Andy has two daughters who are proud graduates of NSS – Sarah (2022) and Kirsten (2024). During their tenure, Andy was actively involved in School Council including two years and Co-Chair. He was also Co-Chair and Chair at Hodgson Middle School and Oriole Park Junior Public School. Andy has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Queen’s University and is a Fellow of the Life Management Institute. He runs an insurance consultancy business based in Toronto. He is also a Director of the MacDonald Island Cottagers Association and former team manager with the Etobicoke Dolphins and North York Storm girls hockey teams.

Janice Barnett is a strong believer in volunteerism and community service. A graduate of Trinity College, UofT in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, she has spent many years in the broadcast advertising industry with the CBC as an advertising sales professional. Janice is the proud parent of two sons: her eldest attends Northern and her youngest is at Bessborough P.S. As Past Co-Chair of the Bedford Park Parent Council, Janice co-ordinated the annual fundraising Community Night. She currently serves as Co-treasurer of the Northern School Council and was elected Ward 11 PIAC rep. She organizes the Bedford/Wanless Ratepayers’ Spring Fair. In her spare time, she enjoys learning new languages, landscape design and staying active.

Kerry Joel is delighted to join the Northern School Foundation as Director and Chair of the Fundraising Committee. With over 20 years of experience in technology, AI strategy, and digital transformation, Kerry has led executive roles at Rogers Communications, Tangerine Bank, and Avenue Code, where they drove significant growth and innovation. A passionate advocate for education, Kerry brings a wealth of experience in event management and fundraising. Kerry and her husband Blair have two children currently attending Northern and are dedicated to supporting public education and community engagement.

Jason Hughes NSS’93 is pleased to return to Northern as a Director of the Northern Foundation. At Northern, Jason founded the Youth Environment Network, Co-Directed the United Way Fashion Show, and was SAC President in 1992. With over 25 years of experience in sales, marketing and fundraising, Jason founded Fresh Magazine to introduce young Canadians to the art scene and worked in artist relations at Atlantic Records. An appointed member by the Mayor of the City of Fort Lauderdale, he sits on the Beach Redevelopment Board, and sat for six years on the Economic Development Advisory Board for the City of Fort Lauderdale, where he resides. Jason is currently Executive Director of ArtServe, a global art community for artists and collectors in south Florida.

Matt Kassirer NSS '95 is an art director, writer + brand guy. Moved by his own experience at Northern, including as SAC president in 1995, Matt is jazzed to be crafting and finessing the Foundation's digital, social and in-school presence. Matt brings 25+ years of strategic design, marketing and web experience across numerous sectors including tech, entertainment, travel, lifestyle and education. It's a privilege to be part of this dedicated group of folks who are fostering meaningful connections between alumni and students. 

Leif Malling NSS ’98 is grateful to contribute to the Northern community that gave him a formative education and a lifetime of friends. Leif, an executive with a large public insurer, is a professional manager. Leif’s facility for managing teams is the result of attending a big composite public high school. Anytime Leif speaks in front of a few people or a microphone, he channels a lesson from the Northern Drama program. And every time Leif writes to persuade, he remembers something ingrained by the Northern English program. Leif apologizes to the Modern Languages faculty; their heroic efforts merited an equivalent aptitude. Leif is driven to support a public high school whose enrichment experience competes with any secondary school in midtown Toronto.

Merilyn McKelvey is a former NSS teacher who taught in the Special Education and Canadian & World Issues departments. She was staff advisor for many extra curricular activities including soccer, skiing, snowboarding, debating, DECA, and yearbook. Two of her three children, Michelle and Alex, attended Northern. Prior to teaching, she was an urban planner working with municipalities and community groups across Canada. She has served on the boards of various organizations including the Massey Centre for Women.

Jackie Scroggie is a former Principal of Northern Secondary School and proud mother of John Scroggie, a graduate of Northern. With over 40 years of service in public education, Jackie has recently worked as a Principal Coach for the Ontario Principals’ Council and as a Field Researcher for Curriculum Services Canada. A former President of the Toronto Eglinton Rotary Club and a member of the Canadian Federation of University Women, Jackie has served on the board of Delisle Youth Services and several other community organizations.

Holli Verkade is a retired TDSB teacher who loved teaching Mathematics to Northern Students. She also served as secretary for NSS Foundation from 2002 to 2005 and from 2019 to 2022. She is pleased to continue on with NSSFoundation as a Director.