This voluntary Board provides leadership and vision to the Foundation. The Board concerns itself with fund raising, events, policy, directions, decisions and financial planning for the Foundation.
We are looking for community minded individuals! The BGC Kawarthas Foundation is looking for new board members!
BGC Kawarthas Foundation
| President | Laurie Charlebois |
| Vice President | Richard Christie |
| Treasurer | Julie Yandt |
| Secretary | Broghan Dean |
| Past President | Geoff Grier |
| Director | Jennifer Hope |
| Director | Lana Ballam |
| Director | Tanvi Bhatt |
| Director |
William Marquis |
Laurie Charlebois, President
Laurie Charlebois joined the BGC Kawarthas Foundation Board of Directors in April 2018, and currently serves as President of the Foundation Board, Laurie also participates as a member of the Executive and Investment Committees.
Laurie is currently a Commercial Banking Portfolio Manager at BMO covering Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough, Minden and Haliburton.
Richard Christie, Vice President
Richard Christie joined the BGC Kawarthas Foundation Board of Directors in June 2019. Rick currently serves as Vice President and previously served as Secretary to the Foundation Board.
Rick was born in Guelph, Ontario and raised in Lafayette, Indiana and Toronto. Rick graduated from Queens University with BSc. Honours, Biology and B.Ed. Rick’s employment history covers being a Department Head of Science/Mathematics (American International School of Bolivia and Dr. F.J. Donevan Collegiate-Oshawa), Teacher at Brock High School and Fenelon Falls Secondary School, and Vice Principal at Fenelon Falls and I.E. Weldon Secondary Schools.
Rick is married to his lovely wife, Laurie Johnson and has two amazing children who Rick claims are perfect – Gavin (helicopter pilot), and Erica (4th year Laurier Health Sciences).
In his off time, Rick loves to travel, spending time with his very rested dogs, is an avid boater/canoe enthusiast and spends his winter renovating.
Broghan Dean, Secretary
Broghan Dean joined the BGC Kawarthas Foundation Board of Directors in October 2020. Broghan also participates as a member on the Governance Committee.
Broghan grew up in Omemee and continues to reside in the City of Kawartha Lakes. Broghan completed her Juris Doctor at Bond University in Gold Coast, Australia and was called to the Ontario bar in June 2019 and iscurrently an Associate Lawyer at Friend & Dobson Professional Corporation.
Geoff Grier, Past President
Geoff Grier joined the BGC Kawarthas Foundation Board of Directors in October 2017. Geoff currently acts as the Past President and previously served as Vice President and Treasurer in addition to participating on the Investment Committee.
Geoff and his wife Susan live in Lindsay and enjoy the lifestyle that the beautiful Kawartha Lakes provides.
Lana Ballam, Director
Lana McCaw joined the BGC Kawarthas Foundation Board of Directors in June 2023.
Lana has lived several places across Canada and the U.S. due to her family’s business and academic opportunities. Lana has extensive local and global volunteer experience with many charitable organizations, specifically youth focused, and is excited for this new opportunity to focus her time on an organization that repeatedly demonstrates such strong initiative for the Kawartha Lakes Community.
Outside of Lana’s professional life, she enjoys cooking, travelling, yoga and spending time with her family and pups at the lake.
Jennifer Hope, Director
Jennifer Hope joined the BGC Kawarthas Foundation Board of Directors in June 2023. Raised in the farming community of Kawartha Lakes, she is committed to giving back to the region that shaped her early life and values.
Jennifer brings strong governance and community leadership experience, having previously served on the Board of a local not‑for‑profit organization, where she contributed on both the Executive and Fund Development Committees.
She holds a diploma in Early Childhood Education from Loyalist College, her CIP (Chartered Insurance Professional) designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada, and an Advanced Executive Certificate from Queen’s University.
Outside of her professional and volunteer commitments, you can find Jennifer on the golf course, skiing, reading, watching documentaries, or listening to comedic podcasts.
Jennifer currently resides in Durham Region with her two daughters and is employed as the Director of Underwriting at The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group.
Tanvi Bhatt, Director
Tanvi Bhatt joined the BGC Kawarthas Foundation Board of Directors in November 2024. After graduation from the University of Michigan, Tanvi began her career in consulting, travelling and living throughout North America. She eventually started her own consulting firm with her husband, Neal. Eventually their business acumen and passion for people led them to become the owner/operator of McDonald’s restaurants in Lindsay and Beaverton. Tanvi has been passionate about many causes from volunteering to chairing events for charitable organizations, which led her to this new opportunity to focus her time on an an organization that demonstrates such a strong initiative for the Kawartha Lakes community. She has been very active in the Kawartha Lakes community, supporting a number of programs and initiatives. Outside of Tanvi’s professional life, she enjoys planning events, growing friendships, running, and spending time with her family.
Julie Yandt, Treasurer
Julie Yandt joined the BGC Kawarthas Foundation Board of Directors in June 2022 and currently serves as Treasurer of the Board. Volunteering in her community is near to her heart. She has previously served on not-for-profit Boards within family and social services and previously served as the Chair for the Peterborough Chapter of HRPA.
She has dedicated her career in Human Resources to The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group, where she is the Director, Human Resources and holds the designation of Certified Human Resources Leader.
With children, grandchildren and many animals keeping her time after work fulfilled there’s never a moment’s peace… and she wouldn’t have it any other way!
William Marquis, Director
William Marquis joined the BGC Kawarthas Foundation Board of Directors in June 2025