The Community Foundation for Kingston & Area is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to the Board of Directors. The Board provides leadership for carrying out the Foundation’s mission to strengthen our community.

Chris Chard has assumed the role of President, replacing Michael Bell, who remains on the Board in the role of Past President.

Joining the Board are Richard Kizell and George Thomson.

Retiring from the board are Greg Fisher, Linda Lysne, Kelly Wiley and Chrystal Wilson.

“I am very much looking forward to working with our board in the coming year.  The additions of Richard and George will add a tremendous amount of invaluable  board experience to our operations.  I’d like to sincerely thank Greg, Linda, and Chrystal for their contributions to the CFKA over these past many years.  Their dedication and support of CFKA is greatly appreciated.” Chris Chard, CKFA Board President.

Please join us in welcoming Richard & George, and thanking Greg, Linda, Kelly and Chrystal for their years of service.

Richard Kizell

Richard Kizell is a graduate of Queen’s University. He has spent many years managing several successful family businesses and their holdings. Currently he is the owner of a local Investment Planning Council office in downtown Kingston with six professional financial planners and five support staff. Richard has been a financial planner since February 1986 and is a Certified Financial Planner, Registered Financial Planner, and Chartered Life Underwriter. Richard has played a leading role in the Kingston community and has served on many boards and committees including Rotary, Kiwanis, Red Cross, Downtown Kingston Association, Chamber of Commerce, and Queen’s medical school fundraising committee. Richard served in many different capacities at Beth Israel Congregation including President, Secretary, and Finance Chair for over 25 years. Richard has also been involved with a leadership role in the local B’nai Brith fundraiser for over 40 years.

Richard has been married to his wife, Cheryl, for 33 years. They have two married daughters. Valerie lives in Calgary with her husband, Matthew, and Erin lives in Vancouver with Marcus. Cheryl and Richard are very excited that their first grandchild, Isaac, was born in April 2017 to Valerie and Matthew.

George Thomson

Mr. Thomson received his B.A. and his LL.B. from Queen’s University, and his LL.M. from the University of California. His career in law and public service began at the University of Western Ontario, where he taught law and became Assistant Dean of the Law School. In 1972, Mr. Thomson was appointed a judge of the Provincial Court for the Province of Ontario.  Subsequently, he was appointed Associate Deputy Minister of Community and Social Services, responsible for children’s services. Mr. Thomson returned to the bench, and then, from 1985-1989, he was the Director of Education for the Law Society of Upper Canada and also chaired a provincial committee on social assistance reform.  In 1989, he became Deputy Minister of Citizenship for the Province of Ontario, followed by appointments as Deputy Minister of Labour, and Ontario Deputy Attorney General.  Mr. Thomson was then Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General of Canada from 1994-1998.  After a term as Skelton-Clark fellow at Queen’s University, he assumed the position of Executive Director of the National Judicial Institute in 2000. In 2006, he became Senior Director, International Programs for the Institute. He also chaired Ontario’s Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform. Mr. Thomson has chaired or been a member of several boards including but not limited to Justice Studies Centre of the Americas, Kingston General Hospital, Toronto Hospital for Sick Children and the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area.

Mr. Thomson currently facilitates the Working Group on Income Security, which has been asked by the Ontario government to develop a roadmap for income security reform by the summer of 2017.

For a full list of Directors click here.