Governance

Cathy Alexander is an experienced finance and accounting executive. She recently retired from The Co-operators Group Limited, where her career spanned more than 13 years in increasingly senior positions. Her last position at Co-operators was director, operational accounting and finance systems, specializing in process improvement, change management and human resource development. Cathy is a certified public accountant and holds an MBA from Wilfred Laurier University and a bachelor of arts in English literature from the University of Western Ontario. She has served on the boards of several not-for-profit organizations, including the River Run Center in Guelph, Ont. She is a long-time donor to JAZZ.FM91.

Shirantha Beddage is a baritone saxophonist, composer and educator. A two-time Juno-nominated musician, Shirantha currently serves as professor of theory and harmony in the Humber College Bachelor of Music program. He was previously director of jazz studies at the Columbus State University Schwob School of Music (Columbus, Ga.). He also adjudicates regularly at festivals throughout the country including MusicFest Canada, where he serves as vice-chairman of instrumental jazz. He holds a doctor of musical arts degree (D.M.A.) in jazz studies from the Eastman School of Music (New York), a master of music degree in jazz studies from William Paterson University (New Jersey), and a bachelor of music degree from Humber College.

Sandra Caswell is an experienced leader, specializing in board governance, business management and operational efficiency. Her accomplished career in financial services and law has included roles as assistant corporate secretary for a major financial institution, executive head of business management and strategy, and law clerk at one of Canada’s largest law firms. She has a BA from the University of Toronto, served on an advisory committee with the Canadian Women’s Foundation and the finance committee of Women Gaining Ground. Sandra is passionate follower of the local jazz scene and a long-time donor member of JAZZ.FM91.

Chris Churchill was president of Churchill Cellars, one of the largest privately owned beverage alcohol agencies in Ontario, for 27 years. For 14 of those years, he was also president of Drinks Ontario, a non-profit trade association. He previously ran a graphic arts company and worked in advertising. His passion for music led him to become a freelance writer and concert editor for numerous consumer and trade publications over a 20-year span. He has an honours degree from the University of Toronto. Chris is an avid music fan who has supported JAZZ.FM91, local musicians and other organizations for years.

Thompson Egbo-Egbo is an acclaimed artist, currently recording with Entertainment One. A graduate of Humber College and the Berklee College of Music (Boston, Mass.), he has released three albums, along with performing locally and internationally. Thompson brings a wealth of experience to the board, having served as a board member for several not-for-profit arts organizations. As someone who benefited from grassroots community music programs, he recognizes the impact that music has had on his life, and in addition to his work as a board member he supports arts-based programming and learning for youth through his Thompson T. Egbo-Egbo Foundation.

Greg Gooding is the Canadian Artist & Label Development Manager for Music Gateway, a business to business platform designed to allow creative and music industry professionals to connect and work together in a global capacity. As a music producer and owner of independent music label G-THREE, he has worked in a variety of genres including Blues and Jazz. His credits include nominations and wins at the Juno Awards and Global Music Awards in the world music and jazz categories. Greg also serves as the director of the Archie Alleyne Scholarship Fund (AASF), a Toronto-based not-for-profit organization that supports young people in the Black community who are entering post-secondary school advanced music programs by providing bursaries, mentorship and performance opportunities through AASF’s The Evolution of Jazz Ensemble.

Neil Mathur loves radio. He built his own radio station in the basement as a kid just so he could play songs and talk on the air. In high school, Neil volunteered at McMaster University’s CFMU-FM and knew radio was his calling. While an undergrad at the University of Toronto, Neil developed his radio skills working for 900 CHML and CHUM AM & FM. On-air work followed in Montreal at The Weather Network and 990 CKIS. Neil was Music Director and Assistant Program Director at Toronto’s 97.3 EZ Rock, and Program Director with Classical 96.3 FM. Neil Mathur teaches in Humber College’s Faculty of Media and Creative Arts. He also consults for media companies looking to grow their relevance and loves to coach talented broadcasters and podcasters refining their on-air performance. His volunteer work includes serving as a mentor with Farm Radio International and chairing the Education Committee of the Ontario Association of Broadcasters. Neil Mathur holds an MA from Emerson College, Boston.

Catherine Mitro is a full-time professor in Humber College’s renowned music department and has been active in education for more than 40 years. Catherine founded Humber’s Community Music School in 1980, working closely with leading musicians and educators to build the school’s current national and international reputation for innovative jazz education. The recipient of several national and international awards, Catherine has been inducted into the MusicFest Canada Hall of Fame and was recently nominated for the prestigious Premier’s Awards for Outstanding College Graduates. Catherine is also the director of Humber’s Jazz Performance Certificate program and managing director of Youth Jazz Canada.

Marc Paris brings a unique blend of broadcast and not-for-profit experience to JAZZ.FM91’s board of directors. His earlier career in radio included positions of vice-president/general manager at Telemedia Communications and Standard Radio, as well as director of radio/regional communications at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. From 2009 to 2019, Marc was founding executive director of Drug Free Kids Canada, a registered charity dedicated to all young people being able to live their lives free of problematic substance abuse and addiction. Marc’s skill set includes corporate management and sales, turnarounds, research analytics, problem solving, change management, communications, marketing and relationship, partnership and alliance building.

Peter von Schilling is an experienced leader and investment management professional. Recently retired from a 25-year career in investment management, Peter has extensive experience analyzing industries and companies, evaluating strategic directions and assessing capital allocation plans to identify and invest in high-performing companies. Peter’s skill set includes financial and strategic analysis, decision-making and governance. Peter has an MBA from INSEAD, a B. Math (Honours) from the University of Waterloo and a Canadian Investment Manager designation, and he has completed the Directors Education Program from the Institute of Corporate Directors. Peter is a long-time donor member of JAZZ.FM91 and a passionate listener of jazz.

Bryan Snelson is a senior portfolio manager with RBC Dominion Securities. Bryan is a holder of the Chartered Investment Manager designation. He is the co-author of the national best-selling book Portfolio First Aid. In addition to his work with his clients, Bryan has held sales management and front-line compliance roles. He served for five years on the board of the Raymond James Canada Foundation. Bryan has been a donor-member, on-air personality, advertiser and fundraiser at CJRT/JAZZ.FM91 for the past 20 years.