Meet our valued members
The Foundation relies on the personal commitment and active involvement of a group of 12 individuals who serve as members of the Foundation Board. Board members are expected to be zealous advocates on our behalf, enthusiastic communicators of our mission and vision, and actively demonstrate their support of the work undertaken by SCF.
We also welcome volunteers to be part of our board committees or to assist with events .
Staff
Mike Barron
Executive Director
Irene Clarke
Office & Grants Administrator
Board of Directors
Stéphane Thiffeault
Stéphane is a lawyer and is the Chief Administrative Officer of The Corporation of the County of Lambton. He is a member of a number of provincial adjudication boards including the Health Professions Appeals and Review Board and the Health Services Appeals and Review Board. He has practiced law in the public and private sectors and has occupied senior management/executive positions including that of Chief Privacy Officer and Compliance Officer with responsibilities in Canada, the United States and the Republic of Singapore.
Bill Woods
Board Chair
Bill is a life long resident of Sarnia and has been an active supporter of many community organizations through work and family life. He is currently a Portfolio Manger, Investment Advisor for TD Wealth Private Investment and has been in the investment industry since 2002 Prior to that he was with a large financial institution as a branch manager. A business graduate of Fanshawe College, Bill has obtained an accounting designation as well as having the CIM, FMA designations from the Canadian Securities Institute.
Jessica Paradis
Jessica Paradis works as the Marketing Coordinator at Lambton Mall where she plans special events and enjoys collaborating with local community agencies and charities to come up with creative ways to work together. She is excited to be a part of the special events committee with the Sarnia Community Foundation to continue contributing positively to our community.
Gini Newman
Community Impact Chair
Retired Pharmacist
A resident of Petrolia, Gini is actively involved in that community through the church.
Rosanna Doidge
Retired Teacher
Having spent many years in the classroom , Rosanna brings multiple organizational skills to the work of the board. As a member of the Special Events Committee in 2018, she witnessed first hand the impact the Foundation has in the community.
John DeGroot
Landscaper, Gardener, Business Owner and Community Volunteer
Margaret Dragan
Retired Finance Vice President
Margaret Dragan joined the SCF Board in 2020. Prior to her retirement she served as Vice-President Finance and Administration of Lambton College and held senior management roles in the petrochemical industry. A member of the boards of Bluewater Power, Bluewater Health, and and The Inn of the Good Shepherd and previously of numerous local charities, Margaret was recipient of the SCF Women of Excellence Award in 2018.
Deborah Austin
Judge
Deborah Austin has been an active advocate for improvement in the indigenous justice system and is a respected leader within the legal community. She is a judge of the Ontario Court of Justice dealing primarily with criminal and family law cases. Her advocacy on behalf of the Gladhue court has made a significant difference in the community. She has a true passion for social justice and is dedicated volunteer both locally and abroad serving as project director for Rayjon Share Care.
Jessica Martin
Jessica is one of the owners of the Sarnia Express Employment Professionals Office. She is the Operations and Recruitment Manager, connecting exceptional candidates and companies in professional fields while managing the Sales team and running the day-to-day operations. Before starting at Express, she spent over 20 years in Marketing and Special Events for the OLG Casino Point Edward, then as the Customer Relations Manager of Starlight Casino in Point Edward. Outside the office, she enjoys traveling anywhere hot, yoga to relax, and volleyball from time to time.
Andrew Douglas
IT Analyst City of Sarnia
Andrew Douglas is an IT software analyst who has recently learned about the good work of the community foundation. He has volunteered for a number of smaller community organization and has seen how the work of the community foundation has impacted them. He is looking forward to helping the Foundation continuing to build a vibrant, inclusive, livable Lambton County.
Bill Hazlitt
Treasurer FCPA FCA
Bill has been the Treasurer for SCF for many years and the Foundation has been blessed by his knowledge of the community and local charities, his financial acumen and his concern for fiscal responsibility within our organization.
He has been involved in many of Sarnia’s charities as a board member, treasurer or auditor and has a broad range of charitable interests.
Gautam Soparkar
Doctor
Gautam Soparkar is a local physician and author, specializing in lung disorders and sleep apnea. He is an adjunct professor at Western University, London, Ontario and a long-time resident of Sarnia. He has been involved with the community through the Soparkar Family Fund and the Awesome Foundation. He now looks forward to further community involvement as a board member of the Sarnia Community Foundation.
