Our Board

Owner-operator of a Cora’s Breakfast & Lunch franchise as well as King West Brewing Company – RustiCo. Restaurant and Cannon’s Cross pub in Fredericton, New Brunswick

CFIB member since 2013

Mike started his career in the restaurant industry in 1998, progressing from dishwasher to owner of three pubs and restaurants. After working as general manager of the restaurant Snooty Fox from 2007 to 2012, Mike bought a Cora’s Breakfast & Lunch franchise in Fredericton in 2012. His Cora’s has then achieved continuous revenue growth for 5 continuous years.

With the help of his business partner, Mike continued to grow his operations in 2017 by purchasing Cannon’s Cross, a British-styled pub. One year later, the two partners launched King West Brewing Company – RustiCo., a new concept restaurant that serves wood oven pizza and craft beers. As the Owner-operator, Mike manages his establishments with the strong belief that employees are a crucial part of the team and the business’ success.

Born and raised in Minto, New Brunswick, Mike studied in French and is bilingual. When he has spare time, Mike enjoys fixing and restoring old motorcycles with his brother.

Owner and founder of Fired Creations The Pottery Painting Cafe, Nova Scotia

CFIB member since 2019

After studying business administration at NSCC, she built her business from the ground up, making it a cherished part of the local community. Fired Creations hosts events with local organizations, such as schools, and provides creative opportunities for people of all artistic abilities. This unique business idea earned a "New Business of The Year" award from our local Chamber of Commerce, as well as the "Outstanding Community Support" award from Cape Breton University. Alisha, a wife and mother of three, is also the past chair of the Sydney Downtown Development Association, where she played a key role in fostering local growth. When it’s time to unwind, Alisha enjoys spending time travelling, exploring outdoors, along with spending time with friends and family.

Co-owner, Volcanic Hills Estate Winery, British Columbia

Member since 2010

Bobby has lived all of his life in West Kelowna, learning all of the different aspects of orchard and vineyard operations from his father. At 15, he was managing the family’s cherry production.

He earned his Bachelor’s degree in business administration at Okanagan College with a specialty in Management, selecting courses that would help him learn to manage a winery. He received his Wine Sales and Winery Assistant certificates. He also took various accounting and equipment-operator courses to help him in the day-to-day operations. One course project was to design a functional winery, including the building with wine shop, tanks, press and pumps, as well as to outline a plan to plant the vineyards.

After receiving his BBA, Bobby, his father, and sister Christina created the design for Volcanic Hills, selecting the site of one of their apple orchards on Boucherie Road for their building, which has one of the largest wine shops in BC.
In 2009, Bobby went to India to marry Harpreet Gidda and returned with her to BC to open the winery in 2010. A year later, they traveled to the Napa Valley to tour the local wineries and further develop their wine knowledge.

Bobby was a Director at the Greater Westside Board of Trade for 4 years where he was also President for 2 years.  Bobby is currently President of the West Kelowna Vintner Association.

Co-owner, Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, Prince Edward Island

CFIB member since 2012

Born and raised in Summerside, Jill graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology at St. Francis Xavier University in 2007 and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Dalhousie University in 2011. 

After her studies, Jill went back to her hometown and worked in various retail pharmacies from 2011 to 2018. After learning the ins and outs of the field, Jill purchased the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy in Summerside with her husband in 2018.

Jill is passionate and dedicated to her community and takes supporting local very seriously. In addition to her pharmacy, she is also a part owner of the local Junior A hockey team, the Summerside Western Capitals. 

Outside of work, Jill and her husband love to travel and explore new places. She also enjoys being active, a great way for her to spend time with her Goldendoodle. 

Co-President and Co-owner of Instukem, Montreal, Quebec

CFIB member for 34 years

Instukem was founded in 1980 by his father Michel, now his brother David and Patrick have been rapidly expanding the business over the past 10 years. Instukem recognizes its dedicated team as ‘’other’’ family members and truly believes in the value of work life balance for its staff while giving 100% dedication to excellence to serving their customers in the markets they participate in.

Prior to joining the family business Patrick began his career rising into various leadership positions within the largest independent lighting company in Canada based in Montreal. Being part of a rapid growth company transforming itself into a structured medium sized organization recognized within Canada’s 50 best managed companies was a great learning experience to acquire many skills serving him today.

Outside of work he has been a proud hockey and soccer coach to both his boys through the years just outside Montreal where he lives with both his wife and boys.

Co-owner, COO of Bayview Capital in Toronto, Ontario

CFIB member since 2007

Abed began his career in the Audit and Advisory Practice at Ernst and Young LLP where he earned his CPA, CA. After completing his MBA from Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario he joined his family business in residential property management.

He led the expansion of the company into hospitality assets with the acquisition of the Best Western in Brantford, Ontario and has led business operations and finance ever since.

In addition to the business, Abed sits on the board of Urban Farming Initiative (a non-profit geared to the efficient use of underutilized land in urban sprawls) and ASP Foundation (an international NGO that funds education for children in poverty in the country of Bangladesh)

Abed is also a rabid basketball fan and cannot wait for the Raptors to win their next championship.

Founder and Co-owner of Signature Cleaning Services, Manitoba

Member since 2000

As the founder and co-owner of Signature Cleaning Services, Joanna has built a thriving business from the ground up. Starting in 1999 with just three clients, her dedication to quality and customer service has transformed Signature Cleaning Services into a leader in Winnipeg's cleaning industry with a near-perfect reputation for consistent, reliable and trustworthy service. 

Joanna's commitment to ethical business practices extends beyond her own company. She serves as Vice-Chair of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Central Canada, advocating for fair business practices and consumer protection. This dedication to high standards aligns perfectly with the CFIB's mission of helping small and medium-sized businesses succeed.

Beyond business, Joanna is a recognized leader in the community. She was awarded the 2018 WBOM Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award, a testament to her drive and success. 

When she's not championing small businesses or ensuring homes shine, Joanna enjoys maintaining a healthy lifestyle through gardening and running. This dedication to a healthy lifestyle extends to her work, where Signature Cleaning Services prioritizes eco-friendly cleaning solutions and a positive work environment.

Owner and President of The Rusty Shovel Landscape Shop in Regina, Saskatchewan

CFIB member since 2013

Founded in 2010 by Sean and his uncle, The Rusty Shovel is a landscape and irrigation design and supply company in Regina serving professional landscape contractors and DIY homeowners across Saskatchewan. Sean and his wife Katlyn bought the remaining majority share in the company in late 2014.

Born and raised in the Regina area, Sean is a graduate of the University of Regina with a Bachelor of Business Administration, Majoring in Marketing and a Certificate in Economics in 2007.

Coming from an entrepreneurial family, Sean has been recognized as the Saskatchewan Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs (SYPE) Volta Entrepreneur of the Year (2015) and the Regina & District Chamber of Commerce Paragon Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2016). He also serves as Vice-President of his local Lumsden/Bethune Minor Hockey Association.

When it’s time to get away from work, Sean is an avid golfer and hockey coach. Sean and his wife Katlyn have three children active in hockey and figure skating.

Managing Partner, O'Dea Earle Law in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

CFIB member since 2015

David practices law in downtown St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador, at the law firm O’Dea Earle. He has a general litigation and small business practice and can be found in the courthouse for an injury trial or addressing small business clients on their legal/corporate needs. 

With a vibrant small business practice, David focuses on providing cost-effective solutions to many of the legal challenges that face small business owners. He has also volunteered with organizations such as the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to provide business owners and sole proprietors the knowledge and tools they need to safeguard their businesses.  

David and his wife April (a small business owner herself) have two children, Evaleigh and Benjamin. David has also volunteered on the board of the Open Book Literary Council, the National Salvation Army Ethics Centre and other organizations.

President & CEO of Excel and Y Insurance Services Ltd., in Calgary, Alberta

CFIB member for almost 30 years

Robyn Young has been working in the family business, Lundgren & Young, since 2000, but she’s been immersed in insurance for most of her life. Her parents bought into a brokerage when she was a child, and since then she has worked her way to the top, before overseeing the strategic partnership with Excel & Y Insurance Services Ltd in 2021.

Robyn is also president-elect of the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC) and a member of the board of Believe in the Gold, an Alberta charity. She also is a past president of the Association of Alberta Registry Agents (AARA) and the Insurance Brokers Association of Alberta (IBAA) and a former board member of the Centre for the Study of Insurance Operations (CSIO).

Her and her husband are proud Calgarians with Winnipeg roots who enjoy spending time at their cottage in Manitoba.

Founder and former Chairman of the Board of CFIB

Mr. Bulloch taught business and finance at Ryerson Polytechnic University between 1963 and 1969, when he founded the Canadian Council for Fair Taxation, inspired by a government proposal that would have hiked the small business tax rate to 50 per cent. The council defeated this proposal, quickly grew and became CFIB two years later.

Educated in engineering and business, Mr. Bulloch formed Canada's first Entrepreneurship Education and Research Centre at Ryerson, which was the forerunner of the Entrepreneurship Centres at universities across Canada. He has been recognized with a fellowship from Ryerson and the Distinguished Business Alumni Award from the University of Toronto; and is a Member of the Order of Canada.

John’s wife, Mary Bulloch, played an instrumental role in the growth of CFIB. In 2016, the Federation re-named its headquarters in Toronto the John and Mary Bulloch Building, in honour of their contributions.

CFIB’s President, CEO and Chair of the Board of Governors

Dan is the lead spokesperson and advocate for the views of the Federation's 97,000 small and medium-sized member businesses.

Dan has been with CFIB since 1994, when he joined as Policy Analyst for the Prairies. Following stints in Winnipeg and Calgary, Dan was named Senior Vice-President, Legislative Affairs in 2009. In 2012, he replaced Catherine Swift as CEO, and became chair of the board in 2014.

He has successfully spearheaded CFIB’s fights on many issues, including labour shortages, immigration, and credit and debit card fairness.

Dan was born and raised in Winnipeg and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Manitoba. Immediately following university, he spent a year living and teaching in northern Japan.

Dan and his wife live in Toronto with their young son.