Appointee Biographies

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.

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.

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.

STACEY JACK

Stacey Jack is a member of the Couchiching First Nation. She is the Indian Residential School Research Manager for Agency One Lands, which is located on Rainy Lake in the Treaty Three Territory. As an archaeologist, Stacey has a passion for both history and community engagement. Her community involvement includes serving as a member of the Couchiching First Nation Veterans Committee and as a former member of the Riverside Foundation for Healthcare, Special Events Committee.

GERVAN ALBERT FEARON

Dr. Gervan Fearon is president of George Brown College. Dr. Fearon has served as the president and vice-chancellor at Brock University in Ontario and Brandon University in Manitoba. He also has served in positions at Toronto Metropolitan University, York University, and the University of Washington. Dr. Fearon began his early career as a research analyst in economic forecasting in industry and as an economist and policy advisor in government. Improving social and economic mobility through education is one of Dr. Fearon’s areas of expertise, and he shares his insights around the world. He serves as a board member with Colleges Ontario, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Niagara Health, Ingenium and the Canada Caribbean Institute. He is the recipient of the Order of Ontario, Queen Elizabeth II Platinum and Diamond Jubilee Medals, and The Michaëlle Jean Foundation Influencer Award, among other honours. Dr. Fearon holds a Ph.D. (Economics), M.Sc. and B.Sc, CPA (CGA) and ICD.D.

ANDREW MACLEOD

Mr. MacLeod is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Postmedia Network Inc. He joined Postmedia in 2014 as EVP and Chief Commercial Officer and served as President and Chief Operating Officer in 2017. Prior to joining Postmedia, Mr. MacLeod held a number of senior executive positions in the technology sector, including serving as the Senior Vice President & Regional Managing Director of North America at BlackBerry. Mr. MacLeod also currently serves as a Director on the boards for Postmedia, Waterfront Toronto and Communitech, and the Chair of Invest Ontario. Mr. MacLeod is a graduate of Western University (BA).

JAMES COWAN

James Cowan is Vice-Chair, Global Private Markets at Northleaf Capital Partners, one of Canada’s leading private market asset managers focused on investments in infrastructure, private equity and private credit. A long-time resident of Toronto, James has worked in private markets for more than 30 years, including serving as CEO and President of the MIRA Infrastructure Global Solution funds. Prior to joining Northleaf, he worked at Macquarie, TD Securities, Hambros Bank and started his career with Ernst & Young in corporate restructuring. James earned a BA from Western University and his Chartered Accountant designation. James also serves on the boards of Canada’s National History Society and the Building Ontario Fund, and on the investment committee for Sinai Health Foundation, the latest in 30-plus years of serving on boards of not-for-profit organizations in the education, community and health sectors.

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.

KAREN TAM

Karen Tam is the Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary at Choice Hotels Canada, one of the largest lodging franchisors in the country. In her role, Karen focuses on operational finance and the corporate side of the business, overseeing legal, HR, IT, ESG, procurement, and some commercial functions, including communications, loyalty, and revenue management. Karen was previously the Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer of Global Risk Institute in Financial Services, following roles in finance and operations with a range of private sector firms and professional consulting companies, including Morneau Shepell, Four Seasons Hotels, and KPMG LLP. With a Bachelor of Commerce from Queen’s University, Karen also is a CPA, CA and holds the CFA and US CPA designations.