Susan is an accomplished executive known for her transparent and strategic leadership in finance, operations, stakeholder relations, and relationship building. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Toronto Metropolitan University. The first nine years of her career were spent working for a venture capital firm that supported startup organizations in the automotive and craft brewery industries. Susan then transitioned to a senior leadership role as CFO and COO in luxury retail manufacturing and distribution. With the onset of the pandemic, Susan pivoted into tech, joining Forj at its inception as a leader in Finance, Operations, and Human Resources, and as a key member of the senior leadership team as they developed a member experience platform to enhance engagement for associations.  Most recently, Susan served as Co-Director at the Women’s Economic Council, a government-funded organization dedicated to empowering women in business and leadership across Canada. Her efforts aligned strategic goals with impactful initiatives to support women’s economic empowerment across Canada. Susan is also the founder and volunteer Director of Shift The Odds, a non-profit focused on expanding tech education.

Susan has deep roots in Ontario’s rural communities. “I am committed to driving meaningful impact and supporting community-based organizations,” says Susan. Attuned to the unique challenges and opportunities in these regions, she is dedicated to fostering local entrepreneurship and creating lasting impact through her role at Community Futures Ontario.

Prior to accepting the position of OACFDC Executive Assistant in 2011, Denise spent 41/2 years with the Middlesex Community Futures Development Corporation, first as Receptionist, then as Office Administrator. She is a graduate of Fanshawe College in Tourism and Travel, and worked in leisure and corporate travel sales for 10 years before taking on the role of Facilitator, teaching both the Tourism & Travel and Executive Office Administration programs at a private business college in London, ON.  Denise’s travel career eventually led her to the challenging role of Event Planning & Project Coordinator for an incentive group travel agency in London, ON, arranging and escorting executive travel groups domestically and internationally.

Denise grew up on a farm in St. Thomas, Ontario, where her family still lives. She has recently returned to her roots with her sweet Golden, Emmy and loves the short commute to the office. Being familiar with the wonderful sense of family and community that comes with growing up in a small town, she is grateful to be a part of the OACFDC, an organization dedicated to growing and strengthening the rural communities of Ontario. 

Prior to joining the Community Futures Ontario team in 2021, Patricia was working at the Covent Garden Market in London, Ontario as their Farmers’ Market Manager. That time collaborating with local farmers and small businesses in Southwestern Ontario, instilled in Patricia an understanding of the needs, challenges, and special qualities of small businesses established in rural Ontario, and she was honoured to offer support along their path. She is proud to now continue supporting small businesses in her current role, and aiding in their success within rural communities across the vast expanse of Ontario.

Patricia received her Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Western University and has a strong background in Communications, Event Orchestration, and Project Management.