Name:

Keith Stansfield 

Board Position:

BOARD MEMBER

Term of Office:

2015-2018 (Keith was elected at the September 2017 AGM to fulfill the final year of this term)

Education:

Keith completed a BSc in Zoology at the University of Alberta before doing his Certificate in Education at the University of Victoria.  He later completed his MBA at the University of Manitoba.

Employment:

Keith has been in education for over 30 years.  Most recently, he has been Head of School at Albert College for 12 years, during which time he has served on the board of the  Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario (CIS), and the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS).  Prior to coming to Ontario, Keith served as the Principal of the Junior High at Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School in Alberta.

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Name:

Jay Taugher

Board Position:

TREASURER

Term of Office:

 2016-2019

Education:

Jay has a M.Sc., Computer Science from the University of Alberta and a B. Sc. Hons, Computer Science, Queen’s University. He received his Project Management Professional (PMP) designation in 2012.

Employment:

Jay Taugher is currently a Project Manager for Information Technology and Facilities at Loyalist college.  He also performs Project Management and Agile consulting for various companies in the region. 

Jay has been a member of the Highland Shores board of directors since it's amalgamation in 2012.  Prior to that he was a board member with the Hastings Children's Aid Society.

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Name:

Elaine Philip

Board Position:

SECRETARY

Term of Office:

2015-2018

Education:

Elaine graduated from Loyalist College in 1974 as a Developmental Service Worker.

Employment:

Education Assistant for the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board.

Elaine has been a member of the Highland Shores board of directors since 2013.  Prior to that she was a board member with the Children's Aid Society of Prince Edward County.

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Name:

Marilyn Curson

Board Position:

BOARD MEMBER

Term of Office:

2016-2019

Education:

Graduated with honours from Port Hope High School , Port Hope, Ontario

Two-year course in Psychology at Durham College in Oshawa, Ontario

Plus many other “interest” courses over the years!  Marilyn is also a certified Ontario Horticultural Judge.

Employment:

Marilyn was a realtor and has recently retired from real estate profession.  She is currently employed in the food preparation industry. 

Marilyn has been a member of the Highland Shores board of directors since it's amalgamation in 2012.  Prior to that she was a board member with the Children's Aid Society of Northumberland.

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Name:

Donalda Simmons

Board Position:

BOARD MEMBER

Term of Office:

 2017-2020

Education:

Donalda has a Master of Social Work degree from Carleton University and a Bachelor of Physical Education degree from McMaster University.

Employment:

Donalda Simmons has over 30 years of social work experience providing clinical support to children and families in Hastings and Prince Edward counties.

She is currently the Mental Health Leader at Hastings and Prince Edward District School and previously was a Social Worker at Hastings Children’s Aid Society responsible for investigating reports of alleged physical, sexual and emotional abuse and child neglect.

Donalda has been a member of the Highland Shores board of directors since 2014.

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Name:

Vacancy

Board Position:

BOARD MEMBER

Term of Office:

2015-2018

Education:

(This position was vacated by Peter Knudsen)

Employment:

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Name:

Anne-Marie Burrus

Board Position:

BOARD MEMBER

Term of Office:

2015-2018

Education:

Anne-Marie earned a C.M.A. degree in 1982 and a B.Sc. in 1993 and was a financial accounting manager in government and manufacturing before going into private practice.

Employment:

Anne-Marie has been an accountant in private practice since 1988, specializing in helping clients in non-profit housing, social services and community mental health to fulfill their missions by supporting their financial, administrative and reporting requirements.  Anne-Marie moved to Northumberland County from Toronto in 2013.

Anne-Marie has been a member of the Highland Shores board of directors since 2015.

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Name:

Dave Slater

Board Position:

VICE-PRESIDENT

Term of Office:

2017-2020

Education:

David has an Honours B.A. from York University in Toronto and a diploma in Social Sciences from Champlain College in Sherbrooke, Quebec. 

Employment:

Dave Slater recently retired from the Ontario Public Service.

Dave has many years of experience leading complex organizations and transformation initiatives.  He has a proven record and reputation for delivering HR programs, financial results, organizational development and strategic change management activities in large decentralized organizations.

Dave has been a member of the Highland Shores board of directors since 2014.

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Name:

Caitlin Dougherty

Board Position:

BOARD MEMBER

Term of Office:

2017-2020 

Education:

Caitlin has a Child and Youth Worker diploma from Loyalist College, BBBS New Service Delivery Training, as well as TAPP-C, ASIST, Kids Have Stress Too certificate and aTime Management certificate.

Employment:

Caitlin is currently working for Community Living Prince Edward as a Residential Support Worker and previously worked at Big Brothers Big Sisters Hastings Prince Edward Counties from 2010-2015.

In May 2010 Caitlin also became a Children's Deployment Coordinator Assistant and Emergency Respite and Child Care Provider at the Military Family Resource Centre.

Caitlin has been a member of the Highland Shores board of directors since 2013.

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Name:

Alan Whyte

Board Position:

BOARD MEMBER

Term of Office:

2016-2019

Education:

Alan was called to the Bar in 1981.  He has a B.A. and L.L.B. from Queen's University.

Employment:

Alan is a partner in the Labour and Employment group at the Cunningham Swan law firm in Kingston, having acted for employers throughout Eastern Ontario for over 30 years. He lives near Stirling and has been part of the Belleville business and legal community since 1982. He has extensive board experience in the non-profit sector.

Alan has been a member of the Highland Shores board of directors since 2013.

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Name:

Nora Sawyer

Board Position:

Board Member Appointee (Alderville First Nations)

Term of Office:

2016-2018 

Education:

Completed high school at CDCI West, Cobourg. Graduated from Trent University in 1986 with Bachelor of Native Studies degree. Over 30 years in First Nation experience and Management.  Experience on many Boards including Soldiers Memorial Hospital,cultural advisory, and health.

Employment:

Became Chief of Alderville and held this position for 6 years.

Executive Director of the Union of Ontario Indians for 2 years responsible for 43 First Nations in Ontario.

Executive Director of the Ogemawahj Tribal Council for 6 years.

Director of Health & Social Services of Chippewas of Rama First Nation for 13 years.

Now, back home in Alderville First Nation as Manager of Health & Social Services since October 2014.

Nora has been an appointed member of the Highland Shores board of directors since 2015.

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Name:

Susan Barberstock, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte Appointee

Board Position:

Board Member Appointee (Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte Appointee)

Term of Office:

 2016-2018 

Susan completed high school at Moira Secondary, Belleville and graduated from Loyalist College, Social Service Worker Program.  She attended Ryerson University for her Bachelor of Social Work degree. 

Susan has over 30 years in First Nation on and off reserve experience and management.  She has experience on many Boards including Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (President), Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion, and Niagara Peninsula Aboriginal Area Management Board.

Employment:

Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Manager, Justice Initiatives Manager of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres for 16 years responsible for 28 Friendship Centres in Ontario. Executive Director of Hamilton Regional Indian Centre for 9 years.

Now, back home in Tyendinaga as Director of Community Wellbeing since August 2017.

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Name:

Ray Dassylva

Board Position:

Board Member (The Children’s Foundation Appointee)

Term of Office:

2017-2019 

Education:

Ray has an accounting diploma from Loyalist College.

Employment:

Ray is currently an Account Executive at McDougall Insurance and Financial.

He is the President of The Children’s Foundation and has previously served as an appointee to our board.   Ray’s appointment is to fill the remainder of the 2015-2017 term.

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