Appointee Biographies

CAROLYN WATT

presently works part-time as Health & Safety Coordinator at the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Her background is an office administration having spent 18 years as an Executive Assistant to a federal Member of Parliament. Carolyn grew up in Laurentian Valley, attended Champlain High School and studied Municipal Administration at St. Lawrence College.

HOWARD SHEARS

A native of Glace Bay, NS, Howard graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of King's College; he is a Chartered Professional Accountant. He enjoyed a 40 year career in banking, first with CIBC and then with BDC. He lived and worked in seven provinces. Howard retired in 2016 and settled in London. He is Chair of the VON Middlesex-Elgin Community Corporation and Ontario Chair of the VON Connect capital campaign. Howard has been active in Rotary since 1992 and currently serves as an Assistant Governor. He has been a mentor with Will Immploy since 2018.

JALPA PATEL

Jalpa Patel is a professional with varied experience in Film and festival production, Film, commercial & residential Financing and Mortgages, in addition to Law office management. In the not for profit sector she has led relationships with local community and policy leaders as well as the executives and innovation teams for South Asians for Human Rights along with arts and culture organizations such as Naos Culture Festivals and Film Society (NCFFS). A passionate advocate for Diversity, inclusion, and acceptance. Ms. Jalpa Patel-Nayyar, believes in providing resources and education to diverse and marginalized communities to create more opportunities for them.

MATTHEW GORDON

Matthew Gordon, of Toronto, is a former Contractor and Researcher at Alexi Inc. He is also a former lawyer at Smith Valeriote LLP, Johnstone & Cowling LLP, and Waddell Phillips PC. His community involvement includes serving as Past Chair for the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the Ontario Bar Association.