Neil Hetherington joined Daily Bread Food Bank as CEO in January 2018. Daily Bread Food Bank supplies fresh and shelf-stable food to more than 130 member agencies across Toronto, supports 175 food programs, and is a national leader in research that examines the causes and impacts of food insecurity.
Neil began his career in project management at Tridel Construction, Canada's largest condominium developer. In September 2000, he made a career change by joining Habitat for Humanity Toronto, at the time as the youngest CEO of a Habitat affiliate in the world.
Neil’s non-profit experience includes 16 years as CEO of Habitat for Humanity in Toronto, and then New York City, and two years as CEO of Dixon Hall, a multi-service agency with 240 staff serving thousands of people in Toronto through its social programs, shelters, seniors programs, youth initiatives and community revitalization efforts.
Neil is the grandson of the late General Arnold Brown, the International Leader of The Salvation Army. That heritage serves as a primary driver for his passion in serving through the non-profit sector causes of social justice.
Neil holds degrees or certificates from the University of Western Ontario - Huron College, Seneca College, Harvard Business School and the University of Virginia - Darden Business School. He obtained his MBA from the University of Western Ontario’s Ivey Business School in 2013.
Neil was named one of Canada's Top 40 under 40 in 2005. He has received the distinguished alumni of the year awards from each of Huron University, Royal Saint George's College, Western University and Seneca College. He was awarded Queen Elizabeth's Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals in 2002 and 2012. In 2018 he was awarded the Premiers Award for Outstanding Ontario College graduates for excellence in business.
Neil is the Chair of the Board of Directors of House of Compassion, a Board member of Feed Ontario, Vice-Commodore at the National Yacht Club, and a volunteer at Out of the Cold.
He is an active pilot and sailor. In 2019 he was forced to abandon ship on a trans-Atlantic sail, 1400 miles offshore and was rescued by an oil tanker. He enjoys furniture making and in his spare time plays tennis terribly, snowboards poorly and bikes slowly.
On Friday February 5th we were each challenged to look in the mirror and determine what actions each of us can take to stop racism. The program was the third installment of our “Enough is Enough: Stop Racism!” series and featured more powerful advocates for social justice and equity.
Racism has existed since we discovered and experienced “others” living in the world around us thousands of years ago. Over time, in each culture, efforts to assert privilege, power and even dominance over “others” resulted in systemic racism in which a society’s norms, policies and practices reinforced this prejudice and bias.
Currently this systemic racism is particularly disadvantaging people who are Black, Indigenous and People of Colour. As Rotarians, it is our duty to seek change and to work to put an end to racism while promoting tolerance and inclusion.
Our first panel of speakers (Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson, Blake Goldring, Zabeen Hirji and Shereen Ashman) spoke about the report recommendations from Toronto’s ‘Economic and Culture Recovery Advisory Group’, co-chaired by Michael and Blake, including recommendations for promoting anti-racism and inclusion as well as access to employment opportunities, especially for youth.
Our second panel featured Nigela and Wayne Purboo as they introduced the audience to their innovative new Onyx Initiative to increase the talent pipeline of Black youth. The initiative will offer ongoing coaching, training and support to Black youth encouraging options beyond high school, through college and university and into the job market through internships and job placements. The program already has broad corporate and educational institution support and has its first cohort of approximately 150 scholars enrolled.
We were challenged individually as Rotarians and collectively as Rotary Clubs to examine how we can identify and work to reduce the negative impacts of racism and systemic racism in the world around us. An inspiring end to our Anti-racism series!
By Joseph Tubbs and Peter Stephenson
You are invited to a Fireside Chat on mental health in the workplace with Dragon's Den entrepreneur Tonia Jahshan, Founder of Sipology by Steeped Tea.
Our mental health is being tested, perhaps more than ever. 1 in 5 Canadians struggle with mental illness and up to 40% of of the population have said their mental health has declined since the onset of COVID-19.
Join your fellow Rotarians and Progress Place for this free lunchtime webinar.
RI President-Elect Shekhar Mehta announced new theme for RI 2021-2022
The next year focus will be mostly on diversity and bringing new members to the clubs. President-elect Mehta urged District Governors and encouraged each member in the next 17 months: "Each One, Bring One".
February 23, 2021 - Rotarians around the world celebrate Rotary's 116th Birthday AND World Understanding and Peace Day
February 23 is Rotary’s 116th Birthday. That day is also called World Understanding and Peace Day. On February 23, 1905, little did Paul Harris and his three friends realize what they were starting when they met in room 711 of the Unity Building in Chicago. We have come a long way, since then, but we still have a long way to go to achieve goodwill, peace, and understanding among all people of the world.
We are so proud of 7070 past District Governor Valarie Wafer. Great article in her local press, there is and will be a lot more. This is a significant appointment for Rotary, for women and for Canadians!
After 53 years of marriage, John is starting to cook - and the thanks go to Neil Phillips and Mardi Michels.
Last winter during the darkest days, they brought light and laughter into our kitchen. Every week, Mardi would recommend a main course recipe, which was to be cooked during the next seven days.
Then on Saturday afternoon, in a Zoom meeting, we would discuss our failures or triumphs (mostly the latter). John did most of the prepping - except for the chopping of onions, which he dislikes a lot! Among his favourites are a fantastic roasted chicken, a delicious taco lasagna and a yummy chicken Basquaise. We have now a number of new “guestable” dishes, a phrase coined by Lorna Johnson, who still joins us from Vancouver Island.
Our weekly Zoom meetings were the highlight of the week and kept us going until the spring. With the warm weather and more things to do, our cooking group was suspended and reconvened in the fall. We now get a new recipe and Zoom once a month.
For me, it’s been a joy to have John in the kitchen and a relief that at least one weekly dinner would be looked after by him.
Thank you Neil and Mardi.
Did someone say single malt? Yes, you heard right!
It’s a Scotch-tasting, pandemic style. Numbers limited to 24 participants.
Saturday, March 27th at 2pm.
We are planning an exclusive tour of the whisky regions of Scotland, but our numbers are limited.
Here’s how it works:
Don’t delay - RSVP to Neil Phillips (nphillips@dgn-marketing.com) to reserve your spot. First come, first serve.
If this is a hit, we may continue with a World Tour in the autumn.
Slàinte!
Online format on Zoom and facilitated by Neil Phillips & friends
Maximum 24 participants
Each participating member will be charged $80 in advance, payable by e-transfer to Neil Phillips upon registration confirmation
Limited to single malts, Scotch whiskey.
Served up in 2 oz sample bottles, packaged individually.
Seven samples delivered to your home by RCT volunteers
Includes food pairings that you can purchase on your own in advance
Fellowship & Entertainment Activities
Pat Neuman, Chair pat.neuman@rotarytoronto.com
We are here for the long term so please join in. All events are listed on our Google Calendar accessible through your @rotarytoronto.com account or find the emails sent out in advance. Contact Maureen Bird to set up your access. 416-804-3726.
Dinner Club - The first was hosted by Pat Neuman, the next by Maureen Bird. We contribute recipes and enjoy the same meal together.
President's Cocktails - on February 10th. About 40 people joined.
Valentine's Day - Support your local Restaurant - on February 12th we gathered to describe our favourite meals and boost the local shops. No big chains mentioned!
