Currently President and CEO of Variety Village and Variety the Children’s Charity – Ontario. Variety Village is the social enterprise that was built by Variety, the Children’s Charity of Ontario. Variety Village is a centre for social inclusion in southeast Scarborough that has been serving hundreds of thousands of families since 1949. Since becoming President and CEO, I have brought significant investment into the facility and considerably expanded the reach and impact of the charity. This was achieved by working with the Board of Directors on an ambitious vision to bring programs and services to children with a disability and their families across the Province. In addition to building the strength and brand of Variety Ontario, I have been dedicated to strengthening the relationship between the Canadian tents and between Tent 28 and Variety International resulting in the development of national and international programs.
Before joining Variety Village, I was the Toronto City Councillor for Eglinton-Lawrence for 11 years and while serving on Council was Chair of the Toronto Transit Commission. The Toronto Transit Commission is the third largest transit system in North America. As Chair of the TTC, I oversaw large capital projects, a billion dollar operating budget and the implementation of new technology to improve customer service
My career has also included senior positions at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and in the private sector.
Degrees include a Master of Public Administration from Queen’s University, a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts from Western University.
In addition to Variety Village and Variety the Children’s Charity, I am a weekly political commentator for radio and contribute to a monthly column for the North Toronto Post. I serve on two volunteer Boards of Directors in the local community: as Chair of the North Toronto Arena Board; and, as a member for the North Toronto Tennis Club.
While on Toronto City Council, Toronto Life Magazine kindly named me as one of Toronto’s 50 Most Influential People and the Women of Influence Magazine named me as one to the Top 25 Women of Influence.
Both my children have been raised in our community.