Joanne Beasley, Beasley Law Office, Co-Chair

Joanne Beasley has been practising in family law and managing a busy law firm in London for 21 years.  Full practice of family law including divorce, custody, support, and property division.  Member of the  Middlesex Family Lawyers’ Association and participates actively in family law education, the community and her children’s schools.  Her practice includes mediation and collaborative law. Joanne is also the Past Chair of the Board of Directors of Merrymount Children’s Centre.

Ted Gorski, London District Catholic School Board, Co-Chair

Ted Gorski was born and raised in London, is married to Yvonne, and parent of two teenagers. Ted was a Music teacher at Catholic Central (for 10 years), and then moved on to educational administration 12 years ago. He worked as a Vice-Principal at John Paul II, Principal at STA, RMC, and now is enjoying his time as  Principal of Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School, in north London. Ted states that he "thoroughly enjoys working on the Board of Investing in Children because of the group's dedication to help kids be successful"!

John Harkins, Selectpath Benefits & Financial, Executive Member at Large

John’s focus is concentrated on working with mid to large employers. Over the years, John has helped many employers find the best programs available at the best possible price. He has also been instrumental in developing “buying groups” that allow many of his clients to compete with larger employers, offering competitive benefits programs while keeping costs down.

John has proudly retained almost 100% of his clients over the years, some since he began in 1986.

John manages one of the largest blocks of health care providers in Canada. His expertise in this area has benefited many health care providers throughout London.

Geoffrey Hare, London Knights Hockey Club, Executive Member at Large

Scott Gilfillan, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Treasurer

Scott Gilfillan is a Chartered Accountant and a Manager in the audit group of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, one of Canada’s largest public accounting firms. Scott is responsible for leading audit engagements for a variety of clients in several different industries, including automotive, investment management and not-for-profit. Scott also specializes in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) through his experience working with PricewaterhouseCoopers in New Zealand for more than two years and is currently assisting Canadian companies in their transition to IFRS. Prior to joining PricewaterhouseCoopers, Scott completed his Bachelor of Mathematics in Chartered Accountancy and Master of Accounting at the University of Waterloo. He currently lives in London with his wife Cara and daughter Maryn, who was born in February 2009.

Jeny Wallace, ID Labs Biotechnology - Past Chair

Jeny Wallace moved to London in late 2002 from Australia. Jeny works as VP Administration, ID Labs Inc, a London-based biotechnology company. Prior to her appointment at ID Labs Inc. she was Workforce Director with the London Economic Development Corporation (2003-2010) responsible for the establishment and development of the Workforce Development portfolio. This was one of the first Workforce portfolios in EDCs across Canada. In Australia, Jeny was the Executive Officer of an association representing 49 Business Enterprise Centres in New South Wales. She also managed a regional Business Enterprise Centre for eight years and was instrumental in the establishment of a Business Incubator in her home town.

Her career has primarily focused on business in the community and its role in economic development. She is well experienced in public private partnerships having worked with many organizations and government agencies in a wide range of projects and served a term as City Councillor. In 2000, she was awarded a Churchill Fellowship which included a 10-week tour of Canada and the US to study business development programs and incubators.

Richard J Ferris, CA

As a Chartered Accountant, Richard has been in public accounting for over 20 years, servicing the needs of a diverse client base of individuals and small to medium sized corporate enterprises in the London and surrounding area.  Richard currently operates a private practice and is a Licenced Public Accountant with an office in the town of Delaware.

Prior to joining the Board of Directors of Investing in 2006, Richard was a member of the Board of Directors of the London Regional Children’s Museum for a ten year period in the role of Treasurer, serving as President for the years 2001 to 2004.

Richard was born and raised in London and is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario.  He is married to Michelle, a speech language pathologist.  His family currently resides in the town of Delaware where they raise their three children.He enjoys spending time with family and friends and is actively involved in the various children’s activities.

Janice Evans, Highstreet Asset Management

Janice Evans is Vice President, Investments at Highstreet Asset Management Inc., an investment advisor firm founded in 1998. Highstreet manages over $5.6 billion in assets and is known for its quantitative investment process and focus on risk management.

Janice joined Highstreet Asset Management Inc. in 2007. She works closely with our sub-advisory and institutional clients ensuring Highstreet’s strategy and results are well communicated. Janice brings a wealth of investment experience to Highstreet with more than 15 years of experience as both a portfolio and relationship manager. Her industry experience is well-recognized by Highstreet’s clientele providing an expert link between our portfolio team and our clients.

Prior to joining Highstreet, Janice was a senior investment professional with TAL Private Management Ltd (which later became CIBC Private Investment Counsel Inc.) During her 8 year tenure there, Janice was responsible for managing portfolios for high net worth private clients and foundations in excess of $115 million.

Janice began her investment career with CIBC Trust Corporation in 1995 where she managed discretionary investment portfolios for private clients, estates and trusts. She also gained valuable experience providing both equity and fixed income research and completing trades in client accounts.

Janice earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 2001 after having completed the Canadian Investment Manager designation from the Canadian Securities Institute in 2000. She also graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts from McMaster University in 1995.

Rosine Salazer

Ailene is the Executive Director of Merrymount, an accredited Children’s Mental Health, Family Support and Crisis Centre. Before moving to London, Ailene was a Jewish Educator in both Evansville Indiana and Cincinnati Ohio. Ailene was an Educational Trainer for ten years for the National Reform Jewish Movement. Ailene has served on the Union’s Commission of Education and is now serving on the board of the Canadian Council for Reform Judaism. Ailene is also on the Board of Temple Israel where she continues to do a parent preschool once a month. Ailene was the President of the Orchestra London Board of Directors and is returning to the Board this Fall. Ailene as well as serves on many community advisory committees. Ailene’s education is in Child Development and Family Studies and she started her career training teachers for the Head Start Program in the U.S. Ailene is the proud Bubee to five grandchildren and between the Wittsteins they had four sons and now four daughter in laws. Although Ailene no longer has sheep, she still hopes to someday find the time to return to her spinning and weaving hobbies.