June Anderson brings experience and energy through various commitments as a volunteer and as a professional working as a Spiritual Care Provider at the Cambridge Food Bank (retired). From her time as a School Trustee on the WRDSB and Commissioner for CNDH she describes herself as a “political junkie”. Currently she is a member of Cambridge Council on Aging which proudly boasts facilitating Cambridge as a designation of an Age Friendly Community (World Health Organization). Memorable committee work for her was the city’s appointment to the Recreation Multiplex Citizens Advisory Committee and a National Conference on poverty. Currently she volunteers with Trinity Community Table.

To paraphrase a poet, “I want to be with people who submerge in the task.” My sincere belief in helping communities to be vibrant is to enable all people towards self-reliance.

Dan Clements has been a Cambridge resident since 1973. Retired in 2015 after a long career in technology.

Dan is one of the founders of Citizens for Cambridge. Co-chair of the steering committee to establish and obtain funding for the Cambridge Neighbourhood Table. Helped organize and lead public meetings on topics such as ending homelessness, the opioid crisis, etc.

"During my working career, I didn't contribute very much volunteer time for the good of my community. I've learned in retirement that volunteer work is very rewarding and can make a difference."

John Egoff was born in Galt and returned to Cambridge in 1984. Retired from the chemical industry after 38 years where he lead a chemical and speciality business in Canada. John's adage is "Giving Back".

He has served on many boards in the community and region, including as founding director of the Waterloo Region Catholic Schools Foundation as well as Chair and director of the Cambridge and North Dumfries Community Foundation, Langs Innovative Council and the Cambridge Kips Gymnastics Club.

John has also served on several capital campaigns including Conestoga College Business School, St. Gregory's Building Fund and construction of the new St. Benedict High School, St. Elizabeth Elementary School and Langs (The Hub) Building Fund.

“I was drawn to the Citizens for Cambridge determined to help resolve the critical shortage of affordable and affordable supportive housing in Cambridge.”

Diane Goodwin, with a Master of Social Work degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, brings over 35 years of experience in social work to Citizens for Cambridge. Having been a resident of Cambridge since 1984, Diane is deeply invested in giving back to her community.

Diane began her career in child protection. She then transitioned to Regional Social Services and finally the Upper Grand District School Board, where she provided direct mental health support, crisis response and advocacy to children and families in need.

In retirement, she has remained committed to her community, volunteering with organizations such as Hospice and literacy programs with the WRDSB.

With a deep-rooted interest in social justice, Diane is particularly passionate about addressing issues such as affordable housing and supporting people who are marginalized, including those affected by the opiate crisis. Driven by a desire to contribute to the well-being of her community, Diane continues to seek opportunities to make Cambridge a more compassionate place for all.

“Compassion is the foundation upon which vibrant and healthy communities are built. When we embrace empathy and understanding, we create a space where everyone, regardless of circumstance, can find belonging and support.”

Bob Howison moved to Cambridge in 1978 and started a dental practice. He has been actively involved volunteering throughout his time here.

Bob’s longest associations have been with the Y, Cambridge Basketball and CanAmera. Currently he is a member of the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame committee and a committee of Basketball Ontario.

He is also Vice-Chairman of the Board at Cambridge Sheltercare Corporation (The Bridges) and a member of the Cambridge Affordable Housing Roundtable. Helped organize and lead public meetings on topics such as ending homeless, the opioid crisis, etc.

After retirement, Bob decided that “Cambridge has been so good to me so rather than sit around and watch, I will become active and try to find solutions to some of the problems we are facing in our community.”

Amanda Maxwell was raised in Cambridge and is currently raising her 3 small children here. She holds a degree in Communication and Urban Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University.

She believes that it is important to give back to the community and started volunteering at a very young age. She sat on her first board, Cambridge Big Sisters, at the age of 18 after completing a young leaders program. Since then she has been on numerous committees and boards with the most notable being the Cambridge Public Library Board which she sat on for over 10 years. Her tenure on the Library Board included being Board Chair at the commencement of the Old Post Office project.

Having formerly worked as a Cambridge Realtor for 12 years, Amanda is well versed in all areas of the city. She decided to “work with Citizens for Cambridge as the group aligns with my views of housing and support for our most vulnerable.”

Keith Rivers has been a Cambridge resident since 1955. He is a Professional Engineer, retired from Babcock & Wilcox Canada after 45 years.

A member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, he served on the House of Friendship’s Close to Home Capital Campaign and Development Committee.

He has been active in Citizens for Cambridge and two West Galt Neighbourhood Protection Association Steering Committees. Keith has also served on Regional citizen panels and working groups for Master Transportation Planning, Opioid Crisis Strategy Review, Harm Reduction and Disposal, Wellbeing Waterloo and Made in Waterloo Consumption and Treatment Services. Co-chair of the steering committee to establish and obtain funding for the Cambridge Neighbourhood Table.

Margaret Mead, Anthropoligist, was asked what she considered to be the first indication of civilization. She replied it was “evidence of a healed broken femur (hip bone). This is because no animal in the wild ever survives such an injury being totally unable to fend for itself. The healed human femur was evidence that someone has taken time to stay with the one who fell, has bound up the wound, has carried the person to safety and has tended the person through recovery. Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts”

I can’t think of a more civilized endorsement of supportive housing. We are at our best when we serve others. Be civilized.

Leanne Shanks works as a business coach for entrepreneurs, with a focus on real estate and transportation franchises. Her skills are focused on business transformations, developing processes to achieve targets in sales and new product development. She has lived in Cambridge for 5 years after relocating from Moncton, NB.

Leanne has served on a number of boards and committees, including Junior Achievement, various Franchise Advisory Councils, and Run for Life. She has also volunteered for Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, and various food banks. With decades of experience in real estate and housing related causes, she is excited to contribute to Citizens for Cambridge.

"When I see some of the troubling issues facing our community, I am painfully aware that we are all either part of the solution, or part of the problem. I am committed to leveraging some of the skills I have to contribute to positive change."

George Sousa has been a resident of Cambridge since 1966. He is Civil Engineer, retired from the Grand River Conservation Authority.

His work in the Environmental Sector for over 37 years gave George a strong appreciation for how important it is for us to design and build cities in an environmentally sustainable manner. He believes that we have to build on some of our past successes and continue to limit urban sprawl; promote intensification; preserve features on the landscape that both protect our drinking water systems and create a healthy environment; and continue to build our cities around a rapid transit system in order to improve people’s lives and help us combat/adapt to climate change.

George has served on several Boards and Committees including Cambridge Memorial Hospital and the Grand River Chapter of Professional Engineers of Ontario.

“I’m hoping that my contributions can make a difference”

Anne Tinker is the Founder and Executive Director (retired) of Cambridge Shelter Corporation, a non-profit, charitable organization delivering services to individuals experiencing homelessness in Cambridge.

Anne has been a member of several community Boards of Directors including Saint Luke’s Place, Community Support Connections, the Cambridge and North Dumfries Community Foundation, Wesley United Church, and the Social Planning Council of Cambridge and North Dumfries.

She was an active Rotarian for twenty years, and continues to volunteer with Imagine Canada, Saint Luke’s Place, and Wesley United Church. Throughout her career, Anne has worked with the homeless and other vulnerable populations and is a strong advocate for improved access to supports and services that are available in her community.

“Working with Citizens for Cambridge to bring more affordable, supportive housing to our community is an opportunity to begin to resolve this pressing issue in Cambridge.”