Board of Directors
Mireille Macia, President
Mireille has lived in the west end of Toronto for over 30 years and has a strong interest in local history research particularly focusing on Etobicoke and West Toronto. At the present time she works in corporate human resources. Early in her professional career she worked as a museum exhibit researcher and as a librarian. She also sits on the board of Heritage York, a heritage society that manages historic Lambton House.
Mireille holds an undergraduate degree in archaeology and anthropology from the University of Toronto and Masters in Library and Information Studies from the University of Western Ontario. She is avid hiker, cross-country skier and cyclist.
Phil Enros, Secretary and Archivist
Philip has been a member of the EHS since 2011. Over the years he has been involved in a number of its projects. He helped reorganize the Society’s archives and records, and continues to maintain them. He worked to update the Society’s by-laws. He helped with making the Society’s photo collection available online. And, most recently, he coordinated the publication of the Society’s book Glimpses into Etobicoke’s Past.
Philip brings to the Board a deep interest in history and several years of management experience in the public service. He is especially interested in the history of science and technology, having earned a PhD in this field from the University of Toronto. Philip has authored many scholarly articles and a book on aspects of the history of Canadian public policy for science. His career was in the federal public service. Upon retirement, he was director of science policy for Environment Canada.
Richard Jordan, Historian
Richard Jordan has recently rejoined the Board of Directors of the Etobicoke Historical Society, having previously served as a Director from 1980 to 1996, including a two-year term as President. He also served two terms as a citizen member of the Etobicoke Historical Board in the 1980s.
Richard grew up in North York and studied Geography and Environmental Studies at York University before relocating to Etobicoke. Now retired from the City of Mississauga, where he was a Geographic Information Systems Specialist, Richard contributed a local heritage column to the Neighbours and GTA sections of Toronto Star from 1984 to 1991. His feature articles on a variety of topics have also appeared in the Saturday Star, the Sunday Star and a number of genealogy and history magazines.
Richard’s family genealogy book, Beyond the Great Pine Ridge, was published in 2004 and he is now working on a book about Irish Protestants in Canada. He has recently produced a mini-documentary about a true incident from his family’s past entitled Murder in the Family Tree. Richard is well known for his speaking engagements with historical societies and seniors groups.
Neil Park, Social Media & Speaker's Nights
Neil Park is a telecommunications professional having completed a 37 year career in problem resolution management for a national communications provider. Past volunteerism has included: supporting the Board of Directors of The Toronto Bicycling Network by researching and leading heritage rides in Ontario, and as a physiotherapist assistant at West Park Hospital.
Neil’s interest in history was fostered during 30 years of family history research as a member of the Ontario Genealogical Society and the Northeast Scotland Family History Society. Neil became a member of the Board in 2017, serving as Membership Secretary till 2021 and is currently in the role of Social Media and Speaker’s Night Coordinator. He is also involved in digitizing archives, and researching/writing articles for the Aldernews.
Karen Travers, Communications
Karen has been a life-long resident of Etobicoke and member of EHS since the 1990’s. As a self-employed consultant with research experience on issues related to Indigenous land and resource rights, she has published articles and reports on Indigenous policy and Ontario history. In addition to academic teaching and presenting, she has worked as a research/program manager and analyst for non-profit organizations devoted to furthering Indigenous business development and engagement.
Karen holds a PhD in history from York University with a specialization in Indigenous-European relations, treaties and settlement in Ontario. As a War of 1812/Regency reenactor and volunteer, she assists with group communications, research and event planning.
Mireille has lived in the west end of Toronto for over 30 years and has a strong interest in local history research particularly focusing on Etobicoke and West Toronto. At the present time she works in corporate human resources. Early in her professional career she worked as a museum exhibit researcher and as a librarian. She also sits on the board of Heritage York, a heritage society that manages historic Lambton House.
Mireille holds an undergraduate degree in archaeology and anthropology from the University of Toronto and Masters in Library and Information Studies from the University of Western Ontario. She is avid hiker, cross-country skier and cyclist.
Phil Enros, Secretary and Archivist
Philip has been a member of the EHS since 2011. Over the years he has been involved in a number of its projects. He helped reorganize the Society’s archives and records, and continues to maintain them. He worked to update the Society’s by-laws. He helped with making the Society’s photo collection available online. And, most recently, he coordinated the publication of the Society’s book Glimpses into Etobicoke’s Past.
Philip brings to the Board a deep interest in history and several years of management experience in the public service. He is especially interested in the history of science and technology, having earned a PhD in this field from the University of Toronto. Philip has authored many scholarly articles and a book on aspects of the history of Canadian public policy for science. His career was in the federal public service. Upon retirement, he was director of science policy for Environment Canada.
Richard Jordan, Historian
Richard Jordan has recently rejoined the Board of Directors of the Etobicoke Historical Society, having previously served as a Director from 1980 to 1996, including a two-year term as President. He also served two terms as a citizen member of the Etobicoke Historical Board in the 1980s.
Richard grew up in North York and studied Geography and Environmental Studies at York University before relocating to Etobicoke. Now retired from the City of Mississauga, where he was a Geographic Information Systems Specialist, Richard contributed a local heritage column to the Neighbours and GTA sections of Toronto Star from 1984 to 1991. His feature articles on a variety of topics have also appeared in the Saturday Star, the Sunday Star and a number of genealogy and history magazines.
Richard’s family genealogy book, Beyond the Great Pine Ridge, was published in 2004 and he is now working on a book about Irish Protestants in Canada. He has recently produced a mini-documentary about a true incident from his family’s past entitled Murder in the Family Tree. Richard is well known for his speaking engagements with historical societies and seniors groups.
Neil Park, Social Media & Speaker's Nights
Neil Park is a telecommunications professional having completed a 37 year career in problem resolution management for a national communications provider. Past volunteerism has included: supporting the Board of Directors of The Toronto Bicycling Network by researching and leading heritage rides in Ontario, and as a physiotherapist assistant at West Park Hospital.
Neil’s interest in history was fostered during 30 years of family history research as a member of the Ontario Genealogical Society and the Northeast Scotland Family History Society. Neil became a member of the Board in 2017, serving as Membership Secretary till 2021 and is currently in the role of Social Media and Speaker’s Night Coordinator. He is also involved in digitizing archives, and researching/writing articles for the Aldernews.
Karen Travers, Communications
Karen has been a life-long resident of Etobicoke and member of EHS since the 1990’s. As a self-employed consultant with research experience on issues related to Indigenous land and resource rights, she has published articles and reports on Indigenous policy and Ontario history. In addition to academic teaching and presenting, she has worked as a research/program manager and analyst for non-profit organizations devoted to furthering Indigenous business development and engagement.
Karen holds a PhD in history from York University with a specialization in Indigenous-European relations, treaties and settlement in Ontario. As a War of 1812/Regency reenactor and volunteer, she assists with group communications, research and event planning.
Nominating a Director
Elections for the Board of Directors are held at the Society's Annual General Meeting (May). Should you wish to stand for election or to nominate a Society member for one of the nine Director's positions, please view these instructions. Nominations should be made no later than a month before the Annual General Meeting.