Our Board
Marianne Larsen
Marianne Larsen (President) is a public school board trustee and Professor Emerita from Western University's Faculty of Education. She is an experienced educator at the secondary and post-secondary level. She has many years experience volunteering in organizations serving newcomers, low-income & homeless Canadians.
Christian Jacobsen Perez
Christian Jacobsen Perez, a student and a musician, is our newest board member. He is a graduate student in Biochemistry at the University of Toronto and is very active in his university community. He brings his volunteer experience and a strong interest in the philanthropic sector to our board. Learn more about Christian.
Ian Esquivel
Ian Esquivel is an English teacher and Guidance counsellor. He retired from the Toronto District School Board after 34 years and now teaches at a secondary school in Switzerland. When he isn't teaching, Ian likes to garden, play in a band, walk his dog Lou, and cook. He has been involved with the JLF since it was founded. He is proud to be part of a team whose members are compassionate and committed, and even prouder of the work it has done. He is looking forward to what the foundation is yet to achieve.
Shelley Knott Fife
Shelley Knott Fife is an Anishnaabekwe residing in her home community of Curve Lake First Nation. She has a career in First Nation education and is currently an education specialist with Indigenous Services Canada.
Dennis Bonney
Dennis Bonney has many years experience working in global companies in the areas of oversight and regulatory compliance.
Yvonne Vanriel
Yvonne Vanriel brings her financial and accounting expertise as a manager of Finance Services for Alstom, a global transportation company, to the board of the JLF.
Our Staff
Chenzi Feng Zhao, Administrative Assistant
(2024-present)
Chenzi began her role as the Administrative Assistant in 2024. She supports the JLF’s day-to-day operations by managing internal and external communications, coordinating grantmaking processes, and overseeing the distribution of funds. Her attention to detail and proactive approach help maintain the high standards of JLF's operations, contributing to its mission of making a positive impact in the community.
Dr. Vanessa Sperduti, Communications Manager
(2021-present)
Dr. Sperduti joined our team in 2021 as Communications Manager. She is responsible for guiding us in meeting our Communications objectives as outlined in our Strategic Plan (2020), including using social media to create more awareness and visibility about the programs and initiatives we financially support, enhance communications with the organizations we partner with, share our networks, our voices, and our resources to include and benefit Indigenous peoples, and One Health approaches.
Dina Haddish, Foundation Manager (2020)
Dina served as our Foundation Manager during 2020 as she completed her required internship hours for her post-graduate program in Non-Profit Management from Western University’s Continuing Studies Department. We are so grateful to Dina for assisting us through our strategic planning process and creating this beautiful website that you are viewing now.