Notice:
Our upcoming “Fall Pet Fair” has been canceled due to inclement weather. We will notify you of the new date as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience, and stay safe!
Notice:
Our upcoming “Fall Pet Fair” has been canceled due to inclement weather. We will notify you of the new date as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience, and stay safe!
Left to right: Jeff Vallentin, Nilpa Srivastava, Nelia Rutledge, Eileen McCormack, Lillian Mortensen, Catherine Wilson, Paul Dillon, Tara Wong, Christine Nielsen, Ahsan Ahmed
Chair
Ahsan is a seasoned legal and compliance professional with over two decades of experience, including over 10 years in C-level roles. With a law degree from the University of London and UK qualification, he has led legal, compliance, and risk management frameworks across Europe, Asia Pacific, and North America. Ahsan excels in navigating complex regulatory landscapes while maintaining organizational integrity.
Proudly residing in Oakville, he is dedicated to community volunteering, particularly in initiatives supporting animal welfare.
Vice Chair
Melissa Wolk is the Executive Director at Ontario Artistic Swimming, where she leads operations in a dynamic and complex non-profit environment. Melissa brings expertise in governance and organizational development, using her skills to cultivate meaningful engagement with stakeholders and the community.
Melissa is a dedicated supporter of HSOMH’s mission, volunteering her time to improve the lives of animals in care as both a foster and dog handler. Melissa brings this level of commitment to the Board of Directors, where she is enthusiastic about helping HSOMH continue to grow.
Treasurer
John is the Treasurer of Teranet, Canada’s leader in the delivery and transformation of statutory registry services, with extensive expertise in land and commercial registries, and provider of insightful property intelligence and data solutions.
John previously has held a variety of senior Treasury and Finance roles, including previously as Vice-President and Treasurer of HomeEquity Bank, Canada’s leading provider of reverse mortgage solutions, Assistant Treasurer of Maple Leaf Foods, and other progressively senior positions at Manulife Financial / John Hancock and CIBC.
He is a Chartered Accountant, holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management and has a Certified Treasury Professional designation.
John is currently the Board Treasurer and Chair, Finance Committee for the Oakville & Milton Humane Society. He and his wife have a huge soft spot for animals and wildlife, sponsor a dog cage at the shelter, and own three dachshunds, all rescued.
He has also served as a Board Director for other non-profit organizations, including Board Director and Treasurer of Links2Care, and Board Director and Treasurer of the Oakville Columbus Association (the arm of the Oakville chapter of the Knights of Columbus that owned and operated a banquet hall in Oakville).
Secretary
Michael A. de Gennaro is a Partner at Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP. As a business attorney, Michael has over 20 years of experience representing banks, companies and entrepreneurs in a wide range of corporate transactions. Michael uses his legal training and broad-based governance, finance and business experience to lead successful partnerships and help his teams reach their goals.
From sitting on volunteer committees to mentoring attorneys in the practice of M&A and debt finance law, Michael focuses on improving his community through insightful guidance. It’s this passion that makes Michael such a devoted advocate of HSOMH, using his expertise and strong leadership to support HSOMH’s mission.
Tara Wong is a dynamic professional librarian serving as the CEO of Oakville Public Library. With an unwavering commitment to community empowerment, Tara sees public libraries as vital hubs fostering enrichment and resilience. With over 15 years of leadership experience, she excels in strategic planning, business development, and research.
Tara’s dedication extends beyond her career; since 2022, she’s volunteered with HSOMH as a cat socializer and has previously contributed to the Governance and Nomination Committee community member. She now joins the Board to have even more impact.
Gustavo Aquique is a People Partner at The LEGO Group, a role that allows him to combine his robust finance foundation with a people focused approach. Gustavo is skilled in translating strategy into action, especially when it comes to supporting optimized teams.
He brings his experience, perspectives, and communication skills to the table, helping plan for long term success and sustainable growth. Gustavo strongly believes in the work of HSOMH and is driven to protect and support animals throughout the community.
