Aaron spent the first half of his career working as a Senior Director for a major Canadian bank on Bay Street in Toronto focusing on the Mutual Fund, Brokerage, and Wealth Management divisions.  After 17 years in Toronto Aaron moved his family to Niagara and took a role as an executive with a Canadian credit card company where he specialized in process improvement, project management, and strategy.  While working in the financial services industry Aaron always felt a desire to give back and help and held several Board of Director positions at local not-for-profit agencies in the developmental sector. Enjoying giving back,  in 2014 Aaron made the decision to focus his career on the developmental sector and currently works for a Niagara-based not for profit agency in charge of Facilities and Projects.  Aaron holds designations in investment planning, project management, and Lean Six Sigma process improvement.  When not working or volunteering  Aaron spends time with his family in Vineland and enjoys hiking, local attractions, travel,  home improvement, and gardening.

I am currently employed as Chief Financial Officer for a group of companies with several locations and operating in a global market.  I work from the Head Office located in Niagara Falls.   I have previously held roles as Finance Manager and Human Resource Manager. 

I have always been active in my community and am involved with the YWCA and Start Me Up Niagara.  I’ve sat on various Boards in the Niagara area.  I am excited to be working with Community Living – Grimsby, Lincoln, and West Lincoln. 

In my spare time, I love to canoe, hike with my dog, and go camping.  I am married with two adult kids and two beautiful grand kids. 

I always have a passion for volunteer work. I love supporting a cause I care about and love the great feeling it brings. I have worked for more than twenty years in the private and public sectors as Business Analyst, Computer Programmer, and Financial Analyst. I am a Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) of Ontario. In the last 15 years, I have been working in hydro/utility companies. Currently, I am working as senior financial/regulatory analyst at GrandBridge Energy in Cambridge. My husband and I are living in Ancaster, ON. I am really excited to join Community Living - Grimsby, Lincoln and West Lincoln to make a difference in a person’s life and make the world a better place to live.

Donna has over 20 years of senior management experience in the social service sector, specifically within the fields of employment and justice services. Donna has worked with the John Howard Society of Hamilton since 2006 and is passionate about supporting individuals to recognize their unique skills, life experiences, and value to the community. Donna approaches her work through frameworks of restorative practice, diversity, equity, and inclusivity and is dedicated to lifelong learning, personal and professional development.

When the de Jong family relocated to Grimsby in 2013 Donna became involved as a volunteer with the 1626 West Niagara Army Cadets and enjoyed supporting fundraising and special events to support the Cadets and Staff of the Corps. In her spare time, Donna enjoys spending time with her family and pets, reading, traveling, camping, and crafting.

My husband and I have lived in Beamsville for over 40 years where we operated a small family-owned fruit farm and vineyard for about 35 years. During this time I also worked (and still work) at Jadee Meat Products Ltd., in Beamsville.  This is a mid-size family-owned food manufacturing facility and during my 36 years there, I learned and performed most of the general office duties.  I also developed and initiated many procedures and programs which helped the company in it’s growth and expansion.   My current role is in Human Resource and Health and Safety, as well as overseeing the general office operations.

When my sons were playing hockey in Beamsville, I became involved with the Lincoln Minor Hockey Association for about 10 years and held many positions there – from House League Convenor – to Secretary and President.

One of my boys has a developmental disability as a result of a brain injury sustained from an accident and from my experience in trying to help him through school and social activities, I developed an awareness of the many agencies in our area whose purpose is to help people with disabilities play an important part in the community and lead full and meaningful lives.

It was instilled in me at a young age to give back to my community.  Over the years, I have been an active volunteer with a number of organizations.

I joined the Community Living - Grimsby, Lincoln and West Lincoln Board of Directors in June 2007 and have served as Secretary, Vice President and am currently in my third term as President.  I have been on the Foundation Board since it began.  I was with Scouts Canada for 17 years serving as an administrative scouter at the local, district, regional and provincial levels.  I was with Big Sisters Niagara Falls for 5 years as a Big Sister and a member of the board, and also served on the Board of Big Sisters Hamilton for 5 years.  I have been an active member of my church for many years, spent 7 years on staff for an annual youth conference and have been a Sunday School Teacher, Youth Group Leader and Council Member as well.  I am currently a Warden and Chair of the Council.

Sarah has always had a passion for the not-for-profit sector. She began work in the sector focusing on food security in Halton & Hamilton regions with Food for Life. Shortly after realizing that food security was just one of many issues facing our community, she joined United Way Halton & Hamilton as the Associate Director, Marketing & Communications. This is where she has developed her expertise in Special Events, Communications, and Fundraising. Sarah looks forward to working with Community Living’s board of directors to pursue its vision for the future.   

My name is Heather Allan.  I was born in Grimsby and grew up in Beamsville with my Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister and many dogs.  I have a huge love of animals, especially dogs and horses.  I have spent many years riding horses and I also volunteered for more than 40 years at Rocky Ridge Christian Ranch.  My other big interest is travel, which I did extensively growing up with my family and I still enjoy traveling today with my Community Living family. 

I became a member of Community Living when I was in my 20’s and moved into a group living setting.  10 years later I moved into my own apartment and have live on my own ever since.  I love being independent!

I was born with Williams Syndrome and I believe this gives me a unique perspective on how life is for people living with a developmental disability today. I am excited to share my thoughts and experiences with my fellow board members and look forward to what this opportunity has to offer.

Born and raised in Montreal, my family and I have lived in many areas around Ontario.  I have volunteered on CACL boards in Montreal, Windsor, St Catharines, and now Grimsby.  My husband and I have four children, and our daughter, Jennifer, receives services from Community Living Grimsby, Lincoln, and West Lincoln.

Jodie Middleton CHRL has over two decades of Human Resources leadership experience in both the private and public sectors specializing in Leadership Development, Talent Acquisition, and Total Rewards.  Jodie has been connected to Community Living through her son who has participated in many wonderful Community Living programs and services for over 20 Years.  

I received my MBA from a partnership program between Kellogg Northwestern in the USA and Schulich, I am a Professional Engineer (P.Eng), and a Project Management Professional (PMP). I moved to the Niagara region when I was 14 years old in 1996 and lived here until 2011 when I moved to Toronto for a new job. In June of 2022 I moved back to the region with my family. In the years that passed I grew my career and experience in the engineering and construction industry with the last 5 years working at Toronto Community Housing. I want to give back to the community I live in using my experience and education for a cause that I believe in and that’s why I joined Community Living Grimsby, Lincoln, and West Lincoln.

Leah is currently serving as the Corporate Secretary for Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, previously working for the Law Society of Ontario, and received her Paralegal (P1) licence in 2018. 

As a Corporate Secretary, Leah has seamlessly integrated her legal background into her role, ensuring that the organization she serves not only adheres to legal standards but also excels in corporate governance. Her ability to navigate the intersection of law and corporate affairs, specifically in the not-for-profit sector, showcases a unique skill set as a board member.

Leah is looking forward to contributing to the community and joining in the collective effort to provide support and inclusivity.

I recently retired after 25 years from teaching Medical Radiation Sciences, and medical ethics at the undergraduate level.  I also authored and co-authored numerous research studies and was a reviewer from 2010-2022, for the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board (HiREB).  Additionally, I completed a fellowship program with Hamilton Health Sciences and the Regional Ethics Network as a clinical ethicist. My educational background includes an MA in Bioethics and Health Policy, a Master of Applied Health Sciences, an undergraduate degree in Medical Imaging, and a diploma in Radiography.

Throughout my academic, and professional career, personal experience as a mother of an adult son with Down Syndrome, I have developed an extreme interest in assisting vulnerable individuals and their families. This has prepared me to become a volunteer as a Director for Community Living Grimsby, Lincoln, and West Lincoln, enabling me to contribute and engage within my community, where my adult son attends various programs.

Cathy joined the Community Living Grimsby Lincoln West Lincoln team as Executive Director in late 2021 after having built her leadership portfolio through over 20 years in the healthcare realm in Hamilton.  Having overseen diverse, interdisciplinary teams, Cathy’s passion is in strategy planning and implementation, growth and development for self, teams and individual team members.  A service-oriented individual, and having lived in Grimsby for a number of years, Cathy is proud to be serving this strong community.

Previously, Cathy spent the better part of a decade managing the Office Operations of the Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program, a multi-disciplinary diagnostic service serving the Hamilton Hospitals.  This followed by a period managing Medical Affairs at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton, and another near decade as Director of Administration within the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University.  Throughout her career, Cathy has embraced a range of continued education in Leadership, Health Law, Strategic Planning and Implementation, Communications, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity, as examples, to continually strengthen her ability to support teams and those served in her roles.

A Certified Health Executive with Canadian College of Health Leaders, Cathy obtained her Masters in Health Studies from Athabasca University and more recently a Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching from Royal Roads University.  Practicing leadership and supporting individuals through the coaching lens and with a coach approach, has provided yet another new dimension to leadership.  Cathy continues her learning with online courses in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Life Coaching, and Non-Profit Management.

Cathy is blessed with a rich family life, and spends much of her spare time enjoying the travel required between her adult kids in the US and Northern Ontario; two teens remain at home, for now! just embarking on the decisions for post-secondary spots.  She also loves to read, sits on the board of Hamilton Mental Health Outreach in Hamilton, and, holding true to her 2021 resolution, has learned how to crochet.  Excited for 2022, Cathy intends to embark on learning how to play the piano!