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Appointee Biographies

Royal Ontario Museum

ROBERT CHANT

Bob Chant recently retired from the position of Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Communication with Loblaw Companies Limited also serving as a member of the Loblaw management board. Prior to joining Loblaw, Bob was relied upon by business and political leaders alike including Labatt Breweries as Director of Corporate Affairs. He has also served as a senior advisor to Prime Minister of Canada, Premier of Ontario as Chief of Staff to former Ontario PC leader, now mayor of Toronto John Tory. Within the community, Bob has served with various not-for-profits including as Chair of Breakfast for Learning, Vice-Chair of President’s Choice Children’s Charity and currently serves as Vice-Chair of Recycle BC. He also serves as a board director with sustainable technology and packaging firm Evanesce. A graduate of the University of Guelph and ICD-Rotman School of Business Directors Education Program, Bob is the father of three adult children and with his wife Annie, lives in Toronto.

MATTHEW GIBSON

Matthew Gibson is a senior Vice-President for Hill and Knowlton Strategies, and a former Vice-President for Sussex Strategy Group. Matthew’s community involvement includes serving as a volunteer for Ducks Unlimited.

JACLYN SEIDMAN

Jaclyn Seidman is a partner, member of the Executive Committee and co-head of one of the business law groups at Goodmans LLP. Jaclyn’s practice focuses on entertainment law, intellectual property and social media issues. In 2018, Jaclyn was honoured as one of Lexpert’s Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40. She is also recognized as a leading lawyer by Best Lawyers in Canada. Jaclyn serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations and is a founding member of the advisory council for McGill’s Women, Leadership and Philanthropy Initiative. Jaclyn teaches business law courses at the University of Toronto and is the recipient of several Excellence in Teaching awards. She is also a frequent guest speaker on entertainment law issues.

BIANCA ROTH

Bianca Roth is the Chief Executive Officer of North Edge Properties. Bianca is a supporter of cultural organizations and cancer research initiatives across Canada. Bianca has also given her time to initiatives with Habitat for Humanity and the Scott Mission. She is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and continues her studies locally at both the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto and the Schulich School of Business at York University.

LOUISE MOORE

Louise Moore has extensive domestic and international experience as a strategic business advisor. During her 30-year career, Louise served as outside counsel to leading Canadian businesses and Crown corporations as a corporate partner of Torys LLP (Toronto and Hong Kong) and as a senior executive of multinational Nortel (General Counsel, Asia Pacific and Greater China). Louise’s community involvement includes serving as a Director/Advisor to several historic Canadian institutions (including Special Olympics Ontario, Trinity College School and Toronto East General Hospital and, currently, the Royal Ontario Museum), contributing her pragmatic and solutions-oriented approach to organizational challenges.

MICHAEL COATES

Michael Coates is an Executive Chairman for Rubicon Strategy Inc, and a former Global Vice Chairman for H+K Strategies. His community involvement includes serving as a director for Youth Inc.

HANOZ KAPADIA

Hanoz Kapadia is Managing Partner at Kapadia & Associates, is Chair of the Board for Australis Capital, and is Member of the Board for AI—LP. His community involvement includes serving as a Citizen Member for the City of Mississauga Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

ALAN SMITH

Alan Smith is a higly accomplished results drive business leader with over 35 years of experience. Now retired, Alan was CFO and a partner of EY. Alan is a trusted and creative leader with deep experience in teaming with C-Suite executives, board members, stakeholders and people of levels. He is results-focused with a proven track record for strategic thinking, value creation, operational excellence and business transformation. Alan is a Vice Chair of the Royal Ontario Museum and Chairs the Finance and Audit Committee. Alan also serves on the Audit Committee of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, advising the Inuit people of the Western Arctic.

MITCH GASCOYNE

Mitch Gascoyne is a Partner and Senior Vice-President of Development for CentreCourt, a former Associate for MCW Consultants and Halcrow Yolles.

ROBERT COOPER

Robert Cooper is a recognized Senior Executive Strategist successfully delivering on organizational challenges and opportunities. Developing, executing, and rescuing enterprise strategy. Translating strategy into seamless transformational execution

JENNIFER BELL

Jennifer Bell is a seasoned communications and public affairs executive with more than 25 years experience in a variety of sectors and industries and currently serves as Vice President, Communications for High Liner Foods, a leading North American processor, and marketer of value-added frozen seafood. Prior to joining HLF, Jennifer Bell is currently Vice President, Communications for High Liner Foods, having been appointed in June 2023. Prior to this, Jen was Principal of Bellwether Communications, providing strategic communications, marketing, and public affairs advice to a wide range of clients. Jen has also served as a senior communications and public affairs leader within a number of organizations including Open Text, the LCBO, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Vale and Alliance Atlantis. Additionally, Jen also spent more than eight years as a senior political advisor within the Ontario government.