Mid-Toronto's Honorary Board of Directors
| Jim Balsillie Chairman & CEO Research in Motion |
Mira Godard Mira Godard Gallery |
Richard Gwyn Columnist |
| Barbara Hall Former Mayor |
Louise Pitre Singer & Actress |
Clayton Ruby Criminal & Civil Liberties Lawyer |
| Barbara Stymiest Chief Operating Officer Royal Bank of Canada |
Mark Tewksbury Olympic Gold Medalist Swimming |
Jim Balsillie
Jim Balsillie is Chairman and Co-CEO of Research In Motion Limited (RIM), a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless data solutions for the mobile communications market. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE: RIM).
A graduate of the University of Toronto and the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, Jim Balsillie is also a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario (ICAO). 
Mira Godard C.M., B.SC, M.B.A.
Mira Godard was born in Bucarest Roumania. In 1946 she left for Paris and then lived in Toronto and Montreal since 1950. Her studies include the following:
Physics and Mathematics, Sorbonne University Paris, Medieval Art History, Ecole du Louvre, Concordia University, Montreal B.SC
McGill University, Montreal M.B.A
Metrology Engineer and Standards Room Supervisor in the Aircraft Industry 1955-1964
Owner of the Mira Godard Gallery since 1961
Founding Member and First President of the Canadian Professional Art Dealers Assoc.
Member of the Advisory Committee for Free Trade
Member of the Advisory Council Federal Department of Public Works
Member of the Canada Council Travelling Juries
Patron of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Trustee of the Art Gallery of Ontario
Member of the Order of Canada
Established in 1962, the Mira Godard Gallery is one of Canada's largest commercial art galleries with three floors of exhibition space featuring paintings, sculpture, and works on paper, including limited edition photographic prints, by major Canadian and international artists. We pride ourselves on offering equal hospitality and counsel to all who have an interest in fine art, welcoming both the first-time buyer and the seasoned collector. In doing so, the Mira Godard Gallery has become a trusted advisor to our many visitors and clients. Our rapport with our artists is no less close. We represent several of Canada's foremost painters, printmakers and sculptors, many of whom have won distinction here and abroad. Many of the works which have been shown in the Mira Godard Gallery have become part of the permanent collections of public galleries, museums and private corporations. We believe that a work of art, like a friend, must be carefully chosen. The Mira Godard Gallery has introduced collectors to thousands of new friends, and in the process, we have made many new friends of our own.
Richard Gwyn
Richard Gwyn is one of Canada's best-known and most highly-regarded political commentators. The Author of several best-selling books and the recipient of awards for both newspaper and magazine writing, his articles are syndicated from coast to coast and he is a frequent commentator on both TV and Radio. Gwyn has been a journalist since 1957, except for 1968-73 when he was executive assistant to the Hon. Eric Kierans, and subsequently a Director-General in the Department of Communications. He has worked for many media organizations, from Time Magazine to the CBC.
In 1973, Gwyn joined the Toronto Star as its Ottawa-based columnist. His thrice-weekly political columns were syndicated in 26 newspapers from coast to coast. In a survey, his Press Gallery colleagues judged him the columnist they "all had to read".
In 1985, Gwyn was appointed The Star's International Affairs columnist based in London. He wrote articles and analyses about the end of the Cold War, of the Berlin Wall, of the Soviet Union itself, and of simultaneous events from the end of apartheid in South Africa to the start of the Middle East peace process.
Gwyn returned to Canada in mid-1992, to write a column, Home and Away, about both international and national affairs. He comments weekly on international affairs for TV-Ontario's daily public affairs program, Studio 2, and is a regular contributor to CBC programs such as Sunday Report and Morningside.
During his career, Gwyn has won two National Newspaper Awards (and two NNA citations for merit), and a National Magazine Award. He is the author of several political books, including a biography of Joseph R. Smallwood, the late premier of Newfoundland, titled The Unlikely Revolutionary, and of former Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, titled The Northern Magus.
In 1995, Gwyn published his most recent book, Nationalism Without Walls; The Unbearable Lightness of Being Canadian. Comments by critics include those of "brilliant", "original" and, by former Ontario Premier Bob Rae, "what other book makes you want to cheer, and then to throw it across the room?".
Barbara Hall
Barbara is currently employed as Human Rights Commissioner. Barbara recently served on Ontario’s Health Results Team. As Chair of the National Strategy on Community Safety and Crime Prevention from 1997-2002, Barbara led a nation-wide campaign to reduce crime and make communities safer and healthier.
Under Barbara Hall's leadership, the program budget doubled to $60 million. She worked closely with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, the Business Network on Crime Prevention, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and she continues to serve as an executive member of the International Crime Prevention Centre. Her work with the National Strategy made a difference in the lives of thousands of people and contributed to some of the most dramatic decreases in crime ever recorded.
As Chair of the National Strategy, Barbara spoke to audiences across Canada and in major cities throughout the world, published widely, and participated in conferences, workshops, training sessions and seminars.
As Mayor from 1994 to 1997, she guided Toronto through three extremely productive and exciting years. Under her leadership, Toronto enjoyed a period of economic growth and confidence, social progress, and cultural resurgence.
Before being elected as Mayor, Barbara served as councillor for downtown Toronto's Ward 7 for nine years. Prior to entering public life she ran a general law practice which included family and criminal litigation, real estate and small business law. Barbara lived in Cleveland Ohio for three years in the early 1970's where she was a probation officer. In Toronto she was a co-founder and a teacher at Point Blank School, and worked as a street worker at Central Neighbourhood House and as a youth worker at the YWCA. She also ran a small dressmaking business and was a waitress for several years.
Barbara Hall was educated at the University of Victoria (B.C.) and at Osgoode Hall Law School. She was admitted to the Bar of Upper Canada in 1980. She currently serves as Chair of the Board of Harbourfront, as a Director of the United Way of Greater Toronto and of the Laidlaw Foundation, and donates her time to many community causes. Barbara and her husband, Max Beck, live in Cabbagetown in downtown Toronto.
Louise Pitre
Louise Pitre is currently collaborating on a new musical and recently released a new CD “Shattered”. Louise Pitre holds an honors BA in music education from the University of Western Ontario, where she was a piano major.
Over the past 20 years, Louise has starred in numerous productions across Canada; to name a few, Annie Get Your Gun, Mamma Mia!, Les Miserables (Fantine) in Toronto, Montreal and Paris (she can be heard on the French cast recording); Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Massey Hall, Winter Garden Theatre (Toronto), the National Arts Centre (Ottawa) and the Vogue Theatre (Vancouver); I Love You, You're Perfect Now Change, New Yorker (Toronto); Piaf(Edith Piaf), the St. Lawrence Centre and Winter Garden (Toronto), National Arts Centre, Theatre Calgary, the Stage Company (Penetanguishene); The World Goes 'Round, Bayview Playhouse (Toronto), Blood Brothers (Mrs. Johnstone), Drayton Festival and High Park (Toronto); Tartuffe (Dorinne), Theatre Calgary; and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Martha) and The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd (Cocky), the Stage Company (Penetanguishene).
Recordings: Louise is very proud of her recent recording titled All of My Life Has Led To This with songs from the hit musical Mamma MIA! amongst other sensational recordings.
Awards: The National Broadway Theatre Awards recently presented Louise the "Best Actress" award for her role as "Donna Sheridan" in Mamma MIA! Louise has been the recipient of two Dora Mavor Moore awards for her striking portrayals of "Mrs. Johnstone" in Blood Brothers and "Edith Piaf" in Piaf. Solo Performances: In recent years, Louise has broadened her performance venues to include those of the concert stage. Appearing as a solo artist, Louise often showcases with her accompanist Diane Leah and within the company of various symphony orchestras.
Clayton Ruby
Lawyer Clayton Ruby specializes in criminal, constitutional and administrative law. He is the editor of Canadian Rights Reporter and director of both PEN Canada and the Greenpeace Canada Charitable Foundation.
Barbara Stymiest
Barbara Stymiest is the Chief Operating Officer of the Royal Bank of Canada. Ms. Stymiest has spent more than 20 years in the securities industry and is currently a Director of the Canadian Depository for Securities, a member of the Securities Industry Advisory Council and a member of the Executive Committee for the International Federation of Stock Exchanges.
Prior to joining the Royal Bank, Ms. Stymiest was The President and CEO of the Toronto Stock Exchange. Ms. Stymiest remains active in the investment community. She is affiliated with the Canadian Investor Protection Fund, the Canadian Capital Markets Association, the Canadian Securities Institute and is a past director of the Investment Dealers Association.
Ms. Stymiest is a member of and has served on committees for a number of professional and charitable organizations including: the CICA Accounting Standards Oversight Council; Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Foundation; Hincks-Dellcrest Children’s Centre; and the United Way Investment Committee.
Ms. Stymiest obtained her degree in Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario.
Mark Tewksbury
If you cannot picture Mark Tewksbury - arms raised, fists clenched, smile plastered across his face - then you probably didn't witness his golden moment at the Barcelona Olympics. It is an image that does not easily fade. It was a moment that captivated a nation starving for sporting success and inspired a generation of athletes to follow. Capping a remarkable 16 year athletic career that included three Olympic medals, seven world records and a cover appearance on TIME Magazine, that moment spoke volumes about Mark Tewksbury as an athlete.
Today, no longer an athlete, Tewksbury's current direction in life speaks volumes about him as a person. He is a co-founder and chair of OATH, an international organization devoted to upholding integrity, in and through sport. He is an active humanitarian, investing his time in the Special Olympics and people living with AIDS. And he is one of the country's most powerful motivators.
Tewksbury is currently the host of his own weekly television program, How It's Made, on the Discovery Channel and is also a regular contributor to Canada's most popular morning news program, CTV's Canada AM. You can see Mark Skweeze Life! every Monday morning on Canada AM or e-mail him at marktewksbury@ctv.ca.