Press Release – HCIA Leadership Council Announces Election of Executives

Press Release – October 9, 2018

HCIA Leadership Council Announces Election of Executives at September 27th AGM

The Headwaters Communities In Action Leadership Council elected members to the offices of Co-Chair and Vice-Chair at their Annual General Meeting on September 27, 2018.

The role of Co-Chair will now be administered by Trish Keachie and Diana Morris.

Trish Keachie has worked in the social service world for over 40 years. Her management positions included provincial policy development in the areas of child care and domestic violence and supporting and funding homelessness programs for the City of Toronto. Most recently, Trish was Executive Director of Dufferin Child and Family Services and retired from that in 2013. A resident of Mono, she is now actively involved in the community. She sits on the board for Family Transition Place as well as on the HCIA Leadership Council and is a lead sponsor for a Syrian refugee family in Orangeville.

Diana Morris is the General Manager of the Dufferin Board of Trade (DBOT). She holds a diploma in Business-Marketing and a certificate in Human Resource Management from St. Clair College, and has completed several courses and certificate programs in finance, management, and administration. She is currently in the process of completing the Certificate in Economic Development program through the University of Waterloo. Diana spent the seven years prior to joining DBOT running the office of a farm equipment dealership in Wellington County, and the four years before that in the banking industry.

“Headwaters Communities In Action is very fortunate to have Trish Keachie and Diana Morris as Co-Chairs of our Leadership Council. With their extensive and varied experience, they understand the community we live in and the opportunities and challenges that we have ahead of us” said Gord Gallaugher, Past-Chair of HCIA.

Trish Keachie and Diana Morris succeed Gord Gallaugher following his most recent 2 year term as HCIA Chair. Gord will remain on the Leadership Council as Past-Chair.

With Gord’s involvement in various positions, HCIA has evolved from the early Social Prosperity Project to its current form. He has been instrumental in stewarding HCIA towards managing a significant portfolio of community projects, and being an organization of significant profile and responsibility.

“Gord has provided endless support and effort towards making HCIA what it is today. His guidance and patience have been invaluable over the years. We are thrilled that he remains with the organization as past chair and helping with financials” said Shirley Boxem, Executive Director, HCIA.

The role of Vice-Chair will now be administered by Ken Topping.

Ken Topping has extensive leadership and governance experience on boards of quite a varied nature. He served a six-year term on the CWLHIN where he chaired the CEO Compensation and Review Committee and sat on the Audit, Quality and Governance Committees. Ken is a past President of the Dufferin Arts Council and Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. He also serves as a Director on the Board of PACE Credit Union and also sits on the Audit Committee. Recently Ken has joined the board of Headwaters Health Care Centre where he sits on the Quality Committee and is vice chair of the Governance Committee. Ken has lived in Shelburne with his wife Lynn since 1974 where they raised a family of three children and now have five grandchildren. Ken is also a Lion, a Mason and loves to travel with his wife Lynn. Ken is an avid motorcycle traveler seeing many areas of North America.

Sylvia Cheuy who was the foundational member of HCIA, the previous and first ED, and vice-chair in the previous term, thankfully remains on the HCIA board. Sylvia’s main role is with Tamarack Institute of Canada and she brings this knowledge and perspective to the table. Her depth of experience in community issues and opportunities is unmatched.

Jeff Sedgwick will continue in a second term as Treasurer. Jeff has been a full-time resident of Mulmur Township for 30 years. He was a founding member of the Rosemont Fire Department, and also spent 14 years as a municipal councilor. He works full time with The Co-operators with national responsibilities in Claims.

Building on last year’s momentum, the HCIA Leadership Council is looking forward an active and successful year!

About the HCIA 2018 AGM

The 2018 HICA AGM was held September 27, 2018 at Lord Dufferin Retirement Residences and it was a celebration of community, partners and projects!

Speakers for the event shared stories and strategies to illustrate what becomes possible when citizens, organizations and municipalities discover how to work effectively together to create innovative solutions to our community’s toughest issues. Kimberly Van Ryn from ALAS Dufferin (Active Lives After School) shared photos and statements from their clients who have developed new skills while helping our community through volunteering. Our own, Sylvia Cheuy delivered the keynote presentation about Asset-Based Community Development. ABCD uncovers the untapped potential of residents and connects it in ways that strengthens the community’s capacity to care for one another.

The HCIA Leadership Council would like to thank all of our partners, supporters and cheerleaders. It’s all about community!

About Headwaters Communities in Action

HCIA is about engaged citizens shaping a vibrant, sustainable & resilient community together. Since our inception in late 2004, HCIA has been a convener of community conversations. We provide citizens with information about emerging issues and opportunities and also support the start-up of collaborative projects that enhance community well-being. HCIA has several project areas resulting from priorities identified in our Community Well-Being Report and the follow up Community Well-Being Refresh project. They include: DC MOVES, Volunteer Dufferin, Headwaters Food and Farming Alliance (HFFA) and Citizens of Headwaters for Active Transportation Team (CHATT).

Primary funding for HCIA is from the County of Dufferin and United Way of Guelph Wellington Dufferin.

The Headwaters Communities in Action Leadership Council includes: Trish Keachie (Co-Chair), Diana Morris (Co-Chair), Gord Gallaugher (Past-Chair), Ken Topping (Vice-Chair), Jeff Sedgwick (Treasurer), Jeremy Bullock, Sylvia Cheuy, Lynn Codd & Andrew James

For further information, photographs or interviews, please contact:
Vicki Sword
Communications Lead
Headwaters Communities in Action
vicki@headwaterscommunities.org
HeadwatersCommunities.org