WFCU’s Board of Directors is comprised of ten Directors who are elected by their fellow members and serve as the stewards of the membership. Operating within a comprehensive, principles-based regulatory framework, they are accountable for overseeing, alongside Management, WFCU’s strategic direction and corporate governance, and ensuring the successful performance of the credit union. WFCU’s Directors reside in the communities the credit union serves, supporting them to make decisions in the best interest of the membership.
Our Board
WFCU’s Board of Directors provides independent oversight of the credit union, including the decisions, plans, processes, and policies proposed by the credit union’s senior management team.
The Board oversees and approves the credit union’s short-term and long-term business plan and strategy, as well as its strategic initiatives, major budgets, and risk management strategies. It ensures the credit union’s ongoing commitment to being responsive to members while adding value to the communities in which we operate.
WFCU’s Board of Directors maintains a clear division between the roles and responsibilities of the Board and those of senior management, ensuring compliance with the provincial legislation all Ontario credit unions operate within.
One of the fundamental differences between credit unions and other financial organizations is that members have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote each year at the Annual General Meeting on issues that shape the future direction of the credit union.
Chair, WFCU Credit Union
Director, WFCU Real Estate Corporation*
Mr. Gillis worked in the automotive industry as a skilled tradesman for over 40 years before retiring in December 2007. He has been Chair of the Board of Directors since 1991, has served in the credit union system for over 48 years, and currently sits on the Audit, Governance, Risk and Nominating Committees. He also serves as a member on the WFCU Real Estate Board of Directors.
Mr. Gillis was inducted into the Credit Union Executives Society (CUES) Volunteer Hall of Fame, and in 2012 was honoured as the Recipient of the CUES Director of the Year. He was also honoured with a Long-Term Service Award through the Directors Forum. Mr. Gillis is the Recipient of the Designation of Certified Credit Union Director (CCD) and has completed the Advanced Leadership Program for credit union Directors through CUES. He is also a graduate of the Credit Union Director Achievement Program (CUDA).
Mr. Gillis is a lifetime member of the Ontario Credit Union Charitable Foundation, and a past member of the Credit Union Central of Ontario Board of Directors (Central 1), the Ontario Credit Union Directors Forum Board, and a participant in the Canadian Co-operative Association’s Leadership Program.
1st Vice Chair, WFCU Credit Union
Dr. Patricia (Patti) France is the President of St. Clair College and has over 30 years’ experience in the post-secondary education sector. She was appointed to WFCU Credit Union’s Board of Directors in 2016, and currently holds the position of 1st Vice Chair on the Board of Directors. She is Chair of the Risk Committee and also sits on the Audit Committee.
Dr. France is a graduate of St. Clair College in Information Technology and holds a Bachelor of Adult Education Degree from Brock University and a Master of Adult Education Degree from St. Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia. Over the past decade, Dr. France has had direct responsibility for key College components including academic operations.
Dr. France presently serves on the Board of Directors of Windsor Regional Hospital and is a member of the Board of Directors for Connecting Windsor-Essex (Smart Community initiative). She actively participates in the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce initiatives and Women Leading the Way within the Windsor-Essex County United Way/Centraide.
2nd Vice Chair, WFCU Credit Union
Director, WFCU Real Estate Corporation*
Bob Nesbitt is retired from his positions of Treasurer with the CAW and Executive Director with the AIDS Committee of Windsor. He was first elected to the WFCU Board of Directors in 1997 and is currently the 2nd Vice Chair as well as an active member of the Audit and Risk Committees. He also serves on the WFCU Real Estate Corporation Board. He has previously served as Chair of the Nominating and Audit Committees, as well as Corporate Secretary. He is a graduate of the Credit Union Director Achievement Program and Credit Union Executives Society’s Governance Leadership Institute.
Mr. Nesbitt is the former Chair of the Board of Directors of the United Way – Windsor-Essex County and served on numerous boards such as the Victorian Order of Nurses. He is a recipient of the Charles E. Brooks Community Award for volunteerism, was named Volunteer of the Year for the Aids Committee of Windsor, Volunteer of the Year for the Canadian Mental Health Association and is a Recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal.
Director, IT Operations, London Health Science Centre
Derek Motloch is an established IT specialist who currently works as the Director of IT Operations at the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). He holds the designation of Certified Health Executive from the Canadian College of Health Leaders. In addition, he is pursuing a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with Royal Roads University. Mr. Motloch served on the Health Care Credit Union (HCCU) Board of Directors in the position of Vice-Chair and Chair of the Human Resources Committee prior to the acquisition of HCCU by WFCU Credit Union. He was elected to the WFCU Board of Directors in January 2024 and currently serves on the Risk Committee.
Mr. Motloch was a member of numerous Boards and Committees including the VON Middlesex-Elgin Community Financial Committee, Co-Chair of the LHSC Manager & Coordinator Committee, and currently serves on the LHSC ITS Capital Planning & Reporting team, the St. Joseph’s Resource Planning Council, and the Ontario Health Medical Imaging Digital Health Strategy Advisory Committee. In 2017, he received the ITS Caring Hearts Award for devotion to service.
Director, WFCU Credit Union
Murray Lindo is the Principal at EMRL Consulting providing strategic financial advice and training to provincial public sector clients. Mr. Lindo holds a Bachelor of Arts from York University and the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. He has served over 34 years in the area of public sector financial management, including the position of Provincial Controller and Assistant Deputy Minister at the Treasury Board Secretariat. He joined the Board of Rapport Credit Union in 2016 serving in the position of Vice Chair and most recently as Chair prior to the merger with WFCU Credit Union. He was also a member of the Audit & Operational Risk, Nominating and Education, Governance, Ethics and Human Resources, and Exploratory Committees.
Mr. Lindo served on the Public Sector Accounting Standards Board as well as a Director and Audit Committee Chair of the Ontario Electricity Financing Corporation. He was also bestowed with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for his contributions to public service.
Director, WFCU Credit Union
Ms. Thomas holds a Masters of Business Administration Certificate from the University of Windsor Centre for Executive Education and certifications in Human Resources and Governance. Ms. Thomas currently sits on the Governance and Nominating Committees.
Recently retired as Executive Director for the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County, she has over 40 years of experience in the non-profit and private sectors in Windsor and Essex County. From managing multi-million-dollar budgets to overseeing key financial components such as risk, audits and annual business plan development, Ms. Thomas brings a strong financial background to the WFCU Board.
Over the years, Ms. Thomas has demonstrated an overwhelming commitment to numerous philanthropic organizations in the areas of diversity, culture, crisis management, women’s well-being, and countless others which have enriched Windsor and Essex County. She has also held various positions working as an Assistant to Members of Parliament and Provincial Parliament.
Ms. Thomas has attained vast experience as a member of countless Boards and Committees locally, provincially, nationally and internationally. Her extensive volunteerism earned her multiple awards and accreditations, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal.
Director, WFCU Credit Union
Chair, WFCU Real Estate Corporation*
Mr. Martinello is the President of Summit Floor & Wall Coverings Ltd. located in Windsor, Ontario. He has served on the Board of Directors of WFCU Credit Union since 1993. He currently holds the positions of Chair of the WFCU Credit Union Governance and Nominating Committees, and Chair of the WFCU Real Estate Board of Directors.
Mr. Martinello holds a finance degree through the University of Notre Dame and is a graduate of the Credit Union Executives Society (CUES) Governance Leadership Institute. He has received graduate status of the Credit Union Director Achievement program (CUDA) and is a recipient of the Directors Forum Long-Term Service Award.
Mr. Martinello volunteers with numerous organizations including the Windsor Good Fellows, Windsor and Riverside Minor Hockey, and has been recognized by St. Clair College for his accomplishments as a past guest lecturer in the Continuing Education Program.
Director, WFCU Credit Union
Director, WFCU Real Estate Corporation*
James McCormack is a retired teacher from the Waterloo Region District School Boards, after 30+ years of service. Mr. McCormack is the former Chair of the Education Credit Union (ECU) Board of Directors, and through the merger with WFCU, he joined the WFCU Board of Directors in March 2021. He is an active member of the Audit Committee, Risk Committee and the Board of WFCU Real Estate Corporation. Mr. McCormack holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Waterloo, Bachelor of Education from University of Toronto and is a graduate from the Credit Union Director Achievement Program.
Mr. McCormack is the former President of the Waterloo Region Teachers’ Local and served as President of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) Waterloo local, as well as provincial Vice-President. In addition, he served as Vice President on the Executive Board of the Ontario Federation of Labour and a Governor of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.
Director, WFCU Credit Union
Rox-Anne Moore recently retired from over 19 years as General Manager of her family-owned business, Hopper’s Variety retail store, including operations of an LCBO outlet, golf course, and road maintenance contract business.
Ms. Moore has been part of the credit union system for over 20 years and served on the Board of Kakabeka Falls Community Credit Union, establishing its first Audit Committee. She also served on the Board of Provincial Alliance Credit Union, and in 2014 joined the Board of Rapport Credit Union (Rapport), following the merger that formed Rapport. During those years, Ms. Moore served in various Board positions including Chair and Vice Chair as well as on the Merger, Nominating and Education, Governance, Ethics and Human Resources, and the Audit and Operational Risk Committees. Ms. Moore is pursuing a Certified Credit Union Director accreditation through the Canadian Credit Union Association.
Ms. Moore volunteers as Chair of the Nolalu Local Services Board (LSB), providing services to the residents and property owners of the Nolalu LSB area.
Director, WFCU Real Estate Corporation*
Ruth Cruikshank was first elected to the WFCU Real Estate Corporation Board of Directors in 2021 and currently holds the position of General Director. Prior to joining WFCU, she was a Board Member of the Education Credit Union and Chair of the Governance and Audit Committees. She was also a Board Member of the Canadian Pediatric Society National Board and Chair of the Finance Committee.
A retired professor at Wilfred Laurier University School of Business & Economics, Ms. Cruikshank continues to consult with various organizations on governance, strategic planning, and strategy implementation.
Ms. Cruikshank holds a Ph.D. in Administrative Studies from York University, majoring in Business Policy & Strategy. She also has an MBA from York University and a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education from the University of Toronto. An avid volunteer with numerous organizations, Ms. Cruikshank continues to value her involvement with organizations such as Capacity Canada, United Way, Trinity United Church, the Kitchener Waterloo YMCA, Ontario Rett Syndrome Association and Kitchener Soccer.
Director, WFCU Credit Union
Director, WFCU Real Estate Corporation*
Mr. Neufeld is retired from his positions of Chief Executive Officer of Aphria Inc., President and Chief Executive Officer of Jamieson Laboratories and Partner and Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Young. He was elected to the WFCU Credit Union Board of Directors in 2014 and is currently the Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Risk Committee.
Mr. Neufeld has previously sat on a number of local boards including the University of Windsor Board of Governors, Enwin Utilities Inc. as Chair, and Director of Reko Tool International Group Inc., serving on the Audit and Compensation Committees. Mr. Neufeld has also volunteered with many community organizations, including The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County, United Way Windsor Essex, Essex County Community Living and Junior Achievement.
Board Diversity
WFCU’s Board of Directors is committed to diversity. With diversity, WFCU is better able to consider and respond to various interests from a broad group of people with valued insight and support, which substantially contributes to a more effective Board.
A balanced Board is comprised of a diverse group of Directors offering complementary expertise, skills and perspectives and who are also capable of contributing to Board decisions on topics that may fall outside their sphere of expertise.
Supporting a diverse and inclusive strategy for WFCU means respect for and appreciation of differences resulting in a broad range of diverse perspectives, demographic considerations, educational backgrounds, work experiences, life styles and cultures.
Board Code of Conduct
WFCU’s Board is required to sign a Statement of Ethical Conduct annually, which provides the credit union’s Directors and Senior Managers with guidelines for resolving conflicts of interest and restricting the use of confidential information.
The Board operates under the regulatory and operational frameworks set out in the Credit Unions and Caisses Populaires Act, 2020 and its Regulations; FSRA Rule 2021-001 – Sound Business and Financial Practices and other Rules and Guidance; WFCU Credit Union Bylaw No. 1; as well as WFCU Credit Union policies, guidelines and procedures. The Board is entrusted with demonstrating the credit union’s commitment to cooperative principles, which consist of open and voluntary membership, democratic control, and non-discrimination.
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
WFCU holds its AGM in September. Open to all members, it’s an opportunity to hear from the Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team about both the financial and operational highlights from the past year and contribute to the corporate business voting process.
Details of WFCU’s 2024 and 40th AGM will be posted later this year.
*WFCU Real Estate Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of WFCU Credit Union.
