The Board of Directors

Frances Elizabeth Moore

President

Frances Elizabeth Moore (King) is an Anishinaabe Kwe from Timiskaming First Nations who has been living in London for 17 years.  Frances Elizabeth is passionate about Indigenous rights, issues, politics, and general social justice. Drawing on her legal background from Georgian College; certificates in Building Abundance in Indigenous Communities (BAIC), Advancing Women's Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding for Community Development and Indigenous Women in Community Leadership from the COADY Institute at St. Francis Xavier University; and an Indigenous Peoples Certificate in Indigegogy from Wilfred Laurier University where she is currently pursuing a certificate in Wholistic Healing Practices and Colonial Trauma Frances Elizabeth has over 10 years of experience in the non-profit sector advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion through relationship building, and program management. Frances Elizabeth is currently a Program Manager, Youth Opportunities Fund with Ontario Trillium Foundation.  She also does consulting work in an educational capacity hosting workshops and facilitation primarily in and around Indigenous issues and/or ways of knowing and being. In addition to this, she is a dedicated community volunteer, working with various organizations across the city (LIFE*SPIN, Pillar, King's College University, Brescia, City of London etc.) In addition to the above, Frances Elizabeth is a member of London's Indigenous Leadership Circle Member and Aboriginal Professional Association of Canada.

Patricia Fyfe

Secretary

Patricia is a long-time supporter of organizations supporting social justice and humanitarian efforts. She continues to champion such causes as the international letter-writing network of Amnesty International, and the efforts of Doctors Without Borders, among others. However, the work of LIFE*SPIN is particularly close to her heart, and she has served as Secretary to the Board of Directors for twelve years.

Prior to retiring from her career as the Senior Academic Counsellor in the Office of the Dean at Western university, she contributed to LIFE*SPIN’s Christmas sponsorship program, and provided hygiene supplies for those living on fixed incomes. Since being elected to the Board, twelve years ago, she has continued to support these programs, and her editing and proofreading skills have been put to significant use, especially with such matters as funding applications and website revisions. Patricia regards her involvement in this organization as a great privilege.

Marie Rioux

Vice President

Marie is an experienced community activist and political organizer, campaigning on progressive issues including housing, healthcare access, worker's rights, and combating white supremacy. She also has a Masters of Public Administration from the University of York where she focused her research on adverse care standards resulting from privatized long-term care delivery in Ontario. Marie has been on the Board at LIFE*SPIN since 2019 and currently sits as the Vice President, Chair of the Housing Development Committee, and sits on the Finance and Woodman Disaster Relief committees

David Murphy

Treasurer

Over 20 years ago, I joined as a volunteer at LIFE*SPIN. I was involved with the Green Market Basket campaign as part of LIFE*SPIN’s Food Security Program. While this effort was rewarding for many recipients, myself included, there were too few subscribers to sustain the program. This program was ground-breaking at the time. Rose White, encouraged me to join the Board of Directors of LIFE*SPIN. I have been a director on the Board ever since, with the exception of a year’s leave of absence. It has been my great privilege and pleasure to serve over the years as President, Co-Chair, Treasurer (currently) and Chair of the Personnel Committee of LIFE*SPIN. I am been constantly amazed and moved by the never flagging efforts of the people of our Agency to offer affordable accommodation for the disadvantaged, and sustain our many programs serving the needy families and individuals of our community. Upon my retirement from working at Western University for forty years, I have been afforded more time to volunteer at LIFE*SPIN. In particular, this has given me the opportunity to participate hands-on in the Christmas Program, which helps thousands of families to have a wonderful holiday. I look forward to many more years of volunteering at LIFE*SPIN.

Paola Blaschke

 For the past twelve years, Paolo has been a member of LIFE*SPIN.  She often is called upon to assist staff with the Christmas Sponsorship program, or in applying her interpreting skills with various clients and projects. Paola’s work history is in banking and customer service, and she works part-time.  Paola always steps forward to volunteer where she is needed.  The energy, commitment and the joy Paola brings to the organization are deeply appreciated by all, and her support of the organization is unwavering. Paola volunteers her time because she feels the supports we provide are a great benefit to those we are able to serve.

Richard Nancarrow

Richard has been a volunteer at LIFE*SPIN for 10 years. He is a man of many talents. Over the years, Richard has contributed to many of LIFE*SPIN’s projects, including the installation of solar panels, upgrading the facade, restoring the stained glass windows, helping renovate apartments, and working on the grounds. In addition, his skill of sourcing materials and labour at little to no cost has been very beneficial to LIFE*SPIN over the years. Richard is a leading force in the Housing Development Committee

Astrid McNeely

 Astrid is a Honduran born adoptee, who has lived in four countries. As a child, she spent summers with her parents, returning to her native country, where she volunteered as an English translator for multiple medical missions, which instilled in her a commitment to community service. Astrid was introduced to LIFE*SPIN, through the Pocket-Sized Farm summer camp, when she was visiting her grandparents in London. When she decided to settle in Ontario as a young adult, she became the co-creator of the collective cooking program with a fellow volunteer who became a close friend, Rachna Sharma. Astrid has been involved throughout different programs at LIFE*SPIN throughout the past 14 years and knows firsthand how meaningful the empowerment and connection to community can be for participants.

Jennifer Surerus

Jennifer has been connected to LIFE*SPIN through her work as a placement liaison with the Doula Studies program at Fanshawe College for the past three years. She is a full spectrum doula and teacher at Fanshawe College.  Jennifer worked as a developmental services worker for close to 20 years. She achieved her undergrad degree as a mature student in Social Justice and Peace Studies and is currently finishing her Masters in Social Work.  She feels committed to supporting the health and well-being of women and non-binary folks through the work she does. Jennifer is interested in being a Board Member, because she is invested in the work of LIFE*SPIN and wants to put that investment into action.  Jennifer has a unique constellation of experiences and education that allows her to bring a critical perspective and understanding of how our systems reinforce poverty and precarity.

Brad Heslop

Brad is a small business owner in London, who has been recognized as one of London's 'Top Twenty in their 20s' by Business London, and as a 'Community Hero' by Community Living London. Through his work in the hospitality industry, he has made it his mission to give back to our community. After participating in the Lights and Sirens Toy Drive, he knew LIFE*SPIN was an organization he would be honored to serve.

Laura Rosen

Laura is an independent research consultant who focuses on working with the not-for-profits in the surrounding area. She has served on a number of committees and organizational boards as a member of the Western University senate. She would like to do whatever she can to help alleviate some of the strain faced by this population. Laura believes that LIFE*SPIN’s approach to facilitating independence and maintaining dignity is a great way to empower people, and loves being a part of a team that does such meaningful work.

Sahar El-Kotob

Sahar is a Canadian Lebanese immigrant, and a first-generation lawyer. On July 5th 2021 she commenced her first job in the legal field, as a newly licensed lawyer at Lerners LLP in their London Office.  Sahar’s extracurricular activities, before and throughout law school, have involved serving the community in leadership positions dedicated to advocating for diversity, BIPOC communities, and access to justice. During law school, she volunteered at both Community Legal Aid and Pro Bono Students Canada. She is also the former Vice President of Operations for the Windsor Law Society of 2019/2020.
 
Sahar has been an advocate for the community outside the law school bubble. She formerly worked as the Fundraising director for a grassroots summer camp, called h.appi, that catered to refugee children. Her role helped fundraise over $30,000 to help fund the programming for a summer camp aimed to create a safe and transitory space for Syrian refugee children through play. Sahar is very proud of being Canadian-Arab and finds many ways to celebrate both of her identities. She formerly worked at the Canadian Arab Institute, developing and implementing a mentorship program for young Canadian-Arab professionals; a rare opportunity in a world that usually dismisses this minority group.

LIFE*SPIN’s mission aligns with Sahar’s own principles of community support: long-term, strategic solutions to the systemic problems of poverty.  She was, therefore, drawn to apply to LIFE*SPIN’s Board of Directors as she has seen first hand that there is great need for systemic change within institutions to ensure that nuances of poverty are addressed from a macro and micro level. Her commitment to diversity and advocacy make Sahar an exceptional addition to LIFE*SPIN’s Board of Directors. She will use the knowledge developed in past roles and leadership opportunities to be an effective member of the Board.