Appointee Biographies

JERRY OUELLETTE

Jerry Ouellette is a Chief Executive for Chaga Health and Wellness Inc., and a former Member of Parliament for Oshawa from 1995-2014. His community involvement has included serving as Chair of World Junior A Championships for Hockey Canada.

IAN MURRAY

Ian Murray is a Chief Audit Officer for MCAP, and a former Senior Director of Internal Audit for Rogers Communication. He holds an Diploma in Accounting & Financial Management from Centennial College of Applied Arts & Technology.

JOHN ECKER

John Ecker, of Whitby, is a semi-retired communications, marketing, branding and fundraising executive. Most recently, he served as the Director, Family of Faith & Special Projects at Archdiocese of Toronto where he led Indigenous healing and reconciliation activities. In 2022 he was the Program and Production Lead for the Pope’s visit to Iqaluit, Nunavut. He also oversaw brand development and marketing for the archdiocese’s Family of Faith Campaign and led the strategic re-positioning of the archdiocese’s Office for Refugees. Previously, he served as Vice-President at Indspire (the former National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation) and held director-level positions at the Ontario Trillium Foundation, ECHO: Improving Women’s Health in Ontario, and the Toronto Board of Trade. He serves as Chair of the Ontario Heritage Trust, the province’s heritage agency that preserves, protects and promotes Ontario’s built, natural and cultural heritage. He is a Board Governor with Durham College in Oshawa and Whitby. He is a Board member of the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund and the Durham Regional Police Service. Ecker previously served on the Board of Credit Canada and was chair of the Whitby Public Library Board, the Waterview Child Care Centre the Lynde Marsh Alliance, and Heritage Whitby (LACAC). Internationally, he established Bimini Bound, which sent over 10,000 books and learning resources to schools on the island of Bimini, Bahamas. In 2022 he was awarded a Papal Medal from Pope Francis for his work on the Papal Visit. In 2025, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario recognized Ecker’s service to his community, Ontario and Canada when she presented him with the King Charles III Coronation Medal. He received his Photography Diploma from Fanshawe College in London and his BA in Political Science from the University of Waterloo.

ALISON BURGESS

Alison Burgess is the Director of Communications and Engagement at the Region of Durham where she oversees corporate communications, government relations and community engagement. She came to the Region from the academic sector where she managed research partnerships. She also has experience teaching at community college. Alison’s background in education, stakeholder relations and community engagement, combined with her PhD research in neuroscience, provide her with a unique perspective. Alison enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering in her community.