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Appointee Biographies

Grant Review Team - Algoma, Cochrane, Manitoulin and Sudbury - Ontario Trillium Foundation

CAMERON GRANT

Cameron strives to represent the interests of Northern Ontario. Passionate about the socio-economic landscape of the North, he keeps climate change, Indigenous relations, and the natural resource sector at the heart of his advocacy work. He is a founding member of the Federation des gens d’affaires de l'Ontario, a public appointee to the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and a director for the Timmins and District Hospital. He helped re-establish the Independent Arts Council for Timmins. He previously sat on the Boards of the Public Affairs Association of Canada and as Provincial Co-chair for the Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference. Cameron divides his time between the non-profit organizations that seek to advance arts and culture in Timmins. He has been a long-time member of the Timmins Symphony Orchestra as a violinist and Director of the Board. He fulfils his love of winter sports by coaching the Timmins Ski Racers and as President and Chair of Mount Jamieson Resort.

MICHAEL DI SALLE

Michael Di Salle holds an Honors Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Business Administration from Lake Superior State University. He has over 25 years experience as a business professional and manager with a background in business management, sales management, operations, and business development. Mr. Di Salle has extensive experience with contract negotiations, operating budgets, process efficiency, and employee supervision. He is currently a full-time member of the Landlord and Tenant Board.

SHAWN OUIMET

Shawn Ouimet serves as a Chair (part-time) for the Grant Review Team, Algoma, Cochrane, Manitoulin and Sudbury, Ontario Trillium Foundation. Shawn is Owner of WEMET Media, and a former Supervisor for Elections Canada. Shawn’s community involvement includes serving as Coach for minor hockey.

STEVE KIDD

Steve Kidd is a sales representative for Royal Lepage Northern Realty Leader, and a former Account Executive for Persona Communications. His community involvement includes serving as Vice Chair for Access Better Living Timmins, and Northeastern Ontario Telecommunications Network (NEONET).

JOHN FEBBRARO

John Febbraro has over 39 years of extensive expertise both in administrative/business management and technical fields. John retired after spending 20 years with the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation and the City of Sault Ste. Marie as the Director of Business Development supporting companies in Northern Ontario. This was short lived as he joined N1 Solutions Inc. in Sault Ste. Marie under their consulting division (N1 Strategy Inc.) as the Senior Manager Business Development and Advisory and continues to support Northern Ontario businesses. John was also the President of a small business consulting group in Sault Ste. Marie that was heavily involved in business consulting and advising and developing quality management systems. John has also served on many Boards and brings with him excellent governance experience. John has attained his MBA from the University of Liverpool, a BA from Carleton University and an Electro/Mechanical Technology degree from Algonquin College.

MAUREEN EGAN

Maureen Egan, of Sudbury, is former Executive Assistant to the Director and Chair for the Near North District School Board and the Rainbow District School Board. Maureen’s community involvement has included serving as a Volunteer Driver for the Canadian Cancer Society.

MICHAEL O'CONNOR

Mike O'Connor was born and raised in North Bay Ontario, where he attended Canadore College, emerging with a Business Diploma in 1986. Upon graduation, Mike moved to Sault Ste. Marie, where he pursued and earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing in 1988. Michael was invited to join Business Development Bank of Canada, where he spent the next decade honing his craft and providing financing, consulting and economic development across Ontario, while studying and earning his MBA on a part-time basis. In 1998, Mike set up shop as an independent consultant, generating business plans for Northern Ontario clientele. In 2004, Michael was recruited by Nickel Basin Federal Development Corporation in Sudbury, to serve as Investment Manager, then Executive Director for the not-for-profit agency. Mr. O'Connor now keeps busy as an analyst for a Community Futures investment syndicate, still providing business planning services to private businesses on a semi-retired, part-time basis.

CINDY REASBECK

Cindy Reasbeck, of Moonbeam, is a Consultant for College Boreal. Cindy’s community involvement includes serving as Vice-Chair for the Ontario Northeast District School Board.

LINA CARON

Lina Caron, of Hearst, is a Social Worker at Centre Labelle and a former Settlement coordinator at Settlement Services. Lina’s community involvement includes serving as a President of the Hearst Rotary Club and as Director for Hearst BIA.

MARC DESPATIE

Originally from Hanmer, Marc Despatie, B.A., B.Ed., MSc.Pl. has a long track record in public affairs, having worked for various ministries and agencies in and around Queen's Park for over 15 years. He is currently living in Sudbury and since 2017 has been working as the Director of Communications, Government Relations, and the Boréal Foundation at Collège Boréal. He has taught at all levels, been a freelance journalist and contributed to books on the history of two Sudbury cultural institutions, the Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario and the Carrefour francophone. He has lived in Sudbury, Ottawa, Toronto and St. John's and Mainland in Newfoundland and Labrador. Marc enjoys cooking, the outdoors, curling, volunteering with community organizations and at cultural and sporting events, attending cultural events, and traveling. He also offers meditation workshops and historical tours of Sudbury in both French and English.

RICHARD DIOTTE

Richard Diotte, a seasoned construction executive with over four decades of experience in the home building and development sector, brings extensive industry knowledge and leadership to his role. Throughout his career, he has shown a dedication to excellence and driving positive change within the construction industry. With diverse expertise in project management, regulatory compliance, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement, Richard has established himself as a respected figure in the field. As a principal of Barne Building and Construction Inc., a successful general contracting firm in Northern Ontario, he navigates challenges while prioritizing innovation and quality. Richard has also contributed his expertise to educational governance, serving on the board of College Boreal. This experience has enhanced his ability to navigate complex environments and collaborate effectively. Richard is eager to make a positive contribution to the Province of Ontario.

CATHERINE MUIR

Catherine Muir retired last year from a 14-year career as a financial advisor in Sudbury. Prior to that she was an IT project manager with experience in Canadian and US companies, mainly finance and health care, based out of Toronto. Catherine was born in Sudbury and returned in 2009 to her hometown. She was an active board member in Advocis, the financial advisor association, as well as served a few terms on the board of a local women's charity. Catherine currently works part-time as an assistant to a financial advisor.