Appointee Biographies

MICHAEL GERAGHTY

Michael Geraghty is a senior executive recognized as an innovator, experienced in leading strategic change, and delivering sustainable business growth in both Fortune 100 companies, small businesses and startup ventures. A strategic leader, a team builder with excellent communication skills and over 40 years of experience across several industries including executive leadership roles in Business & Product Development, Sales & Marketing, and Information Technology. Experience with building an organization that is technology-enabled, information-based, leverages human capital as an important component in the delivery of the value proposition and where relationship management with customers is critical to success. With a shift to Executive and Strategic Coaching over recent years, have worked with leaders of organizations of all sizes to develop and grow their business.

THERESA ZAVITZ

Theresa Zavitz is the Vice President of Zavitz Insurance and Wealth: A HUB International Company. Her community involvement includes formerly serving as Board Chair for London Health Sciences Foundation.

RYAN AARTS

Ryan Aarts is a London, Ontario-based business leader and Chief Executive Officer of the John Aarts Group, a group of construction companies specializing in heavy civil, concrete forming, materials, and ready-mix. He leads a team of over 500 professionals delivering essential infrastructure across the region. Ryan also volunteers with various industry and community associations focused on supporting the construction sector and giving back to the community.

KAREN VECCHIO

Karen Louise Vecchio (née Martyn), born on March 6, 1971, in St. Thomas, Ontario, is a former Member of Parliament who represented the riding of Elgin—Middlesex—London from 2015 to 2025. Raised on a turkey and hog farm in Sparta, Ontario, Vecchio maintained deep ties to her rural roots. Before entering politics, she owned and operated a small business—the Coffee Grind coffee in London, Ontario—and later worked in management at the New Sarum Diner. Her political journey began in 2004 when she joined MP Joe Preston’s office, eventually becoming his Executive Assistant. Vecchio was first elected to Parliament in 2015 and re-elected in 2019 and 2021. During her tenure, she held several key roles, including Shadow Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, Shadow Minister for Families, Children and Social Development, Deputy House Leader for the Official Opposition, and Chair of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women. She was also active in multiple parliamentary caucus.