Item - 2021.CA24.1

Appointees' biographies:

Claudia Brabazon

Claudia Brabazon holds a B.Sc. and a J.D. from the University of Toronto. Ms. Brabazon practices law as crown counsel and was an assistant crown attorney. Ms. Brabazon managed Disease Research and Policy at the WSIB. She has served on the Board of Directors of AIDS Vancouver and the BC Persons with AIDS Society. Claudia is passionate about wildlife conservation. She has rehabilitated sick and injured seal pups and is active in dog obedience training.

Matthew Cole

Matthew Cole is a Director of Tax at Vela Software Group., an international provider of market leading software. He has previously held positions in the tax groups at MNP LLP and Deloitte LLP, where he obtained his CPA, CA designation. He holds a degree in Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies from the University of Western Ontario. Matthew is also the Chair of the Yonge-Lawrence Village BIA.

Cynthia Holmes

Dr. Cynthia Holmes is Associate Dean, Faculty and Academic, and Associate Professor, Real Estate Management at the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University. She is an accomplished researcher in real estate finance and housing economics and an experienced teacher for undergraduate and graduate courses. She is the creator of the Youtube video "Otters holding hands" but her favorite animal is the giraffe.

Ivan Hon

With over 30 years of financial management experience, Ivan possesses expertise in in Finance, Marketing, Investment, Global Risk Management, and Internal Audit. Through his volunteer works at academic and charitable institutions, Ivan has held significant positions to lead and chair task force teams, board committees, fundraising and entertaining events for the community. Ivan is a Professional Statistician, and a holder of an MBA (Financial Services) and B.Sc. (Honors in Statistics).

Matthew Lombardi

Matthew Lombardi is the Managing Director of OneEleven, a post-seed tech accelerator that has helped produced some of Canada's greatest champions, such as Wealthsimple, Borrowell, Maple, Clio, and Koho!

The Civic Appointments Committee recommends that:  

1.  City Council appoint the following candidates to the Toronto Zoo Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on November 10, 2025, and until successors are appointed:

Claudia Brabazon

Cynthia Holmes

Ivan Hon

Joshua Johnson

Matthew Lombardi

2. City Council direct that Confidential Attachments 1 to 4 to the report (June 25, 2021) from the City Clerk remain confidential in  their entirety as they relate to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Toronto Zoo Board.

Candidates' biographies:

Claudia Brabazon

Claudia Brabazon holds a B.Sc. and a J.D. from the University of Toronto. Ms. Brabazon practices law as crown counsel and was an assistant crown attorney. Ms. Brabazon managed Disease Research and Policy at the WSIB. She has served on the Board of Directors of AIDS Vancouver and the BC Persons with AIDS Society. Claudia is passionate about wildlife conservation. She has rehabilitated sick and injured seal pups and is active in dog obedience training.

Cynthia Holmes

Dr. Cynthia Holmes is Associate Dean, Faculty and Academic, and Associate Professor, Real Estate Management at the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University. She is an accomplished researcher in real estate finance and housing economics and an experienced teacher for undergraduate and graduate courses. She is the creator of the Youtube video "Otters holding hands" but her favorite animal is the giraffe.

Ivan Hon

With over 30 years of financial management experience, Ivan possesses expertise in in Finance, Marketing, Investment, Global Risk Management, and Internal Audit. Through his volunteer works at academic and charitable institutions, Ivan has held significant positions to lead and chair task force teams, board committees, fundraising and entertaining events for the community. Ivan is a Professional Statistician, and a holder of an MBA (Financial Services) and B.Sc. (Honors in Statistics).

Joshua Johnson

Joshua Johnson is a public policy professional and graduate of the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto. He is currently working as a Consultant to support a variety of strategic initiatives at Peel Regional Police. Previously, he worked as the Manager of Policy & Regulatory Affairs to the Solicitor General of Ontario and was responsible for the development of the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act and Provincial Animal Welfare Services Inspectorate.

Matthew Lombardi

Matthew Lombardi is the Managing Director of OneEleven, a post-seed tech accelerator that has helped produced some of Canada's greatest champions, such as Wealthsimple, Borrowell, Maple, Clio, and Koho!

City Council on October 1 and 4, 2021, referred Item CA21.3 back to the Civic Appointments Committee for further consideration.

Summary from the report (June 25, 2021) from the City Clerk on Appointment of Public Members to the Toronto Zoo Board [Item CA21.3]:

The Civic Appointments Committee will conduct interviews and recommend five candidates to City Council for appointment to the Toronto Zoo Board of Management.