Board of Directors
Among the many volunteers who support the The Stop's work are those who serve as members of the Board of Directors. The board has overall responsibility for the policy direction and financial health of the organization, and provides support and guidance to the Executive Director and staff by establishing policies in strategic planning, personnel and finance matters. It ensures that The Stop's programs and services have adequate resources and are consistent with our mission and values.
If you have an interest in joining the board, please contact Nick Saul at 416-652-7867 ext. 223. The Stop is fortunate to have a talented group of volunteer directors who bring diverse skills and experience to their work on the board.
Gillian Hewitt Smith, President
Gillian Hewitt Smith is the CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship. Gillian’s extensive volunteer commitments span the arts and culture, social justice and education sectors.
Caroline Zayid, Vice President
Caroline is a partner at the law firm, McCarthy Tétrault. She practises civil litigation with an emphasis on class actions, product liability and administrative law. She has also worked in policy and issue management within the provincial government. Caroline has been active in community organizations, working for peace and social justice.
Leigh Knowles, Treasurer
Leigh is currently Vice President of Operations at Deutsche Bank and a chartered accountant. She was attracted to The Stop's role in the community, the variety of programs and The Green Barn's back-to-basics farming concepts.
Victoria Paris, Director
Victoria is a principal with Kim Orr Barristers P.C. Her practice focuses on securities and class action litigation and has also included several cases involving the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in which she's advocated on behalf of disabled and autistic children, same sex couples, victims of the tainted blood tragedy and aboriginal people with respect to inadequate housing. Previously, she's served on the advisory board of an organization directed at providing heating assistance to Canadian families through the winter, and on the Board of a national environmental organization. Victoria has been serving on the Board of The Stop since February 2008.
Charles M. Lennox, Past President
Charles is managing director of Lennox Millar Executive Search and a senior executive recruiter with twenty five years of business experience in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Charles is a member of Timothy Eaton Church's Community Grants Committee. A Stop Director since 2003, Charles served as Board Chair/President from mid 2005 to January-2010. Charles received an Honours Bachelor of Arts from Huron College University at the University of Western Ontario in 1983. Charles is also a Certified Management Consultant (CMC).
Derek Clarke, Director
Derek has worked in aviation for over fifteen years at Bombardier in Toronto, and is currently part of the Commercial Aircraft Marketing team. He is a Professional Engineer and Certified Management Accountant and was attracted to The Stop because of its significant contribution to the community through its food programs and advocacy campaigns, as well as the highly enthusiastic and professional members of The Stop’s board, staff and volunteer teams. Derek served as the Treasurer at The Stop from 2005 to 2008, and in addition to continuing to support in a financial role, is now involved in helping other areas of the organisation.
Michael Curry, Director
Michael is a managing partner at Investeco Capital, Canada's first environmental investment company, focused on renewable energy, water, clean technologies and sustainable agriculture. He grew up on a farm in Southern Ontario and now lives in Toronto with his wife and three children. Michael served as vice chair at Organic Meadow for five years and is vice chair of Rowe Farms since 2006, two of Canada's leading sustainable agriculture companies both of whom are strong supporters and partners of The Stop Community Food Centre. Michael is also a trustee on the board of Trees Ontario. Michael is inspired by the success and mission of The Stop, and the idea of building healthy communities based on the simplicity and power of good food.
Rick Eagan, Director
Rick is the Coordinator of Community Development and Special Projects at St. Christopher's House and in that role has worked with many coalitions, networks and civic society initiatives to address poverty and social exclusion. My association with The Stop over the past 9 years has given me the privilege of meeting and working with remarkable staff, volunteers and community members. Each has contributed to the transformation of The Stop from a food bank to a Community Food Centre which is now in turn transforming how all Canadians talk about issues of poverty, health and sustainable environments.
Matt Galloway, Director
is the host of CBC Radio 1's Metro Morning, the most listened-to radio show in Toronto. He has worked at the CBC for over 10 years, covering everything from elections to Olympics.His attraction to The Stop blends a passion for food, a desire to help his community and the opportunity now, at a time of increased food literacy within society, to connect and combine those two like never before. Matt lives in the west end of Toronto with his partner and their two daughters.
Seana Irvine, Director
Seana brings several years of experience in the non-profit sector and a background in environmental studies. She is national program director of Evergreen, a non-profit committed to bringing nature to our cities through naturalization projects.
Laura Manes, Director
Laura Manes is a management consultant with Bain & Company and has worked with clients across many industries in strategic planning, project investment decisions, market intelligence and continuous improvement. She is passionate about social justice, healthy living and the role of the family, and is inspired by the Stop’s commitment to food security for all community members.
John Montesano, Director
For the past decade, John Montesano has been Vice President/General Manager of Telelatino Network, Canada's largest multicultural channel, overseeing a wide range of business and cultural initiatives including the launch of the annual Salsa on St. Clair street festival. Before joining TLN, he worked in print media for a variety of non-profit organizations including Canadian University Press, This Magazine, and Eyetalian Magazine. He co-chaired the first ever Big Night at The Green Barn, an event that raised much-needed funds for The Stop as well as paying homage to backyard garden pioneers across the GTA. John lives in the Hillcrest Village area with his family.
Sean Caragata, Director
Sean is a Director of Legal Services at Cisco Systems, and a member of Cisco Canada’s Civic Council. He is a former Treasurer and Board member of the National Theatre School of Canada. Sean has worked in the technology and telecommunications sector for 15 years, and in the Saskatchewan public service before that. Sean’s practice at Cisco is focused on the use of information and communications technology to promote sustainable urbanization and transform emerging countries. Sean’s commitment to community and social development and his passion for local, sustainable and good food led him and his wife Renee to become supporters of The Stop. They and their daughter can be found at The Stop Farmers Market at Wychwood Barns nearly every Saturday.