Downtown Yonge Board

• Julia Lewis, Chair Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street. As a senior director in the field of Environmental Health, Safety and Security Management, Julia brings strong leadership and management skills to the Board. Julia has worked in and around the downtown Toronto area over the past 17 years and has been at Ryerson for over 12 years. She has a strong affiliation and passion for the energy and diversity of Downtown Yonge.

• Christopher Pluch, Vice Chair General Property Manager, Hines/Atrium on Bay. Christopher has more than 20 years experience in property and facility management within the City of Toronto. After studying anthropology in university, Christopher undertook the management of several residential buildings before moving to the retail and commercial management within a family business environment. Christopher held positions with the Standard Life Assurance Company and Avison Young before moving to Oxford Properties where he managed Oxford’s head office and other banking district locations. Following Oxford, he took on an Area Manager’s role as head of operations at the Queen’s Park Complex, the headquarters of the Ontario Provincial Government. – Christopher has been married for 14 years; enjoys reading, golf, sailing and winter sports.

• Arron Barberian - Past Chair Arron is the owner of Barberian’s Steakhouse at 7 Elm Street.  His leadership and passion for the area, where he was born and raised, led to the formation of the Downtown Yonge B.I.A.  Arron has also served on the Yonge Dundas Square Board of Management.

• Susan Allen, Secretary General Manager, Retail Toronto Eaton Centre.

• Leger Xavier, Treasurer Mr. Leger Xavier, Vice President, Development & Leasing, has over 10 years of experience managing and actively implementing strategies to maximize value within a diverse real estate portfolio of food anchored, entertainment and mixed-use urban developments. In addition, Mr. Xavier has served as Treasurer and Chair of the Executive Committee of the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area for the last five years. Mr. Xavier is a graduate from the University of Western Ontario with an Honors Degree in Urban Development.

• Ken Gruber, Board Member Delta Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard St W. Ken is Director of Marketing for the Delta Chelsea, Canada's largest hotel. Previously, he was Director of Advertising and Promotions for Tourism Toronto. An immigrant to Canada from the U.S., Ken is passionate about his adopted city and is anxious to tell the world about everything it has to offer.

• Jamie Haggarty, Board Member Jamie is Executive Vice President of Television Operations for Rogers Media Television and is responsible for the overall local & technical operations of 10 Citytv and OMNI television stations and web sites in 5 major markets in Canada, as well as for OLN, Bio and G4Techtv.  Jamie rejoined Rogers in June 2005 as Vice President, Financial Operations for Rogers Media Inc. in which role he was responsible for financial planning, reporting and controls, business analysis, and, credit and collections for the operating companies of RMI (Publishing, Radio, Conventional and Specialty TV, the Shopping Channel, Blue Jays and Rogers Centre). Jamie is a Chartered Accountant and holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Windsor.  Jamie first joined Rogers in 1995 and held several positions in Rogers Cable.  Prior to returning to Rogers, Jamie worked in senior management roles in the Radio and Television Divisions of Corus Entertainment.  Jamie is based at the Rogers Media Television offices in Toronto.

• Winnie Jorgensen, Board Member Winnie Jorgensen, Director of Property Management for GWL Realty Advisors and Board Member for DYBIA, has 20 years experience in commercial real estate.  Winnie was a partner in a commercial construction firm in the late 80’s.  When the 1990’s recession hit, Winnie pursued a career in development and eventually, in Property Management.  Winnie was the Senior Property Manager for College Parks during the redevelopment in 2001/2002 and now oversees a portfolio of 3.5 million sq.ft. in 12 buildings.  Winnie is passionate about energy reduction in office buildings and in the renovation of the Downtown Yonge Subway Stations.

• J. Ken Rutherford Property Owner – 340 Yonge Street Ken is an independent consultant providing a range of advisory services to senior executives based on his 25 year career as the CFO of some of Canada’s most respected companies. Ken’s family have been property owners on Yonge Street for over 40 years and he is very passionate about the area. In addition to serving on the Executive Finance Committee, Ken has recently been appointed to the Board of Yonge-Dundas Square.

• Councillor Kyle Rae, Board Member As a municipal Councillor of the City of Toronto since 1991, Kyle has served on a variety of committees including the Yonge Street Revitalization Committee. He has been named "Best City Councillor" by NOW Magazine and XTRA! Magazine. Kyle is the driving political force behind the revitalization of Downtown Yonge including the Facade Improvement grant and Yonge-Dundas Square.

• Amit Seth, Board Member Amit Seth, M.Acc, C.A., is one of the youngest Tim Hortons franchisees in its company’s history. He always loved aspects of the Hospitality and Restaurant service industry and has grown up in it (worked at various positions at Sizzler, Wendy’s, Sports Authority).  Amit founded Saisethsons Hospitality Group Inc., which owns, operates or consults multi-quick service restaurant locations including St. Louis Bar & Grill in the Atrium on Bay and is an inspiration, resource person and a mentor for over 400 employees. Amit created the "Helping Hands" program, which is an initiative to help promote volunteerism and community involvement and eco-friendly activities through quarterly events for his organization's employees and his clients to participate in.

• Mary Vittorio, Board Member Mary Vittorio is General Manager of the Toronto Eaton Centre Office Properties at Cadillac Fairview Corporation since December 2000, and is one of the longest serving active employees within the organization.   As General Manager, Office Properties, she is responsible for marketing, tenant relations, accounting and security & life safety of 1.9 million square feet of commercial office space Along with her many accomplishments within the commercial real estate industry, Mary is also an active member of BOMA (Building Owners & Managers Association) Toronto as well as a member of T-CREW (Toronto Commercial Real Estate Women) and NAIOP (National Association of Industrial and Office Properties).