Board of Directors 2009-2010

Daily Bread Food Bank is run by a volunteer board of directors elected annually by its member agencies. Daily Bread tries to ensure the board reflects the composition of the wider community, including representation from member agencies and people experiencing low-income.

Eric Meerkamper, Chair, is a partner in DECODE, a company that is devoted to building better relationships between organizations and youth, young adults and young families. He has extensive international experience in sales and marketing. His expertise is invaluable to the development, research and public education functions of Daily Bread. Eric is also Cofounder and Chair of the Centre for Social Innovation in Toronto.

Elaine Crossland, Vice-Chair, is in-house legal counsel for the Canadian branch of a multi-national real estate company. She has volunteered at a number of food banks and, prior to joining Daily Bread, served as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Ottawa Food Bank. She is committed to addressing hunger issues in the community.

Alex Sandahl, Treasurer, is currently Chief Financial Officer at Sim Video Group of Companies. Alex has experience in both the public and private sectors of the Canadian film and television industry. Previously he headed the Program Finance Department and served on the Management Team at TFO, TVOntario's French language network. Alex earned his Chartered Accountant designation in 1996 after articling with Deloitte and Touche in Montreal.

John McMillan, Secretary, is a barrister and solicitor with a practice devoted to health law. He was a volunteer at Daily Bread from 1993 through 1999 and is a former board member of Mainstay (formerly Supportive Housing Coalition). John has a long history of successful fund raising for numerous charities and not-for-profit organizations.

Kevin Borden has extensive management experience in the private sector, and is currently the Program Coordinator, including food programs, at the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation. Kevin's previous board experience includes the board positions with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Blacks for Social Change and NAACP.

Meera Dhebar is a social work educator and consultant. She teaches in the School of Social Work at Ryerson University, and consults with non profit agencies in areas of program, staff and Board development. She has an extensive background in community based agencies dealing with poverty, homelessness, mental health, illness, addiction, and violence; and originally joined Daily Bread's Board while working at a member agency, the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation. Her considerable organizational experience and dedication to social justice are of major benefit to the Board.

Ron Duke is a Chartered Accountant and is currently CEO of Lavalife. Ron has over 30 years of global operating, financial management, A and turnaround experience in public and private companies in eCommerce, retailing, franchising, manufacturing, distribution, and financial services. Ron is a Director of the Toronto Chapter of Financial Executives International and has private company board experience.

Inas Garwood is the Executive Director of Streetlight Support Services, a Daily Bread Food Bank member agency. Inas has over 20 years of working experience in community development, and individual and group counseling, primarily in not-for-profit organizations. Her previous volunteer experience includes serving on the Board of Directors of Hamilton Urban Core.

John Gladki has over 30 years of experience in working with government and private sector organizations on land use and policy planning, urban regeneration, local economic development, affordable housing, and strategic planning and management. He recently managed the preparation and implementation of the Regent Park Revitalize Plan. John has served on the Board of Directors of University Settlement House, Ward Seven News and William Lyon Mackenzie Housing Cooperative, and has worked with not-for-profit organizations such as the Supportive Housing Coalition, The Dream Team and People Plan Toronto.

Anne Kothawala, former President and CEO of the Canadian Newspaper Association, with extensive experience on boards, brings to the board a wealth of knowledge of media, communications and public relations. She finds it troubling that in a wealthy country like Canada people do not have the means to feed their families.

Belinda Longe is currently on secondment to the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) from her role of Vice-Principle at Nelson Mandela Park Public School for the Toronto District School Board. She works in the Equity and Women's Services Department at ETFO where she develops programs, curriculum and resources for teachers across the province that focus on issues of equity, social justice and anti-oppression. In her role as an educator, Belinda is keenly aware of the social issues involving low-income families and has worked effectively to advocate for marginalized populations throughout her career.

Al Shulman is the Senior Director of Consumer Marketing and Strategy at Rogers Communications Inc. He represented Rogers while growing the Phone For Food program, which recycled and refurbished previously used cell phones and donated the proceeds to the Canadian Association of Food Banks. Al has also spent time volunteering as a youth basketball coach.

Greg Smith is Vice-President, Human Resources at Campbell Company of Canada, a generous supporter of Daily Bread for many years. Greg has exceptional professional skills in facilitation, leadership, conflict management, negotiation and organizational development. He has lengthy volunteer experience with the United Way and with various church groups..

Elizabeth Squissato is an expert in Human Resources Strategic Planning, Change Management, Organization and Leadership Development, Talent Management, and Reward and Recognition. She has a strong interest in social justice. Her previous volunteer experience includes the Toronto Women's Referral Centre and intensive work with UNICEF Canada.

John Stapleton worked for the Ontario Government in the Ministry if Community and Social Services for 28 years in the areas of social assistance policy and operations. His more recent government work concerned the implementation of the National Child Benefit. Since leaving the government, John has freelanced as a social policy consultant with governments while continuing to work with other diverse interests such as the Caledon Institute of Social Policy, Human Resources and Social Development Canada, and the Toronto City Summit Alliance. John served as the Research Director for the Task Force on Modernizing Income Security for Working Age Adults (MISWAA) in Toronto and was the co-chair of the working group associated with this project. He Volunteers with St. Christopher House and Woodgreen Community Services of Toronto.