Trustees

Jim Hallman, Chair

President, Hallman Construction

"As a trustee of the Hallman Foundation, I am in a unique situation to continue to provide funds to the Foundation, helping grow its impact. All of the profits generated through my work with Hallman Construction, go directly into the work the Foundation is doing across Waterloo Region. Creating a supportive community for our friends and neighbours is a priority for us as board members. My grandfather taught my father who in turn mentored his children to give back, something that I hope I have instilled in my children."

Jim is the President of Hallman Construction, a highly respected development company founded in 1946 by his father, Lyle S. Hallman. Expanding on the construction business, in 1995, Jim and his wife Sue founded Aberdeen Homes, a reputable new home builder. Jim’s strong roots in Waterloo Region, and passion for excellence have extended into his community involvement. He has served on the Board of Directors of numerous agencies, including Strong Start Charitable Organization and Carizon Family and Community Services. He has also worked alongside other organizations including THEMUSEUM, The Working Centre, and YWCA Mary’s Place, completing projects that contribute to improving the quality of life for all citizens. Jim is a founding trustee and current Chair of the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation, and has continued to grow and expand the Foundation, alongside other passionate board members. A strong desire to help others was instilled in Jim from a young age, and he is eager to continue this tradition through his work with the Foundation.

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Steve Cameron

Lawyer, Miller Thompson LLP (retired)

"Lyle set up a Public Charitable Foundation in 2003, with a special ability to respond quickly to our communities’ greatest needs. Lyle set the tone and direction of the Foundation during his lifetime. As trustees, it is now our responsibility to refine and support the Foundation’s mission to create meaningful change in the areas of healthcare, higher education, and the lives of youth and young children."

Steve, a retired Corporate Commercial and Tax lawyer with Miller Thomson LLP, has served on and chaired many local service and charitable organizations helping to support diverse community needs. These include the Ontario Bar Association, the KW YMCA, KW Habilitation, KW Kinsmen, Waterloo Rotary, KidsAbility and Strong Start Charitable Organization.

As a founding Trustee of the Hallman Foundation, Steve remains committed to refining its mission to help serve the community’s current and emerging charitable challenges.

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Vivian Zochowski

Senior Executive, Insurance Industry (retired)

"Today the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation continues to uphold the values Lyle himself believed in. He was a passionate businessman and philanthropist, committed to making Waterloo Region the best place to live. As a board, we are keepers of that spirit, and are willing to be entrepreneurial, creative, and take risks in meeting our obligations to his vision."

Vivian is a retired senior executive from a life insurance company with 26 years’ experience working in estate planning, investments, finance, and capital markets. She has served on numerous boards across Waterloo Region, contributing significantly in the area of Board Governance. Vivian’s passion for the community has led her to use her skills to support non-profits helping diverse groups and populations. She has served as the Board Chair of St. Mary’s General Hospital, The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation, and Carizon Family and Community Services, and has helped deliver the Governance Boot Camp for Boards through Capacity Canada. Vivian joined the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation Board of Trustees in 2009.

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Wayne Kemick

Senior Vice President & Wealth Advisor, BMO Nesbitt Burns (retired)

"Finding a group of people that are passionate, knowledgeable and are ready to act is a rare gift. As a trustee, I have seen some of the great changes and benefits that the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation has already brought to our community but the future still lies ahead of us. Their forward, open minded thinking makes that future look very bright."

Wayne is a retired Senior Vice President and Wealth Advisor at BMO Nesbitt Burns where, since 1981, he helped people and companies meet their personal and financial goals. Committed to building a strong community, Wayne has always believed in the importance of giving back. He has served on numerous boards across Waterloo Region including the United Way of Kitchener Waterloo & Area, Wilfrid Laurier University, KW Family Counselling, KidsAbility, and the Independent Living Centre of Waterloo Region. He joined the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation Board of Trustees in 2012. He is passionate about the “game changing” nature of the Foundation and the incredible changes that are being made community-wide to benefit children, giving them the best possible future.

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Andrea Witzel

Community Volunteer & Author

"As a board, we have set the ambitious goal of making Waterloo Region the best place to raise a family. I am excited about our ongoing strategizing and exploration of how to achieve this goal, especially knowing that we have the unique freedom to explore some unconventional and impactful grants. I believe we have the potential to create some relevant models for other communities as well."

Andrea is a lifelong resident of Waterloo Region and holds a supporting role in her husband’s 100+ year-old local family business, Onward Manufacturing Company. Andrea also co-authored a highly successful cookbook, Gathering Around the Grill. As a mother, and community champion, Andrea has volunteered her time in causes close to her children’s hearts and her own. She has given back to her children’s school communities, the Hospice of Waterloo Region, numerous committees and has served on the Board of Directors for The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation. Andrea joined the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation Board of Trustees in 2012, with a keen interest in supporting projects in areas which impact every citizen such as healthcare, higher education and children. Andrea brings her diverse skill-set, passion, and experience to the Foundation, to help make our community a great place to live and work.

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Elizabeth Witmer

Former Deputy Premier and Chair, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

"Lyle had a vision to strengthen our community and make a positive difference in the lives of its people. This vision and generous investments have resulted in a rich legacy upon which the trustees of the Foundation are building. They are committed to helping others and creating a supportive community to make Waterloo Region the best place for children to grow and to raise a family."

Elizabeth is a former Deputy Premier and Chair of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. She was the first female MPP elected in the Region of Waterloo. During her 22 years as an MPP she served as Minister of Labour, Minister of Health and Long Term Care, Minister of Environment and Minister of Education and was a tireless community advocate who helped bring the Cancer Centre and Cardiac Centre to our community.

She currently serves as a trustee on the St Mary’s General Hospital Board and chair of the KidsAbility Board.

Her strong commitment to a just and caring society have earned her many prestigious awards. In recognition of her achievements and transformative changes in health policy and to the economic, social, and educational life in Ontario, she was named to the Order of Ontario in November 2023.

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