Our Board

Jane SmartBoard Chair

Jane first came to BFO-Toronto in 2003, after the loss of her son Sandy, as a client attending a Parental Loss group. From there she began to volunteer as a group facilitator and edited the BFO-Toronto newsletter for a number of years. Jane joined the board in 2013 and served as the Communications Committee chair until 2016. Currently, she is the Board Chair and is the BFO-Toronto representative on the provincial board. In 2007 Jane was the recipient of the Noah Thorek award, and in 2018 was the first BFO volunteer to receive the Lesley Parrott Award.

Her goals include helping to build a stronger BFO, encouraging collaboration between the Board, staff and volunteers to inspire hope and healing in the community.

Jane is currently employed as a corporate trainer in the technology services field.

Ryan HoltBoard Member & Communications Committee Chair

Searching for a place where he could channel some good out of a painful grief situation, Ryan joined BFO-Toronto in 2014. He began facilitating groups for young adults (ages 20-29) and suicide loss before being asked to join the board in June of 2016.

Ryan is passionate about the power of peer-to-peer support and in helping individuals through their grief journeys. He chairs the communications committee, which is responsible for branding, website development, external communications, and spreading awareness of BFO in the community.

Outside of BFO, Ryan works in marketing, climbs rocks, and enjoys exploring Toronto with his fiancée and their cat.

Catherine InceBoard Member & Fundraising Committee Co-Chair

Catherine was introduced to the BFO in 2014. Her friend Lesley Parrott asked her to help with the Memorial Golf Tournament in memory of her daughter Alison Parrott. At the tournament, Catherine met a number of people who shared their stories and talked about how BFO had helped them through their grief journeys. Giving them support and hope.

Catherine joined the board in 2014 and is passionate about fundraising to ensure that BFO can continue to provide its much-needed support. She leads the Golf Tournament Committee and Co-Chairs the Fundraising Committee.

Outside of BFO, Catherine works in data analytics.

Barb Gill-LazroeBoard Member & PAC Liaison

Barb’s involvement with BFO began in April 1990, when her youngest of 3 sons, Adam Joseph Gill died from leukemia on April 5th, 1990 at the age of 12. After completing a 12-week parental loss couples group from Sept. to Dec. 1990, she took the BFO facilitator training course.

Since 1991 Barb has co-facilitated many types of groups including parental loss, children’s groups, concurrent parent groups, spousal loss over 55 closed groups. She also does one to ones and has recently shared her facilitator experience in current BFO facilitator training sessions.

At the present time, she is the chair of PAC (Professional Advisory Committee) and as such the PAC representative on the Board. Barb is the honored recipient of the Noah Thorek Award and the first recipient of the Founders’ Award.

Andrew CardinalBoard Member & Fundraising Committee Co-Chair

Andrew joined the Board of BFO-Toronto in the summer of 2018. Andrew has been a licensed funeral director for 5 years but has worked in the profession since the age of 14. Growing up with his family funeral business, he understands the complications of bereavement and the need for support.

Andrew operates Cardinal Funeral Homes with his dad and brother. He brings in-depth knowledge of the funeral profession to BFO-Toronto as well as his professional connections that he encourages to support this organization.

Cardinal Funeral Homes has long supported BFO-Toronto in various ways while co-hosting the annual Butterfly Release for the past several years.

Jock MaclachlanBoard Member & Fundraising Committee Co-Chair

After experiencing the loss of Lynn, his wonderful vivacious wife, Jock joined a spousal loss group with BFO and gained hope and understanding of his grief and most importantly that he wasn’t alone in his grief. He found himself with a group of people who listened without judgement and had compassion for the thoughts and pain that he experienced. Jock then completed his training and became a facilitator of loss groups and provided an opportunity for others to participate in this safe and secure environment to express themselves. Jock has continued volunteering for BFO Toronto as a board member and helps to ensure the development of loss programs and the services BFO provides to those who experience the loss of a loved one.

Jock is a sales and marketing executive who has held positions in various industries from graphic solutions and supplies to technical security products and services. Jock has owned and operated businesses and possess a strong belief in team work focused on strategic initiatives.

Poonam KohliBoard Member & HR Committee Chair

While out with friends and sharing her personal grief story, Poonam realized her grief journey could positively impact others facing bereavement. Poonam then joined BFO in 2009 as a volunteer facilitator. Through facilitation of both 1:1 support and Children’s Groups, Poonam realized the profound impact BFO has on the various individuals seeking support and the bereaved community in Toronto. In 2018, Poonam joined the BFO Board as a member and Head of the HR Committee.

Outside of BFO, Poonam is passionate about developing talent and empowering organizations. Her professional background is in Human Resources and Consulting. She also enjoys a pleasant summer bike ride throughout the streets of Toronto and attends Hot Yoga classes.

Allan ColeBoard Member

Allan was originally on the Board of BFO-Toronto in the 90’s when Marg McGovern was the Executive Director. Allan rejoined the Board in 2015 and has served as a Board Chair. He is the recipient of the BFO-Toronto Founders Award.

Allan has been a Funeral Director for over 40 years and operates MacKinnon & Bowes in Toronto. He and his company have been supportive of BFO and the assistance it provides families in need for over 30 years.

John BaconBoard Member & Treasurer

John joined the board in 2018, in memory of his wife, Mercedita, who he lost in 2016. After a quick few months, John assumed the role of Treasurer, a role in which he can use his professional accountancy skills to ensure the financial health of BFO-Toronto. When not working as an accountant, you can often find John in the outdoors and fishing.

Leah BoydBoard Vice Chair

Janet ShacterBoard Member