Board of Directors
President and CEO Old Brewery Mission
James Hughes
James Hughes is the volunteer President and Chair of the Provincial Employment Roundtable (“PERT”). His full time job is in the homelessness sector as the President and CEO of the Old Mission Brewery. Previous roles include Executive Lead at the McConnell Foundation, President of the Graham Boeckh Foundation, Deputy Minister of Social Development for the Province of New Brunswick and Director-General of the Old Brewery Mission. His two books, both published by James Lorimer Canada, are Early Intervention (2015) and Beyond Shelters (2018). He is proudly the founding President of YES Montreal.
Senior Financial Policy Analyst - Health Canada
Ayanna Alleyne
Ayanna Alleyne, is a dedicated bilingual professional specializing in management, operations and finance, studying at John Molson School of Business and acquiring Project Management Certification at McGill University.
Ayanna serves as a public servant, holding the position of Senior Financial Policy Analyst at Health Canada, working within the Chief Financial Officer Branch.
She assumes the role of co-chair of the Black Employees Matter Network for both Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, where she champions equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives for Black employees there and within the Government of Canada. Ayanna is also a departmental union representative for the Association of Canadian Financial Officers (ACFO), sitting on their finance, collective bargaining and EDI committees.
Whether it’s with her children’s sports teams, local activities or governing boards, Ayanna is an indispensable volunteer wherever she dedicates her time. Ayanna sits as the Executive Chair of the Board of Directors of the Côte-des-Neiges Black Community Association (CDNBCA) in Montreal. This non-profit organization has served the English-speaking Black community of Montreal for over 50 years. Growing up in Côte-des-Neiges, the ‘BCA’ holds a special place in Ayanna’s heart and she gives her time to match her commitment in keeping the organization operating successfully for another 50 years.
Ayanna has recently been named 2024 CBC Quebec Black Changemakers, recognizing her as an innovative Black Quebecer whose efforts are making a meaningful impact and inspiring others in the community. Her work embodies her humble mantra of “working hard and being nice to people’; overall principles that guide her efforts in all spaces daily.
Lawyer
Lina Aristeo, LL.B.
Me Aristeo has been involved in all levels of the labor movement, both in Canada and in the United States, before founding Plūme. As VP of an international union, VP in the FTQ board and executive VP of one of the largest unions in the private sector, she has been exposed to all facets of the Canadian and American labor movement.
Over a ten-year period at the helm of a Quebec union, she also served as co-president of several insurance and pension funds, led the negotiation of industrial collective agreements and ended a culture of strike that prevailed among union members.
Since leaving the labour movement in 2012, Me Aristeo has now focused exclusively on employers. Her practice focuses primarily on labor relations, but she also has a strong track record in employment and labour law. Her direct and transparent approach benefits SMEs and large companies, both public and private, in Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and the United States.
As an employer representative, Me Aristeo keeps the legal obligations of her clients well in sight without ever forgetting their rights. When developing and executing a strategy, she always does so with the objective of maintaining or creating harmonious working relationships.
Coordinator for the Centre de recherche d'emploi de Pointe-Claire (CREPC).
Trina Belanger
Trina Belanger is the coordinator for the Centre de recherche d’emploi de Pointe-Claire (CREPC). She works hard with her staff to provide job search services with personalized and flexible support to ensure that they meet the current needs of the participants. Before becoming the coordinator for the CREPC, Trina had worked in different provinces in Canada, as well as, different countries such as the United States and Germany. Throughout her travels, she was involved in several projects with many different schools and employment centers. Some of her achievements have been: creating new English language curriculum for the Commission scolaire des Draveurs in Gatineau, developing a site base plan for a rural school in Nova Scotia, coordinating physical education program for a British school in Germany, and working on a new youth employment strategy in Ontario. She is very passionate about helping others through teaching, counselling and guidance to reach their full potential.
President and CEO Old Brewery Mission
James Hughes
James Hughes is the volunteer President and Chair of the Provincial Employment Roundtable (“PERT”). His full time job is in the homelessness sector as the President and CEO of the Old Mission Brewery. Previous roles include Executive Lead at the McConnell Foundation, President of the Graham Boeckh Foundation, Deputy Minister of Social Development for the Province of New Brunswick and Director-General of the Old Brewery Mission. His two books, both published by James Lorimer Canada, are Early Intervention (2015) and Beyond Shelters (2018). He is proudly the founding President of YES Montreal.
Senior Financial Policy Analyst - Health Canada
Ayanna Alleyne
Ayanna Alleyne, is a dedicated bilingual professional specializing in management, operations and finance, studying at John Molson School of Business and acquiring Project Management Certification at McGill University.
Ayanna serves as a public servant, holding the position of Senior Financial Policy Analyst at Health Canada, working within the Chief Financial Officer Branch.
She assumes the role of co-chair of the Black Employees Matter Network for both Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, where she champions equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives for Black employees there and within the Government of Canada. Ayanna is also a departmental union representative for the Association of Canadian Financial Officers (ACFO), sitting on their finance, collective bargaining and EDI committees.
Whether it’s with her children’s sports teams, local activities or governing boards, Ayanna is an indispensable volunteer wherever she dedicates her time. Ayanna sits as the Executive Chair of the Board of Directors of the Côte-des-Neiges Black Community Association (CDNBCA) in Montreal. This non-profit organization has served the English-speaking Black community of Montreal for over 50 years. Growing up in Côte-des-Neiges, the ‘BCA’ holds a special place in Ayanna’s heart and she gives her time to match her commitment in keeping the organization operating successfully for another 50 years.
Ayanna has recently been named 2024 CBC Quebec Black Changemakers, recognizing her as an innovative Black Quebecer whose efforts are making a meaningful impact and inspiring others in the community. Her work embodies her humble mantra of “working hard and being nice to people’; overall principles that guide her efforts in all spaces daily.
Lawyer
Lina Aristeo, LL.B.
Me Aristeo has been involved in all levels of the labor movement, both in Canada and in the United States, before founding Plūme. As VP of an international union, VP in the FTQ board and executive VP of one of the largest unions in the private sector, she has been exposed to all facets of the Canadian and American labor movement.
Over a ten-year period at the helm of a Quebec union, she also served as co-president of several insurance and pension funds, led the negotiation of industrial collective agreements and ended a culture of strike that prevailed among union members.
Since leaving the labour movement in 2012, Me Aristeo has now focused exclusively on employers. Her practice focuses primarily on labor relations, but she also has a strong track record in employment and labour law. Her direct and transparent approach benefits SMEs and large companies, both public and private, in Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and the United States.
As an employer representative, Me Aristeo keeps the legal obligations of her clients well in sight without ever forgetting their rights. When developing and executing a strategy, she always does so with the objective of maintaining or creating harmonious working relationships.
Coordinator for the Centre de recherche d'emploi de Pointe-Claire (CREPC).
Trina Belanger
Trina Belanger is the coordinator for the Centre de recherche d’emploi de Pointe-Claire (CREPC). She works hard with her staff to provide job search services with personalized and flexible support to ensure that they meet the current needs of the participants. Before becoming the coordinator for the CREPC, Trina had worked in different provinces in Canada, as well as, different countries such as the United States and Germany. Throughout her travels, she was involved in several projects with many different schools and employment centers. Some of her achievements have been: creating new English language curriculum for the Commission scolaire des Draveurs in Gatineau, developing a site base plan for a rural school in Nova Scotia, coordinating physical education program for a British school in Germany, and working on a new youth employment strategy in Ontario. She is very passionate about helping others through teaching, counselling and guidance to reach their full potential.
Executive Director Regional Development Network
Cathy Brown
Cathy Brown is the current Executive Director of the Regional Development Network (RCN), a provincial organization which represents English-speaking community groups in the regions of Québec. Previously, Cathy was the Executive Director for the Committee for Anglophone Social Action (CASA), which represents the English-speaking population of the Gaspésie at the regional, provincial and national levels with an aim to build community vitality.
President and CEO - Community Economic Development and Employability Corporation
John Buck
John Buck is proud to be part of the English-speaking Community of Quebec. He is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Community Economic Development and Employability Corporation (CEDEC). CEDEC is an economic and labour force development organization working to improve the economic well-being of communities in a time of rapid and far-reaching economic change.
John has served as President and Chief Executive Officer at CEDEC since 2006. John
has been involved with CEDEC since the organization was created in 1999. As a founding member, John served on the Board of Directors and then went on to serve as Treasurer and Secretary, and as Chair of the Board of Directors in 2002-2004. John has previously served in various capacities on several boards of directors including on the Board of Directors at Townshippers’ Association. Prior to working at CEDEC, John worked in the field of finance with one of Canada’s leading consulting firms.
John has studied at Bishop’s University, McGill University and Laurier University and holds degrees both in sciences and in business administration. John also holds a Certified Association Executive (CAE) professional designation and certificates in governance from The Institute for Corporate Directors (ICD). John is currently a Board Director on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Local Employment and Economic Development (LEED) Forum. John is the Vice-Chair of the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE) where he has served as a Board Director since 2018. John is also a member of the Government Relations Institute of Canada and the Public Affairs Association of Canada (PAAC).
Experiential Learning Coordinator in Arts - Bishop's University
Bassam Chiblak
CEO BEAVER TAILS CANADA INC. & MOOZOO CREMERY
Pino Di Ioia
Pino Di Ioia (McGill MBA ’93) was 11 when he started his first venture; selling soft drinks and salvaged golf balls at a neighborhood course. At the age of 19, his passion for entrepreneurialism landed him a position as manager with BeaverTails Pastry ( www.beavertails.com ). Shortly afterwards, while completing his MBA, Pino bought the store he was managing as the chain’s first franchise. Pino and his twin brother Anthony eventually went on to become the first Master Franchisees for the company, opening a total of 48 stores within the province of Quebec. In 2009 they bought out the majority of the company from the founder and are now overseeing worldwide growth. Pino is CEO and co-owner for BeaverTails Canada inc., franchisor of 160+ shops throughout Canada in the US, UAE, Mexico, and France. Along with his wife and twin brother he has also launched moozoo creamery ( www.moozoo.com ). Pino lives in Montreal with his wife Tina, and their three adopted children: daughter Lucca and their sons Kai and Max… as well as their dog Milo. Work continues to be an adventure between fun walks and lots of cooking experiments with the kids…
Executive Director Regional Development Network
Cathy Brown
Cathy Brown is the current Executive Director of the Regional Development Network (RCN), a provincial organization which represents English-speaking community groups in the regions of Québec. Previously, Cathy was the Executive Director for the Committee for Anglophone Social Action (CASA), which represents the English-speaking population of the Gaspésie at the regional, provincial and national levels with an aim to build community vitality.
President and CEO - Community Economic Development and Employability Corporation
John Buck
John Buck is proud to be part of the English-speaking Community of Quebec. He is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Community Economic Development and Employability Corporation (CEDEC). CEDEC is an economic and labour force development organization working to improve the economic well-being of communities in a time of rapid and far-reaching economic change.
John has served as President and Chief Executive Officer at CEDEC since 2006. John
has been involved with CEDEC since the organization was created in 1999. As a founding member, John served on the Board of Directors and then went on to serve as Treasurer and Secretary, and as Chair of the Board of Directors in 2002-2004. John has previously served in various capacities on several boards of directors including on the Board of Directors at Townshippers’ Association. Prior to working at CEDEC, John worked in the field of finance with one of Canada’s leading consulting firms.
John has studied at Bishop’s University, McGill University and Laurier University and holds degrees both in sciences and in business administration. John also holds a Certified Association Executive (CAE) professional designation and certificates in governance from The Institute for Corporate Directors (ICD). John is currently a Board Director on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Local Employment and Economic Development (LEED) Forum. John is the Vice-Chair of the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE) where he has served as a Board Director since 2018. John is also a member of the Government Relations Institute of Canada and the Public Affairs Association of Canada (PAAC).
Experiential Learning Coordinator in Arts - Bishop's University
Bassam Chiblak
CEO BEAVER TAILS CANADA INC. & MOOZOO CREMERY
Pino Di Ioia
Pino Di Ioia (McGill MBA ’93) was 11 when he started his first venture; selling soft drinks and salvaged golf balls at a neighborhood course. At the age of 19, his passion for entrepreneurialism landed him a position as manager with BeaverTails Pastry ( www.beavertails.com ). Shortly afterwards, while completing his MBA, Pino bought the store he was managing as the chain’s first franchise. Pino and his twin brother Anthony eventually went on to become the first Master Franchisees for the company, opening a total of 48 stores within the province of Quebec. In 2009 they bought out the majority of the company from the founder and are now overseeing worldwide growth. Pino is CEO and co-owner for BeaverTails Canada inc., franchisor of 160+ shops throughout Canada in the US, UAE, Mexico, and France. Along with his wife and twin brother he has also launched moozoo creamery ( www.moozoo.com ). Pino lives in Montreal with his wife Tina, and their three adopted children: daughter Lucca and their sons Kai and Max… as well as their dog Milo. Work continues to be an adventure between fun walks and lots of cooking experiments with the kids…
COORD. OF COMMUNITY & BUSINESS, NEW FRONTIERS SCHOOL BOARD
Chuck Halliday
Chuck Halliday is the Coordinator of Community and Business for the Continuing Education Department of the New Frontiers School Board, located in the Monteregie-West. His professional duties have him part of multiple dossiers and committees. Whether it be supporting adult learners to succeed with their post-secondary goals, especially in one of his school board’s three vocational and adult education Centres (NOVA, CVCEC, HAECC) to the development and improvement of the quality of life for English speaking communities. Chuck is a strong believer in the power of networking, collaboration, and partnerships. When stakeholders across multiple sectors (education, health, employability, social services, etc) create sustainable best practices and holistic strategies to better support our citizens, better results are achieved. This is why he fully supports the goal of PERT (Provincial Employment Roundtable) to become a valuable tool with the ultimate goal of improving the employment for Quebec’s English Community across the province.
Center Director for Vocational Training at the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board
Heather Halman
Heather Halman is an educational leader with over 27 years of experience in the Quebec public anglophone education system. Heather has several university degrees including: a Bachelor of Commerce- Honors Economics, Bachelor of Arts- Specialization in Early Childhood Education; a Master of Arts in Child Studies, a Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership and a Project Development Certification.
Heather has been a teacher, youth sector Principal, School Board Educational and Complementary Services Department Director, Strategic Plan Advisor, Adult Education and Vocational Training Services Director, Center Director for Adult Education and most recently holds the position of Center Director for Vocational Training at the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board. Heather is also the President of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board Chapter of L ’Association Quebecoise des Cadres Scolaires.
Heather has served on many Boards including the Advisory Board of English Education in Quebec and La Commission de l ’education prescolaire et de l’enseignment primaire du Conseil Superieur du Quebec. She has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of LEARN, has held the position of Vice Chair of DEEN- directors of English Education Network, was the 2022 Chairperson of the Procede Annual Conference, and has been an active member of the LCEEQ- Leadership Committee on English Education in Quebec Board of Directors.
Heather is a published author, educational conference presenter, consultant, mentor as well as a passionate pedagogical leader. She is a role model in the adult educational and vocational training sector in Quebec public anglophone education.
Manager of Regional Development - RDN
Rachel Hunting
Rachel has expertise in the youth sector, access to and the governance of health and social services, as well as official languages issues as they pertain Quebec’s English-speaking minority community; she has been the Executive Director of Townshippers’ Association since 2012. In 2015 Rachel was appointed to the Board of Directors of the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS where she was renewed for a second mandate as an Independent Director, is president of its Governance and Ethics Committee and is an active member of its Human Resources and Communications Committee.
Senior Officer: Political Action and Engagement
Malcolm Lewis-Richmond
Malcolm Lewis-Richmond holds a Bachelor’s degree from Université du Québec à Montréal with a major in linguistics and a certificate in industrial relations. He works on collective bargaining and social justice campaigns as a senior political action officer at The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, Canada’s largest union of public service professionals. He is the founding president of Youth 4 Youth Québec, a group that represents the interest of Quebec’s English-speaking linguistic minority youth community. He previously worked as a campaign organizer for a Member of Parliament and in political parties. He is also a founding executive member of a CEGEP student union and a municipal political party youth wing.
COORD. OF COMMUNITY & BUSINESS, NEW FRONTIERS SCHOOL BOARD
Chuck Halliday
Chuck Halliday is the Coordinator of Community and Business for the Continuing Education Department of the New Frontiers School Board, located in the Monteregie-West. His professional duties have him part of multiple dossiers and committees. Whether it be supporting adult learners to succeed with their post-secondary goals, especially in one of his school board’s three vocational and adult education Centres (NOVA, CVCEC, HAECC) to the development and improvement of the quality of life for English speaking communities. Chuck is a strong believer in the power of networking, collaboration, and partnerships. When stakeholders across multiple sectors (education, health, employability, social services, etc) create sustainable best practices and holistic strategies to better support our citizens, better results are achieved. This is why he fully supports the goal of PERT (Provincial Employment Roundtable) to become a valuable tool with the ultimate goal of improving the employment for Quebec’s English Community across the province.
Center Director for Vocational Training at the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board
Heather Halman
Heather Halman is an educational leader with over 27 years of experience in the Quebec public anglophone education system. Heather has several university degrees including: a Bachelor of Commerce- Honors Economics, Bachelor of Arts- Specialization in Early Childhood Education; a Master of Arts in Child Studies, a Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership and a Project Development Certification.
Heather has been a teacher, youth sector Principal, School Board Educational and Complementary Services Department Director, Strategic Plan Advisor, Adult Education and Vocational Training Services Director, Center Director for Adult Education and most recently holds the position of Center Director for Vocational Training at the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board. Heather is also the President of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board Chapter of L ’Association Quebecoise des Cadres Scolaires.
Heather has served on many Boards including the Advisory Board of English Education in Quebec and La Commission de l ’education prescolaire et de l’enseignment primaire du Conseil Superieur du Quebec. She has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of LEARN, has held the position of Vice Chair of DEEN- directors of English Education Network, was the 2022 Chairperson of the Procede Annual Conference, and has been an active member of the LCEEQ- Leadership Committee on English Education in Quebec Board of Directors.
Heather is a published author, educational conference presenter, consultant, mentor as well as a passionate pedagogical leader. She is a role model in the adult educational and vocational training sector in Quebec public anglophone education.
Manager of Regional Development - RDN
Rachel Hunting
Rachel has expertise in the youth sector, access to and the governance of health and social services, as well as official languages issues as they pertain Quebec’s English-speaking minority community; she has been the Executive Director of Townshippers’ Association since 2012. In 2015 Rachel was appointed to the Board of Directors of the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS where she was renewed for a second mandate as an Independent Director, is president of its Governance and Ethics Committee and is an active member of its Human Resources and Communications Committee.
Senior Officer: Political Action and Engagement
Malcolm Lewis-Richmond
Malcolm Lewis-Richmond holds a Bachelor’s degree from Université du Québec à Montréal with a major in linguistics and a certificate in industrial relations. He works on collective bargaining and social justice campaigns as a senior political action officer at The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, Canada’s largest union of public service professionals. He is the founding president of Youth 4 Youth Québec, a group that represents the interest of Quebec’s English-speaking linguistic minority youth community. He previously worked as a campaign organizer for a Member of Parliament and in political parties. He is also a founding executive member of a CEGEP student union and a municipal political party youth wing.
Career Transition and Human Resources Counsellor – Executives Available
Kate McGovern
Career Transition and Human Resources Counsellor – Executives Available