Personal

Doug is married to Ginny and has two sons – David and Michael.  He also has two wonderful grandsons Ollie and Elliot. Doug has lived with his wife, Ginny, in Cambridge for the past 48 years.

City of Cambridge

Doug was first elected as a Hespeler Ward Alderman to the City of Cambridge Council in 1976 and served two terms, until 1980. Following his terms on council Doug was elected for three terms as a Hydro commissioner in Cambridge and then went on to become a Regional Councillor in 1991.  He served as Chair of the Planning Committee and was on the Youth Task Force, Contaminated Sites and sat on various committees at the Region with regards to Re-Structuring.  He was elected Mayor of the City of Cambridge in November of 2000 and served until 2018 as the longest serving Mayor in Cambridge and the Region for 18 years.

Currently he is serving as a regional councillor for the city of Cambridge and is also a member of the Police Services Board and the Grand River Conservation Authority.

Regional Council

Doug has served on several Committees of Regional Council, including Health and Social Services, the Steering Committee on Workfare, the Licensing Committee and the Daycare Advisory Committee.

Education/Other

Doug is a graduate of the University of Toronto and has a Bachelor of Arts Degree.  He has worked as a teacher with the Waterloo County Board of Education for 32 years and is now retired.  Doug also served three terms as a Hydro Commission and was privileged to serve as Chair for one of the terms.  In addition, he hosted the program “Municipal Affairs” for nine years on Rogers Cable T.V. and was an urban affairs columnist for the Cambridge Times for a period of 4 years.

Doug’s hobbies are writing short stories and trying to stay in good physical shape by biking 14 km everyday in the summer and walking 5km everyday in the winter.

Kayla is the Volunteer and Community Engagement Facilitator and in her current role, she leads efforts to recruit and onboard volunteers who help deliver essential services - from meal deliveries to transportation and friendly visiting - helping clients live at home with independence and dignity. She started at Community Support Connections in 2023 after graduating from Conestoga College with a Bachelor of Public Relations with an enthusiasm to meet new people and get to know about their passion for volunteering.

Today, they are looking forward to sharing an overview of Community Support Connections’ mission, impact, and the vital role volunteers play in making it all possible.

Russ is sponsored by Adam Gracie

Brian Riddell, MPP – Cambridge

Brian Riddell was first elected as the Member of Provincial Parliament for Cambridge on June 2, 2022, and was re-elected in the 2025 Ontario provincial election. He continues to serve as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement. Additionally, he is a member of the Standing Committee on Justice Policy and the Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Policy.

In his legislative capacity, MPP Riddell has been instrumental in advancing key pieces of legislation:

• Homeowner Protection Act (Bill 200, 2024): This legislation prohibits the registration of Notices of Security Interest (NOSIs) on property titles for financed or rented consumer goods, such as HVAC units and water heaters. The Act aims to protect homeowners from predatory financing practices.
• Strengthening Cyber Security and Building Trust in the Public Sector Act (Bill 194, 2024): This Act enhances digital security by requiring public sector organizations using AI to meet strict transparency and ethical standards, safeguarding personal information.
• Group of Seven Day Act: This legislation designates a day to celebrate the Group of Seven, recognizing their contributions to Canadian art and culture.

Prior to his election, Brian was a Creative Industries professor at Conestoga College. He brings over 30 years of experience in the private sector, holding senior management roles in sales, marketing, and business development. He is passionate about environmental protection and is a graduate of Conestoga College, Wilfrid Laurier University, and the University of Chicago.

Born in Galt, Ontario, Brian has spent his entire life in Cambridge, where he has been an active member of the community. He has raised his two sons in the city, contributing to its growth and development both personally and professionally. He has served on various city committees and organizations in his hometown of Cambridge, including the Art & Culture and Heritage committees. Brian, an avid baseball and ski race coach, has been involved with his community of Cambridge for over four decades. In recent years, Brian has developed a passion for drone photography. He uses drones to create stunning visual art, monitor melting ice, and capture images of hard-to-reach areas. Additionally, he is a flight reviewer for Transport Canada.

Allen Kanerva
Trauma Coach | Advocate | International Trainer | Speaker
Allen Kanerva is a leading voice in trauma recovery, human
resilience, and transformation. A former military pilot and
humanitarian worker, Allen has operated in some of the most
high-stress environments in the world - witnessing firsthand the
devastating impact of trauma and the unbreakable strength of
the human spirit. His personal journey of overcoming trauma
fuels his life’s mission: to empower survivors, train professionals,
and drive systemic change.
As a dedicated advocate in the fight against human trafficking, Allen recently led the
groundbreaking pilot study INSPYRD Angels: Healing Trauma with Survivors of
Human Trafficking. The study demonstrated how trauma-informed coaching can help
survivors reclaim their lives and futures, offering a scalable, results-driven approach to
healing. His work aligns with the Rotary Club’s mission to combat human trafficking
and provide solutions for survivors worldwide.
Allen has trained hundreds of professionals in trauma recovery, neuroscience-based
interventions, NLP, and cutting-edge coaching methodologies. He is the creator of a
comprehensive coaching certification program that equips practitioners with the tools
to create lasting transformation in individuals and communities.
A sought-after speaker, Allen brings a powerful blend of expertise, lived experience,
and unwavering commitment to helping the traumatized. His presentations are not
just inspiring — they are calls to action, urging individuals, organizations, and
policymakers to rethink trauma recovery and invest in solutions that truly work.
For more information or to book Allen as your next speaker, email: allen@inspyrd.com
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INSPYRD Beyond Trauma
This intense presentation illuminates what happens when a person is traumatized, the
treatments available, how to find effective ones, and the triumph that is possible. Allen
shares case studies of people who have triumphed over trauma.

Katarina MacLeod, founder and Executive Director of the registered charity Rising Angels Awareness & Restorative Care, has survived exploitation, sexual and physical abuse, drug addiction, forcible confinement, and domestic prostitution and trafficking. In 2008, after 15 years in 'the Game', she gained freedom and now walks alongside women who, like her, want to start over and realize they cannot do it on their own. Katarina is also an internationally respected speaker, author, and training expert on the realities of commercial sexual exploitation. She has studied Addictions and Community Service, Sexual Violence, and Trauma Counselling for Front Line Workers. This mother of four is a courageous survivor who lives her restored life with purpose.

No Guests

Erik is sponsored by Mike Henhoeffer

Supporting Every Eve's Daughter Safely  - Human Trafficking

By Noah Jensen, club auditor

Clayton is sponsored by Paul McMenemy