Board of Directors

PRESIDENT – ALEXANDER REFORD

Alexander Reford is the director of Les Jardins de Métis / Reford Gardens. He holds degrees in history from the University of Toronto and Oxford University and was awarded an honorary Ph.D from Bishop’s University in 2018. He held the position of Dean of College at St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto before leaving in 1995 to run Les Jardins de Métis (Reford Gardens). The great-grandson of Elsie Reford, creator of the Gardens, he was instrumental in creating the not for profit organization that purchased the Gardens from the Quebec government in 1995. Alexander Reford is a member of the board of directors of various local, provincial and national organizations committed to gardens, historic preservation and culture.

TREASURER – BRETT MITCHELL

Brett Mitchell was born 1971 in Sydney, Australia, and he is proudly part-Australian Indigenous. He studied at Sydney University as a Mathematics and Computer Science teacher. He taught for 8 years at James Busby High in South-Western Sydney. Brett moved to Canada in 2001 after marrying a French Canadian from Matane with whom he now has 3 amazing children, 16, 14 and 10-years old. He has been working at Metis Beach School since 2001 and became principal in 2006. Brett has been involved with Heritage Lower Saint Lawrence since moving to Canada and became a board member in 2014.

SECRETARY – SANDI DE LA RONDE

Sandi de la Ronde was born and raised in Montreal. She came to Metis-sur-Mer in 1961, at which time she met her future husband, Erik Nowers. Sandi attended medical school at the University of Toronto and worked as an Obstetrician in Calgary, specializing in pregnancies in marginalized populations. Sandi also ran a Maternal Child clinic for Indigenous women at an Aboriginal Health Centre in Ottawa. When Sandi retired, they decided to make Metis their year-round residence. Sandi is president of the Regional Access Committee that advocates for improved access to English services in the CISSS. She was recently elected as a Director for the Board of the Quebec Community Group Network (QCGN).

ADMINISTRATOR – JOAN SULLIVAN

Joan Sullivan, documentary photographer, moved to the Lower Saint Lawrence in 2008, after having lived and worked in Africa for nearly two decades on the HIV epidemic. Her photographs of the energy transition have been exhibited in group and solo shows in Canada, Italy and the United Kingdom.  She is co-owner of Ferme La Vallonneuse, an organic garlic farm in Saint-Valérien that has been selling garlic at the Rimouski farmers market since 2010. She is currently a student at the Université du Québec à Rimouski in a master’s seminar, the Study of Artistic Practice.

ADMINISTRATOR – TED SAVAGE

Ted Savage lives and works in Métis-sur-Mer where his family has a long history. Educated at McGill University and at advanced technical institutions in Switzerland, the USA and Québec, he has served on the National Council as a Director for the Coast Guard Auxiliary and presently commands volunteer marine Search & Rescue for Eastern Quebec. Ted devotes most of his energies to local emergency services as an Officer-Firefighter, EMT, Instructor, and Coast Guard rescue Commander. He can be counted on to help with almost any community project for the schools, music, sport or cultural efforts either locally or regionally. He is married to his wife Kirsten and they have a daughter Hailey who is based in New York City.

.

ADMINISTRATOR – ANTOINE BEAULIEU

Antoine Beaulieu, our newest HLSL Board member, brings a refreshing and youthful perspective to our organization. Focused on representing the western sub-region of Lower Saint Lawrence, he invigorates our efforts with dynamic thinking and dedication. An experienced traveler and Rimouskois, Antoine now resides in Riviere-du-Loup with his wife Teresa and son Nathaniel. His diverse educational background includes a Master’s in aquaculture from Miami and studies in business, naval architecture, and marine engineering. Currently, Antoine is involved in developing innovative prefab modular homes in Cacouna. Passionate about supporting the English-speaking community, he values the English language’s potential for opportunities and aims to preserve this cultural heritage for his growing family. As an HLSL Board member, Antoine shares his expertise and enthusiasm to contribute to our organization’s vital work.

.