Appointee Biographies

MARK BAXTER

Mark Baxter, of Brantford, serves as a member of the Ontario Police Arbitration Commission. He is a former Police Officer with the Brantford Police. His community involvement has included serving as President of the Police Association of Ontario.

JOSEPH FIORINO

Joseph Fiorino is currently Director of Labour Relations and Human Resources for First Student, the largest student transportation company in North America. Joseph provides strategic policy and legal advice to senior executives in both Canada and the United States of America. Prior to working at First Student, Joseph worked at the Ministry of Education where he was involved in labour relations and education policy. Joseph received his J.D. from the University of Ottawa and his Master of Laws, with a specialization in Labour Relations, from Osgoode Hall Law School. Joseph served for three terms as a board member of Kew Gardens Tennis Club, the largest community tennis club in Toronto. He served two years as Vice-President and oversaw the club's policy and governance portfolio.

ROBERT WAXMAN

Robert Waxman, of Toronto, is Chief Financial Officer at Skyline Investments and a Trustee and Audit Committee Chair for Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust. Robert’s community involvement has included serving as a Tuition Support Committee Member for Biagio Hebrew Day School.

JEFF RUTLEDGE

Jeff is a seasoned public affairs professional with over 15 years of experience in both government and the private sector. As Vice President at McMillan Vantage, he leads teams that help organizations communicate with impact, manage risk, and navigate complex political and regulatory environments. He advises a wide range of clients-from global corporations to local nonprofits-delivering strategic solutions backed by deep expertise and a strong national network. Outside of client work, Jeff is actively involved in community initiatives, including his long-standing work with CJPAC, where he supports civic engagement and leadership development. A father to a young daughter and the son of an Educational Assistant, Jeff is deeply passionate about education policy. He is committed to building a more inclusive, informed, and equitable future through both his professional and volunteer efforts.

KAREN RESTOULE

Karen Restoule is the Director of Indigenous Affairs at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and also works in public affairs at the intersection of government, industry, and First Nations. Restoule brings a rare breadth of experience. She advised clients at one of Canada’s most well-known public affairs firms; served First Nations leaders on matters related to justice, law, community development, and sustainability; and, led Ontario’s administrative justice system as a public sector executive at Tribunals Ontario overseeing matters at key tribunals like the Ontario Parole Board, Landlord and Tenant Board, Human Rights Tribunal Ontario, and others. Karen is a graduate of the University of Toronto and the University of Ottawa’s French Common Law Program, where she was inducted into the Faculty of Law Honours Society for using her legal education to make significant contributions to society. Karen is Ojibwe from Dokis First Nation.