Our Team
Jeremy Diamond, CEO
A public historian with more than 20 years of experience in fundraising, program development and communications, Jeremy has held leadership roles as CEO of Myseum of Toronto, Executive Director of the Vimy Foundation and COO of Historica Canada. He is a frequent media contributor in the areas of Canadian history, citizenship and civic engagement and the grandson of a Second World War RCAF officer.
Board of Directors
Past Chair
John Wright
John Wright CAIP, FRCGS is Executive Vice President of Maru Public Opinion and has carried out surveys in over 40 countries over the last 30 years. He currently serves as the Honorary Colonel for the Chief of the Defence Staff Office and is a member of the RCAF Commanders Advisory Council. He has previously served as HCol for RCAF W/C William G. Barker VC Aerospace College, HCol for RCAF 400 Tactical Helicopter SQN, and as HLCol for the Ontario Regiment (RCAC). John has been awarded four Commanders Commendations, the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal for Military History and Education, the Ontario Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Community Volunteerism, an Arbor Award from the University of Toronto, and a Fellowship with the Royal Canadian Geographic Society. He has also served as a Director for numerous charitable organizations including Canada Company, Wounded Warriors Canada, and the Canadian Forces College (CFC) Foundation.
Patrick Shea
E. Patrick Shea, MStJ, LSM is a partner with Gowling WLG. Mr. Shea serves as an external consultant/advisor to various Governments in the Caribbean Region with respect to the reform of their insolvency legislation and the adoption of financial institution resolution regimes. He is a Director of St John Ambulance’s Toronto Branch and serves on the Resources Committee for St John Ambulance in Ontario. Mr. Shea is a Member of the Order of St John, and a recipient of the Law Society Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, two Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendations and an Ontario Volunteer Service Award.
Mike Bonner
As the Head of Business Banking, Mike leads BMO’s Business Banking salesforce and headquarters groups across Canada. His responsibilities include setting the overall strategic direction for the business with a focus on increasing customer loyalty, growth and market share. BMO is the official bank of the Canadian Defence Community (CDC) and Mike and his team are responsible for ensuring that BMO’s Canadian Defence Community Banking Program continues to meet the unique needs of the CDC.
Since joining BMO in 2000, Mike has held a wide range of senior management and executive positions across Canada, previous roles include leading BMO’s sales teams as Regional President in British Columbia & Yukon, District Vice-President in Nova Scotia and Managing Director, Income Property Finance Prairies Division.
Mike is a graduate from Rotman School of Management Executive Program, has an Master of Business Administration in Finance at Dalhousie University and is a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers. He currently sits on the boards of Moneris, Northstar Trade Finance and Northstar Europe.
Geographic Society. He has also served as a Director for numerous charitable organizations including Canada Company, Wounded Warriors Canada, and the Canadian Forces College (CFC) Foundation.
Mina Farinacci
Mina Farinacci was appointed Office Managing Partner (“OMP”) for Quebec in January 2017. After gaining experience in the real estate industry, she joined BDO’s Montréal assurance and accounting team in 1996 and was appointed partner in 2008.
Her clientele operates in a variety of industries, namely financial services, manufacturing, agribusiness, real estate, construction and technology. She also works closely with First Nations communities and organizations for which she performs audit mandates.
As OMP, she focuses on BDO’s growth across the Province, and sees that the firm continues to retain a strong client satisfaction level, while sparking new ideas and innovative client solutions. Her goal is to provide a five-star service to all of her clients.
An accomplished professional and recognized as such by her peers, Mina Farinacci is a compassionate and articulate woman who touches others with her sense of perspective, integrity and dynamism. With her proactive leadership and innovative vision, she is not afraid to challenge established models and take risks.
Mina Farinacci is highly involved in the community and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada and on the Board of ACG Québec.
Michael Jenkins
A former Air Cadet, Michael has experience working in business and finance, with a focus on technology in Canada. He was previously working in the Financial Analysis department at Deloitte Canada. Before that, Michael worked as an associate at RBC Dominion Securities. He has been involved with helping startups grow at Communitech in Waterloo, and at the Forge in Hamilton.
Kristin Long
Kristin is actively involved on various boards and committees in the community, and was appointed Honorary Colonel to the Canadian Forces School of Survival and Aeromedical Training at 17 Wing in 2020.
Gerard Poitras
Gerard Poitras MMM, MSM, CD, or Gerry as he is commonly known has spent over 35 years on active duty in the Canadian Forces rising from humble beginnings to become the Royal Canadian Air Force highest ranking Non-Commissioned Officer.
He retired from active duty in 2018 but decided to continue to serve and therefore join the RCAF as a reservist shortly after retirement. Gerry is a highly decorated aviator who has amongst other honours, been awarded the canadian Meritorious Service Medal in 2011 and he was also inducted into the Order of Military Merit in 2012.
From a very young age, he has been involved with many youth groups, charitable organizations and veterans support groups either as a volunteer, executive or as a Board member.
Advisory Council
The Advisory Council is a complementary network of individuals from across the country within influential businesses and/or organizations that align with the Foundation’s strategic pillars of Support, Industry, Community, Youth, and Heritage.
This trusted group of representative stakeholders will assist the CEO to review ideas and plans for the RCAF Foundation. The Advisory Council members will also provide the RCAF Foundation counsel on best ways to promote, celebrate and strengthen the RCAF, create unique education programs and commemorative activities and inspire Canadians, particularly youth, to learn about and support this important national institution.
Dean Black
Dean Black is the Executive Director of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Association of Canada.
Prior to the RCAF Association of Canada, Mr. Black served in the Canadian Armed Forces as a tactical helicopter pilot and senior defence analyst.
Mr. Black’s most recent flying responsibilities were as Commanding Officer of 403 Helicopter Operational Training Squadron in Oromocto, New Brunswick. After 30 years of dedicated service, in 2007 Mr. Black retired from service.
Mr. Black holds a B.Sc. and M.A. from the Royal Military College and Canada, as well as an M.A from York St. John University, and graduated from the Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff College, the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Studies, and the Advanced Air Ground Operations School.
Bruce Bowser
Bruce Bowser is the Chairman and forcer CEO of AMJ Campbell Van Lines and has previously held management positions with the Bank of Nova Scotia, as well as served on several charitable and private corporations boards.
As an avid pilot, Mr. Bowser lends his time supporting the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Armed Forces as the Honorary Colonel of 437 Transport Squadron, 8 Wing Trenton.
Mr. Bowser holds a Bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary’s University and a postgraduate degree from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Stewart Burton
Stewart Burton is the Vice Chairman of RBC Capital Markets and member of the Global Operating Committee, having joined the Corporate Finance Department of RBC Capital Markets in 1986.
Previously, Mr. Burton spent three years with Ernst and Young and earned his Chartered Accountants designation.
Mr. Burton also serves as the Honorary Colonel of the newly re-formed 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, in Petawawa, ON., and additionally is a Director of the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto.
Mr. Burton earned his MBA from Harvard University Business School.
David Bruce Cochrane
Brigadier-General (Retired) David Cochrane, MSM, CD is a Royal Canadian Air Force officer.
Throughout his career, BGen. Cochrane flew with the 426 and 436 squadrons in Trenton in the tactical and strategic airlift roles on the CC-130 Hercules. He served in the Gulf War, missions in Northern Iraq, and Operation Airbridge in Sarajevo and Operations in Afghanistan.
BGen. Cochrane has served as the Commander of the national Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers Support Group, the Commander of the 2 Canadian Air Division at CFB Winnipeg, and as the Wing Commander of No. 8 Wing at CFB Trenton.
BGen. Cochrane earned a B.A. in Mechanical Engineering and M.A. in Defence Studies from the Royal Military College.
Rob ‘Scratch’ Mitchell is a producer, director of film/TV, actor, public speaker, and aviator.
Rob bites into life, and it shows in all that he does. Affectionately known as “Scratch” to his fighter pilot mates, he hails from Victoria, British Columbia and now lives in Vancouver, BC where he is living out his goals balancing being a producer, director of film / TV, an actor and aviator. Previously, Mr. Mitchell served in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a fighter pilot flying CF-18s and with the world renowned Snowbirds, including serving as Team Lead for two years.
After studying acting and film production for numerous years, Mr. Mitchell left the RCAF to become a full time producer, actor and air show pilot. For seven seasons, Mr. Mitchell was with the world famous Patriots Jet Team out of California. Mr. Mitchell was a character, director and a producer of the successful Discovery series AIRSHOW and he worked on the recent Blockbuster Midway. He directs aerial sequences and coordinates aerial stunts.
As a third generation military pilot, Mr. Mitchell recalls the harrowing tales of his grandfather flying Spitfires in Europe in WWII and proudly watching his dad fly jets in the 70s and 80s.
Mr. Mitchell holds a degree in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Strategy and Management.
Drew Hamblin
Drew Hamblin is the Founding President of Supermarine Holdings Limited.
In this role, Mr. Hamblin actively manages private equity investments in aviation, M2M and BlockChain technology, capital markets and real estate.
Mr. Hamblin is a Director at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum and is a member of the advisory committee of the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics.
Mr. Hamblin has been involved in the aviation sector for over 35 years and is committed to preserving Canada’s military history.
Mr. Hamblin is a Senator for the 11th Field Regiment for the Canadian Armed Forces.
Penny Hicks
Penny Hicks is a sales and marketing leader with over 20 years of experience in the Canadian publishing industry.
Ms. Hicks is currently the Managing Director of Client Partnerships with The Globe and Mail, leading the advertising sales team across the country to bring best-in-class advertising and marketing solutions across all platforms including digital, print, events and podcasts.
Prior to joining The Globe and Mail she served as Publisher to some of Canada’s most iconic media brands including Maclean’s and Chatelaine.
Ms. Hicks holds a Bachelor’s degree from McGill University and a postgraduate certificate in Dispute Resolution from the University of Toronto. She is passionate about the Canadian military having served in the Canadian Army Reserve with The Governor General’s Foot Guards.
Kendra Kincade
Kendra Kincade is the Founder, President, and CEO of Elevate Aviation, a non-profit organization dedicated to uniting and empowering women in aviation.
In addition to founding Elevate Aviation, Ms. Kincade is an Air Traffic Controller, and this role is where she found her passion for supporting women in aviation.
Additionally, Ms. Kincade is a Board Member for the Alberta Aviation Council and Vice Chair of the Strategic Aviation Advisory Council.
Ms. Kincade is the Honorary Colonel of 417 Combat Support Squadron, 4 Wing Cold Lake, AB
Stephen Quick
Stephen Quick is an experienced cultural industries executive, and an independent museum consultant.
Previously, Mr. Quick has worked in multiple senior positions at several Canadian museums including the Director General and VP of Conservation and Collection Management at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, the Director General at the Canadian War Museum, and the VP of Business Development/Commercial Operations and Executive Director of Ingenium.
Additionally, Mr. Quick is a painter and illustrator with work in both the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and the Canadian War Museum. Mr. Quick has served on several non-profit and charitable boards both nationally and internationally.
Mr. Quick has an Honours AOCA in Fine Arts and Design from OCAD University.
Terry Slobodian
Terry Slobodian is President and CEO of the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada (RAMWC). The RAMWC was established over 40 years ago to preserve Canada’s distinct aviation heritage. The museum remains one of Canada’s largest and most complete aviation heritage collections. Mr. Slobodian also acts as Curator for the Museum.
Prior to RAMWC, Mr. Slobodian was Vice President of Fund Development, Marketing and Communications for Christian Children’s Fund of Canada and has served as President & CEO of Bridgepoint Hospital Foundation, Vice President of University of Ontario and was a Foreign Diplomat for the United Nations in Moscow and Geneva.
Mr. Slobodian holds an MBA from the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University, an HBA Business and Economics from Western University as well as a Certificate in Slovak Language Proficiency (Slovak) from Comenius University, Slovakia. Mr. Slobodian is also an Air Cadet Alumni
Renee van Kessel
Renee van Kessel is a corporate commercial lawyer and principal of van Kessel Law based in Toronto, where she provides strategic and legal advice to national and international private and public entities in a multitude of industries. She has over 26 years experience as both in-house counsel and in private practice.
Ms. van Kessel is the RCAF Honorary Colonel to 16 Wing, Borden and sits on the boards of various not-for-profit organizations, including the Canadian Forces College Foundation, Canada Company and the Canadian International Council.
Ms. van Kessel holds a Master of Public Administration, National Security and Defence Policy from the Canadian Forces College, a Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, and a B.A.(Honours) in Politics from Queen’s University, Kingston.
Tonya Yearwood
Tonya Yearwood is a Senior IT Project Manager with Air Canada.
Additionally, Ms. Yearwood is the Founder and President of the Black Aviation Professionals Network (BAPN) which aims to help her fellow colleagues and the next generation of leaders and aviators in the sector and promote diversity in Aviation and Aerospace.
Prior to her career in the aviation sector, Ms. Yearwood worked in various sectors including finance, fitness, and aviation, but found her passion was in air transportation.
George Nutter
George Nutter, CD is currently a Squadron Officer with 166 Bulldog Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets and the former Commanding Officer, attaining in that role the rank of Major in the Canadian Armed Forces. He has been involved in the cadet program – and 166 Bulldog – for over 15 years, beginning as a civilian instructor.
He is also Senior Manager, Issues Management and Media Relations with the Ontario Ministry of Energy and has held senior positions with the Ontario Public Service for over 34 years, in the areas of international trade, economic development, technology and energy.
George is a graduate of the OPS Leadership Development Program, Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario, and holds a Masters Certificate in Public Management from the Schulich School of Business, York University, and a BA in Public Administration from the University of Toronto.
George comes from an RCAF family his late father having served as a WAG (Wireless Air Gunner) in WWII, and for over 30 years subsequently, until retirement as Station Warrant Officer at CFS Sioux Lookout on the Pinetree Line.
Graham MacLachlan
Graham MacLachlan is the Managing Partner and Principal of Global Trade Credit Inc, providing Credit Insurance to Canadian companies trading internationally.
Previously, Graham worked for the Government of Manitoba as the Trade Development Officer for the Aerospace and Aviation Sectors and was instrumental in the creation and implementation of the Manitoba Aerospace Association.
Graham is an author, having researched, commissioned and co-wrote J.P. Bickell: The Life, the Leafs and the Legacy. The book outlines his relative’s work with the RAF Aircraft Ministry, Victory Aircraft and A.V. Roe Canada Limited. Proceeds from the book went to Camp Bickell, a family legacy since 1940, of which Graham serves on the Board of Directors serving the youth of Northern Ontario.
Cathie Puckering
Cathie Puckering is Vice President and Head, Canadian Network, a role she assumed in 2021, following 23 years with TradePort International Corporation (TradePort), operator of the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (Hamilton International) and wholly owned by Vantage Airport Group.
An experienced airport executive, Cathie joined TradePort in 1999, holding progressively senior roles before being named President and CEO of Hamilton International in 2018. Prior to joining TradePort and Hamilton International, she was Controller and Chief Information Officer at CARSTAR Automotive Canada. Cathie is a CPA, CGA and holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from Laurentian University.
Cathie was appointed as Honorary Colonel of 436 Transport Squadron at 8 Wing Trenton, ON, in September 2019. She is a proud supporter of Canada’s military as the sister of a Major with the Canadian Air Force currently based in Bagotville, Quebec and a supporter of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton. Cathie is also an active volunteer and supporter of community and non-profit organizations throughout Hamilton, including Liberty for Youth, CityzKidz and United Way, among others. Cathie was born, raised and continues to reside in Hamilton, ON with her family.
Katherine Simunkovic
Katherine Simunkovic graduated from Grant MacEwan University with a double major in History and Anthropology. Following an internship with Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame (CAHF) in the summer of 2018 she was hired in 2019 as their Collections Manager.
At the end of 2020, Katherine began working with the Canadian Aviation Historical Society as their National e-newsletter Editor while continuing to work for CAHF.
In 2022 Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame moved from Wetaskiwin to Calgary and Katherine moved with the museum, taking on a new position with The Hangar Flight Museum as Events Coordinator and Executive Assistant to Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame.
In 2023, Katherine was promoted to Managing Director of CAHF and took on a new role as Director of Communications with the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC). Still working with the Canadian Aviation Historical Society, Katherine is also a member of their local Calgary Chapter.