Board Spotlights (2022)
Christian Jacobsen-Pérez (he/him)
“I am currently a biochemistry student at McMaster University. I have enjoyed playing the saxophone and violin for over ten years, giving me an immense appreciation for both the sciences and the arts. I joined the Johansen Larsen Foundation this past spring, making it almost a year since I began. I wanted the opportunity to put my time toward making a meaningful contribution to the lives of other people. I have had previous experiences volunteering through school and in my community that I bring to the board, and I feel that my interest in giving to our focus areas is what makes me work hard to be an active member.
Since I am new to the philanthropic sector, being on the board of JLF has given me a chance to learn more about it and about some of the most important issues that organizations are facing right now. I have really enjoyed working with our wonderful board members, in particular our discussions of the foundation’s future and how we are trying to adjust to serve more organizations.
My favourite part about the JLF by far has been getting the chance to meet our grant recipients in-person to make meaningful connections and learn even more about the organizations than we get to see from applications. This year, I was able to meet with Water First and the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts. It was so wonderful to meet these hard-working people who are helping others in many different ways. I am excited to see how the foundation will continue to adapt to address new areas of need and I hope that we are able to keep providing our grants for many years to come. I am looking forward to becoming even more involved in our foundation as we move forward.”
Dr. Marianne Larsen (she/her)
* How long have you been with the Foundation?
Since it was founded in 2008.
* What is your motivation for working on the Board?
Boje Johansen gave a substantial sum of money to me in 2007 and told me to do something good with it, so I decided to establish the Johansen Larsen Foundation. I've been the President of the Board since the JLF was founded and very much enjoy providing leadership to the foundation.
* What are some skills you bring to the team?
I've been told that I'm good at both attending to details and seeing the big picture, so those skills are helpful for leading a foundation. I'm really committed to the JLF and the work we do to support organizations providing learning programs to marginalized children and youth, and Indigenous peoples, as well as programs that connect the well-being of humans to the well-being of animals and our natural environment. I hope my enthusiasm for the work we do helps to motivate and inspire others to learn about and support these kinds of initiatives.
* What do you enjoy most about being on the Board?
I love learning about the many programs that we support, whether they are arts programs for young kids, summer camp and leadership initiatives for teens, educational programs about turtles or a program to support the needs of homeless individuals to care for their beloved pets. There are so many examples of organizations in Canada doing marvellous work to support individuals and communities, human and beyond human, who just need a little extra 'help' in their lives. I'm proud to be able to support this work, and especially proud of the recent shift in the JLF to focus on reconciliation and the one health model as part of our funding priorities.
* What is a memorable experience that stands out for you?
Gosh, that's a hard question to answer, but one aspect of my work that I really enjoy is visiting organizations that we financially support to see their programs in action. This fall I visited a site in Toronto where Raising the Roof was renovating a house for a refugee family to live in. Although we are supporting a similar initiative in Winnipeg, it was too far for me to travel to see the Raising the Roof building there, but seeing the work that was being done on the house in Toronto was incredibly inspiring. Overall, it truly is inspiring to see the projects and programs that we are so honoured to provide some financial support for, and to meet the many staff persons and volunteers who work tirelessly in the non-profit sector engaging with folks (the natural world and animals) who benefit from their programs.
* How do you see the JL Foundation continuing to move forward?
I'm excited about the work we're doing around Responsible and Impact Investing and how we plan to align our investments with our overall values. I'm keen to see how that pans out in coming years. I'm also excited about how we were able to improve our application and reporting processes, and the fact that we reached out to a number of organizations that we've funded in the past to get their input on how we can improve those processes.
* Tell us a fun fact about yourself! I love music and play the piano, violin and, most recently, have taken up the ukuele.
Shelley Knott Fife (she/her)
* How long have you been with the Foundation? Since 2021, when I attended my first board meeting.
* What is your motivation for working on the Board?
As an Indigenous person of Canada, I am interested in initiatives that advance the profile and well-being of Indigenous and other marginalized populations. I found that my values align with that of the board.
* What are some skills you bring to the team?
I have decades of experience in Indigenous Education at a community, regional, provincial and federal level in several areas including department management, service delivery and policy development.
* What do you enjoy most about being on the Board?
Working with a team that shares common values.
* What is a memorable experience that stands out for you?
As a new member, my experiences are limited but engaging with a beneficiary of funding (The Land Between) was very gratifying.
* How do you see the JL Foundation continuing to move forward?
I look forward to learning more about the foundation and how each funding cycle differs from the last, if at all.
* Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
In 2017, my daughter (21 at the time) and travelled around the world in 30 days (12 countries, if you count training through Germany)!
Ian Esquivel (he/him)
* How long have you been with the Foundation?
10+ years, and I'm a member of the founding Board.
* What is your motivation for working on the Board?
Working with Marianne again. The opportunity to do charitable work with a social justice emphasis.
* What are some skills you bring to the team?
I'm an educator who has worked with diverse communities. Strong communication skills. I was on three boards prior to JLF - one with Marianne. When I joined, I was also on the Board for Regent Park Focus, which works with marginalized and disenfranchised youth.
* What do you enjoy most about being on the Board?
Working with skilled, knowledgeable, compassionate people; it feels like a very strong team. I also am pleased by the funding we have provided to a wide range of organizations.
* What is a memorable experience that stands out for you?
It's one experience, revisited. I really have like going to visit the charities we fund. For example, Arts Etobicoke. Over time I have established a relationship with that organization.
* How do you see the JL Foundation continuing to move forward?
Diversification of the Board, which has been happening. We need people who have the time to go deeper. I plan to retire in June so perhaps I could do more ...
* Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I am a drummer and have played in bands sine I was an adolescent. If it weren't for music, I don't think I would have survived the tougher times in my life, including the COVID lockdown during which I was in Switzerland. I was in a band and because cohorts were limited to five, the band was able to rehearse.
Dennis Bonney (he/him)
*How long have you been a member with the JLF?
I am a founding member.
* What is your motivation for working on the Board?
When asked, I was excited by the opportunity as being a lifelong friend of the Larsen family. I was able to meet and know both Rose and Boje Johansen.
* What are some skills you bring to the team? Oversight, governance, and support.
* What do you enjoy about working on the JLF Board? Meeting the people who we fund and seeing their work and impact.
* What is a memorable experience that stands out for you being in the Board? The best part of being a member of the board is the ability to see the good work of the organizations we fund. As an LGBTQ member, I am always happy to see those specific organizations, which are supportive of those causes.
* How do you see the JL Foundation continuing to move forward?
I have watched the foundation evolve since its inception and am happy with our growth and focus on building a sustaining foundation.
* Tell us a fun fact about yourself! I enjoy running. I have done 3 marathons over the years and many races for fun and for charity.
Yvonne Vanriel (she/her)
Yvonne graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA).
* How long have you been with the Foundation? Since 2015.
* What is your motivation for working on the Board?
The discussion on becoming a member arose in a discussion with Dennis Bonney; We are co-workers. I mentioned that I had previously volunteered as a #tutor in a Saturday program within the Black community. I was not doing that anymore, but was looking for some way to give back some of my time to an organization that would also benefit communities in need.
* What are some skills you bring to the team?
When I joined, #JLFoundation was investigating which bank would be used for investing its funds. My skills in Accounting would be useful for that exercise and for understanding the investments and financial return on investments presented yearly. Also, my experience with the black community would bring a useful #perspective to JLF.
* What do you enjoy about working on the JLF Board?
Two things: (1) I really enjoy our meetings where everyone provides input and perspective into the programs being funded; and (2) I get a great deal of joy in meeting with the organizations being funded, presenting them with a cheque, and it’s even better if I can see how some of the funds will be spent. The positive feedback from the organizations being funded reminds me of how much need exists for the programs that we fund.
* What is a memorable experience that stands out for you being in the Board? Attending the EVA event and hearing the stories about the young people that have been helped with programs.
* How do you see the JL Foundation continuing to move forward?
I like the #direction JLF is taking in using our investments to influence, as shareholders, the priority that companies place on societal and #environmental issues.
* Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I enjoy outdoor activities such as cycling through the many ravines and trails in #Toronto. I also play the guitar and enjoy travelling, having been to Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, and the US.