Child Development Institute is led by a volunteer Board of Directors who generously donate their time, effort and expertise to ensure the highest possible level of service to the children and families we serve.

The Board of Directors of Child Development Institute is comprised of:

Executive

Chair: Kate Banting
Head of Social Impact and Marketing, The Boston Consulting Group

Kate Banting is currently the Head of Social Impact and Marketing at the Boston Consulting Group. Previously, she was a Project leader in BCG's Toronto office. At BCG, Kate has worked across a variety of industries from retail and consumer goods to transportation, financial services and social impact. Academically, Kate has an HBA degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University and her MBA from the Harvard Business School. While at Harvard, Kate was involved in the Social Enterprise Initiative, was an Education Pioneer Fellow, and worked with a national after school program in their strategy group to generate external revenues and expand their skill set.

Vice Chair: Wendy Miller
Director, Policy and Engagement, Empowered Kids Ontario (EKO)

Wendy Miller has 30 years’ experience advancing social justice priorities in Toronto and provincially. At EKO Wendy is promoting strong public policy and capacity-building for the publicly funded child development and rehabilitation sector, which serves children with disabilities and their families. Previously, at the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies, she led diverse provincial initiatives in support of children's aid societies and Indigenous child wellbeing agencies. Prior to joining OACAS, Wendy was Director of the Child Advocacy Project at Pro Bono Ontario where she led customized legal initiatives to address systemic barriers for marginalized young people and their families. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, Political Science from McGill University, and completed the Schulich School of Business Masters Certificate Program in Public Sector Leadership.

Directors

Past Chair: Melanie Manchee
Lawyer

Melanie Manchee has practiced law in Toronto for over 30 years. She has been extensively involved in professional organizations for lawyers and is appointed by the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario as a Dispute Resolution Officer. She is currently vice-chair of the Toronto Lawyers Association. She has completed the Institute of Corporate Directors course in governance for not-for-profit organizations and has experience as a board member in other organizations in the child and youth mental health sector, most recently as past chair of the Kinark Child and Family Services board.

Dana Dodge
Principal, DDC Group

Dana Dodge is the Founder and Principal of DDC Group, a management consultancy focused on helping organizations shape their culture and build their capabilities. Dana has worked in the field of organizational development for over 20 years. She has worked in a wide variety of industries, with roles ranging from management consultant to in-house leader. In addition to being a skilled facilitator and coach, Dana consults in the areas of culture, HR strategy, talent management, succession planning, leadership development, high potential talent, change management, organization design, and employee engagement. Dana has an MSc from the London School of Economics, a BSc from Acadia University and is PROSCI change management certified. Dana is a proud board member of the Child Development Institute and volunteer facilitator for the Toronto chapter of Bereaved Families of Ontario.

Susan (Sue) Eagleson, CFA
Chief Administrative Officer, The Murray Wealth Group

Sue Eagleson is based in Toronto and is responsible for overseeing the administration and operations at The Murray Wealth Group. Sue earned a Bachelor’s degree (Economics) from Wilfrid Laurier University. She holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation from the CFA Institute and is a member of the Toronto CFA Society. Currently, Sue’s community involvement includes volunteering as board member of CDI and as a finance committee member at the YWCA of Greater Toronto.

Dan Fiala
Client Service Team Manager - Canada at MFS Investment Management

In his role as Client Services Manager, Dan has an award-winning reputation for delivering on clients’ specific needs. With more than 10 years of experience in the financial and investment services industry, Dan quickly identifies, communicates and resolves issues with clients, manages timelines, and executes account transactions. Dan holds the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designation from the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI). Dan received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Williams School of Business at Bishop’s University in Lennoxville, Quebec. He speaks French conversationally. He lives in downtown Toronto with his long-term partner. They enjoy travelling, trying new restaurants, personal fitness, reading, spending time with family and friends, and taking care of pets.

Frank Giordano
Tax partner, KPMG LLP

Frank Giordano is a tax partner at KPMG LLP, with a focus on Canadian corporate taxation. He is the leader of KPMG’s Technology, Media and Telecommunications tax practice in Toronto and member of KPMG’s Global Steering Committee for the Global Compliance Management Services practice. Frank has spent over 20 years providing tax compliance, advisory and planning services to clients and has also worked as a Chief Financial Officer for a private real estate company. Frank has lectured to undergraduate students in the Business Administration program at the University of Toronto and Schulich School of Business, York University. Frank is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant (CPA, CA) and a member of the Canadian Tax Foundation.

Jeniele Jemmott
Change Manager at Walmart Canada

Through Walmart's community partnerships, Jeniele has collaborated with Breakfast Club of Canada, Children's Miracle Network and Daily Bread Food Bank. Jeniele spent most of her career in financial services, as an HR Consultant, then Change Manager, leading transformational change impacting the internal organization and external customers. Jeniele is passionate about healthcare, mental health and well-being and is partnering with local health professionals to bring attention to these important issues through workshops and events. She attended the University of Toronto and has completed designations in Human Resources Leadership and Change Management.

Suzana A. Lobo
Partner, Business Law Group, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada

Suzana Lobo is a partner in the Business Law Group of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada in Toronto. She focuses on lending and corporate banking transactions. Suzana acts for banks and borrowers in complex secured lending transactions, cross-border financings, syndicated loan transactions, equipment financings and project financings. Suzana obtained her LLB from the University of Ottawa in 2002. She is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Association of French Speaking Jurists of Ontario.

Sharif Mahdy
Executive Director of the Students Commission of Canada/Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement

The SCC is a national charitable organization that purposefully works with others to ensure that young people's voices are heard and valued. The SCC is also the lead organization for the Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement (CEYE). The CEYE is a network of youth, organizations and academics focused on identifying and sharing best practices around youth engagement. Sharif leads the SCC/CEYE network with a focus on executing the SCC's ten year strategic plan. Sharif is also accountable for the long-term sustainability of the network. Sharif has his Honors Bachelor of Health Sciences from the University of Western Ontario and his Master's of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University. Sharif's thesis focused on identifying a 21st century governance model for the SCC. In his spare time, Sharif volunteers with YMCA Camp Pine Crest and plays dodgeball.

Susan Paterson
Director of Client Service, Resources Global Professionals

Susan Paterson is a CPA, CA and a Director of Client Service for Resources Global Professionals in Toronto. A senior finance professional with more than 20 years of experience, Susan supports her clients in various industries with a number of initiatives and has a strong track record in delivering optimally aligned teams to meet her clients’ needs. Prior to joining RGP, Susan worked at KPMG for 14 years in both the Audit Practice and Human Resources within KPMG’s recruiting group. Susan holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen’s University. In addition to her involvement with Child Development Institute, Susan is part of the Board of Directors of Covenant House and is actively involved with the Out of the Cold Program in Toronto.

Brina Ludwig Prout
Strategic Consultant and Certified Human Resources Leader

Brina Ludwig Prout is a Certified Human Resource Leader(CHRL) and HR Executive with an extensive record in organizational change and transformation in the financial services and public sectors. Known for her collaborative, inclusive style, Brina consults to both senior executives in corporate Canada and emerging entrepreneurs and organizations in the Social Innovation field. Brina is passionate about children, diversity and intergenerational collaboration, and has been a member of the Advisory Committee for the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council’s (TRIEC) Connector Program and chaired her childrens’ school council for many years. Brina is a Strategic Advisor to the School for Social Entrepreneurs, Ontario, and an inaugural member of the League of Intrapreneurs, Canada.

Dan Thomson
Partner, WeirFoulds LLP

Dan Thomson is a partner in the Corporate Group at WeirFoulds with a transaction-based practice that focuses on banking and financial services, mergers and acquisitions, private equity and corporate/commercial matters. Dan has more than 20 years of legal and business experience, including nearly 10 years at an international law firm, two years running a commercial business unit for the Canadian subsidiary of a multi-national Fortune 300 insurance company, five years running his own legal practice, and five years at a well-known mid-size Toronto firm. Dan also practised in London, England, where he focused primarily on foreign investment into Canada and M&A transactions involving Canadian entities. Since 2006, Dan has been invited annually to teach a business law course at The Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto. Dan has been nominated by Schulich students for the student's annual Teaching Excellence Award.