CUPE EWBT - Key Persons
Carrie Lynn Poole-Cotnam has been the Treasurer of CUPE 503 since 2013, representing 10,000 members across Eastern Ontario-from Pembroke and Ottawa to Clarence-Rockland and Cornwall. The union covers sectors including healthcare, municipal services, and social services. Carrie Lynn also holds the position of Treasurer at the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care. She is an alumna of Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, Cornell University's Industrial and Labor Relations program, and has completed executive education at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Carrie Lynn was appointed as a CUPE Trustee starting March 1st, 2023.
Craig has a comprehensive background in engineering and accounting, holding both P.Eng and CPA designations. He has extensive experience in the education sector in corporate services and governance. As the Superintendent of Corporate Services and Treasurer for the Limestone District School Board, he is committed to ensuring the effective management of financial, human, and facility resources. His current roles in various boards and foundations underscore his dedication to the community and the education system at large.
Job Titles:
- CUPE Senior Research Officer
Dan Crow is the CUPE Senior Research Officer specializing in supporting Ontario's school board sector. Before joining the Research Branch, Dan spent 11 years as president of CUPE 4207. He also worked at Brock University's Centre for Labour Studies and served on the CUPE Ontario Executive Board from 2007 to 2012, and again from 2014 to 2015.
Gary is an actuary with 35 years of experience in employee benefits plans. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with insurance companies, international employee benefits consulting firms, and various private and public benefit and pension plans, including some of Canada's largest unions. Apart from his role at CUPE EWBT, Gary serves as a trustee on the Canada-Wide Industry Pension Plan (CWIPP) and is a member of the Central Advisory Group of the Anglican Church General Synod Pension Plan. He shares his expertise as an instructor for the Masters of Trustee Management Standards program at the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and the Shareholder Association for Research and Education. Gary has also contributed as a subject matter expert for the Society of Actuaries' Education and Examination Committee.
Karen McRae is a seasoned investment professional with more than 30 years of experience. Recently retired, Karen held positions as Sr. Vice-President of Investments at Mackenzie Financial and previously served as Chief Investment Officer at Spectrum Investments. She also serves as a trustee of the Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology (CAAT) Pension Plan. Beyond her professional career, Karen is deeply involved in volunteer work, contributing her expertise to educational, religious, and sports organizations. She is driven by her passion for investments and commitment to sound governance principles.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer of AsrTrust
Lisa is currently the Chief Executive Officer of asrTrust, the first Employee Life and Health Trust in Canada. Accountable for the long-term sustainability of the trust, and reporting to a board of directors, Lisa manages the retiree health benefits plan for over 70,000 participants, alongside $4 billion of assets to fund all future liabilities over the next 6 to 7 decades. With over 20 years of experience in the insurance sector, specifically group benefits, travel, individual wealth and group, and an executive leader since 2009, Lisa excels in leveraging data and insights to deliver innovative first to market solutions. Lisa is an active Board member for the National Service Dogs of Canada and sits on the Advisory Board for PMG Intelligence. She completed her ICD.D certification in early 2024.
Job Titles:
- Vice - President for the Ontario School Board Council of Unions
Tammy currently serves as the Area 7 Vice-President for the Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU). She is also the local treasurer for CUPE 2486 in Thunder Bay, where she works as a custodian at the Lakehead District School Board. Previously, Tammy held the role of President at CUPE Local 3987 in the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board. She is deeply dedicated to CUPE and finds great passion in her union work.
Wanda Muirhead-Toporek retired as the Chief Financial Officer of the York Region District School Board. During her tenure, Wanda oversaw the business division, which encompassed Finance, Accounting, Payroll, Purchasing, Administrative Services, and Information Technology Services. With a career spanning 34 years at the board, Wanda progressed through various roles of increasing responsibility. She was appointed Senior Manager of Finance in 2007, Superintendent of Business in 2010, and assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer in 2012. Wanda holds a Bachelor of Accounting Science degree from the University of Calgary and has been a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified General Accountant for over 35 years. She also earned her Supervisory Officer Certificate in 1996.
Bill has been part of the Information Technology department at Trillium Lakelands DSB for 19 years. He joined Local 997's executive team as Chief Technical Steward in 2003 and became President in 2014, a role he still holds. Bill also served as the OSBCC Area 7 Alternate from 2011 to 2013. He is excited to be on the CUPE EWBT Board of Trustees.