Board & Staff

Bringing people and resources together for 45 years.

Flamborough Connects is proud of the great people who make up the board and staff team. Passionate about community, every individual brings enthusiasm, professional expertise and genuine joy in helping others. Get to know our team.

Our Staff

Colleen Stinson– Executive Director
Email: colleen@flamboroughconnects.ca

Jan MacVinnie –Seniors Programs Coordinator
Email: jan@flamboroughconnects.ca

Sierra De Jager – Placement Student
Email: student@flamboroughconnects.ca

Shaneal McDonald – Information, Communication and Events Coordinator
Email: info@flamboroughconnects.ca

Mann Badami – Youth Programs Coordinator
Email: youth@flamboroughconnects.ca

 

Flamborough Connects has an opening on its volunteer Board of Directors.   Please contact us at admin@flamboroughconnects.ca if you are interested in providing leadership and sharing your expertise toward the goals of our charitable organization that has been facilitating community service programming for more than 45 years.  The complete posting can be found on our Careers page.

Donna Czukar, Chair

Donna joined Flamborough Connects in 2017, after working in senior leadership roles in the community health and information services sectors. Donna is involved with 100 Women Who Care Flamborough-Waterdown, and volunteers with the MS Society and numerous local events. Donna is passionate about highlighting the value of volunteers and developing and maintaining services that complement and integrate with our formal health and community systems. Her experience with community services and organizational development, along with her lifelong knowledge of Flamborough and her commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the community, ensure the continued growth and sustainability of Flamborough Connects.

Brenda Jefferies, Vice-Chair

Brenda joined the Flamborough Connects board in 2018. After 17 years as a community news reporter and editor with the Flamborough Review, she is now a freelance writer and editor with a focus on technical writing. Brenda is an active Rotarian and serves on the board of the Flamborough Heritage Society. Brenda is passionate about Flamborough and volunteers her writing skills and her knowledge of the local community to help raise the profile of Flamborough Connects programs and events. She enjoys helping with the annual Holiday Gift Program, the Flamborough Volunteer Appreciation Night and the Senior Volunteer Award.

David Baldarelli, Treasurer

David is a financial services professional working as the Chief Digital Officer for Concentra Bank and has a passion for volunteering. For more than 25 years he has worked with large banks such as BMO and credit unions such as Meridian and Coast Capital. He joined the Flamborough Connects Board in 2020 and stepped up when the Treasurer position became vacant soon after. In addition to outdoor activities such as hiking with his wife, daughters and dog, David enjoys music and cheering on the Canadiens, the Blue Jays and the LA Chargers. He also volunteers with the Nelson Youth Centre and Acclaim Health. David is excited to contribute to the strategic vision of Flamborough Connects; as treasurer he will keep the board informed of our financial situation and work to ensure that we are optimizing our effectiveness and impact in the community.

Natalie Walker, Director

Natalie joined the Flamborough Connects board in 2014. She brings a unique combination of financial expertise and enthusiasm for the community to her role. She is a risk-management specialist with RBC, where she has worked for 20 years. Natalie’s passion for giving back has led her to participate in numerous RBC fundraising initiatives, Joseph Brant Hospital’s Elder for Life program, 100 Women Who Care-Flamborough/Waterdown, and, along with her family, the Roots of Empathy program at Guy B. Brown Public School. She is passionate about her family and friends and loves to play the piano. Natalie has successfully secured funding for Flamborough Connects through RBC and 100 Women Who Care and works as part of our HR committee to strengthen engagement with staff and volunteers.

Shantal Woolsey, Director

Shantal brings a passion for teaching, inclusion, and community to the Flamborough Connects board. Currently a communications professor and curriculum development specialist at Mohawk College, she also draws on experience working in finance and at Queen’s Park. She volunteers as a career coach with several industry associations, as a judge in the annual BASEF competition, and as a member of the Mohawk College Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, among others. Shantal is also certified in mental health first aid and Safe-Talk. She is committed to helping others find their passion and is excited to take on a leadership role for youth initiatives in the community, such as the Youth Job Fair and the Youth Volunteer Fair.

Ed Steel, Director

Ed brings extensive experience in government, politics, and public affairs to his role as director on the FC board. He has served as Executive Director at the Mortgage and Title Insurance Industry Association of Canada (MTIIAC) since 2018, and previously worked in various capacities with the Ontario government, including as Director of Policy to the Minister of Government and Consumer Services. Ed is dedicated to the Flamborough community and has a passion for public service. Since joining our board in 2020, Ed’s focus is providing input and direction on communications, policy, and strategic planning initiatives. He is excited about working to shape the way we provide services and resources to Flamborough residents. 

Jan Laurin, Director - Research & Donor Relations

Brenda

Jan joined the Flamborough Connects board in January 2022, and she is excited to bring her considerable skills in event planning, customer service, management, and marketing to the table – along with an extensive knowledge of Flamborough. In addition to a 42-year career as a horticulturist with Connon Nurseries-NVK Holdings, Jan has volunteered with several local organizations and events, including the Rockton Agricultural Society, ArtsFest, the Flamborough Paint Challenge and Waterdown Village Theatre. She is passionate about issues related to education, the arts, and beautifying and creating positive spaces for residents. Her goal as a board member is to develop and build trusting, mutually beneficial relationships with our donors and to be a strong advocate for our community

Laurie Hepburn, Director

Laurie is a registered social worker who joined our board in 2023. A senior leader in the non-profit sector, Laurie holds a Master’s of Social Work and is currently the Executive Director of Halton Women’s Place, which provides services to women and children experiencing domestic violence. The long-time Waterdown resident has volunteered with Big Sisters and the YMCA of Oakville Community Living program and has been active with the Guy Brown parent council and local events and fundraisers. Laurie is passionate about helping people make meaningful community connections by creating a strong sense of belonging and inclusion. She is excited to contribute her skills in non-profit management and governance, philanthropy, and community development to further Flamborough Connects’ strategic vison.

Amy De Almeida, Director

Amy is the Senior Director of People & Culture at MaRS Discovery District in Toronto, and has over 15 years of experience as a senior human resources leader across several sectors. She earned her Bachelor of Commerce, human resources at the University of Guelph and her master’s degree in industrial relations and human resources (MIRHR) at the University of Toronto. Amy is passionate about her family and her children and enjoys being active with them, playing sports and board games, hiking, going to the beach and cheering on the Toronto Blue Jays and the Hamilton Forge FC. Amy has participated in our Holiday Gift Program and other Flamborough Connects initiatives and is excited to bring her experience and her deep knowledge of human resources, relationship building, communications and strategy development to her role with our board.

Contact Us!

163 Dundas Street East Waterdown, Ontario Mailing address: P.O. Box 240, L0R 2H0 admin@flamboroughconnects.ca 905.689.7880 1.800.297.3427

Newsletter Signup

Signup for our newsletter to keep you up to date!

In The News

Upcoming Events

Skip to content