Board of Directors
James Geneau, President
Mr. Geneau brings over 15 years of sales and marketing expertise to the board at the Etobicoke Historical Society. He is an experienced marketing, technology, and process improvement specialist with extensive experience in customer relationship management (CRM), strategic marketing, branding, communications, Web marketing, social media, and product development.
Prior to joining the Etobicoke Historical Society, Mr. Geneau served as the volunteer marketing chair and a board member of the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse. Professionally, he has served as the Director of Marketing for Simply Hired and was also the VP of Marketing at Benecaid, one of Canada’s most successful benefits administration companies focused on the small-to-medium sized business market. He was also the corporate project and marketing manager for Morneau Shepell, the largest Canadian-owned firm focused on benefits and pension consulting and administration. He holds a BA from Concordia University in Montreal, received his CMA certification in direct marketing from the University of Toronto, and Executive Studies in International Marketing from the Edinburgh School of Business.
Hugh Barnett, Vice President
Hugh Barnett has worked professionally in theatre and film for over 15 years, and as a co-founding member of Humber River Shakespeare, Hugh has performed in Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of the Shrew, and, most recently, As You Like It. In addition to classical repertoire, Hugh has performed in several of HRSC’s heritage productions. An Artist-Educator certified through the Royal Conservatory of Music, Hugh has worked with numerous organizations in bringing arts programming to the schools, including Mixed Company, Expect Theatre, Shakespearience, and Humber River Shakespeare. Hugh studied drama at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan.
Hugh has been a past director and event co-ordinator on boards and committees including Arts Society King, King Township Historical Society (York Region), and the Huronia Chapter of the Ontario Archaeological Society (Simcoe County). Hugh also serves on the heritage subcommittee of the Humber Watershed Alliance, a volunteer advisory board serving under the auspices of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. Hugh holds an Honours B.A. in History, Anthropology, and Aboriginal Studies from the University of Toronto, where he earned a citation in the Iroquoian dialect of Oneida. A recipient of the Jeanne Armour Graduate Scholarship in the Department of History, Hugh is currently working towards a Master’s Degree in History at the University of Toronto, focusing on Indian Affairs in 18th Century America.
Denise Harris, Chief Historian
Denise Harris is a retired human resources development manager, an amateur historian, and a lifelong Etobicoke resident. She is the current heritage officer and a past president of the Etobicoke Historical Society. Denise has been researching, writing and leading historical walking tours and giving lectures on local history for over 15 years. She writes a bi-weekly column on Etobicoke history for the Etobicoke Guardian. She also volunteers on the Etobicoke/York Community Preservation Panel, on the board of the Heritage Etobicoke Foundation, and on the board of Montgomery’s INNovators. She received two awards in 2013 for her work in championing and preserving Etobicoke’s heritage: The Jean Hibbert Memorial Award from EHS and a Building a Healthy Community Award of Merit from the LAMP Multi-Service Centre.
Joanna Twitchin, Membership Secretary
Ms. Twitchin has been involved in various community groups and activities over the last 25 years in Thistletown, where she has lived her whole life. This is the reason she got interested in the history of the area and when she was asked to hold a Heritage Toronto Walk of Thistletown, she began doing some serious research. She discovered that she couldn't put all the information she found into one walk so she decided to write a book, which she published in 2011 called "A History of Thistletown". That was how she came to be involved with the Etobicoke Historical Society.
Ms. Twitchin has also received awards from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority for her environmental efforts in the Humber River valley, as well as awards from the City of Toronto for her involvement with the Thistletown Community Centre.
Ophelia Chang, Secretary
Ophelia is an IT Audit Manager at Sun Life Financial, experienced in leading and supporting international large-scale audit engagements. Her experience spans across a multitude of industries including financial services, technology, mining, consumer products, public sector, energy & utilities, and manufacturing.
She was recognized in the 2006-2007 University of Toronto Mississauga Research & Innovation Report for her remarkable institutional research on East Asia during the age of empire, and has special interest in the rich and fascinating history of Toronto's borough of Etobicoke. Ophelia brings a view of internal controls to EHS, as well as a sharp focus on accountability, transparency, and good governance. Ophelia is also an active volunteer with Autism In Mind Children's Charity and Junior Achievement of Canada - Central Ontario.
Nicholas Doran, Board Member
Arthur Nicholas Doran attended the Toronto Island Public School and graduated from St. Helen's Catholic Elementary, Toronto. He later graduated from Western Technical\Commercial High School and continued his studies from Humber College in Police Sciences, graduating with Honours. He is currently a retired Police Sergeant from the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force, having dedicated himself to 34 years of service. Mr. Doran is a 25 year Basketball Coach of Ladies Basketball and past president of the Ontario Basketball Association.
His passion for serving the community and Etobicoke history is impressive. He is a past President of the Catholic Youth Organization of Metropolitan Toronto and one of the founding members of the Aerospace Heritage Foundation of Canada. He is also a Past President of the Toronto Aerospace Museum, now the Canadian Air and Space Museum. He is a A 16 year Board Member of the Etobicoke Historical Society and is currently responsible for or Speaker's Night programming.
Mr. Geneau brings over 15 years of sales and marketing expertise to the board at the Etobicoke Historical Society. He is an experienced marketing, technology, and process improvement specialist with extensive experience in customer relationship management (CRM), strategic marketing, branding, communications, Web marketing, social media, and product development.
Prior to joining the Etobicoke Historical Society, Mr. Geneau served as the volunteer marketing chair and a board member of the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse. Professionally, he has served as the Director of Marketing for Simply Hired and was also the VP of Marketing at Benecaid, one of Canada’s most successful benefits administration companies focused on the small-to-medium sized business market. He was also the corporate project and marketing manager for Morneau Shepell, the largest Canadian-owned firm focused on benefits and pension consulting and administration. He holds a BA from Concordia University in Montreal, received his CMA certification in direct marketing from the University of Toronto, and Executive Studies in International Marketing from the Edinburgh School of Business.
Hugh Barnett, Vice President
Hugh Barnett has worked professionally in theatre and film for over 15 years, and as a co-founding member of Humber River Shakespeare, Hugh has performed in Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of the Shrew, and, most recently, As You Like It. In addition to classical repertoire, Hugh has performed in several of HRSC’s heritage productions. An Artist-Educator certified through the Royal Conservatory of Music, Hugh has worked with numerous organizations in bringing arts programming to the schools, including Mixed Company, Expect Theatre, Shakespearience, and Humber River Shakespeare. Hugh studied drama at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan.
Hugh has been a past director and event co-ordinator on boards and committees including Arts Society King, King Township Historical Society (York Region), and the Huronia Chapter of the Ontario Archaeological Society (Simcoe County). Hugh also serves on the heritage subcommittee of the Humber Watershed Alliance, a volunteer advisory board serving under the auspices of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. Hugh holds an Honours B.A. in History, Anthropology, and Aboriginal Studies from the University of Toronto, where he earned a citation in the Iroquoian dialect of Oneida. A recipient of the Jeanne Armour Graduate Scholarship in the Department of History, Hugh is currently working towards a Master’s Degree in History at the University of Toronto, focusing on Indian Affairs in 18th Century America.
Denise Harris, Chief Historian
Denise Harris is a retired human resources development manager, an amateur historian, and a lifelong Etobicoke resident. She is the current heritage officer and a past president of the Etobicoke Historical Society. Denise has been researching, writing and leading historical walking tours and giving lectures on local history for over 15 years. She writes a bi-weekly column on Etobicoke history for the Etobicoke Guardian. She also volunteers on the Etobicoke/York Community Preservation Panel, on the board of the Heritage Etobicoke Foundation, and on the board of Montgomery’s INNovators. She received two awards in 2013 for her work in championing and preserving Etobicoke’s heritage: The Jean Hibbert Memorial Award from EHS and a Building a Healthy Community Award of Merit from the LAMP Multi-Service Centre.
Joanna Twitchin, Membership Secretary
Ms. Twitchin has been involved in various community groups and activities over the last 25 years in Thistletown, where she has lived her whole life. This is the reason she got interested in the history of the area and when she was asked to hold a Heritage Toronto Walk of Thistletown, she began doing some serious research. She discovered that she couldn't put all the information she found into one walk so she decided to write a book, which she published in 2011 called "A History of Thistletown". That was how she came to be involved with the Etobicoke Historical Society.
Ms. Twitchin has also received awards from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority for her environmental efforts in the Humber River valley, as well as awards from the City of Toronto for her involvement with the Thistletown Community Centre.
Ophelia Chang, Secretary
Ophelia is an IT Audit Manager at Sun Life Financial, experienced in leading and supporting international large-scale audit engagements. Her experience spans across a multitude of industries including financial services, technology, mining, consumer products, public sector, energy & utilities, and manufacturing.
She was recognized in the 2006-2007 University of Toronto Mississauga Research & Innovation Report for her remarkable institutional research on East Asia during the age of empire, and has special interest in the rich and fascinating history of Toronto's borough of Etobicoke. Ophelia brings a view of internal controls to EHS, as well as a sharp focus on accountability, transparency, and good governance. Ophelia is also an active volunteer with Autism In Mind Children's Charity and Junior Achievement of Canada - Central Ontario.
Nicholas Doran, Board Member
Arthur Nicholas Doran attended the Toronto Island Public School and graduated from St. Helen's Catholic Elementary, Toronto. He later graduated from Western Technical\Commercial High School and continued his studies from Humber College in Police Sciences, graduating with Honours. He is currently a retired Police Sergeant from the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force, having dedicated himself to 34 years of service. Mr. Doran is a 25 year Basketball Coach of Ladies Basketball and past president of the Ontario Basketball Association.
His passion for serving the community and Etobicoke history is impressive. He is a past President of the Catholic Youth Organization of Metropolitan Toronto and one of the founding members of the Aerospace Heritage Foundation of Canada. He is also a Past President of the Toronto Aerospace Museum, now the Canadian Air and Space Museum. He is a A 16 year Board Member of the Etobicoke Historical Society and is currently responsible for or Speaker's Night programming.
