OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

JIM LAWSON, CHAIR

JACKIE PORTER
VICE CHAIR

RON TAVERNER DIRECTOR

LEROY BROWN DIRECTOR

Mr. Lawson is Chief Executive Officer of Woodbine Entertainment Group, Canada’s largest racetrack operator. Mr. Lawson is currently the Chairman of the Board of the Governors of the Canadian Football League. Mr. Lawson has also served twice as the interim Commissioner of the CFL. Over the course of his career, Mr. Lawson practiced law for fifteen years including partner at Torys LLP and at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP. He has served on a number of private and public boards including Sleep Country Canada, Algoma Steel Inc., Zargon Energy Trust and Countryside Power Income Fund. Mr. Lawson is a graduate of Brown University (A.B. Economics) and University of Western Ontario (LLB). Following undergraduate studies, Mr. Lawson signed a professional hockey contract with Montreal Canadiens and spent his career with Montreal’s affiliate, Nova Scotia Voyageurs.
Mr. Lawson resides in Oakville with his wife Sue and they have three grown children. Mr. Lawson is active in youth amateur sports, community and charitable activities.

Jackie Porter has been in the financial industry for 18 years serving 400 families and businesses in the Greater Toronto Area.  Her practice focuses on investment planning, cashflow management and tax planning.  In her role as a certified financial planner, her mission is to help her clients to become and remain financially independent.

A regular contributor to Woman magazine, Jackie was also on Senator Vivenne Poy’s Task Force for Young Entrepeneurs back in 2001.   In February of 2009, Jackie was interviewed on CBC Newsworld  and  Sun News in 2013.   Jackie currently serves on the Board of directors for Advocis Toronto and served for 2 years on the Board for Advocis Peel Halton, an organization that regulates financial planners.  She also is a featured speaker and advocate for numerous corporate, non profit and charitable organizations.   Jackie also acts as a consultant to the TDSB on the subject of financial literacy in the school system.

Superintendent Ron Taverner is in his 48th year with the Toronto Police Service.  Mr. Taverner is a highly competent professional with a broad range of expertise, involving operational and managerial roles in Canadian policing.  He is an effective communicator with a sound work ethic who demonstrates solid knowledge of policing procedures, good judgement and the ability to generate trust and loyalty from colleagues, community leaders and the public.

Leroy Brown is an IT professional and owner of a small computer consulting firm servicing clients in the GTA. He is a father of two living with his family in North Etobicoke for over 25 years. He was born in England but has lived most of his life in Canada and Jamaica. He has always had a passion for working with youth within his church and local community. He has been a board member of TRUST15 since its inception and has served on various committees within the organization. He believes that if society can intervene in a young person’s life at an early stage in their personal development, the likelihood that they will succeed in life will increase tremendously.

DEVON SHERIFF DIRECTOR

TANYA HOWELL DIRECTOR

ROYSON JAMES DIRECTOR

Devon Sheriff is the franchise owner of Sheriff’s No Frills at 1530 Albion Road in Etobicoke. He started working in grocery business from the age of 16. He worked in all departments, both inside and outside of the store, which gave him the necessary skills and knowledge to be the owner and operator of his very own supermarket today.
Devon grew up in the Jane and Finch community of Toronto. He went to George Brown College where he acquired a certificate in welding.
Devon believes in Trust 15 and the work of Marcia Brown because 30 years ago, he was one of the many “at risk” youths in the community.