Kristy Duncan - Kristy is a freelance consultant, focusing on strategy and research in electronic banking. In her career, she has been a leader in building new payment infrastructures across North America. Kristy founded WEMS (Women Engineers Mentoring Students), a mentoring program for women engineering students at the University of Toronto, for which she received an Arbor Award. She is an active mother of two daughters and is our President/Chair of the Board.

Denise Graham is a Registered Professional Planner who works for the City of Toronto. She has been a community planner since 1978 and enjoys helping people understand the land use planning process. Denise is interested in knitting and painting and has taken many courses through the Centre to fuel her passions. Denise has been a member of Fairlawn Avenue United Church since the birth of her son in 1987.

Stuart W. LeMesurier is a partner with the Toronto law firm of McLean & Kerr. Stuart is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Law Society of Upper Canada, the International Council of Shopping Centres and the Toronto Downtown Business Toastmasters. In addition to a busy practice, primarily involving commercial leasing matters, he is the father of three children.

Meredith MacKeigan brings her considerable enthusiasm and energy to the Board, leveraging her past and present expertise in marketing, product development and e-learning. She is currently a principal in an interactive, online communications company that creates integrated online marketing and one-to-one communication programs for Fortune 500 clients in key verticals such as packaged goods, retail, banking and pharmaceuticals. She's also the mother of two small children.

Laura Nield - Laura joins the Board as our new Secretary. Laura is a lawyer who has practised in the area of commercial litigation. She has four active children and has been a full-time mother for the past several years. Laura volunteers extensively in the community and at Fairlawn Avenue United Church. She has been a member of The Fairlawn Neighbourhood Centre since its inception in 1996, and has participated in many programs at the Centre.

Elsie Redekopp - Elsie joins the Board as our Treasurer. A Centre user since moving to this neighbourhood, Elsie believes it is important to be involved in the community. Elsie has been a very active Bedford Park School Council member, both as Chair for two years and as Treasurer for five years. She is currently working towards a CGA designation, while continuing to provide bookkeeping services for Robyn’s Cookies. 

Theresa Stephen has spent more than 15 years in the investment management industry, focusing on marketing and strategy for retail and high-net-worth client segments.  She relocated to Toronto in 2004, after having lived and worked in New York City for ten years.  Theresa found that the Neighbourhood Centre was an invaluable resource for getting to know her new community and has enjoyed the pre-school programming for her two young sons.

Tanya van Biesen As co-lead of Spencer Stuart's Financial Services practice in Canada, Tanya brings her considerable retail and financial services expertise to the Board. In the early nineties she was a National Category Manager with Procter & Gamble Inc. and since then has researched, recruited and managed key search assignments. A Big Sister since 2001 and active mother, we are delighted to have Tanya on our Board.

Staff Bios
Executive Director, Naomi Schafler is a community person at heart. She has a long and varied history of volunteer work. Naomi holds an Honours BA (Arts) from Queen’s University and a Certificate in Corporate Communications from Seneca College. She brings her banking, sales and marketing skills, special events planning experience and public relations vision to this position. She is thrilled and grateful to be a part of the FNC Team.

Program & Volunteer Coordinator, Ruth LeBar joined the Centre as a Welcome Desk volunteer in 1997. Within no time, her considerable skills in volunteer development and administration became evident. Her background in the non-profit sector includes work with St. John Ambulance as well as Co-coordinator of Health Promotion and Volunteer Recruitment for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Her warm, easy-going style is a great asset to the Centre.