Matt grew up in Toronto and started sailing at an early age on Lake Ontario.  He was a trainee, Petty Officer and acting Watch Officer on STV Pathfinder during high school. Matt is a long time supporter of the Brigs.   

After more than 25 years  practicing law in Ontario, Matt retired at the end of 2020 having spent the last 5 years as General Counsel at IBM Canada, where he had been part of the legal team for more than 20 years.

Matt now pursues his passion for sailing with his wife Kim on their Gemini Legacy Catamaran, S.V. Luna,  currently located in Midland, for easy access to Georgian Bay and the North Channel.

Michele has been involved with Brigs since her two sons went through the program and as a member of the Board of Directors since 2018. She comes to us with over 30 years of experience volunteering with various organizations.

Michele has volunteered extensively with Brigs, working with the crew, providing meals, helping out with maintenance and sailing with us when we need an extra hand. She is also an avid photographer and has documented the ships sailing and through all seasons of maintenance. Michele is a strong believer in Brigs and the positive impact our program can have on the youth who access it. 

Ian Hamilton is President and CEO of HOPA Ports (Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority). He assumed this role in 2017, after serving as the Port Authority’s Vice President of Business Development and Real Estate since 2008. Ian has been instrumental in developing working waterfronts in Hamilton, Oshawa, and Niagara by attracting new business and private investment, and creating an integrated marine network across Southern Ontario.

Ian possesses more than 25 years of experience in international transportation and logistics in Europe and North America, and has held progressively senior positions in the liner shipping industry, including Transatlantic Trade Director (Europe) for CP Ships and Business Development Manager for Hapag-Lloyd.

Ian is Chairperson of the Ontario Marine Transportation Forum Board of Directors, and holds positions on various other boards, including: Chamber of Marine Commerce, Association of Canadian Port Authorities (ACPA), The Hamilton Club, and Brigs Youth Sail Training. Ian holds an MBA from Aston University (UK) and a BSc in business administration and economics from the College of Charleston, South Carolina.

Bruce’s  relationship with Brigs as a national journalist goes back to the mid-1980s when he began reporting on the program for a variety of periodicals and newspapers.   Early in his career, he was trained as a shipwright repairing Great Lakes freighters. He is also an experienced carpenter and wood finisher. 

Professionally, he was employed for more than 40 years as a journalist, photojournalist, editor, and publisher.  Bruce is also the author of five books.  His work has been recognized regionally, nationally and internationally.