Trustee Biographies

Gloria Baxter

Gloria served as Superintendent of Schools for the Toronto District School Board, culminating a successful career as a teacher, Vice Principal and Principal. She received a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Guelph, a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Toronto, and her Master of Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). Gloria is a member of Phi Delta Kappa, the Ontario Principals’ Council, and the Ontario Supervisory Officials’ Association. She volunteers as a Gallery Interpreter at the Royal Ontario Museum and is a past Board Member of the Children’s Museum. Gloria lives in Burlington with her husband Don.

Doug Gowman

Doug is an Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities. He graduated with an Honours B.A. in Business Administration from the Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario. For the last 20 years he has worked in the financial services industry where he led marketing, sales and product development teams for London Life, Canadian Tire Financial Services and CUMIS. Doug has been active with the United Way and with the Burlington Curling Club, where he served as a Board of Directors member. He enjoys golf, curling and travelling with his wife Elaine. Doug and Elaine live in Burlington and have been married over 30 years. They have two grown children, Lynn and Kevin.

Nancy Lorimer

Nancy has been a Sales Agent with Royal LePage Burloak at the Lakeshore office for the past 4 years.  Prior to this, she held senior level Marketing and Sales positions for 20 years in the high technology sector with major companies such as Xerox Canada, Apple Canada, and Fulcrum Technologies.  Nancy attended Queen's University.  She has used her expertise and skills to assist numerous community organizations such as being School Council Chair for four years, Instructor for The Roots of Empathy Program with the Ottawa School Board for 5 years, ongoing member of the Mentor Committee for HighTech Start-ups, and the Live Auction Commitee for the Carpenter Hospice Gala, to name a few. 

Billie Miller

Billie was raised and educated in Burlington. Professionally, she was as a legal assistant, in the areas of corporate, commercial and securities law. Billie has held the positions of Treasurer and President of the South Vancouver Seniors Network and Chair of the South Vancouver Seniors Council, both volunteer-driven organizations. Since returning to Burlington in 2004, Billie has been an active volunteer at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre and presently holds the position of Board of Management Chair. At the BAC, Billie has been a long-time Art Etc volunteer, has served on the Volunteer Council as a member and Chair, was on the BAC Board in 2005 and has been a Trustee since 2006. Billie presently holds the position of BACF President and is the Chair of Fine Art and Craft Festival Committee.

Bruce Nicholson

Bruce is a Partner with BDO Canada LLP Chartered Accountants. His experience includes providing accounting, auditing and related services to private businesses, not-for-profit organizations and government related public institutions. Bruce is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario (ICAO), Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA), the Burlington and Hamilton Chambers of Commerce and sits on the Hamilton Halton Construction Association’s Education Committee. Bruce’s involvement in the local community includes Director of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, the Burlington Oldtimer’s Hockey Club, Member of the Aldershot Lions’ Club, Member of the Board of Governors of the Robert Land Academy and a support volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society.

Robert Redhead

Bob has been in the environmental business for over 30 years.  He has considerable experience in working with stakeholders to identify and resolve issues in waste management and policy development.  Since 2006, he has been Executive Director of Government Affairs for Newalta, responsible for policy liaison with all levels of government for the company.  Prior to that, he was an independent government affairs consultant, advising governments and industrial operators on environmental legislation, regulation and policy development.  He also managed government relations for Laidlaw Inc. and Tricil Ltd. Bob received a B.Sc. degree from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from York University Schulich School of Business.  He is Chair of the Board of the Ontario Environment Industry Association, Chair of the Environment and Energy Committee of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and Past Chair of the Canadian Environment Industry Association and the Ontario Waste Management Association.  Bob is a recipient of the Environment Canada Award of Merit, the Distinguished Service Award of the National Solid Waste Management Association, and the Queen’s Jubilee Medal.

Bonnie Sylvia

Bonnie is a professional weaver and an active member of the Burlington Handweavers & Spinners Guild, of which she has served as President. She has shown a strong commitment to the BAC, holding positions on the Board of Directors, including President and Chair of the Planning & Relationships Committee. Bonnie was one of four steering committee members who brokered the transition which moved fundraising from the BAC to the BAC Foundation. Currently, she serves as a Trustee of the BAC Foundation, Chair of the Foundation’s Fundraising Events Committee and is a five-year Chair of the very successful Art Auction. As well, Bonnie is a founding member and President of Camelot Centre, a creative day centre for intellectually challenged adults.

Alyson Sweetlove

Alyson practises in the Estate Planning Group at Ross & McBride LLP.  She received her B.A. and her LL.B. from the University of Western Ontario.  Alyson was called to the Bar in 2004.  She is a third generation lawyer practicing in the area of Estates and, in keeping with her family tradition, is an active member of the community.  Alyson is a member of the Hamilton Law Association, the Ontario Bar Association, the Canadian Bar Association, Estates & Trusts section and the Western Alumni Association as well as a past member of the Board of Directors of the Burlington Community Foundation.

Irene Wood

Irene Wood is a communications, marketing and public relations specialist. With over 30 years experience she has held positions in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. She is a proud graduate of Queen’s University and is currently pursuing a master's degree in religious studies at the University of Toronto. Irene is a past president of the Flamborough Chamber of Commerce and the recipient of its 2004 Outstanding Business Achievement Award. She has also been active in a volunteer capacity with a number of organizations that include the Canadian Institute for International Affairs, United Way and YMCA.