Speaking Panel

Carrie Aloussis is the Senior Manager of Business Strategy and Content at the Independent Electricity System Operator. In this role she is responsible for fostering consumer engagement and participation in Ontario’s energy efficiency programming. Carrie has more than 18 years of experience in the energy sector with subject matter expertise in conservation program design and delivery, as well as marketing and stakeholder engagement.

Carrie is the President of the Ontario Chapter of the Association of Energy Services Professionals and a Director with StepUp, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing gender equity, diversity and inclusion in Canada’s energy management sector. In addition, Carrie has been coaching community-minded, emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds through Girls on Boards, with FORA: Network for Change, since 2017.  She holds an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Western Ontario and a Master of Arts degree from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Robin Jones was acclaimed as the Mayor of Westport in the October 2018 election and is proud to represent this wonderful municipality for a 2nd term as Mayor and 3rd term on Council.   Robin has  the benefit of working with a professional & conscientious Council.  

The challenges of COVID-19 have been front and centre for Council this past year and for the foreseeable future.  Council approved a 0% budget for 2021 to avoid any additional financial burden on taxpayers struggling through the impact of COVID-19.   

Despite the pandemic, the Village is busy with construction.  The new subdivision being built by Landark Homes is well underway and at long last Bedford St is being reconstructed.  Plans are being finalized to add a “Serenity Gardens” to Lockwood Park, which will provide a quiet haven to enjoy Westport.

 Mayor Jones was elected to the Chair of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA)  in January 2021.  ROMA is the rural arm of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).  Policy, research and advocacy activities are undertaken by ROMA and matters which affect rural communities are brought to the attention of the provincial and federal governments.  Mayor Jones was elected as Warden of United Counties of Leeds and Grenville for 2017-18 and elected to Chair the Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus in 2017.  

Robin was appointed to the Ontario Arts Council in March 2021 and remains committed to the Westport Arts Council as its Chair.   She is a Warden at St Paul’s Anglican church, spends time in her studio at the pottery wheel and enjoys the time spent with good friends and her two retrievers – Miss Meadow and Desi.

Greg is the owner and president of Devonshire Financial, a commercial mortgage brokerage company based in London, Ontario. A sister company, Devonshire Consulting, provides development consulting services to the non-profit and co- op housing sectors. He founded Devonshire in 1991 and has been active in arranging construction and term financing for apartment buildings, retirement and nursing homes and non-profit and co-op housing projects.

Through Devonshire Consulting, Greg has been Lead Consultant in the development of over 25 affordable housing projects throughout Ontario. Greg is a Past President of Homes Unlimited, a London charitable non- profit that has 10 housing projects with over 500 units, and is a Past Chair of the London Community Foundation.

Gary has a degree in business administration and economics from the University of Western Ontario and post-graduate studies in accounting and mortgage financing. He first gained a comprehensive knowledge of housing development and management through 10 years working with the Ministry of Housing and Ontario Housing Corporation. For the past 33 years, Gary has owned and operated two development consulting companies and one property management company dedicated to the housing industry. He has assisted in the development of over 120 housing projects, which include rent-geared-to-income, affordable rental, limited partnerships, rent-to-own, and Life Lease housing. 

Gary has pioneered the Life Lease model in Ontario and leads the industry in setting high standards for Life Lease communities across Canada. To date, he has assisted in the development of 72 Life Lease projects sponsored by service clubs, churches, cultural-based organizations, municipalities, care operators and private developers.