ROOTS Community Fund

Carrie graduated from the University of Guelph in 2003 with a degree in both Political Science and French. After spending 12 years working in the agriculture industry, she made the switch and is currently employed at Vicwest in Stratford.  She enjoys learning, is fascinated by culture, and loves to travel.  Throughout her career she has had the opportunity to participate in various exchange programs through The Rural Ontario Institute, and Rotary International.

Carrie and her husband Alex reside in Wellesley, and they can both be found at the curling rink many nights.  Above all, she loves the Olympics, animals, reading, music, and a smorgasbord of physical activities.

Jennifer and her family operate Legge Beef Farms north of Chesley ON.  She currently is the Economic Development & Communications Coordinator for the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie and has previously held roles at Community Foundation Grey Bruce and Alzheimer Grey-Bruce in community and fund development, and as owner/operator of The Bee’s Knees Events and Florals.

Jennifer is an active volunteer with Bruce County Beef Farmers, the Chesley Hospital Foundation and with many fundraising events and organizations supporting Arran-Elderslie and her larger community of Grey Bruce.  She’s a graduate of the University of Guelph with a diploma in agriculture and on the weekend, she can be found on the Bruce Trail, in the garden, camping, or finding adventure at home and abroad.

Karen and her husband Steve started Legacy Holsteins near Atwood.  Over the years the herd has performed well being recognized nationally for superior genetics and top production.  Legacy Holsteins is transitioning with partners Geoff & Sally McMullen to continue the dairy heritage into the future.  Karen graduated with a DVM and MSc (Capacity and Rural development) from Guelph. International development in the dairy industry connected her with Kenyan Kids Canada of which she is founding director.

Previously, her board involvement includes Perth Care for Kids, Trillium Mutual, Four County Labour Marketing Board, and Atwood Presbyterian church.  Continuous lifelong learning is a passion that she practices through traveling, hiking, gardening, quilting and reading.

Doug has enjoyed many accomplishments throughout his career.  Beginning in 1988, he built a strong client base as a Commercial Executive with McFarlan Rowlands.  His passion for the farm and agriculture led to the role of liaison between McFarlan Rowlands and their farm insurer partners. This commitment led to a variety of duties with councils and boards.  He was part of a team of editors that rebuilt part of the CAIB broker training program.

However, in 2020, Doug expanded his role outside of Commercial Account Executive to lead all sales positions across McFarlan Rowlands. In this role, Doug successfully and passionately acted as a mentor to coach their sales team in overcoming the ever-changing obstacles.  Remaining firmly focused on a team-based approach to success – “no one individual is greater than the sum”.  Beyond his insurance career, Doug’s passion for rural communities to his personal life, having resided in small communities or farms his entire life, he has whole heartedly embraced and made it a mission to support his environment.

Involvement in service clubs, utility commissions, home and school councils, business associations and community events are all well entrenched parts of his on-going support of his community.  Finally, Doug has been involved in multiple initiatives and fundraisers to aid these concerns with financial support and shoulder to shoulder aid when possible.  He looks forward to channelling his experience into this role with ROOTS.

Raisa Abrahim was born in Trinidad and Tobago and migrated to Canada in 2020. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from the University of Sunderland, England, and a Master of Business Administration from Heriot-Watt University, Scotland.  Since moving to Canada she has held roles with the Four County Labour Market Planning Board on workforce development projects to bridge the labour shortage gaps within the region, and is currently employed at the City of Guelph on its Corporate Administrative Team.

Likewise, her vast experience in finance and business operations she is one of the Event Logistics Consultants and Co-Founder of GR8 Events Company, specializing in corporate events and community engagement projects.

In addition, she is the co-chair of the North Perth Public Library Board and an active member of the Friends of the North Perth Library non-profit group in Listowel, her hometown.  Lastly, she enjoys traveling, exploring and experiencing different cultures, and loves supporting the performing arts.

Blair is a Dairy and Cash crop farmer residing near Chatsworth ON.  Prior to being in primary production he worked as a Territory sales manager for a major input supplier.  Since graduating from the University of Guelph with a BSc in Agriculture, he has gained a Certified Crop Advisor designation.  Blair and his wife Brett have two young children.