Appointee Biographies

TIMOTHY CROWDER

Timothy Crowder is a versatile business executive with over twenty-five years’ experience across consumer goods and financial services. An accomplished conceptual thinker who excels in strategic planning, aligning customer opportunities with business capability to unleash value.

SYLVIA DOUGLAS

is the former Vice-President, Investor Relations with McManus Elliott Communications. Sylvia is also a former Senior Writer for the Toronto Stock Exchange. Sylvia's community involvement includes serving as a customer service assistant for WWF Canada.

FIDELIA OSIME

Fidelia Osime is a human resources and administrative manager for Dr. Charles Osime Medical Inc, and a former human resources Director for LafargeHolcim. Fiedelia’s community involvement includes serving as a member for Grace Centre (Richmond Hill) Board of Trustees.

DIANE THOMPSON

Diane is the Owner/Principal and Senior Consultant with Thompson Performance Consulting. She is a former Business Process Consultant for Correctional Service Canada as well as a former Organization Development Consultant for the Canada Revenue Agency. Her community involvement includes serving as a board member for the Ontario Workplace Health Coalition. She holds a BA from Queen's University and an MA from Concordia University.

MARIA SHECULSKI

Maria Sheculski is the District System Lead for French as a Second Language and Early Childhood Education with the Ontario North East District School Board. She is a former Principal of 3 elementary schools and Core French Teacher with the Ontario North East District School Board. Mrs. Scheculski's community involvement includes serving as a Member of the Catholic Women's League and as an Early Childhood Educators Advisory Board Member for Northern College and Applied Arts. She is also active with the Terry Fox Foundation and the Catholic Women's League. Ms. Sheculski holds a Bachelor of Education degree from Queen's University.

DIANE SCOTT

Diane Scott serves as a panel member (part-time) for the Council of Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario, is Co-founder & Partner at SX2 Ventures, and is a Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of JMCC Canada Corp. Her community involvement includes serving as Support—Funding for Durham Hospice-Whitby.

CAROLYN HOURIGAN

Carly Hourigan, was the Senior Producer, Strategic Communications for the Right Honourable Stephen Harper for three years. During her time at the Office of the Prime Minister, she traveled extensively within Canada and internationally, visiting 35 countries to film, produce, and edit videos that outlined the Government’s strategic narrative. She was responsible for overseeing all of the Prime Minister’s digital assets as well as producing content for his wife, Laureen Harper, and various Cabinet Ministers. Carly was the youngest woman ever to hold this role. Prior to the 2015 general election, Carly left the Prime Minister’s Office to start her own production company & creative agency. In 2023, Carly founded her latest venture, Stock Productions Group (SPG). SPG provides production and content creation services to an extensive list of clients based in Canada and the UK. Carly holds an honours degree from McGill University in political science and Italian literature.

JO ANN (JAY) ARMITAGE

Jay Armitage is the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Hydro One and is accountable for internal and external communications, research and community investment. As a results-driven leader, she empowers a high-performing team to execute integrated communications strategies that build a strong brand and trust with employees, customers and communities. Previously, Jay held the position of Vice President at a leading communications agency where she helped clients to develop effective communications strategies in mange complicated issues. She has a background in TV Journalism and was an Associate Producer at CBC News: Sunday.

LALITHA POONASAMY

Lalitha Poonasamy is a former Executive Producer and General Manager with Cuppa Coffee Studios. Her community involvement includes volunteering with Brock Day Care Centre and Big Sister of Toronto. She holds a BA Child Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Brock University.

VIRENDER RATHI

Virender Rathi is a Barrister and Solicitor by profession. He continued his education with a Diploma in Labor Law. He is also certified from The International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution. He holds a master’s degree in Banking and Insurance and Master of Law (LLM) in International Business Law from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto. Mr. Rathi is a versatile lawyer, specializing in Immigration and Real Estate law. His law firm is Xcent Lawyers Professional Corporation in Mississauga, Ontario. Mr. Rathi’s law practice focuses on economic class and business immigration. He is well known for representing his clients before visa offices, Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court. Mr. Rathi is very passionate about social work. He is a secretary in Hindu Sabha Temple and the past Corporate Secretary in Indo- Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Toronto. He is also a member of the Law Society of Ontario, Peel Law Association.

JOHN E FLEMING

John has served in the management ranks of local and provincial governments as well as not-for-profits, achieving senior leadership positions as a municipal CAO, Deputy Minister in Ontario and as Chief Executive Officer of a national health charity. Since 2008, John has focused his work on governance teaching and advice, executive mentoring and coaching, and group facilitation, especially emphasizing his ability to help boards and teams work effectively to identify and achieve common goals. John was the Integrity Commissioner for the Town of Caledon for 12 years; is a Past Chair of the Board of Governors of Sheridan College; a past Chair of the Board of Directors of Halton Healthcare Services and of Ovarian Cancer Canada: a past Director of OMERS Sponsors Corporation; currently the Vice Chair of the Greater Hamilton Health Network’s Board of Directors and is at present Council Chair for the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.