Appointee Biographies

SAVONA GANGADEEN

has been a nurse for 24 years, she is the Founder/Owner of Wellness Clinic. Her community involvement includes serving as a Volunteer for Church, Homeless Shelter, and Variety Village.

BENJAMIN CURRELLY

Benjamin Currelly is recently retired from a career in business and is now actively volunteering in a variety of areas. Following university, where he received a BSc in Agriculture, he operated a cash crop farm. Modernized and computerized operations. Sold to son in 2008. In 1982, he founded Ganaraska Grain Ltd. Bought, processed, and stored grain for local farmers. Built business to 55,000mt, with sales of $25 million. Sold to son in 2016. In 1998 he founded grain merchandising company with office in Port Hope, Winnipeg, and Montreal. Built volumes to 600,000mt with sales of $150 million. Wound company down and merged with grain elevator. In 1990 founded Ganaraska Systems Inc. to develop software to manage grain elevators. Company was successful, with clients across Canada and the US. Sold in 2015. In 1995 bought industrial hardware business. Computerized operation hired sales staff. Business not profitable and was sold in 2000. In 1992 he started fertilizer company, Ganaraska Agricultural Supply Limited. Manufactured nitrogen fertilizer from an industrial by product. Marketed, distributed and applied fertilizer. Sold company in 2005. Ben is a pilot and owner of aircraft. Enjoys Motorcycle Touring and Tennis. Active Rotarian for over 25 years. Married for 45 years.

STEPHANIE BALL

Stephanie is a lifelong resident of Durham Region. She practiced law in the region both in private practice and as Executive Director/lawyer of the local legal Clinic. Stephanie transitioned into teaching at Durham College, and after teaching for several years, took on administrative roles of progressive responsibility, ending her career in June of 2022 as Executive Dean of the School of Justice and Emergency Services at the School of Interdisciplinary Studies. She has volunteered extensively in the community with many organizations, including the Oshawa YWCA, the Whitby and Oshawa Hospital Foundations, Big Sisters Foundation, and the Public Legal Education Committee. Stephanie has also been an adjudicator in the past, with the Canada Pension Plan Review Tribunal, and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission.

ALEXANDRA DOWN

Alex Down is a lifelong Oshawa resident with a fresh perspective and strong voice in the community. As a public relations and real estate professional, Alex has worked in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors for organizations such as General Motors of Canada, City of Oshawa, and Central Lakes Association of REALTORS®. Her passion for housing, recreation and culture has cultivated a deep-rooted commitment to advocacy and volunteerism in her community. Alex is currently a Director for the Central Lakes Association of REALTORS® and has advocated for homeowner rights across all levels of government, regarding issues such as housing affordability and housing’s place in future infrastructure projects. Alex is a past Director for the Oshawa Kicks Soccer Club, and a past member of Oshawa’s Environmental Advisory Committee, and Cultural Leadership Council. Fluent in both English and French, Alex holds an Advanced Diploma in Public Relations from Durham College.

PETER DOUNOUKOS

Peter is a Northumberland resident with over 32 years media experience. Lives in Cobourg with wife Layla. Starting his career as a media buyer at McKim Media group, Toronto he returned to Cobourg working at “The Cobourg Star,” “Port Hope Evening Guide,” and “The Colborne Chronicle” newspapers. In 2005 Peter accepted a position with “Metroland Media Group/Torstar” paper “Northumberland News”. Promoted to Ad Manager in 2009 then in 2019 promoted to Assistant Manager for the Durham Region group of newspapers and websites. Peter is embedding in the Northumberland community through volunteerism, served on the board of directors for “Rebound Child & Youth Services Northumberland,” “Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre,” “Port Hope Chamber of Commerce,” and “Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce.” He was the co-chair “Northumberland United Way” 2012 fundraising campaign. He is Past President of “Northumberland Sunrise Rotary” and Past President of the “Rotary Club of Cobourg.”

KEN STRAUSS

Ken Strauss, of Cobourg, is a former Analyst and Senior Technical Specialist. Ken’s community involvement includes serving as a founding member of Cobourg Taxpayers Association and a Newsletter Editor for the Cobourg and District Historical Society.

DAVID SAUNDERS

is a retired Toronto Police senior officer and recipient of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces for his career achievements in the areas of community development and youth engagement. He volunteers for the Town of Ajax hearing bylaw appeals, with the Ontario Justice of the Peace Review Council as a complaints reviewer and for the Community Development Council of Durham assisting new immigrants to improve their English language skills. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Windsor.

HELEN ECKER

Helen is active in the Ajax-Pickering Chapter of the Canadian Federation of University Women, an organization dedicated to achieving educational and economic equality and social justice through continuous learning and empowerment. She is currently the Secretary-Treasurer of the Chapter's Scholarship program which funds scholarships for graduating students of the area's nine high schools.