Board of Directors

Carol Burtin Fripp has served as Chair of the East York Planning Board, Co-Chair of the Ontario Task Force on property tax reform, and Chair of the Leaside Industrial Area Revitalization Study. She was a member of the Metroplan Advisory Committee and President of the Rolph Road Home & School Association. Professionally, Carol was Senior Producer at TVO (Speaking Out; All Being Well; On-Air Membership), Producer at the CBC (For Kids By Kids), and independently, Tales from a Toyshop, with Peter Ustinov. She was the founder/President of the TVO branch of the Canadian Media Guild. She has received the Agnes Macphail, Canada 150, and Heritage Toronto awards, and is a former governor of Royal St. George’s College.

Geoff Kettel is a community connector and advocate for “making places better”, involved in land-use planning, heritage preservation, active transportation, and community development. He is Co-President of the Leaside Residents Association, Co-Chair of the Federation of North Toronto Residents‘ Associations (FoNTRA), Vice-Chair of the Confederation of Residents and Ratepayers Associations (CORRA), member of the Toronto Preservation Board, board member of Don Valley Community Legal Services, and member of the steering committees of Walk Toronto and Cycle Don Valley Midtown. He writes a monthly column on community planning issues in Leaside Life magazine. He is also the founder (2006) and co-chair of Neighbours’ Night Out in Thorncliffe Park. Geoff had a 33-year career in the Ontario Public Service in various ministries, and was previously a Land Use Planner in private practice. Geoff graduated with B.Sc. and Masters degrees in Geography from the University of Wales and the University of Western Ontario respectively, and a MBA from the Schulich School, York University.

Robin Rix manages the LRA’s membership records and communications. He is a lawyer and serves with a standard-setting organization active in climate change and sustainable development. He previously worked in strategy and policy roles in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Ontario Public Service, with thematic experience in intergovernmental negotiations, sustainability, and organizational strategy, and on a federal adjudicative tribunal. He holds a BA and JD from the University of Toronto and a MPhil from the University of Oxford.

Frank Schimpl is a mechanical engineer (P.Eng) and project manager (PMP) for an international automotive company where he delivers technical solutions for global clients,  He was one of the founding members of Leaside Unite before joining the LRA Board of Directors in 2014.  He has enjoyed over twenty years residing and biking in this great community.

Jonathan Colombo is the Managing Partner of Marks & Clerk Canada, and Head of the firm’s Trademarks practice group. He is one of Canada’s leading trademark litigators, and is a former Managing Partner and Trademarks practice group co-leader of a highly ranked Canadian intellectual property firm. His practice includes all areas of trademarks and copyright law with a focus on advisory and contentious matters. He also represents clients in advertising disputes. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Toronto and a law degree from McGill University. Official bio.

Paul Green has served as President of the Insurance Institute of Ontario’s Governing Council and Vice Chair of the Insurance Institute of Canada. He has also served on the Chartered Insurance Professionals’ National Board and on the Board of the Insurance Brokers’ Association of Ontario. He obtained a B.A. in Economics from York University and has a Fellow, Chartered Insurance Professional designation from the Insurance Institute of Ontario. Professionally, Paul spent 42 years in the Property/Casualty Insurance Industry in various underwriting and marketing roles in senior management and executive positions. He has lived in Leaside for over 23 years and joined the LRA Board in 2018.

John Lea is a lawyer with Aviva Canada. His practice involves a broad scope of insurance law including motor vehicle accident, fraud, occupier’s liability, product liability, commercial general liability, subrogation, and coverage. John has significant experience in first and third party motor vehicle cases as well as fire and pollution claims and coverage disputes. John received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto and his law degree from the University of Windsor. John also serves on the board of Canadian Defence Lawyers. John’s father, Tony, lives in a Leaside home 100 feet from the home where his father Edgar lived and that his grandfather James built in 1909. John lives with his wife and two kids in another Leaside home a five minute walk away. Official bio.

Douglas Obright is a long-time Leaside resident, registered professional planner, and licensed real estate professional. As a former community planner with the province, he gained extensive experience in a broad range of land use planning initiatives – provincial legislation and regulations, provincial plans and policies, official plans, plans of subdivision, plans of condominium, zoning by-laws, minister’s zoning orders, severances, and minor variances. On leaving the province, he partnered with Harry Cummings and Associates in undertaking numerous program evaluations for both private and public sector clients. He holds an Honours BA in Geography from the University of Western Ontario, an MA in Geography from Queen’s University and a certificate in Project Cost Management from Ryerson University.

Andrea Villiers has lived in Leaside for many years and is a long-time board member of the LRA. She graduated from Ryerson University’s advertising and marketing program and worked in the field for more than a decade, starting as a copywriter and later a creative director at a large retail advertising agency. After leaving advertising, she produced and wrote a 13-part television series titled “Perfect Pet People” which aired on TVOntario. And then another career: she opened a fully licensed Animal Care Business caring for dogs and cats and the odd exotic animal for over 17 years. Currently, she has a 13-year-old dog and an 8-year-old cat and is co-fostering a future service dog for the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guide program. As a volunteer for St John Ambulance Andrea had three dogs in their Therapy Dog  program. She is currently a Therapy Dog Evaluator and also an Assistant Unit Coordinator for St John Ambulance in Toronto. When not hanging out with dogs and cats, Andrea is an avid reader (Book Clubs rock) and a news junkie. And an excellent tv watcher!