BOARD STANDING COMMITTEES
Every term, all board members are invited to express interest in serving on committees of the board. Per the EDA bylaws, the EDA Chair is an ex officio member of all committees.
ADVISORY & GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
Mandate: to ensure appropriate development, amendment, interpretation and implementation of the By-laws and Guidelines governing the operation of the Association, including its Districts.
Members 2025-26:
- John Avdoulos (Chair)
- Daniel Arbour
- Robert Brewer
- Charlie Macaluso
- Danny Persaud
- Joerg Ruppenstein
- Ysni Semsedini
- Megan Telford
- Janice McMichael-Dennis (Ex Officio)
- Bryce Conrad (Ex Officio)
CONFLICT OF INTEREST COMMITTEE
Mandate: to assist the Board, as required, in determining the presence or absence of a conflict on the part of a Board member with respect to any contract, transaction or decision.
Members 2025-26:
- Vinay Mehta (Chair)
- John Avdoulos
- Greig Cameron
- Danny Persaud
- Joerg Ruppenstein
- Janice McMichael-Dennis (Ex Officio)
FINANCE/HR COMMITTEE
Mandate: to oversee the EDA’s budget, audit and financial reports on behalf of the Board of Directors, and to advise the CEO and the Board on matters related to the staff complement, compensation and benefits policies.
Members 2025-26:
- Janice McMichael-Dennis (Chair)
- Daniel Arbour
- Robert Brewer
- Sarah Hughes
- Vinay Mehta
- Danny Persaud
- Megan Telford
- Simon Wu
- John Avdoulos (Ex Officio)
- Bryce Conrad (Ex Officio)
MEMBERSHIP AND AWARDS COMMITTEE
Mandate: to advise the Board on referred matters, including appropriate membership classes, including qualifications, conditions and privileges, changes in membership status as required, and the structure, nature and recipients of the Association’s honours, citations and awards.
Members 2025-26:
- Sarah Hughes (Chair)
- Daniel Arbour
- Greig Cameron
- Danny Persaud
- Chris White
- Janice McMichael-Dennis (Ex Officio)
- John Avdoulos (Ex Officio)
- Bryce Conrad (Ex Officio)
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Mandate: to oversee the process of election to the Board of Directors, election of the Chair and Vice-Chair, and nomination of EDA representatives to external boards and/or committees. This committee is typically chaired by the immediate Past Chair of the EDA Board of Directors.
Members 2025-26:
- Bryce Conrad (Chair)
- Charlie Macaluso
- Vinay Mehta
- Ysni Semsedini
- Chris White
- Simon Wu
- Janice McMichael-Dennis (Ex Officio)
- John Avdoulos (Ex Officio)
If you have questions about the EDA Board, please contact Ted Wigdor, Vice President, Corporate and Member Affairs, at (905) 265-5362