Chair
Jock Fleming, BA
A direct descendant of RCIScience founder, Sir Sandford Fleming, Jock Fleming considers RCIScience ‘kind of like the family business’ and has been a member of the charity since he was a child! An investment and asset manager by trade, Jock is particularly fascinated by the decades of history associated with the organisation and his family tree.
Jock began his career in 1977 as an Investment Advisor with McLeod Young Weir Limited. He then joined Canada Life Assurance Co. as a Pension Investment Consultant. Over the next two decades, Jock’s responsibilities increased until he was appointed President and CEO of Canada Life Investment Management and its successor companies, INDAGO Capital Management Inc. and Laketon Investment Management Ltd. In 2001, he moved to AEGON Capital Management Inc. as Chief Operating Officer. Jock joined Burgundy Asset Management in 2009 as Vice President to focus on private client relationship management and business development.
Jock received his Bachelor of Arts degree (Economics) from McMaster University and his ICD.D certification from the Institute of Corporate Directors at the Rotman School of Management. He is a member of the CFA Institute and the Institute of Corporate Directors. Jock is a past Director and Canadian President of AIMSE and Past president of the Badminton and Racquet Club. He has also been a Director of the Canadian Investment Review, the John Howard Society of Ontario, West Park Healthcare Centre Foundation, and the Granite Golf Club. Jock is also Board Chair for the Lakefield College School Foundation.
Vice Chair
Mathieu Ranger, BSc, MSc
Mathieu Ranger is a science communicator who is passionate about creating entertaining science-based content that inspires, engages and educates his audience. Mathieu has worked as a presenter, educator, and content developer at the Ontario Science Centre and the Bristol Science Centre. He now is part of the Workomics team, working extensively with pharmaceutical companies on the development of educational materials for patients. Mathieu is also the founder and creative force behind Unsolved Science, a developer of science-based mystery games for adults. Mathieu is proud to serve on RCIScience’s board, working with his peers to increase public interest and engagement in science.
Treasurer
Ken Yoon, BSc, LLB, MBA, CA
Senior executive/ investment professional with over 25 years of experience in investing in, advising, consulting, financing, building, and turning around private and public growth companies in health care, life sciences, agriculture and clean technology with participation in over $550M in financing and M&A transactions both as CEO/CFO and as a private equity professional. Ken is a CPA, CA, holds an MBA from the University of Toronto, Law Degree from Queen’s University, and BSc from University of Western Ontario. He is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Corporate Secretary
Jake Brooks
Jake Brooks is an executive level energy expert focused on the Canadian electric power sector, its regulatory frameworks, strategic opportunities, and business drivers. He served as Executive Director of the Association of Power Producers of Ontario (APPrO) from 1990 to 2022. Mr. Brooks was responsible for the development and operation of the Canadian Power Conference, the premier annual event in the Canadian power generation sector, and for IPPSO FACTO, the leading periodical in the Canadian power generation sector until its retirement in 2021. He now runs a consulting firm working with groups such as DERSI, the Distributed Energy Resources Stakeholder Initiative and Decentralised Energy Canada. Prior to joining APPrO, Jake served in an energy policy capacity at Pollution Probe in Toronto.
Director
Nathan Battersby
Nathan Battersby is a science communicator turned innovation specialist who is passionate about improving the world around us. Highlights of Nathan's science communication efforts have involved breaking a Guinness World Record for the largest DNA model in the world, sending research to the International Space Station, and running live events that turned scientists into entertainers. Currently, Nathan is the Senior Manager of Innovation at Toronto Metropolitan University's Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, running technology commercialization programs for cybersecurity. In addition to his experience founding and building a science communication startup, IdeaMosaic, Nathan pulls upon his BSc in Biology and his Master of Innovation & Entrepreneurship to innovate in the world of science.
Director
Parshati Patel, PhD
Dr. Parshati Patel is an astrophysicist turned science communicator, children’s book author, space artist, and the founder of Stellar Dreams, based in London, Ontario, Canada. She holds an Honours B.Sc. in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Toronto, and both an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Astronomy and Planetary Science & Exploration from Western University. With over a decade of experience, Parshati has dedicated her career to sharing her passion for space with diverse audiences, especially youth and educators. Through leading award-winning space outreach initiatives, organizing more than 300 educational public events, delivering over 95 invited talks, and contributing to over 100 media interviews in English, Hindi, and Gujarati, she fosters a deep sense of wonder about the universe. Currently, Parshati works as a freelance professional, leveraging her expertise to collaborate with various organizations and engage with audiences across the globe.
Advisory Board, Immediate Past-Chair
Stephen Chait, MPA, BA Hons
Recently retired following a 40-year career in management consulting and municipal government, Stephen continues to be actively engaged in community development, education and the arts. In addition to his role as a RCIScience Trustee, Stephen teaches part-time at Seneca College, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Air Cadet League of Canada (OPC), the Richmond Hill Public Library, and the Markham Arts Council.
"RCIScience contributes to a vibrant and healthier Canada by promoting critical thinking and decision-making informed by scientific research. Always meaningful, never more welcome!"
Advisory Board, Past-Chair
Suzanne MacDonald, PhD
Dr. Suzanne E. MacDonald is currently University Professor in the Department of Psychology at York University, appointed to the graduate programs in both Psychology and Biology. She has three main areas of research expertise, including memory and cognition (“how animals think”), the psychological well-being of captive animals, and the impact of human activity on wildlife. Her research is conducted both in the field, at sites in Kenya and throughout Canada, as well as at the Toronto Zoo, where she has volunteered as their Behaviorist for over 25 years.
Advisory Board, Past-Chair
Reinhart Reithmeier, PhD
Reinhart Reithmeier obtained his BSc at Carleton University in 1972 and his PhD in Biochemistry at the University of British Columbia in 1977. Following post-doctoral training at Harvard and the University of Toronto he obtained his first faculty position at the University of Alberta in 1980. Dr. Reithmeier is known internationally for his research on anion transport membrane proteins in human health and disease. An award-winning lecturer, Dr. Reithmeier enjoys teaching introductory biochemistry to 1,000 undergraduate students every year, as well as upper level and graduate courses. As former Chair of Biochemistry and a Special Advisor to the Dean of Graduate Studies on graduate professional and leadership development, Dr. Reithmeier is dedicated to ensuring that graduate students have the skill set and network to be fully prepared to take advantage of the diverse job opportunities available to them in today’s global marketplace. His leadership was recognized in 2012 by election to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.
Executive Director
Carrie Boyce, MA Cantab
Carrie is an established STEM engagement manager specializing in outreach and public engagement to promote lifelong learning and widen participation in science. She studied biological natural sciences at the University of Cambridge, before transitioning to outreach advocacy, working with charities like the Royal Society of Chemistry and Cancer Research UK. With over 10 years’ experience working in science communication, it’s fair to say she’s become a Jack of all trades, master of some.
Programs Manager
Celia Du, MSc
Celia Du is a science communication specialist with extensive experience engaging various audiences with science. Currently the Programs Manager at RCIScience, she has worked with the Canadian Space Agency, the Gairdner Foundation, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Science Everywhere, and Science Rendezvous, and has been interviewed by Discovery UK, Global News, The Canadian Press, CFRA Radio and CTV News. With a background in Chemistry from McGill University and a Master’s in Science Communication and Public Engagement from the University of Edinburgh, she is dedicated to improving science communication practices to better bridge science and the public. She has led workshops and trained budding science communicators through the RCIScience, the SciCommTO Conference, Laurentian University’s Science Communication program, the Canadian Science Policy Conference and Lotus STEMM.
Philanthropic Advisor
Cheryl Roddick, MA CFRE
Cheryl Roddick is fundraising professional with over 25 years of experience in the charitable sector as a practitioner, consultant, and volunteer. She's led fundraising teams at a variety of charities and nonprofits and worked with clients across the charitable sector including health care, education, social service and environmental organizations. She attained a CFRE designation in 2015 and holds an MA in Public Policy and Administration and a Combined Hon BA in English and Political Science, both from McMaster University.