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.

Cassandra Mark NSS’06, is a proud graduate of Northern and is thrilled to return as a Director and Treasurer for the Foundation. She graduated from the Food and Beverage Management program at George Brown College and has earned Project Management and Business Analysis certificates from the University of Toronto. Cassandra has 10+ years of experience working in the not for profit sector with a focus on environmental management. In her spare time, Cassandra can be found roaming dog parks with her golden doodle puppy, Waffles.

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 being SAC president in '95, Matt is helping the Foundation bring a storytelling lens to the work of fostering meaningful connections between alumni and students. Matt brings 20+ years of strategic design experience across sectors: from entertainment and travel, to technology and education. It's an honour to be part of this dedicated group of people, a team that keeps finding ways to enrich the Northern Experience..

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.