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.

Dave attended Northern in the early 1990s and was quarterback of the football team. He was also athlete of the year in 1993 and went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania where he continued playing football and competing in track and field. Today, Dave is Senior Director of Product Development at Manulife Financial. He also has a deep Marketing background and is eager to assist the Foundation with his skill set.

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 loved his Northern experience and was SAC President his final year. Art director, writer and brand thinker at Komposit Creative, Matt is always in pursuit of design excellence and great storytelling. His clients range across sectors: theatre and television, travel and lifestyle, medical tech, law and education. He is energized by people who are doing important work – from environmental advocates, to tech entrepreneurs, to educators. Matt is excited to bring his creative skill set to the Foundation. Exciting things are afoot!

Sam, a Toronto-based freelance writer, joined the NSSF board in early 2021. His wife Kathryn (Defries) and their two sons, Michael and Adam, are Northern alumni. Sam has been a long-time supporter of Northern where his sons were key contributors to the school’s drama and athletic programs. Sam is also heavily involved as a board or committee member with various sports organizations and community groups.

Gail is a proud graduate of Northern. Both of her parents also attended Northern, shortly after it opened in the early ’30s, and both her daughter and son graduated from Northern. Gail taught Home Economics, Family Studies, Social Science, and Humanities for 36 years in the TDSB. Her final 16 years teaching were at Northern as the department head. For over 36 years, Gail has served on many school, board, ministry and professional provincial organizations with experience as member, convenor and administrator.

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 has spent most of her career teaching Mathematics to Northern Students. She also served as secretary for NSSF for three years. She is pleased to rejoin the Foundation and looks forward to working with the Board.