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.
Jessica is an owner of Sarnia’s Express Employment Professionals Office and is Operations and Recruitment Manager. Before Express, she spent over 20 years in Marketing and Special Events at OLG Casino Pt. Edward, then Customer Relations Manager of Starlight Casino in Pt. Edward. She enjoys traveling anywhere hot, yoga to relax, and volleyball from time to time.
Jeff Burchill, BBA, CLU, CFP, CHFC, retired Certified Financial Planner. Grew up in Sarnia. Active in the community including The Kidney Foundation, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Athletics Southwest Track & Field, Bluewater International Gran Fondo and Sarnia Community Foundation. Married to Anne; father of Claire and Colin. Likes staying active and spending time outdoors.
John is active in Sarnia Lambton, serving on the boards of Bluewater Health, Inn of Good Shepherd, Sarnia Christian School, Vision Nursing Home, World Renew, Sarnia Lambton Alzheimer Society, Sarnia Humane Society, and is a member of the Sarnia Rotary Club. His current quest has been to bring supportive and affordable housing to those in need.
Born in Sarnia, Brandon has Bachelor of Engineering (BEng), Chemical, Co-op Program, McMaster University. Brandon currently works at SWAGELOK ONTARIO as a Engineering Technical Specialist/Inside Sales/Fluid Systems Trainer. Brandon is an avid golfer and he looks forward to his time with the Sarnia Community Foundation.
Grew up in Sarnia. BA from Western University and Assoc. of Arts from FIDM in California. Returned to Sarnia and assumed ownership, and management for multiple companies. Deanna’s leadership roles make her a role model for a new generation of working women in Sarnia Lambton. Deanna is an active member of our community, supporting several local charities.
Deborah Austin has been an active advocate for improvement in the indigenous justice system. She is a respected leader within the legal community and a judge of the Ontario Court of Justice primarily for criminal and family law cases. She has a true passion for social justice and is a dedicated volunteer both locally and abroad serving as project director for Rayjon Share Care.
Stéphane is a lawyer and the CAO of The Corporation of the County of Lambton. 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.
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.
Born and raised in Sarnia-Lambton, Jason spent 25 years working in the oil & gas industry and with the federal government. Jason holds an MBA from the University of Windsor. He believes that Sarnia-Lambton is a great place to work and live. Jason likes staying active at the rink and on the golf course, boating on beautiful Lake Huron, and spending time with family and friends.
Originally from Sault Ste. Marie, Vanessa moved to Sarnia in 2015. With 15 years of governance and experience in philanthropy and the not-for profit sector, she is passionate about maintaining the relevance of charitable giving for younger generations. Vanessa spends her fee time outdoors with her children, kickboxing, enjoying a local craft beer or playing a board game.
Terri Portelli is a former IT executive with a passionate interest in giving back to the community. Terri and her husband moved to beautiful Plymouth-Wyoming in 2021. Terri joined the SCF governance committee in 2023 and the SCF board in 2025. Terri is a voracious reader, writer and book blogger; an avid gardener; and an animal lover and advocate for animal welfare.
We acknowledge that we live and work within the ancestral, traditional, territories of the Chippewa, Odawa, and Potawatomi First Nations. These three individual Nations, make up the Three Fires Confederacy. On behalf of the Sarnia Community Foundation, we acknowledge the welcome they have offered to our community.
109 Durand Street,
Sarnia Ontario, N7T 5A1
