TPL Scotiabank Expedition: BEST OF CANADA Series – The Cabot Participants

John Baker

John founded D2L in 1999, at the age of twenty-two, while attending the University of Waterloo.

He saw that digital tools could open the door to more effective teaching models, and create learning experiences that are more engaging and inspiring. The company is on the journey of transforming the way the world learns with their learning platform. D2L leads the market with a personalized learning experience, adaptive learning, and learning analytics.

With John’s leadership, D2L has grown to almost 800 employees globally, and their learning platform supports over 15 million learners. The company has been the recipient of numerous awards including Canada’s Top 100 Employers for Young People; Best 50 Small and Medium Employers; and Deloitte 50 Best Managed Companies.

A strong believer in community involvement, John devotes his efforts to support young entrepreneurs. He was appointed to the Governing Council of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada is Past-Chair of the Board of Communitech and is a board member of Canada’s National Ballet School.

John graduated from the University of Waterloo with an Honours B.A.Sc. in Systems Design Engineering, with First Class Honours and an option in Management Sciences.

To donate to John, click here.

Mike Durland

Mike has been active in True Patriot Love since the inaugural expedition to the Himalayas. He is also a co-chair for the Cabot expedition this year celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary. Mike is the former Group Head and CEO, Global Banking and Markets for Scotiabank. Mike retired from Scotiabank in 2016 to pursue a variety of business, philanthropic and academic interests.

Today, Mike is the CEO of Melancthon Capital, a Professor of Practice at the Munk School of Global Affairs and a member of the Business Strategy Committee for the Global Risk Institute.

Mike is a member of a number of corporate, academic and philanthropic boards, and holds a B Comm degree from St. Mary’s University, a Ph.D. in Management from Queen’s University and an Honorary Doctorate from St. Mary’s University.

To donate to Mike, click here.

Donald Hookey

I joined the Canadian Armed Forces on the 30th of June 1993 and went to CFRS Cornwallis.

I initially joined the Navy as a Naval Radio Operator and we amalgamated with the Naval Signalmen to form a new trade called Nav Comm.

I served onboard HMCS Vancouver, HMCS Provider, HMCS Preserver, and HMCS Charlottetown. I deployed with these operational units a large number of times, and in 1998 while onboard HMCS Preserver we conducted the search and recovery mission of the Swiss Air Flight 111 that crashed off Peggy’s Cove, NS. In 2001, I deployed onboard HMCS Charlottetown to the Persian Gulf for a six-month tour.

In 2004 I remustered into the Army as a Mobile Support Equipment Operator (trucker). Then in 2006, I deployed to Afghanistan for a seven-month tour on Roto 1.

I was medically released from the CAF on 30 July 2009 and I currently live in a small community just outside of St. John’s, NL called Conception Bay South with my wife and two daughters.

To donate to Donald, click here.

Dr. Manuela Joannou

Dr. Joannou is a Family Physician and Emergency Medicine Physician currently practicing in Perth, ON. She is also the Medical Director of Tay River Reflections Medical Spa in Perth since 1999. Dr. Joannou graduated from the University of Ottawa Medical School in 1990. She completed her Family Medicine Residency at the University of Ottawa in 1992 and then achieved Special Competency in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care from the University of Ottawa in 1993.

She was awarded the Frank P Craft Graduation Award for Excellence in Family Medicine. Dr. Joannou has worked in various Emergency Departments including the Ottawa General and Ottawa Civic Hospitals, and in a number of community hospitals for 22 years. She has a special interest in psychotherapy and has been leading discussion groups and wellness programs and speaking at public events and conferences for the past 10 years. She has a specific interest in the field of PTSD in First Responders and Military Personnel.

To donate to Manuela, click here.

Rob Martin

Hi, I’m Rob Martin!

I’m a retired soldier currently living in the beautiful Tay Valley, west of Perth, Ontario.

I joined the Canadian Armed Forces at the tender age of 17 on the toe of my Mother’s shoe.

I was a restless, undisciplined, unmotivated, lazy, yet somewhat athletic teen-child, without any rational thought about my future as an adult. 34+ years later, I left the Canadian Forces after one heck of a driven professional career as a soldier. I am an avid amateur fly-fisherman helping my fellow soldiers/veterans heal from their injuries through the meditative art of the sport with Project Healing Waters Canada.

The majority of my days are spent in rivers or on lakes, or otherwise immersed in nature with my trusty buddy Rocky – my dog.

To donate to Rob, click here.

Rick McGraw

Age 73, born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia. Graduated from the Business School of the University of British Columbia in 1966 and moved to Toronto. Married to Gayle with 4 children and 9 grandchildren.

Rick has been in business for over 50 years, including 40 years as a business owner and entrepreneur. He founded a number of businesses, large and small, most which but not all were successful; in one case employing thousands of people. Industries included trucking, busing, environmental services, money management, scaffolding and car dealerships. Involved with both private and public companies and merchant banking.

Rick has been involved in numerous not-for-profit organizations as Chair, Director, and financial contributor. He has raised significant amounts of money for not-for-profit projects and he and his wife support hospitals. In July of 2016, Rick climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and raised $335,000 for SickKids hospital to enable them to purchase special laser technology to operate on kids with epilepsy and brain cancer. Rick’s interests include hiking, golf, antique watercraft and horseback riding. Rick is excited to participate in the Cabot expedition and get to know some of our finest military veterans. He is looking forward to sharing his life experiences and hearing all about military life and its inherent challenges.

To donate to Rick, click here.

Grant Miller

Grant was born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

He joined the CF reserves with the 1st Battalion Royal Newfoundland Regiment in 2004.

He attended Marine Institute of the Memorial University of Newfoundland.

He was medically released in 2015 and is now at Carleton University studying Mechanical Engineering. Upon graduation, he plans on doing a Masters in Business Administration.

To donate to Grant, click here.

Neil Murdoch

Mr. Murdoch is an active investor and has served on the boards of many private and public companies, including his current portfolio of businesses.

He is the former President of Aston Hill Asset Management, having retired in December 2015. Mr. Murdoch has a strong track record of leadership and execution in the retail investment world.

In late 2003 Mr. Murdoch founded Connor, Clark & Lunn Capital Markets Inc. where, as CEO and President, he raised over $2.5 billion in new assets before Aston Hill acquired the firm in 2013.

Prior thereto, he was Executive Vice-President and Portfolio Manager at AIC Group of Funds. Mr. Murdoch joined AIC in 1993 when the firm managed only $150 million in assets and was instrumental in its growth to over $15 billion as one of the three principals of the business.

The funds he managed were the winners of numerous investment awards. In addition to his Bachelor of Commerce degree from McGill University, Mr. Murdoch also received a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Toronto and a Master of Management degree from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Mr. Murdoch is a member of the McGill Faculty of Management Advisory Board and a judge in the Dobson Cup start-up competition.

He is also active in the community, having co-founded Operation Guardian Force and having been a Governor at Appleby College and on the board of Gold Medal Plates. Mr. Murdoch and his wife Gisele live in Oakville Ontario and have three children.

To donate to Neil, click here.

Angus Murray

Angus Murray comes to True Patriot Love with over 30 years’ experience guiding and coordinating trips around the world.

He climbed Vinson Massif in Antarctica with TPL in January, 2016. He is the past Program Director at Outward Bound Canada where he guided trips from coast to coast to coast!

He has over 3,000 overnight field days guiding trips: white-water canoeing, hiking, sea kayaking, high altitude trekking, climbing, biking, and skiing.

He is climbing the Seven Summits and only has two left to scale! On May 21, 2008, Angus became the 50th Canadian to summit Mt. Everest.

Ryan O’Meara

Ryan O’Meara is a Paramedic working with Island EMS in Summerside, PEI.

He followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming an army reservist and then a firefighter but not before completing a bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary’s University.

After completing his initial Fire and EMS training, he switched from the Infantry into the Medical Reserve while working as a civilian firefighter for the DND in Wainwright for 6 years.

During that time he spent 14 months attached to the Regular Force for a deployment to Afghanistan as a Role 1 Med Tech.

During his Advanced Care Paramedic course, he accepted an education position with STARS Air Ambulance in Edmonton, spending 4 years there before moving back to the East coast.

To donate to Ryan, click here.

Tina Panos

I was born in North Bay, Ontario. I am married (common-law) and am a step-mom to two adult children (1 boy, and 1 girl), and the proud Grandmother to 2 granddaughters (aged 3 and 7 months).

I joined the Canadian Forces at the age of 33, and currently have 12 years in the service and am awaiting a medical release.

I was diagnosed with PTSD in November 2015 after returning from an 11-month tour to Afghanistan. Prior to joining the CF, I owned a boxing gym and worked part time as a Personal Trainer at GoodLife Fitness.

I am currently in the process of obtaining my re-certifications in Personal Training with my goal being to combine my love for fitness, and my passion for helping others with PTSD through the benefits of exercise!

To donate to Tina, click here.

Lynn Ubell

Lynn, a former military logistics officer, retired from the Canadian Forces in 2016 with over 34 years of service.

Since retiring, Lynn is enjoying the life of a full-time student at the University of Western Ontario.

She recently completed a Masters of Library and Information Science and is currently working on a Masters of Studies in Law. She plans on beginning a Ph.D. in Law in September 2017. Lynn also works part time as the Librarian for McKenzie Lake Lawyers.

Lynn loves camping, reading, watching British dramas and traveling. She also likes to spend time with her 18-year-old daughter Gemma.

To donate to Lynn, click here.

Stephen Wight

Stephen comes from a long line of family members that have served our country for over 350 years.

He joined the Navy in 1982 in the Marine Engineering Technologist Training Program (METTP). He was selected for the University Training Program for NCMs and went to RMC, completing the BSc Applied Science.

He has served on a variety of ships as an Engineer and at the Naval Engineering School as a training officer.

To donate to Stephen, click here.