Leslie Starr-Hemburrow is a purpose-driven executive and values-based leader who has been committed to a lifetime of making a difference through improving our health and social systems of care.

Leslie is currently leading the national social services transformation together with the senior leadership team at The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda.

Leslie recently retired from healthcare in 2023 after a long and impactful career in service. She held numerous hospital leadership roles, most recently as Senior Vice President, Patient Care at Trillium Health Partners and concurrently, Regional Vice President, Cancer Care Ontario (Ontario Health). Leslie successfully led large complex hospital operations with many clinical and service portfolios as well as held executive lead roles for several key strategic and operational priorities, including regional cancer care. She is a proven leader of operations excellence, complex transformational change including large-scale implementations, strategy development and execution, and developing partnerships. Leslie is recognized as a strong leader in strategy, quality and performance improvement, person-centred care, change management, systems thinking and developing other leaders.

She holds her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in Social Work and is a Certified Health Executive (CHE). Leslie is honoured to serve on Halton Women’s Place Board supporting the critically important, essential role of the organization in our community. Leslie has been a resident of Burlington for over 30 years.

Irene is a dynamic, strategic, and passionate HR leader, known for her strong transformation capabilities, progressive thinking, and ability to create impactful people solutions. She joined TD over 20 years ago and in this timeframe has held various senior leadership roles across the organization.

As Vice President of Global Talent Acquisition, she provides strategic direction to a team of professionals committed to unlocking individual and organizational potential by connecting the best talent to the right opportunities.

Irene holds an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and is accredited with the Certified Human Resources Professional designation.

An advocate for women and children causes and passionate about empowering women, Irene has been mentoring women in her community for over 15 years. As a mentor, Irene is devoted to helping women realize their full potential and become leaders in all aspects of their lives.

A Halton resident since 2005, currently living in Oakville with her family, Irene is honoured to contribute to the vital efforts made by the Halton Women’s Place as a Board Director.

Derek is Vice President of Commercial Credit with FirstOntario Credit Union. Derek joined FirstOntario in 2022 and has been in the financial services industry since 2000, having worked previously for TD Bank in a variety of roles in Business Banking.

He has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Queen’s University and has earned his Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Derek has been a participant in the Hope in High Heels Walk and the HWP Gala each year since 2015. Through participation in these events, he developed an appreciation of the critical role Halton Women’s Place plays in our community and is honoured to now be able to support the organization as a member of the board.

Derek has been a Halton resident since 2002 and has lived in Oakville since 2008 with his wife and two daughters.

Paul MacDiarmid has been with RBC for over 30 years, beginning his career in the retail branch network in Hamilton. Over his career at RBC, he has held roles in branch management, sales and service leadership, training, operations, and, for the past twenty-plus years, finance. Since 2009 Paul has held a variety of Senior Director roles in Finance and is currently Senior Director, CFO Group – HSBC Integration. Paul and his family have made Burlington their home since 1998, and he has been involved in the community in a variety of ways, including serving on the Board of the Art Gallery of Burlington as Treasurer, and as Chair.

Barbara retired in 2017 after a career spanning over 30 years in the Investment Industry. Her most recent position was Senior Vice President of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CA), a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds an MBA Degree.

Barbara is the President of the Burlington Golf and Country Club (BGCC) and is an avid supporter of both the Halton Women’s Place Annual Golf Tournament and the Gala.

Barbara was raised in Burlington and has since been a long-time resident. She is honoured to be able to contribute as a Director to the important work done by Halton Women’s Place.

Rufaida is the Community Co-Chair of the Canadian Muslim COVID-19 Task Force. She manages a therapy program at a non-profit mental health organization and has been volunteering with a number of community organizations over the years. She is also an Alumni mentor at the University of Toronto. She holds a Masters of Social Work from McMaster University in Critical Leadership and is passionate about empowering people to use their agency to achieve their goals. She and her family have been residents of Milton for the past 10 years.

David Vandenberg is a community builder and social impact specialist focused on strategic partnership development that drives actionable results for stakeholders. David is currently managing corporate citizenship initiatives at Volunteer Canada. David has held roles at Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, Burlington’s Emergency Meal Program, and Crestview Strategy. Through this work, he has been able to support and execute national inclusive play infrastructure projects, reach 1200 vulnerable residents with emergency weekly food support, and manage 100+ person, volunteer teams. David is experienced in not-for-profit management, government relations, strategic planning, DEI best practices, and working directly with vulnerable populations.

He has advised and consulted elected officials, various levels of government, and organizations on a wide variety of community engagement strategies, major projects, policy design, and fundraising campaigns that have raised over $500,000 for local agencies and engaged thousands of constituents. David is presently a Director of the Halton Women’s Place, an Advisory Board member of the Compassion Society of Halton and advising the City of Burlington on their Housing Task Force.

David holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from McMaster University, a Not for Profit Leadership and Management Certificate from Mohawk College, was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International in 2021, and was awarded the Platinum Jubilee Medal of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by the Government of Canada in 2022 for community service.

Michelle is a lawyer and HR executive, and over the course of her career has built an expertise in employment law, human rights, employee relations, culture and leadership.

She is currently the Vice President of Human Resources for TD Insurance. She has held HR roles in Employee Relations, HR policy and regulatory compliance, and  labour relations. Prior to her time in HR, she practiced employment law for 15 years at both Gowling WLG and then in TD Bank’s legal department. Michelle is known for her practical advice, broad thinking, authentic leadership, and relentless focus on doing the right thing.

Michelle has a deep passion for social justice, non-violence, and the rights of women and children. She is honoured to be contributing to the work of Halton Women’s Place. Michelle and her family have lived in Halton for nearly 20 years.

Ritu is the Director, People and Culture with the Hamilton Family Health Team where she leads HR Operations, Talent and Performance Management, Employee Relations and EDI strategy and initiatives. She also comes with experience in banking industry and public sector. Ritu has a master’s degree in psychology and an MBA. Her designations and certifications include Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL), Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Change Management Professional. Outside of work, Ritu is an avid volunteer. She is a member of the Lions Club and has led food drives within her community. She is an active mentor with the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) Program and a former Mississauga Library Board member.

Sukkie is a Chartered Accountant, MBA graduate from Cranfield University, UK. She has over 15 years’ experience in Accounting and Finance from Global and Canadian Private and Publicly traded companies, spanning multiple industries.  

Sukkie currently holds the position of Senior Director at TD Synnex, overseeing Accounting, Reporting, Compliance, Treasury, Audit and Taxation. She holds a black belt in Lean Six Sigma. 

Sukkie also serves as the DE&I Lead for Canada.