CYC Board of Directors

David has over 20 years of experience in the energy and consulting industries, as well as valuable knowledge from his involvement in co-founding two technology startups. David is currently Director of GTA West Operations at Enbridge Gas and holds a B.Sc. (Hons) degree from the University of Toronto, a MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University and also holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) designation. Since moving to Newmarket in 2012, David has developed a deep passion for the community and is dedicated to supporting the growth and development of Central York Region.

Laurie is the Executive Director of Treefrog Accelerator, leading a dynamic team to help startups scale. She holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology, focusing on economics and technology, that transitioned into digital marketing for businesses of all sizes.

Laurie began her marketing career with the Borderless Higher Education for Refugees project in Kenya before earning a sought-after MITACS post-doctoral fellowship. She later built a digital marketing team at Treefrog Inc. and managed global communications and e-commerce (consumer and B2B) expansion for a Canadian outdoor apparel brand.

Pursuing a lifelong passion, she founded Origyn, a fashion startup that creates stylish, durable, and eco-friendly accessories from innovative plant-based leather.

Tori is a passionate and community-oriented lawyer who practices with Epstein & Associates, a Newmarket-based full-service style law firm. Tori graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) in English, and then completed her law degree at the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law. During law school, Tori also completed a certificate in Fundraising Management at Toronto Metropolitan University. Tori currently practices primarily as a litigator in the area of Wills & Estates. She is dedicated to helping clients solve even their most complicated legal problems in a truly empathetic fashion. Committed to giving back to the community, Tori has volunteered extensively with organizations such as Homeless Connect Toronto, Pro Bono Students Canada, Next Step Literacy, Kinark Child & Family Services, and various competitive volleyball teams in the community. Tori grew up in Newmarket and is always honoured to serve her hometown.

Rishi Sharma is a seasoned financial professional with over 25 years of experience spanning North America, Asia, and the Middle East. Known for his expertise in financial analysis, customer service, relationship sales, and marketing, Rishi has built a reputation for excellence and reliability. One of his proudest achievements is winning TD Bank’s prestigious annual summit award in 2015, a testament to his dedication and skill.

Currently, Rishi is thriving as a Senior Commercial Account Manager at the Business Development Bank of Canada – A bank dedicated to entrepreneurs. He loves meeting new clients, diving deep into their business needs, and crafting tailored financing and advisory solutions that help them succeed. His previous roles at RBC and TD Bank have equipped him with exceptional portfolio management, risk mitigation, and client relationship skills.

Rishi’s educational background includes a CPA, CMA designation and a Postgraduate Diploma in Sales and Marketing. Beyond his professional life, Rishi is known for his strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities. He is passionate about building meaningful relationships and making a positive impact in his community.

When he’s not working, Rishi enjoys spending time with his family, mentoring young professionals and exploring new cuisines, and staying active through various outdoor activities.

• Responsible for Magna International’s corporate social responsibility strategies and charitable investments globally and locally, where her Neighbourhood Network team connects thousands of volunteers with charities across York Region.
• Over 15 years experience in the non-profit sector, with expertise in fundraising, volunteer management, Board governance, and community engagement.
• Outside her role at Magna, Erin serves as President of the Newmarket Historical Society, championing local history and culture.

Maria has more than 15 years of experience in building brand awareness and enhancing sales. Maria was a Newmarket Business owner for eight years and in 2016 joined the Vince’s Market company as Ambassador Community Support and Finance Administrator.

In 2021, she was recognized with the NewRoads Automotive Group Women of Excellence Award. Whether it’s supporting local charities like the Southlake Foundation or the Women’s Centre of York Region, Maria’s passion for giving back shines through in everything she does.

Bob is an IT guru with over 43 years of experience in the field, specializing in data privacy and security, and heroic data rescue. Bob has a background in programming and has consulted on most aspects of technology throughout his career. A master of translating geek-speak into regular English, he is your go-to guy for your tech troubles. Bob enjoys helping people overcome their technology hurdles.

As the owner of Aurora Online, Rob provides a complete IT solution for clients in York Region and has over 40 years of experience in the IT field. Aurora Online has an experienced staff of IT support specialists, web designers, and network techs. Rob holds two patents in the field of message exchange.