TWEE BROWN CHAIR
Twee is the CEO of High Point Development, proprietor of Ben Thanh Restaurants, and Principal of Trident Property Management Inc.
One of her principle beliefs is “giving back to the community which has given so much to her and her family”, motivating her to dedicate her free time to boards, and charitable and advisory committees. She is the incoming Chair and currently serves as an Executive on the Board of Directors of the London Health Sciences Foundation (LHSF), an organization that supports discovery and innovation in research, education, and patient care at London Health Sciences Centre; one of Canada’s largest acute-care teaching hospitals.
Twee is the Past President of the Boys and Girls Club Foundation Board; an organization that promotes physical and mental health, and the emotional well-being of children and youth. She served as the President of The Grand Theatre Operating Board, a company that produces and presents professional theatre on two stages with a joint capacity of 983 seats. She is the Co-founder of 100 Who Care London, a group that raised over $500,000 net for London Charities, and she was honoured with the Pillar Community Innovation Award for this work.
Twee served two terms as a Director of the London Chamber of Commerce; a politically independent, membership-based, volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to lead and serve the London business community. Her love for entrepreneurship is further demonstrated by her work as a founding member and Director of the London Professional Chinese Business Association (LPCBA), which focuses on the development of professional and business relationships between the Chinese and larger London communities. Twee was selected to be a member of ‘Quantum Shift’ for the engagement of the “best 40 entrepreneurs” in Canada at the Ivey Business School at Western University.
Becoming involved in the political space for the first time in 2018, she was the Campaign Manager for the 2018 - 2022 London City Mayor, Ed Holder. It was the first-ever ranked ballot election in Canada. The scrutiny, pressures, and stress experienced during the management of the campaign reaffirmed her interest to lead in a capacity outside the political arena, while it increased her passion to serve her community and the public.
ROSS CHAPIN INCOMING CHAIR
Ross Chapin leads Highview Residences - providers of exceptional care for people living with a diagnosis of dementia, in London and Kitchener-Waterloo.
Having received his C.A. designation in 1977, Ross, arrived in London from Toronto with his wife Cathy and their three children in 1987 to work with the Executive Team at University Hospital (UH). His 10-years at the Hospital included exciting work in the 90’s when he helped effect the merger of UH and Victoria Hospital, to become London Health Sciences Centre.
Ross’s care for the person, whether it is an individual with dementia who has a need for an appropriate place to live a dignified life, or a staff member who is on their life long journey of learning, influences the decisions he makes.
This combined with his financial acuity and acute-care operational experience inspired Ross to spearhead the creation of three new independent Retirement Residences designed to fill a void in the spectrum of services and care available to the community by industry and government.
Ross and his wife Cathy live just outside St. Mary’s Ontario. Their children, now adults in their own right, live in Mississauga and St. Mary’s. Ross and Cathy now have 6 grandchildren who amaze them at the speed in which they grow up.
BETH NELLIGAN DIRECTOR
Beth is the Director & Group Lead, Commercial Distribution at Scotiabank where she leads of team of professionals to provide financing solutions to support businesses in their short-term and long-term goals. Beth has 15+ years in the Finance and Accounting sector, starting her career at Ernst & Young LLP where she earned her CA, CPA, and found her love for helping businesses and organizations in the London Community. Beth has helped customer’s across a variety of industries but enjoys working with owner-operated private sector businesses, not-for-profit entities, and healthcare organizations. Beth draws from these experiences in both her professional and volunteer capacity.
As a third-generation Londoner, Beth is committed to bettering the London community and believes it is important to give back through volunteer work on a number of Boards and Committees. She has volunteered for a number of not-for-profit organizations including MS Society, London Middlesex, The Epilepsy Support Centre, The London Hunt & County Club and the Children’s Health Foundation. In her spare time, Beth enjoys golfing, cooking, and traveling, and her new bulldog puppy, Bruiser.
JEFF PETRIE DIRECTOR
Jeff has been an advisor with Scotia Wealth Management since 2002, thus providing clients with a high level of experience through difficult markets. Jeff recently attained the Chartered Investment Manager Designation and is qualified as an Associate Portfolio Manager. Before becoming an advisor, Jeff played professional hockey with the Detroit Red Wings organization, and during that time was able to complete the required designations to enter the financial services industry. Jeff graduated from the University of Western Ontario, has been a student-athlete representing Western for 5 years, and spent some time with the Canadian National Hockey Team and representing Canada at the World Student Games.
Outside of the office, Jeff is very involved in the community, supporting important social causes through volunteering time and creating and running some unique events in London. Jeff has been one of the Creators and driving forces behind Unplugged, A Concert for Kids for 7 years that has raised over $250,000, as well as Kids Tri 4 Kids, and Triathlon for kids in London, having raised approximately $140,000 in 5 years. These events have directed all funds to kid’s organizations in the area. Having been an organizer for the local chapter of 100 Who Care London, Chaired the Scotia Golf Tourney, and most recently facilitating a Children’s financial literacy workshop, there are many important charitable works Jeff has supported.
When not at work Jeff and his wife April spend time being active playing hockey, skiing, volleyball, golf, or taking their Golden retriever Rocklynn out for some exercise. When they are able to get away to spend time with friends and family, Jeff and April do enjoy cottaging.
BEVERLEY ZAIFMAN DIRECTOR
Beverley Zaifman is a retired teacher and active volunteer in the community. She continues to tutor children to prepare them for their bar mitzvah commitments in the Jewish community and she spearheads many committees in her synagogue.
Bev volunteered on the Board of Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario for several years and chaired the golf fundraiser through her years as a board member. She taught at and was board chair for the London Community Hebrew Day School, and also spearheaded many fundraising campaigns.
As a volunteer and professional with United Jewish Appeal, she assisted the community in collaborative efforts to cross the divide sometimes found in the various denominations, bringing people together over food and celebration. In her personal life, Bev and her late husband Bernie met at UWO, and their four children are also proud graduates of Western.
In Bernie’s late stages of Parkinson's Disease with dementia, McCormick Care’s educational programs and staff were supremely supportive in assisting the family with keeping Bernie at home, and really were the ones who guided the family in the end stages of Bernie’s life. Bev considers McCormick Home and McCormick Care programs and staff to be unique and local gems in the city of London. And of course, for fun, entertaining at home, theatre and travel will be back on the books post-COVID 19.
LEANNE KUCHYNSKI DIRECTOR
Leanne Kuchynski is an associate in Siskinds’ general litigation group, specializing in estate and capacity litigation. She advises and represents clients in matters including Will disputes, power of attorney challenges, estate administration, claims against trustees, guardianship applications, and estate accounting. Leanne has also acted as an agent for the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee and was recognized on the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada™ list from 2024 to 2026 for outstanding professional excellence.
Leanne earned her J.D. from the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law, in 2016 and was called to the bar in 2017. She holds a B.A. in Criminology and an M.A. in Sociology from Western University, where her Master’s thesis examined human trafficking policy in Canada.
A former competitive highland dancer, Leanne enjoys walking her dog, watching documentaries, and travelling.