BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Laura White was born and raised in Brockville. She moved away to attend Carleton University and then worked for her family business, Hendrix Restaurant Equipment, in Sales Management until the company was sold in 2016. Following the merger, she now works for the new company, Russell Hendrix in Digital Marketing.

In 2020 Laura moved back to Brockville to raise her family and, with an entrepreneurial mindset, she started a new company called Artwrk.ca with two family members.

Laura has always had a passion for community, bringing people together and working hard towards big goals. Her leadership and ability to problem solve, as well as manage the digital space, help solve some essential needs within the Foundation.

Charles is a lawyer and partner of Hammond LLP. Charles maintains a general litigation practice. He regularly assists individuals and businesses with complex disputes and has experience navigating matters in the following areas: construction, real estate, commercial contract, shareholder and partnership disputes.

Born and raised in Brockville, Charles is committed to making a difference in the community. He is a member of the Law Society of Ontario and sits on the Executive of the Leeds and Grenville Law Association.

Jamie is the Manager of Skills, Training, and Economic Development for St. Lawrence College’s department of Innovation and Business Engagement. Jamie’s work focusses on custom training programs that respond to regional skills gaps and workforce development needs.

Jamie’s experience in the philanthropic sector includes volunteering on the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Grant Review Team and Youth Opportunities Fund, as well as Vice President for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa.

Jamie has received numerous Federal and Collegiate awards which recognized his capacity as an innovative thinker. He has a Masters degree in Philanthropy and Non-profit Leadership at Carleton University’s School of Public Policy and Administration, and a Bachelor Degree in business (Honours) double major in International Business and Economics.

Jamie’s roots are in Brockville, and he is happy to have recently returned with his wife Hilary and daughter Olivia.

Joyce retired in 2021 after years of management experience in finance and payroll in the public sector working for universities, school boards, municipal and provincial governments. She also worked as Executive Director of the Brockville and Area Community Foundation from 2015 to 2018.

A graduate of Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree, Joyce was born and raised in Brockville. After 18 years away and working on both coasts of Canada, she returned with her family in 1997 to raise her three children with all the advantages Brockville had to offer.

Cicely brings a wealth of experience both personally as a cancer survivor and community health advocate, and professionally, as a major gifts fundraiser, with over a decade of experience in higher education philanthropy at Queen’s University. Currently, she is the Associate Director, Development & Alumni Engagement at Smith School of Business. In this role, Cicely oversees stewardship and donor relations, major gift, and corporate and foundation giving.

Cicely’s enthusiasm for storytelling, and love for people and relationship-building have resulted in significant donor relationships and successful annual, project, and major-gift campaigns. Cicely is a believer in the transformative nature of philanthropy and making a difference in her hometown community. Cicely holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree, as well as a Master of Business Administration, from Queen’s University. Cicely is also a Certified Fund Raising Executive and has received a Certificate in Professional Fundraising from Boston University.

Cicely was born and raised in Brockville and currently resides there with her husband Graham and their son, Charles. In her spare time, Cicely loves walking the Brock Trail and getting out on the boat to enjoy the St. Lawrence River and the 1000 Islands.

Rachel Mitchell is a Financial Controller at 3M, overseeing accounting and finance activities for 3M’s Safety and Industrial Business Group in the United States and Canada. She is a member of CPA Canada and CPA Ontario and obtained her Chartered Accountant designation in 2016.

Rachel was born and raised in Brockville. She lived in London, ON for a decade, where she graduated from Western University, started her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), and met her husband, Adam. Rachel moved back to Brockville in 2020 and is excited to be part of such a dynamic organization that allows her to engage with the community in a meaningful way.

Mariam is a seasoned banking professional with over 7 years of experience. Mariam began her journey as a teller and steadily advanced to commercial banking at BDC.

She feels her undergraduate degree in Business provides a solid foundation, and she has successfully owned and operated her own business.

What truly drives Mariam is helping entrepreneurs navigate the intricate landscape of entrepreneurship. In addition to Mariam's day job, she teaches part time at St Lawrence College in the School of Business, which is where she graduated from 10 years ago.

Annie Ly is a dedicated entrepreneur and the proud owner of Sweet Ofelia Cafe & Market, a charming establishment nestled in the heart of downtown Brockville.

Originally from Toronto, Annie has a diverse background that includes owning a consulting firm, where she provided valuable assistance to business owners in the healthcare sector. Additionally, she founded a children's apparel brand with a unique twist – it actively supported nonprofit organizations, including VibeArts and the Toronto Arts Foundation.

In July 2022, Annie made a courageous decision to embark on a new chapter in her life by relocating to Brockville. This move was fuelled by her deep-seated dream of owning her own cafe and a desire for the charm and tranquility of small-town living.

Annie's profound passion for art and unwavering commitment to supporting the local art community are evident in every aspect of Sweet Ofelia. The cafe serves as a vibrant creative hub for the town, regularly featuring exhibitions of local artists' work and hosting engaging events such as poetry nights, open mic sessions and even cosplay panels, creating a rich cultural tapestry within Brockville and fostering the town's artistic spirit.

Annie's belief in community support and youth empowerment is a testament to her visionary and altruistic spirit. By pursuing these values, she hopes to contribute in making her community a more compassionate and dynamic place to live and grow.

Lauren Snelgrove was born and raised in Bobcaygeon Ontario. Lauren attended the University of Western Ontario where she completed a three-year degree in Media Information Technology followed by a one-year diploma in Corporate Communications and Public Relations at Fanshawe College.

Upon Graduation, Lauren moved to Toronto to work as a team lead at Builder Advertising & Marketing, a boutique marketing agency that specializes in the strategic promotion and sale of large scale, newly built housing developments in Toronto and the surrounding area.

In 2018, Lauren moved to Brockville with her now husband and took on the role of Events Manager for the Brockville Hospital Foundation. Lauren and her young family are proud to call the Thousand Islands their home. Lauren believes that Brockville has a lot to offer and is excited to help shape the future of her community.