Meet the Executive of JCI Cape Breton... Cape Breton's Leading Group of Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs!
Mark Sparrow President
Mark Sparrow, President of JCI Cape Breton, and Business Development Officer in Cape Breton for the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council, is a graduate of Cape Breton University's BBA program and holds a concentration in Marketing. Mark is passionate about contributing to making Cape Breton Island a better place to not just live and work, but to thrive in. In recent years Mark has built a network and a diverse skill set working within such organizations as Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority, Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design, Coastal Business CBDC, and the NS Association of CBDCs.
Mark contributes to the Cape Breton community through volunteer efforts as well. He is a proud supporter and volunteer of Junior Achievement Nova Scotia, the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, and served as Executive Vice President on the Board of Directors of JCI Cape Breton for 2009 until being recently appointed President.
Mark was awarded a JCI Cape Breton HYPE award in 2007 for "Excellence in Individual Development" for his efforts to help others achieve their potential, and sat as Chair of Membership Initiatives on the 2008 JCI Cape Breton Board of Directors.
Joel MacRae is a resident of Sydney with experience in Financial Advising. Joel is a recent graduate of Cape Breton University’s Business Administration Program and holds a concentration in Marketing.
Networking, fellowship, and professional development opportunities attracted Joel to JCI Cape Breton, and with a desire to become more involved he has taken on the position of Chair of Business Initiatives for JCI Cape Breton for 2009 and Chair of the Board in 2010. Joel sees a membership in JCI Cape Breton as an excellent way to keep a finger on the pulse of the local business sector.
Ricky McCarthy Committee Chair - Community Initiatives
Coming soon
Ph:
Wayne Banfield Treasurer
Wayne Banfield is the Director, Business Development for Freedom 55 Financial in Cape Breton. With almost 9 years in the financial services industry, Wayne’s primary focus as Director for Freedom 55 Financial is to recruit and coach new and senior financial advisors in the financial services industry.
Prior to taking a role in management, Wayne spent 7 years as a financial advisor where he grew a successful practice helping clients create and manage wealth. Along with his passion for financial services, Wayne has joined various organizations such as JCI Cape Breton and the Sydney Chamber of Commerce to contribute to the development of the local business community.
Jill McPherson is a soon-to-be graduate of Cape Breton University’s BA program, majoring in Honors Anthropology/Sociology and Public Administration. Throughout her stay at Cape Breton University, Jill has been highly involved with the Students’ Union as VP Academic and Coordinator of Campus Affairs. She has also been active in student life, volunteering her time with such campaigns as Operation Red Nose and Shinerama. Since 2007 she has been a member of the CBU Senate and has served on a number of institutional committees, earning her the Elmer Britten Memorial Award for Outstanding Dedication to University Life in early 2009.
Jill has long been dedicated to issues of international development as evidenced by her membership in the CBU Center for International Studies, the Canadian Association for the Study of International Development, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and Amnesty International Canada. She has also been serving on the Save the Children Board of Directors since 2007.
Her attention to issues of international development has fueled her interest in creating growth and opportunity locally. For this reason, Jill recently joined JCI Cape Breton and is currently the Executive Vice President. She is also Vice-Chair of the Habitat for Humanity Family Partnering Committee. Born and raised in Port Morien, an energetic and vibrant community but one also affected by out-migration, Jill has decided to focus her forthcoming honor’s thesis on issues of youth and out-migration.
Matt Stewart, originally from Brookfield Nova Scotia, moved to Sydney 3 years ago to complete his BBA at Cape Breton University. He now works as a Business Counsellor with the CBU Small Business Development Centre.
Since moving to Sydney, Matt served a term as the President of the CBU Students’ Union. During his term he sat on the Cape Breton University Board and Executive Board of Governors, CBU Senate, Senate Executive, and many other committees. He also assists in operating a small family business which is located in his hometown.
Matt’s decision to stay in Cape Breton was an easy one. He feels there is a lot of potential for local businesses and many opportunities for youth. He looks forward to being an active member with JCI and a strong contributor to the broader community.
Tyler Dilney Committee Chair - Business Initiatives
coming soon
Ph: 902.539.7635
Alexis Rudderham-Richards Committee Chair - Membership Development
Born and raised in Sydney, Alexis is the third of five children. Her heavy involvement in the arts community as a youth, lead her to pursue studies in Music and Audio Recording. After completing her Audio Engineering diploma from the Ontario Instutie of Audio Recording and Technology, Alexis was employed with the BBC. With her heart dedicated to raising a family on her much loved island she returned to Cape Breton in 2002.
Alexis currently owns and operates a successful child care business while raising her two small sons Liam and Aubrey. The islands deep and rich culture sector makes it easy to keep her fingers dabbling in all things music related. An avid runner and sailor Alexis’s a firm believer that Cape Breton is one of the best places for young families. “The business opportunities are endless; we have amazing resources that I would love to see more expatriates will take advantage of. I know of very few places that offer the opportunities that Cape Breton does.”
Lucy began her dance training at age 3 and has traveled the world dancing both competitively and to further her dance education. She is a certified dance instructor through the ballet division of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association and has been operating her own school (Lucy Wintermans School of Dance) since 2002. In 2008 the school expanded to become the East Side Arts Academy and now offers classes in music, drama, visual arts, and of course - dance which is now taught in both Sydney and Glace Bay. Lucy is an award winning choreographer and enjoys new challenges and experiences. She has been the choreographer and production manager for many pageants, stage productions, fashion shows, and is consistently asked to judge and speak at major events and competitions. Lucy is active in the business community and is excited to sit on the board of JCI Cape Breton as Committee Chair of Advocacy & Relations.
Lucy is a member of Dance Nova Scotia, SOCAN, and the Canadian Dance Alliance. She is also the proud mother of twins - Ella and Adrianna Wintermans.
