Who We Are

Ready to help you

Staff

Mike Barron

Executive Director

Irene Clarke

Office & Grants Administrator

Amy Veysey

Fund Developer

Board of Directors

Andrew Douglas

Past Chair
Andrew Douglas

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 Martin

Board Chair
Jessica Martin

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

Treasurer
Jeff Burchill

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 DeGroot

John DeGroot

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.

Stacey Huxtable

Stacey is a Family Lawyer and Manager of Legal Services with Legal Aid Ontario. She grew up in Markham, completed her undergraduate degree in Ottawa, her master's degree in London, and then attended law school in Windsor. She has been a proud resident of Sarnia-Lambton since 2006. She is a wife and mother to two teenagers. Her favourite place to be is biking with her family to the beach in Bright's Grove.

Deanna Sandrin

Deanna Sandrin

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.

Brian Soulard

Brian Soulard

Brian is the Coordinator of Facilities/Capital Services for the County of Lambton’s Long-Term Care Division. Born and raised in Sarnia, Brian also worked for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp for 16 years in a senior leadership position. Having spent 10 years in the Toronto region, returning to his hometown was the best decision he ever made. Along with his wife and daughter he is an active member of the Imperial Theatre and the Nightingale Chorus.

Stéphane Thiffeault

Stephane Thiffeault

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

Gautam Sopakar

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.

Jason Vaillant

Jason Vaillant

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.

Vanessa Vaillant

Vanessa Vaillant

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.

Theresa Kimmerly

Vice Chair
Theresa Kimmerly

I have a passion for being involved, promoting development and growth in the community. My career spans over six years in Commercial Real Estate and eighteen years in customer service, management, and administration. I am excited to bring my skills and experience to the Sarnia Community Foundation.

Don Anderson

Committees & Members

Executive Committee

Andrew Douglas
Theresa Kimmerly
Jessica Martin
Jeff Burchill
Mike Barron

Finance Committee

Vanessa Vaillant
Deanna Sandrin
Jeff Burchill
Janice Culp
Craig Williamson
Brian Mundt
Bill Hazlitt

Community Engagement Committee

Jason Vaillant
John De Groot
Theresa Kimmerly
Nancy Wai
Brenda Pearson
Susan Chamberlain
Madelyn Best

Governance Committee

Stacey Huxtable
Stephane Thiffault
Deb Austin
Peter St. Marie
Ipek Williamson
Karen Gladu

Community Impact Grants Committee

Andrew Douglas
Gautam Sopakar
Jessica Martin
David Murray
Gini Newman
Kevin Graham
Barb Postil
Marc-Andre Brooks
Katarina Ovens