Jake’s House Leadership Network Itinerary
EVENT ITINERARY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
7:00 am: Signature Flight Support, North Lounge*
7:30 am: Depart Toronto
12:00 pm: Check-in at Fox Harb’r Resort
12:30 pm: Welcome lunch, Cape Cliff Dining Room
3:45 pm: Golf, Back Nine (meet 15 mins prior at the Golf Shop, lower level of the clubhouse)
8:00 pm: Dinner & networking, Sporting Lodge
*FLIGHT INFORMATION
Toronto departure runway address:
Signature Flight Support, North Lounge
6828 Vanguard Dr Mississauga, ON L4T 1A1
North Lounge Telephone: (905) 677-5777
Please note: this is not the main Aerocentre terminal; this is the North Lounge, which is around the corner, where the sports teams depart.
On-site parking available.
Luggage allowances: Each guest can bring one carry-on; one purse/laptop bag; and one set of golf clubs.
Luggage tags: Please ensure your carry-on and golf bags are tagged with your name, so the Fox Harb’r team can deliver your bags to your suite.
*DIRECTIONS TO PLANE
Signature Flight Support, North Lounge | 6828 Vanguard Dr Mississauga, ON
From the corner of Derry Road and Vanguard Road, where you will see a Tim Hortons, go south on Vanguard toward the airport, following the road until you see the sign for Hangars 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (pictured below). When you see this hangar sign, go left, continuing on Vanguard. Further along, you will pass the Chartright Hangar on the right (pictured below); after this, follow one last bend to the right, then take the first driveway to the Signature Flight, Support North Lounge (sign and entrance faces east) on the right side.
At this hangar sign, go left.
After the next right bend, you will see the Chartright Hangar building and this sign on the right. At this point, continue on Vanguard and take the next bend to the right; the destination, the North Lounge, is on the first driveway after this bend.
This is the North Lounge’s sign on the building. When you see this, you have arrived at your destination.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
8:00 am: Breakfast, Northumberland Room
9:00 am: Panel discussions, led by the Economic Club of Canada, Northhumberland Room
11:30 am: Golf, Full Championship Course; lunch served on course*
6:30 pm: Sunset cocktail reception, Marina Home Upper Terrace
8:00 pm: Dinner, Marina Home Lower Level
9:00 pm: Bonfire & oceanside networking, Marina Home Back Terrace & Beach
*All guests who are not golfing may pick up their lunch from The Willard.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
7:00 am: Breakfast, Cape Cliff Patio
8:30 am: Golf, Back Nine
10:30 pm: Lunch boxes served at The Willard Patio
1:00 pm: Depart Fox Harb’r
4:30 pm: Arrive in Toronto
VENUE INFORMATION
Fox Harb’r Resort
Address: 1337 Fox Harbour Road, Wallace, Nova Scotia B0K 1Y0
To request a resort shuttle, to order room service and for all other resort requests:
dial 0 from your guest suite; or
call 902-257-1801 from an outside line
SPEAKERS
The Jake’s House Leadership Network’s line-up of speakers include:
David & Irene Bodanis
Co-Founders, Jake’s House for Children with Autism
In family, in charity and in business, David and Irene Bodanis employ inspiring leadership, passion and drive. They are committed to making a positive impact, and do so with entrepreneurial, collaborative and genuine spirits.
David’s current business interests are in private asset management, developing and deploying new opportunities through his vast network. Believing that this success affords their family the ability and responsibility to give back, David and Irene make significant philanthropic contributions to the community and motivate others to do so as well.
Proud parents of three sons, two of whom have autism, David and Irene founded Jake’s House for Children with Autism. In 2004, they hosted the first Jake’s House Holiday Party, after realizing that too many children with autism don’t receive invitations to holiday celebrations. Since, this annual party has grown exponentially, has become a staple in the community, and has plans to expand across the country.
Seeking more ways for Jake’s House to support families living with autism, David and Irene also spearheaded the development of the Legends Mentoring Program. Designed by Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada and supported by the Government of Ontario, this one-on-one mentorship program for children with autism is now delivered in five regions—with more to be introduced soon.
Finally, through awareness initiatives, fundraising activities, and active participation in the community, David and Irene encourage others, especially youth, to get involved and create change, growing a network of caring individuals. Recognized for these efforts, the Bodanis family received Me to We’s We Family Award in 2016.
Humanitarians at their cores, David and Irene are dedicated to delivering assistance to those who need it today, but are also determined to establish a support system that will ensure greater opportunity for tomorrow.
Jennifer Joseph
CEO, Jake’s House for Children with Autism
An accomplished charity executive, a loving mother and a natural leader, Jennifer Joseph contributes to her community in countless, significant ways.
Passionate about helping children realize their potential, Jennifer began her career in early childhood education, enriching the lives of students as a Certified Ontario College Teacher for many years. In 2010, seeking new ways to empower youth, Jennifer began volunteering for Jake’s House for Children with Autism, and instantly connected with the cause. Driven by both her compassion and ambition, Jennifer began identifying opportunities to help the charity do more, while also supporting co-founder David Bodanis with private asset management for high net-worth individuals.
After years of committed service, in 2015, Jennifer was appointed Executive Director at Jake’s House, and in 2018, was promoted to CEO. Applying her strong business acumen, relationship building abilities and empathetic, nurturing nature, Jennifer quickly made an impressive impact. Inspiring support from the Province of Ontario and developing a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, she spearheaded the creation and launch of the Legends Mentoring Program. Now, she is leading this program’s national expansion, eager to assist children and families affected by autism across the country.
In addition to driving the strategy and execution of Jake’s House programs and events, Jennifer has effectively grown its team. A true mentor invested in both the charity’s and her employees’ success, Jennifer has personally guided each new member to discover how they can thrive within the Jake’s House culture and uniquely support the team’s common goals.
Further, Jennifer’s role as a thoughtful, intuitive motivator extends beyond the Jake’s House doors. Also a devoted wife, a supportive mother of two sons, a kind friend, a young female role model and a responsible citizen, she encourages and lifts all of those around her. Through her remarkable example, her positive energy and her genuine caring for others, Jennifer connects with and inspires her community.
Joelle Lewis
President & COO, Jake’s House for Children with Autism
Committed to mentoring and serving vulnerable populations, Joelle Lewis is living her passion with purpose as the National President and Chief Operational Officer for Jake’s House.
With over 20 years of relevant experience, Joelle has engaged in various aspects of the non-for-profit sector in Canada. To name a few, she created the Ontario Mentoring Coalition and led the first provincial strategic plan; she developed the first Federal Mentoring Caucus meeting at Parliament Hill; she participated on Imagine Canada’s committees leading public policy areas of common interest; and she developed a toolkit for mentoring vulnerable populations for the provincial government.
Previously, Joelle was National Director of Government and Stakeholder Relations at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. During her 15-year tenure there, she accumulated many impressive accomplishments.
She led the development of the first National Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan and secured funding to advance the plan. She developed the first National Youth Council, led the development of a National Youth Strategy, and she secured the funds to achieve these objectives. She developed and implemented the first Public Policy and Government Relations Plan, managed the National Standards and child safety tools, and developed a program replication guide. She also participated on the National Accreditation Team, engaged on the Canada’s Strategy and Vision Committee, and led the development of Mentoring Canada.
Joelle has a demonstrated a track record in partnership development, community capacity development, community engagement, mergers and acquisitions, program and services development and advancement, fundraising and business development; leadership management and organizational management.
Joelle lives in Goderich with her husband Ray and their three children; Kyra, Bryn, Neeliah and their golden labrador/retriever Oliver.
Rhiannon Traill
President & CEO, Economic Club of Canada
Rhiannon is Owner, President and CEO of The Economic Club of Canada and recognized as one of the most accomplished business influencers in Canada, hosting more than 100 events per year featuring world leaders from politics, industry, the arts and culture discussing the most important issues of the day.
A graduate of Ryerson University, Rhiannon joined The Economic Club in 2008 and became Owner, President and CEO in 2011. In 2013 and 2015 Rhiannon was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Business by the Women’s Executive Network in the Telus Future Leaders and the Sun Life Trailblazers & Trendsetters categories. In 2014, Rhiannon was elected to Ryerson University’s Board of Governors, where she is responsible for the governance of the university, control of its property and revenues and the conduct of its business and affairs. In 2016 she was named one of Canada’s Change Agents by Canadian Business Magazine. Rhiannon has also served on the Toronto committee for the Canadian Blood Services Campaign for All Canadians, and she currently serves as a member of the Council of Champions for the national not for profit, Children First.
In 2012, Rhiannon launched the Annual Voice of Hope Awards in Ottawa, recognizing outstanding humanitarians who have dedicated their lives to the equality of women and children around the globe.
She is currently a regular panelist on the “Moore in the Morning” Roundtable segment, offering her opinions on the major news stories of the week, and airing every Thursday morning at 8:50 am on Newstalk 1010 Radio.
Rhiannon is passionate about giving a voice and influence to Canadian youth in major national discussions and decisions. To that end in 2011, she conceived and founded the not for profit Junior Economic Club of Canada, designed to supply the tools and programs to inspire Canadian youth to become financially literate, civically engaged and socially responsible. To date, more than 35,000 students from across Canada have engaged in the Junior Economic Club of Canada’s six programming offerings and the Club has granted more than $100,000 in academic scholarships.
Rhiannon also loves to write, meditate and sing in her spare time and is the proud mother of two young boys.
Joe Vaccaro
CEO, Ontario Home Builders’ Association
In the summer of 2013, Joe Vaccaro was named Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association. Prior to that, Mr. Vaccaro acted as OHBA’s Chief Operating Officer, after serving as the VP of Policy and Government Relations at the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD).
AS CEO, Mr. Vaccaro oversees operations of the Ontario-wide organization which is comprised of 4,000-member companies organized into 29 local associations representing professionals within the new home and renovation industry. OHBA is focused on improving new housing affordability and choice for Ontario’s new home purchasers and renovation consumers by positively impacting provincial legislation, regulation and policy that affect the industry.
Prior to his industry association career path, Mr. Vaccaro served as a senior advisor and assistant to the Ministers of Economic Development and Trade, Chair of Management Board and the Minister of Government Services.
A graduate of York University where he received his Honours Degree in Political Science with a minor in Philosophy, Mr. Vaccaro identifies his summers working in the family residential framing and new construction business as shaping his understanding and appreciation for the social, economic and environmental impact the building and land development industry has on local, provincial and federal public policy development and decisions.
Melanie Bania
(PhD), Owner & Principal, Community-Engaged Consulting
Melanie Bania holds a PhD in Criminology and is a community-based research and evaluation consultant living in Ottawa. Her work focuses on the intersections of positive youth development, crime prevention, youth violence prevention, and community development.
She has expertise and hands-on experience in developing and evaluating initiatives that improve outcomes for marginalized people, particularly youth and young adults who face barriers to success. Melanie is leading several research and evaluation initiatives at the grassroots level as well as at the local, provincial and national levels. Her passion is creating meaningful bridges between research, evaluation and practice in a way that promotes innovation and that creates positive sustainable change in people’s lives.
Margaret Spoelstra
Executive Director, Autism Ontario
Throughout her career, Margaret Spoelstra has worked with people with a variety of learning needs, with a primary focus on autism. As an educator she has worked with children, teens and adults, their families and the professionals and community leaders who support them in the U.S. and Canada in various community, educational and research settings.
She has been the Executive Director of Autism Ontario since 2001. She is a team member of the Patient Advisory Committee for the Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Disorders Network and for the Community Advisory Council at Toronto East General Hospital. She was appointed as a Member to the Order of Canada in December 2011.
John Tory
VP of Corporate Development & Government Relations, Air Georgian
HOST CONTACT
The Jake’s House team is here for you. If you have any questions about the event and requests during your stay, please contact Mary Anne Terry at 416-939-3021 or at maryanneterry@jakeshouse.ca.
