Board of Directors
2020-2021 Board of Directors
Chris Pippy (Chair)
As board member and Secretary of the Parents for Community Living Board of Directors Chris is passionate about helping those with special needs live healthy, happy and fulfilled lives within their communities. Chris joined the Board September 2016 and sits on the Governance and Board Process committee.
Chris has worked in the technology, telecommunications, healthcare and finance sectors for 18 years and is currently Director, PMO, Individual Insurance and Wealth at Sun Life Financial.
John Collings (Past Chair)
John joined PCL’s board of directors in 2016 as chair of the Finance and Audit Committee, and currently serves as board chair. He deeply believes in PCL’s mission to offer meaningful services and supports for persons with exceptional needs, and fully supports its vision that every person lives with dignity as a valued member of the community.
John has worked in the Waterloo Region for over 30 years in the financial services industry in the field of internal audit and risk management. He was Director, Internal Audit at Kindred Credit Union and is recently retired.
Tom Hunter (Vice Chair & Governance & Board Process Committee Chair)
Tom Hunter is a partner in Gowling WLG’s Waterloo Region office and practises in the areas of corporate, commercial and technology law. He is the former co-chair of the firm’s Tech Group, and past department head of the Waterloo Region Business Law Group. His particular areas of focus include assisting entrepreneurs and owner operators with start-up and growth-oriented companies, mergers and acquisitions, financing, and all aspects of technology commercialization. Tom joined PCL’s Board September 2017 and chairs the Governance and Board Process committee.
Tom is the past chair of the Board of Governors of St. Mary’s General Hospital and the past chair of the Waterloo Region Catholic Schools Foundation. He is the current co-chair of the Resurrection Catholic Secondary School Parent Council.
He is also actively involved with the Schlegel Centre for Entrepreneurship at Wilfrid Laurier University, and is a member of the Advisory Council for the Centre for Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology at the University of Waterloo.
Tom’s community service also includes board, volunteer and pro bono activity with many other local organizations, including St. Paul’s United College at the University of Waterloo, K-W Counselling Inc., KW Oktoberfest, United Way, University of Guelph, Numus Inc., Waterloo Minor Hockey and Soccer, Kidslink, K-W Symphony, Waterloo Community Arts Centre, Waterloo Recreation Complex and the John M. Harper District Library.
Having a robust and healthy community means inclusive opportunities for all members to contribute to the community and to live a full and rewarding life. PCL’s mandate to provide services and programs to persons with exceptional needs and their families is an important pillar to building a healthy and inclusive community for the Region of Waterloo.
Jeff Harris (Treasurer and Finance and Audit Committee Chair )
Describing himself as a “friend” of PCL, Jeff grew up living next door to one of the founding families, and has an extended family relationship with one of the people we support. The agency’s focus on providing family-like living environments and community integration resonate with Jeff’s values and priorities for community engagement. Jeff served on the PCL Board from 2007-2012, the last year as Chair. Jeff returned to the Board in 2015 and sits on the Finance and Audit Committee.
Since 2004 Jeff has operated a financial advisory practice through Assante Wealth Management providing complete financial advice and wealth management solutions to individuals, families and small businesses from his office in Kitchener-Waterloo. His goal is to enable more people to live their lives without worrying about money.
Eileen Polson (Secretary)
Eileen is an experienced business executive committed to fostering people’s highest possible engagement, potential and performance. With over 25 years as a human resource professional working in the financial services industry, Eileen also has extensive experience in the non-for-profit sector. Eileen is committed to building healthy communities and has served on the boards of several local non-profits. Eileen joined the PCL Board January 2018 and is Secretary and sits on the Governance and Board Process committee.
Aditi Gupta (Board Member)
Aditi is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over 16 years of experience in public accounting. She has extensive experience with corporations, personal tax and the not-for-profit sector.
Aditi Gupta wants to be a part of a team of passionate volunteers that have a keen desire to make a positive change in the lives of developmentally challenged adults and children, hence she joined the Board of PCL in 2017 and chairs the Finance and Audit Committee.
Linda Scott Campbell (Board Member)
Linda has several years experience volunteering with not-for-profit agencies directly involved in providing affordable, safe housing. Before being invited to join the Board of PCL she was unaware of the good work completed by this community group. After doing some research of PCL and its history in the community, she gladly accepted the invitation September 2018 and looks forward to helping PCL to achieve its mission. Linda sits on the PCL Finance and Audit Committee.
Linda has worked in Waterloo Region for over 30 years as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) engaged in external and internal auditing. Currently, Linda is a professor who teaches Conestoga College students aspiring to careers as designated accountants.
Fred Masters (Board Member)
Fred is a retired professional educator having spent three decades with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. He primarily taught senior finance and co-operative education. For half of his career, he was in positions of added responsibility including Experiential Learning Consultant for the Board and Program Head of Business and Co-operative Education at Resurrection Catholic Secondary School.
Fred is the President & Founder of Masters Money Management which he launched upon his retirement from teaching. He is an experienced personal financial literacy expert guest speaker and a licensed mortgage agent with Mortgage InGenuity Inc. in Kitchener. He currently serves on the Finance Committee at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Kitchener.
As a lifelong educator, Fred is a strong, strong advocate of inclusivity. He is particularly passionate about advocating for those with developmental exceptionalities and, as a result, was honoured to join the PCL Board of Directors in 2019. He currently serves on PCL’s Finance and Audit Committee.
Sheila Charters (Board Member)
Sheila has over 30 years experience as an actuary, working both in Canada and internationally. She has primarily worked for a large multinational insurance company in various finance roles. Currently she considers herself semi-retired and works part-time at a local accounting firm. She is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA), a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (FCIA) and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA).
Sheila is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the PCL Board and give back to the local community. She has a deep belief in the dignity of each individual and that, by living in a community, they can reach their potential for healthy and happy lives. Sheila joined the PCL Board September 2019 and sits on the Governance and Board Process committee.
Our Commities
Interested in joining one of our committees? Get in touch!
FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE
Chair: Aditi Gupta
PURPOSE
The Finance and Audit Committee will regularly evaluate the financial status of the organization in consultation with the Executive Director and the Finance Manager.
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
Chair: Gary Howell
PURPOSE
The Fundraising Committee is expected to oversee implementation of Board approved fundraising strategies and work with PCL staff to ensure consistency with the PCL mission, vision and strategic and operational directions.
GOVERNANCE AND BOARD PROCESS
Chair: Tom Hunter
PURPOSE
The Governance and Board Process Committee will work with the Board of Directors, Standing Committees and Management to ensure Parents for Community Living’s bylaws are consistent with our incorporating documents, that all powers and actions are exercised in compliance with our Letters Patent and any applicable legislation, and oversee the recruitment, orientation and development of Board Members.