Board of Directors

Bonnie Richardson, Stratford - Chair
Bonnie retired in 2009 after 40 years of teaching in the elementary schools of Perth and Waterloo Counties. She has also served the Stratford Community for many years as a volunteer and board member with organizations such as Gallery Stratford, AIDS Action Perth, the Stratford Public Library Foundation, L’Arche Stratford and Community Living Stratford & Area. She is a past president of the Kiwanis Club of Stratford where she is currently the advisor of the Aktion Club of Stratford, a service club for adults living with disabilities supported by Kiwanis International.
She is proud to be part of an organization which ‘connects people who care with projects that matter’ and which has the potential to be an advocate for social justice in our community.

Bernia Wheaton, Wellesley - Secretary
Bernia Wheaton is the Director of Business Development with Erie Meat Products Limited where she works to develop business solutions to source new lines of profitability for the company.
Prior to her current position, Bernia served for 5 years as the Economic Development Officer for Perth County. Her work has earned Perth County International acclaim with the 2010 BREI Award of Excellence for Program Impact, and the 2010 EDCO Social Media marketing award.
Bernia has delivered training in BR+E Best Practices on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, who uses Bernia’s work and client success stories to showcase OMAFRA programs.
Bernia was raised on a farm, north of Listowel. Since graduating from the University of Waterloo with a B.A. (Hons), she has returned to the area, where she lives with her husband and two daughters.

Robert Lightfoot, Stratford - Treasurer
Robert has been on the Board of Directors with the Stratford and Perth County Community Foundation since 2008.

Ron Cameron, Stratford
Ron Cameron brings technical and management capabilities and a client-focussed approach to his projects and interests. A graduate of Queen’s University with degrees in chemical engineering and honours chemistry, Ron has handled projects ranging from the design of environmental processes for large manufacturing complexes to decommissioning, community emergency protection planning, corporate due diligence, site remediation, and facility management. He has also served as an environmental engineering consultant for both large and small industries.
Ron holds certificates in human resources and IT project management.
Outside of the office, Ron is a busy board member and volunteer with the local hospital, community foundation and the United Way. He has particular experience in developing governance capacity and strategic planning for delivery and review of services. Ron offers a broad spectrum of experience.

Frank Lang, Stratford
Frank was born and raised in Stratford, before embarking on a 25+ year career spanning from his education as a mechanical engineer at McMaster University, into executive leadership roles in the engineering and purchasing fields, and culminating with the role of President of a multi-national manufacturing company. He worked for 12 years in Detroit before returning to Stratford in 1997 with his wife Edda and their 3 children. He is excited to serve on the Community Foundation board, as he sees endowment based giving as one of the most effective and sustainable forms of "giving back" to the local community.

James Laughton, West Perth
James has been on the Board of Directors with the Stratford and Perth County Community Foundation since 2008. He is also the Chair of the Fund Development Committee.

Nancy Orr, Stratford
Nancy works with R.J. Burnside Engineering in Stratford, and is an actively engaged member of the Stratford Community. She is a member of the local Chamber of Commerce Board, and is involved with supporting many other local associations and events. Nancy has strong roots in Stratford and firmly believes in the mission and vision of the Community Foundation and the value of its contributions.

Trevor Paetkau, Stratford
Respected for his ability to link narrative with strategic communications, Trevor Paetkau has worked with corporate clientele in independent practice for 15+ years.
Starting his career writing for the stage, his work is anchored in a strong sense of what “moves” audiences and markets.
More recently, a move to Stratford in 2009 coincided with a growing interest in community engagement and the opportunity to contribute through the Stratford and Perth County Community Foundation.

Roger Quinn, St. Marys
Roger has been employed by RBC for 30 years, and specifically in commercial banking, Stratford and area, for the past 16 years. Roger and his two sons reside in St.Marys where he has been active in coaching local sports for many years. As a new board member, he looks forward to contributing to the community through the vision of the Stratford and Perth County Community Foundation.

Steve Rae, Stratford
Steve Rae’s radio career began in the late 1970’s culminating with the ownership of Stratford’s radio stations, which he sold and retired from in March of 2011. He served six years as a member of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s Board of Governors, is a past President and Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club of Stratford and was awarded the National Medal of Excellence from Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Canada. Mr. Rae is a founding partner of Wizard of Ads Inc., an advertising consulting company in Austin Texas and now carries on an advertising consulting practice. When asked about his proudest moment he says "building a log church with a Swiss Army knife for a remote tribe of American Hippies still hiding out in Canada in protest to the Viet Nam war. It required 38 knives to accomplish this. You can see the knives on display at the air strip museum, general store and burger bar in Waakanoof village in British Columbia.

Tim MacDonald, Stratford - Past Chair
Tim MacDonald has been Board Chair of the Community Foundation since it was formed in 2003. He is a resident of Stratford and is President and CEO of Ideal Supply Company Ltd, a multi-branch distribution company based in Listowel.
Tim is currently on the Board of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and has been involved in numerous community and business and organizations.

Executive Director

Heidi Spannbauer - Executive Director
Heidi Spannbauer has worked in the not-for-profit sector for the past 16 years. During this time she has held leadership roles with organizations like The Easter Seals Society, Rose Cherry's Home and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. More recently Heidi was a Cause Marketing and Event Management Adviser and, prior to that, the Executive Director for the Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Team Up Foundation.
A core passion of Heidi's is community engagement. Her enthusiasm and belief for what is possible when people come together to support pressing needs in their communities is what drew her to apply for this role with our Foundation and she looks forward to becoming an active member of the Stratford and Perth County communities.