Downtown Yonge Board

• Julia Lewis, Chair Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street. As Director for the Centre for Environmental Health, Safety and Security Management at Ryerson University, Julia brings strong strategic leadership and management skills to the Board. Julia’s leadership roles have included President of the Alzheimer’s Society of York region, Chair of the Council of Environmental Health and Safety Officers under the Council of Ontario Universities and most currently, co-owner and member of the Advisory Board of eSight Corporation, a high tech startup company developing digital adaptive optical technologies for sight enhancement.  Julia continues to Chair multidisciplinary committees and teams advancing responsive, healthy and safe environments in support of innovation and development. Julia has worked in and around the downtown Toronto area over the past 25 years and has been at Ryerson University since 1991. She has a strong affiliation and passion for the energy and diversity of Downtown Yonge. Julia has held the position of Chair of the Downtown Yonge BIA for two years 2009-2010 and was recently elected for another one year term for 2011.  She sits on the Executive and Nominations Committees. Julia has been a board member since 2003.

• Arron Barberian - Past Chair Arron is the owner of Barberian’s Steakhouse at 7 Elm Street established in the district in 1959 by his father Harry Barberian.  His leadership and passion for the area, where he was born and raised, led to the formation of the Downtown Yonge B.I.A. in 2001. Arron was Chair of the Downtown Yonge BIA until December, 2008 and is serving as Past Chair from 2009-2010 until 2011.   He has been a board member since 2001 and also held a board position on the Yonge-Dundas Square Board of Management.

• Susan Allen, Secretary General Manager, Retail Toronto Eaton Centre. Susan is the General Manager, Toronto Eaton Centre.  She is responsible for all aspects of management of the 4 million square foot office and retail flagship asset owned by The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited. Susan has over 20 years experience in the Real Estate industry in both office and retail.  Susan has a long history of industry accomplishments, and is the Treasurer of BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association of the Greater Toronto Area) serves on its Executive Committee, and is Chair of the BOMA Canada National Awards Committee.  In addition she sits on the ICSC organizing Committee for the annual Canadian Convention, where she chairs the Student Attendance Day Initiative. Susan holds her RPA (Real Property Administration) Designation from BOMI International. Susan has been a board member since 2003.

• Leger Xavier, Treasurer Leger Xavier is Vice President, Development & Leasing with the PenEquity Realty Corporation and 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.  Leger is a graduate from the University of Western Ontario with an Honours Degree in Urban Development. Since 2005, Leger has been Treasurer of the Downtown Yonge BIA and sits on the Executive Committee and is Chair of the Finance Committee. Leger and has been a board member since 2001.

• 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. Ken is actively involved with the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation and is a marketing instructor at University of 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.  He served as Chair of the Marketing Committee of Downtown Yonge BIA and was elected to the board in 2008.

• 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 this 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 was elected to the board in 2010.

• Winnie Jorgensen, Board Member Winnie Jorgensen, Director of Property Management for GWL Realty Advisors has over 20 years experience in commercial real estate. Winnie was the Senior Property Manager for College Park during the redevelopment in 2001/2002 and now as Director, oversees a portfolio of 3.5 million square feet, in 12 buildings including College Park.  Winnie is passionate about energy reduction in office buildings and in the renovation of the Downtown Yonge Subway Stations. She has been a board member since 2003 sits on the Nominations Committee and was newly elected to the Executive Committee as Secretary in 2011.

• Chris Conway Chris is the President and Chief Staff Officer of the Building Owners and Managers Association of the Greater Toronto Area (BOMA Toronto). BOMA Toronto's goal is to actively and responsibly represent and promote the interests of the commercial real estate industry through effective leadership, advocacy, standard setting, environmental designations, awards and professional development. In the GTA, BOMA Toronto represents 150 million square feet of commercial office space and approximately 80 percent of all ICI real estate companies with some 700 Toronto-area members including companies who provide services to commercial real estate.  He has a BA from St. Francis Xavier University, an MBA from Queens University, an LLB from the University of London, UK and has completed the Canadian Securities Course and is a newly appointed member to the Board as of January, 2011.

• Robert Landry, Board Member Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Legal, Operations and Real Estate    ING DIRECT Canada   Rob is part of the senior leadership team at ING DIRECT with responsibility for the human resources, legal & compliance, operations and real estate functions. In this role he is responsible for developing and implementing strategies: to attract, develop and retain the breadth of talent necessary to drive business success; to proactively support business initiatives and effectively manage legal and compliance risk; to ensure the efficient and effective management of deposit operations; and to support corporate social responsibility initiatives that reflect ING DIRECT Canada’s values and concern for its key stakeholders. Prior to joining ING DIRECT, Rob spent 10 years with Magna International in various human resources, legal and service operations roles, including having responsibility for the design, management and administration of Magna’s global retirement, benefit, mobility, health & safety, and environmental programs. Rob started his career with the law firm of Filion Wakely Thorup Angeletti, practicing labour and employment law on behalf of management. Rob has a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Ontario.

• J. Ken Rutherford Property Owner – 340 Yonge Street Ken’s family has been the owner of 340 Yonge Street for over 40 years and he is very passionate about maintaining Downtown Yonge’s position as the “place to go” for shopping, dining and entertainment. Ken is a CA, with over 25 years experience as a senior finance executive with some of Canada’s most respected organizations. Currently Ken is the Chief Administrative Officer of Odgers Berndtson, Canada’s largest Executive Search firm. In addition to being a board member since 2008, Ken is a member of the Finance Committee and is also a member of the Yonge-Dundas Square Board of Management. Ken is an active volunteer with Junior Achievement and Habitat for Humanity.

• Amit Seth, Board Member Amit Seth, M.Acc, C.A., is one of the youngest Tim Horton’s franchisees in its company’s history. 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.  He is a member of the Finance Committee and has been a board member since 2010.

• Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, Board Member Newly Elected Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam who represents Ward 27 has an extensive career investing in the City of Toronto through both the public and private sectors. Her contributions have led to the development and support of numerous social planning programs, business ventures, art endeavours and successful community initiatives. As a tireless community advocate, Councillor Wong-Tam has championed for the expansion of green public spaces, farmers' markets, community gardens including improvements to parks and ravines. She has lead efforts to defend the rights of tenants to obtain affordable and decent standards of rental housing and helped create a neighbourhood association to preserve and protect heritage buildings and historical landscapes in the ward. Councillor Wong-Tam continues to be a champion for sustainable living and environmental health and plays a vital role in ensuring the vibrancy of our city and its economic and social development. In addition to her city appointments to numerous city boards and agencies, she is also a board member of the University of Toronto Art Centre and the Business Chair at the Toronto Workforce Innovation Group (previously known as the Toronto Training Board)."