Barbara (she/her) was born in Keewatin, happily married to a Norman boy for 32 years and raised two sons in Kenora. She worked for the Town of Keewatin for 5 years and the City of Kenora for 25 years, retiring as Parks Supervisor. Her experience within the City (almost all departments), has given her a wealth of knowledge of the inside workings of the City. In any department she worked, she left it in a better position. She has volunteered on Committees, including as the Director, of the Kenora Community Foundation, Common Ground - A Sharing of Stories, Lake of the Woods Historical Society, Kenora Heritage Committee, Business Incentive Commiittee etc. She won Employee of the Year for the City of Kenora (the only year the Chamber presented the award). Her crowning achievement working for the City was co-ordinating the Festival of Lights at the Cemetery — the year she retired, there were 8,000 candles lit on Xmas Eve. She also brought a successful air show to Kenora in 2013, with an attendance of over 8,000 people. She takes pride in all she does.
Read moreKelsie Van Belleghem
Kelsie (she/her) is a personal financial advisor, currently on maternity leave with her second child. She and her husband have two children under two and have been married for almost four years. Her husband was born and raised in Kenora, and she has lived there permanently since the spring of 2017. She is currently the treasurer for the Women’s Shelter Saakate House, and has been a volunteer board member for the Festival of Trees. She has spent the bulk of her career, prior to living in Kenora, in Sales and Merchandising. She is a registered investment fund advisor, and has a visual merchandising diploma from Sheridan College and Business Administration from Red River College.
Read moreGeraldine R. Robinson
Geraldine is a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces with 23 years of service. She has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba. She was the first woman to be elected to the Beckwith Township Council. She taught English in South Korea from 2008-2009. She has served on two Economic Development Committees and was the Eastern Ontario Representative to the Ontario Economic Development Corporation.
Read moreKristin Murray
Kristin is a registered member of Chapleau Cree First Nation and is a descendant of a signatory to Treaty 9. She graduated from Laurentian University with a B.A., with a concentration in Equity, Diversity and Human Rights. She holds a certificate in Leadership from the COADY Institute at St. Francis Xavier University. She also holds a Diploma in Social Services and Drug and Alcohol Counselling diploma, both from Northern College. Kristin has over 19 years of experience working in the social services sector in the Timmins area. She is experienced in community development personally, and professionally and in her current role as Municipal Councillor. She is dedicated to Indigenous health promotion and policy in addressing the unique challenges of racialized people across Northern Ontario. Kristin’s areas of interest are Indigenous Affairs, child welfare, and environmental sustainability.
Read moreLori Paras
Lori Paras is a well-known businesswoman in Thunder Bay with over 30 years of experience and expertise in sales, strategic planning, business development, and marketing. She is a community advocate and has helped support social programs through different fundraisers and events, including the Welcome Home Dinner for International Students, Food Drives for P.A.C.E., the Regional Multi-Cultural Youth Council, and the Underground Gym. Currently, she owns and operates The Hub Bazaar, a retail business incubator helping entrepreneurs launch new business ideas.
Read moreMichelle Boileau
A proud Franco-Ontarian born and raised in Timmins, Michelle has dedicated her career to bettering the socio-economic well-being of people throughout Northern Ontario. She has over a decade of experience working in the postsecondary education sector and is currently the Employment & Immigration Services Manager for a local community college. Michelle obtained a Master of Research degree in Educational and Social Research from the University of London and an Honours Bachelor’s degree from the University of Ottawa. Elected to the municipal council in the City of Timmins in 2018, Michelle serves on several community boards and committees and is honoured to chair the Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association. She is most proud of being the mother of a two-year-old daughter, Rosalie.
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