BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Each Director makes an initial commitment of serving on our Board for two years. No Director may hold office for more than six consecutive years unless granted an extension. The extension can be up to one year at a time and must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.
Karl Pelowich joined JobStart’s Board of Directors in 2017, assumed the role of Board President on April 17, 2020 and was the Board Vice-President from January 2019 to April 16, 2020. Karl is a seasoned HR Executive, has been with TD Bank Financial Group since 2013 and is currently Associate Vice President (AVP), Culture & Colleague Experience where he has global accountability for the Colleague Promise & Employee Value Proposition, internal & external employment branding, colleague listening strategies as well as the bank's Career Solutions Centre. Prior to that, Karl was the HR Program Lead for the bank’s Finance Innovation Transformation and responsible for developing and implementing the employee experience and talent management frameworks. Past roles at TD include AVP & HR Business Partner for the North American Contact Centre Phone Channel & ATM and prior to that, Infrastructure Technology Solutions, where was responsible for the development and delivery of people strategies and led the HR elements of business planning and transformational programs. Before joining TD, Karl was with BMO Financial Group where he held a variety of roles in Human Resources, Salesforce Effectiveness, Personal & Commercial Banking, Finance and the Contact Centre. Karl has a BBA from Wilfrid Laurier University and an MBA from Dalhousie University.
Norman Woo joined JobStart's Board of Directors in June 2010. He assumed the role of acting Treasurer and Co-Chair of the Finance Committee from October 2014 to June 2015. He is currently Global Head of Finance, Private Markets for Manulife Investment Management. Previously, Norman was AVP, Corporate Development for Manulife Financial Corporation. Before joining Manulife, he was a Senior Manager in the Transaction and Restructuring Advisory practice of KPMG LLP where he provided valuations, corporate finance and financial reporting services to public and private companies, as well as the public sector. Norman graduated from the University of Waterloo, where he completed both an Honours Bachelor of Mathematics and a Master of Accounting. Norman is a Chartered Professional Accountant in Canada and a Certified Public Accountant in the U.S. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Business Valuator designations.
Janet LeClair joined JobStart’s Board in June 2014. She assumed the role of Board Secretary on June 21, 2017. Janet is a Senior HR Consultant with Stratford Managers Corporation and has broad expertise in human resources, finance and communications. With over 20 years’ experience working with academic administrators, researchers, clinicians, CEO’s and boards of directors she has worked both in the private and public sector -- all with a focus on innovation to advance knowledge for economic and social benefit. Janet has previously served on two boards: with BioTalent Canada for two consecutive 3-year terms and a year with the York Technology Association (now TechConnex). She recently completed Altruvest’s Governance Leadership Program; is a graduate of Ryerson University’s Business Administration Program and the Rotman School of Management’s Advanced Program in Human Resources, University of Toronto; she holds a Certified Human Resource Leader (CHRL) designation.
Janet became a mentor in The Mentoring Partnership (TMP) program, delivered by JobStart and other member agencies, in partnership with Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC), in 2016.
Ildiko Erdei joined JobStart’s Board in 2017. She assumed the role of Board Vice President on April 17, 2020. Ildiko is a prosecutor for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, currently focusing on drug prosecutions in the City of Toronto. Ildiko has previously acted as an immigration lawyer, also for the Government of Canada, specializing in refugee law, inadmissibility for criminality, and national security. She has an undergraduate and law degree from the University of Toronto, and a masters in law in international criminal law from the Irish Centre for Human Rights. Ildiko has travelled and lived abroad extensively, having worked previously for the United Nations and the Constitutional Court of South Africa. She has a passion for volunteerism, having volunteered for various organizations in Toronto and elsewhere.
Tosin Akinwekomi joined JobStart's Board of Directors in April 2017. Tosin assumed the role of Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee in June 2019. He is a problem-solver with experience in Financial Services and the Public Sector. Tosin has expertise in Strategic Planning, Transformation, Change Management and Risk and is currently Director, Organizational Change Management with RBC. He is passionate about Youth and is the Youth Program Lead at his local church where he focuses on academic, career success, spiritual wellbeing and interpersonal relationships. He holds a BCom from York University, an MBA and a Certificate in Responsible Leadership from Queen's University and is a CPA.