Board of Directors

Meet Zerin's Board of Directors

Richard Badder

President

I am a retired agriculture business farmer. In the late 1990s, I had the opportunity to be involved with a low income housing development in the Chatham Kent area. After moving to London I wanted to continue to help those in need of housing. I became a member of Zerin Development Corporation and I have served as a volunteer in many ways. Now I have the opportunity to serve as the President of the Board in support of Zerin's mission to develop more affordable housing units in London for people in need. I am excited to be part of building a caring community.

Ron Rowbottom

Vice President

Married with three children and two grandchildren. I spent my working career engaged in the Environmental, Health and Safety field for global 500 companies. My education is a jurist doctorate degree focusing on environmental and social law. Now that I am a retiree my goal is to use my time to engage in organizations, like Zerin Development Corporation. Its mission is to assist individuals in alleviating poverty and enhancing persons' standard of living. Zerin, as an affordable housing non profit corporation, exemplifies the goals I have set for involvement in my retirement.

Nellie VanLeeuwen

Treasurer

As a retired Chartered Professional Accountant I am eager to share my many years of experience in corporate and not-for-profit enterprises with the Zerin Board of Directors. My prior participation with charities dealing with marginalized individuals and families will inform my work with Zerin as we "build a caring community”.

Tosha Densky

Director

I am a community developer, social work educator, and academic counsellor in London Ontario. Much of my work has centered on increasing community health and well-being through systems advocacy, collaborative leadership and community capacity building. My passion for community social work, research, and evaluation has led to a number of initiatives both nationally and internationally aimed at improving health equity for individuals and communities experiencing poverty. Most recently, I joined Kings University College as the Programs Liaison for the School of Social Work, where I hope to inspire future generations of social workers as social justice advocates. I joined Zerin because they are actually doing something to relieve poverty by providing housing for those in need.

Ryan Hanna

Director

I'm currently working as an associate lawyer at a law firm in Toronto, Ontario. Even before my career in law, I have always had a passion for volunteering and supporting members of my community. I have been a part of a number of non-profit organizations focused on battling homelessness and assisting under-served populations in London. I am proud to play a part in the work that Zerin is doing to develop and manage affordable housing communities, and all of the partnerships that Zerin is developing as we continue to find new ways to fulfill our mission and assist those in need.

Terry Meyer

Director

I have been the owner/operator of KKP London since 1999. I have been involved as a volunteer with Zerin since 2014. As a member of the organization, I had input into Zerin's vision and mission statements, its values, and its five-year strategic action plan. It is rewarding to be a part of a group dedicated to creating much needed, affordable housing. I strongly believe in Zerin's mission. I hope to bring some of my business experience and my knowledge of the community to my role on the Board of Directors.

Kerry Richards

Director

My initial involvement with Zerin was in 1978 as the superintendent of the original Zerin building in Toronto. The majority of the tenants were Chilean refugees new to Canada and my wife and I developed friendships and supported them with many needs from employment sourcing to children’s programs and other resources to integrate them within the city and our building community. I have continued to participate in Zerin and Sionito non-profit housing Boards over these many years serving as president at various times.

Professionally, I have had careers in sales management, marketing and spearheaded a start-up orthopaedic manufacturer to #1 in Canada as VP of sales and marketing. With the acquisition of the medical firm to an American competitor, I next became the Franchise Director for a national multi-disciplinary medical group. Upon leaving my professional career, I then followed my heart into ministry and was part of the Executive administrative team for Community of Christ for the past 10 years. My motivations are to support the vulnerable in a team of like-minded people such as the compassionately minded volunteers at Zerin.

Jared Thompson

Director

I spent the past 15 years providing accounting services to owner-managed businesses and not-for-profit organizations. Originally joining the Zerin Development Corporation’s Board of Directors in 2008, I stepped back in 2011 to serve on the Zerin Place Management Committee for several years before rejoining the Board of Directors in 2018 as Treasurer. I am proud of the work that Zerin is doing to help ease the shortage of high quality affordable housing in and around London.

Scott Scherer

Director

I am currently working in the field of memory care and music therapy. I have had 10 years of experience with using music as a tool to heal. Through working with diverse populations, I have gained a passion for social equity. Volunteering as a director since 2020, I have had the opportunity to creatively expand Zerin’s impact and remain rooted in our mission and compassion.

Lew Shepherdson

Director

As a semi-retired software executive in Ottawa Ontario, I have sought out ways to share my business and marketing experience with organizations making a difference in our communities. I was a director (including terms as treasurer and president) of World Accord for 11 years, served 6 years on the Board of Trustees for Iowa-based Graceland University, and since 2020 have been the chair and president of Encounter World Religions. I am honoured to support Zerin in making a difference for people through affordable housing.

Mark Pearson

Director

My journey as a helper started years ago as a volunteer at a local shelter. Inspired by that experience, I continued my work in the social services for more than a decade in several social service organizations in my community.

I then attended the University of Waterloo, earning a degree in Social Development Studies and a Bachelor of Social Work. Returning to the field, I worked in housing at the peak of the housing crisis, then as an addictions counsellor afterwards. Eventually, I planted my roots at Supports & Housing In the Province (SHIP) providing case management and individualized support services to people in transitional living.

As a helping professional, I specialize in research analysis, various forms of therapeutic intervention (both group and individual) and disability advocacy. It is these skill sets that help me be a productive Board Member of Zerin. As such, I strive to find ways to further Zerin’s vision in ways that reflect their values of inclusivity, compassion and empowerment in those they serve.