Board of Directors Person Template
Title bio
Robert W. Murray
DIRECTOR
Dr. Robert W. Murray is Managing Director of the Government Affairs and Public Policy Practice Group at Dentons Canada LLP. His Dentons practice focuses mainly on strategic counsel, planning and development, risk analysis
Jeff Weiss
DIRECTOR
Jeff Weiss is a partner in Venable’s International Trade Group in Washington, DC. He focuses his practice on resolving market access issues related to product and digital regulation and standards; and providing counseling,
Priya Patil
DIRECTOR
Ms. Patil is a senior investment banker, public company senior executive as well as a California and Ontario attorney. Her career spans 25+ years of domestic and international work primarily in the financial services
Wayne Garnons-Williams
Director
Wayne is the founding Chair of the International Inter-Tribal Trade and Investment Organization. He is also Senior Lawyer and Principal Director of Garwill Law Professional Corp. that offers litigation, ADR and corporate commercial services with a particular interest in Aboriginal law, Customs, Excise and International Trade law. Wayne enjoys resolving challenging civil litigation and corporate commercial law problems that have a mix of Aboriginal law and Trade Law concepts. Providing corporate law services to young and growing start-up companies and First Nation business ventures is a passion for Wayne.
Akin Alaga
Director
Akin O. Alaga is a public sector executive who leads the Government of Ontario’s approach to enhance the global competitiveness of its $720B economy through industry cluster and regional economic strategies.
Prior to government, Akin was a management consultant at a global consulting firm where he held management and global roles.
Brian J.M. Ames
Director
Brian J.M. Ames is retired from more than 32 years with Dow Chemical. Brian resides in Midland Michigan, and spends summers at his cottage on Elk Lake near the shores of Lake Michigan. Having grown up along Lake Huron, attending summer camp in Georgian Bay and residing in Toronto and Kingston, his passion for the Great Lakes runs deep.
John Dickert
Director
Mr. Dickert currently serves as the President and CEO of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (Cities Initiative). His responsibilities include working with over 130 U.S. and Canadian mayors from across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Basin to advance the protection and restoration of the resource.
The Cities Initiative leads many efforts to accelerate the work to become a more sustainable region by integrating the environmental, economic, and social activities to improve the quality of life and well-being of its people.
Brenda Drinkwalter
Director
Brenda Drinkwalter is a retired senior executive who has served on for profit and not for profit boards for many years.
Most recently, she was Chair of the Board of Georgian Bay Forever, a charity dedicated to scientific research and public education on Georgian Bay’s aquatic ecosystem. She is currently working with others committed to the Great Lakes, on a new Great Lakes initiative, one where Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor is a Honourary Patron.
William D. Friedman
Director
William D. Friedman became president and CEO of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority in June, 2010.
Under Mr. Friedman’s leadership, the Port of Cleveland has experienced a resurgence in maritime trade and long-sought diversification of cargo types. In 2014, the Port launched the Cleveland-Europe Express service, revitalizing shipping via the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway system and solidifying Cleveland’s position as its leading international hub.