Appointee Biographies

EUGENIO DIMIRA

Gene Di Mira is an accomplished professional in financial crime risk management and its intersection with digital trust systems in Canada and internationally. He has contributed to the body of knowledge for these areas by authoring a whitepaper and international magazine articles on Digital Identification methods testing and AML programs. and contributions to global guidance for the Insurance Sector and Digital Identification specialization. He was also the lead on the DIACC Directory of Products that assess identification and verify identity. His education, experience, passion for fighting crime and far-reaching international networks (including APEC advisory forums), make Gene a global expert in the AML and digital identity space. Gene holds a B.A. in Commerce from The University of Toronto. He is a faculty member of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists; both holding and editing the exams of advanced Anti-Money Laundering and Sanctions certifications.

JEFFREY THOMSON

Jeffrey Thomson is an Associate Professor at Conestoga College and the former President of JT Project Management Consulting Inc., and a former Senior Director Investments and Business Management for Sun Life Financial. His community involvement includes serving as a member of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH).

ANDREW WILDING

Andrew Wilding is the Director of Operations for Capacity Canada and has more than twenty-five years of experience performing management roles in government, not-for-profit, and business. Andrew has volunteered with Kitchener Conestoga Rotary and Kitchener Panthers Baseball Club.

MICHAEL JOHN WALKER

Michael John Walker completed his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Toronto in 1972 and immediately started his 45+ years of Public Service- 30 years in Policing followed by 15 years at Emergency Management Ontario. He currently is an emergency management adviser at 3 airlines. Mike resides in Mono where he is the Chair of the Police Services Board, Secretary of the Orangeville Lions Club, past board member of the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation, and volunteer grant reviewer at the Dufferin Community Foundation and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

EDWARD (TED) BLEANEY

Edward (Ted) Bleaney, of Kitchener, is an IT Project Manager at University of Waterloo and is a Chairperson on the Board of Directors at SEH Computer Systems Inc. Edward’s community involvement includes serving as a board appointed community member at Grand River Hospital – Pension and Audit Committees.

BRIAN BOURKE

A resident of Waterloo for more than 40 years, Brian has been deeply involved in the community. From raising millions of dollars for the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre to serving as a city councillor Brian works to ensure opportunities are available for everyone. He currently serves as Executive Director for the Center for Family Business in Waterloo.

EUGENIO DIMIRA

Gene Di Mira is an accomplished professional in financial crime risk management and its intersection with digital trust systems in Canada and internationally. He has contributed to the body of knowledge for these areas by authoring a whitepaper and international magazine articles on Digital Identification methods testing and AML programs. and contributions to global guidance for the Insurance Sector and Digital Identification specialization. He was also the lead on the DIACC Directory of Products that assess identification and verify identity. His education, experience, passion for fighting crime and far-reaching international networks (including APEC advisory forums), make Gene a global expert in the AML and digital identity space. Gene holds a B.A. in Commerce from The University of Toronto. He is a faculty member of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists; both holding and editing the exams of advanced Anti-Money Laundering and Sanctions certifications.

SHELLEY BOETTGER

is a CFO and Director of Operations at The Center for international Governance Innovation. She is a former Director of Finance for Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan. Her community involvement includes serving as founding board member of Soroptimist International of Kitchener Waterloo. She is a member of Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario and International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

JAGJOT SAMRA

Jagjot Samra, of Mono, is a Customer Service Representative at TaylorMade Canada. Jagjot’s community involvement has included serving as a Leader of Business Administration for the Trent Durham Student Council.

ALLAN ALLS

Allan Alls spent his early years in the countryside outside of Cobourg, Ontario. After graduating from high school, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and received his wings as an officer in 1963. In 1968, he joined Air Canada, where he flew many of the aircraft operated by the airline and later retired as Chief Safety Officer in 2004. Following his aviation career, Mr. Alls became a licensed real estate agent and worked in the industry for approximately ten years. He was elected Mayor of Erin in 2014 and served in that role until his retirement in December 2022. He is currently working as a Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Erin. Mr. Alls enjoys several hobbies, particularly golf and gardening. He has been married to his wife, Diane, for 62 years and has two daughters, four grandchildren, and one great‑granddaughter.