Growing up on Fogo Island, Zita developed a deep belief in the inherent value of place and profound respect for the human ways of knowing that emerge from respectful relationships with nature, culture, and community. She held senior financial roles in the high-tech industry, notably with JDS Fitel, subsequently JDS Uniphase, where she contributed to building the company into one of the most successful high-tech innovators in history. Zita returned home to Fogo Island in the early 2000’s and, along with her brothers Anthony and Alan, founded Shorefast. In 2016, Zita was awarded the Order of Canada. She volunteers her time and energies to the active direction and management of Shorefast and our projects on Fogo Island

Alan Cobb enjoyed a long career in the senior ranks of the federal public service and the private sector. He has worked in policy and operations for the Industry, Science and Technology, Treasury Board, and Employment and Immigration federal ministries. He also headed the initial federal offshore oil and gas regulatory agency, based in St. John’s. After retiring from the federal government, Alan provided strategic-management consulting services to the public and private sectors, and worked with a leading technology firm as advisor to the CEO.

Glen best is a fourth generation Fish Harvester with 34 years of experience, who grew up on Fogo Island with a rich family history entwined in the development and progress of the local fishery and community that defines Fogo Island. He is the owner of a fishing enterprise which operates two multi-species vessels involved in fishing for Snow Crab, Northern Shrimp, Turbot and Northern Cod. He trained at the Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland and currently holds a Fishing Masters Class ll certification from Transport Canada. Glen has been a member of the Fogo Island Fisheries Co-op for the past 34 years and served on the board of directors for nine years: as president for three and Vice President for two years. Glen is passionate about achieving fair and proactive management in the fishing industry that benefits both the marine ecosystem and the people who make their livelihood from the sea. Glen has volunteered on various fisheries committees over his career and has voiced his opinion to such platforms as parliamentary committees on occasion. In his spare time, he enjoys recreational hockey and spending time outdoors at his cabin, snowmobiling, or just enjoying a leisurely hike.

Terry Burgoyne advises Canadian and international companies in executing complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions. He has over 35 years of business law experience. He served as Managing Partner of Osler, with responsibility for business strategy and client relationship management, and as a member of the Executive Committee.

Darrell Louise Gregersen is a seasoned fundraising professional who has led major organizations to transformational results over the last 30+ years. She retired from her role as an organizational leader in 2018, and is now a strategic advisor in fund development to organizations in the arts, mental health and international development. Darrell was most recently President and CEO of the CAMH Foundation in Toronto. Previously, she was the CEO of the National Arts Centre (NAC) Foundation, Ottawa, and the head of Major Gifts at The Hospital for Sick Children Foundation, Toronto.

Kelly LaRocca serves as Chief of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. She has degrees in Philosophy and Law and studied Aboriginal Law, after practicing as a civil litigation lawyer. Kelly was the Portfolio Chief Representative during the claim negotiations arising from the 1923 Williams Treaties. Upon a Council recommendation, the MSIFN approved the start-up of the Noozhoo Nokiiyan Limited Partnership (NNLP) to manage economic-development opportunities. Kelly is an ex officio Director of the Board for NNLP. She is also an elected Director for the National Lands Advisory Board for First Nations Lands Management and serves as Vice-Chair for the Ogemawahj Tribal Council. She previously served on the Aboriginal Justice Committee for the former Attorney General for Ontario and was a Director of the Baagwating Community Association.

Jocelyn Perry has an extensive career in the utility business, having worked at Newfoundland Power for 13 years in a variety of capacities, including Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and President and Chief Executive Officer. At Fortis, she held the role of Director of Finance in the early 2000s, and previously served in other financial capacities in the private sector. She is a Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant (2018), completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) at Memorial University and received her Chartered Accountant Designation in the early 1990s. Ms. Perry has considerable community and professional board and volunteer experience in Newfoundland and Labrador, including the Healthcare Foundation and C-CORE. She currently serves on the Boards of several Fortis utilities including FortisBC, UNS Energy and ITC Holdings.

Judy Stein-Korte has held senior leadership roles at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP in client relationship management, marketing/communications and in media relations for more than 25 years, before retiring in 2022. During that period Judy worked closely with the firm’s Managing Partners, co-chairs, practice leaders, and legal and administrative professionals in establishing industry leading marketing campaigns, client relationship management programs, and a highly respected media relations practice. Throughout her career at Osler and earlier with other law, accounting and consulting businesses, she has focused on building trusted relationships that have allowed her to innovate in building and burnishing corporate and individual brands.

Recognized by WXN as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women, Ula Ubani is BMO Financial Group’s Chief Ethics Officer–the only named Chief Ethics Officer in the banking sector. Leading a team responsible for setting the bank’s ethical expectations globally, she has embedded ethical integrity into the culture and practices of BMO. She also leads the team responsible for unresolved customer complaints in Canada.  Ula was an architect of BMO’s initial ESG strategy and carbon-neutral goal setting, which included a commitment to carbon-emission reduction and an enhanced focus on social issues. She has Board experience in diverse spheres, including sport, international aid, and community issues.