Who we are
The CAPE Scholarship was founded by a group of young professionals and community activists who were concerned about the negative impact of rising tuition fees and debt loads in Canada's professional post-secondary programs. Many of us have struggled with the burden of our own debts and seen friends either abandon or never pursue a professional degree because of these high costs. In our careers we have also witnessed the challenges that minorities and low-income people face in accessing professional services. But we're inspired by the simple and powerful solution that the CAPE Scholarship offers to these two challenges.
We come from all over Canada, and live all over the world. We're young. We're not rich or famous. We don't have a fancy office. But we have the skills and experience to soundly manage the CAPE Scholarship. And with your help, we know that the CAPE Scholarship's potential for good is infinite. Together, we'll empower people and communities to achieve their dreams.
Board of Directors
Michael Marin, President
Mike is currently Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa, Gates Scholar at the University of Cambridge, and Fellow at Action Canada. Previously, he served as law clerk to the Hon. Mr. Justice Binnie, Supreme Court of Canada. He began his legal career at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP in New York City, where his practice focused on commercial litigation and intellectual property.
Before law school, Mike worked for several non-profit organizations aimed at alleviating poverty and promoting accessible higher education. Originally from Montreal, he received an M.A. in public policy from Carleton University and an LL.B. From the University of Ottawa. He is a member of the New York State Bar and the Law Society of Upper Canada.
Tyler Bent, Vice President
Tyler is a consultant with Deloitte MCS Ltd. in their London, UK office. His practice focuses on finance, performance management and strategy in the public sector and increasingly in the financial services industry.
While earning a Bachelor of Commerce from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Tyler was an executive member of the Saint Mary’s University Students’ Association. Before joining Deloitte, Tyler worked in the public sector holding positions both within the civil service and as a political advisor to provincial and federal politicians. Tyler is a Certified Management Accountant (Ontario) and a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants in the UK.
Alex Cruder, Treasurer
Alex is an Analyst working in Risk Management at Export Development Canada (EDC). He supports the Telecom and Technology industries, primarily focusing on the wireless sector. Prior to EDC, Alex worked for Telesat Canada, the world’s fourth largest satellite operator. There, he worked on numerous public-private partnerships, the bulk of which were aimed at bringing advanced telecommunication services to northern and remote communities in Canada. The most notable was the $650 million Anik F2 project, which established Canada’s first truly national broadband network. Alex also has experience working in a start-up environment. He joined Critical Telecom in 2003 and assisted the company in raising $28 million in Venture Capital financing. Alex has a B.Comm. from the University of Saskatchewan where he majored in Finance and Business Economics. He is also a 2011 Level III candidate in the CFA Program.
Toby White, Secretary
Toby is a Policy Analyst for the federal government, working in the area of student financial assistance and access to post-secondary education. He is also a Master’s candidate in the Public Policy program at Carleton University. Originally from Twillingate, Newfoundland, Toby spent much of his life in Alberta where he received a B.A. and a B.Sc. from the University of Calgary. Since that time he has been active in a number of non-profit groups promoting access to higher learning.
Paul Battin, Director
Raised on a family farm in southwestern Ontario, Paul moved to Ottawa in 2001 and studied at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa. He is currently a lawyer for the federal government. Paul volunteers with Ottawa Lawyers Feed the Hungry and ELTOC, a non profit organization that helps new Canadians prefect English as a second language.
Johanne Galarneau, Director
Johanne is Senior Associate, Corporate Finance at Thomson Reuters Corporation. She has been with the company since 2005, working in the Toronto, New York and London offices. Before joining Thomson Reuters, Johanne obtained a B.A. from Dalhousie and an M.A. from McGill, both in economics. While an undergraduate, Johanne was very active in student government and promoted accessible post-secondary education through various provincial and national organizations. Orginally from Goulds, Newfoundland and Labrador, Johanne is member of the CFA Institute.
Veronique Marin, Director
Veronique is currently Assistant Sector Director of Adult Education and Vocational Training with the Lester B. Pearson School Board in Montreal, the second largest Anglophone school board in Quebec. Before this, she was Principal of Place Cartier Adult education centre for three years, Vice Principal at Riverdale High School, and a teacher specializing in adult education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from McGill University and a Graduate Diploma in Adult Education from Concordia University. With over 10 years experience in public education, she has a deep understanding of the challenges people face in the pursuing their education.
Peter Tilley, Director
Peter Tilley is Executive Director of The Ottawa Food Bank, one of the National Capital Regions most prominent charities. In April 1994, Peter left a well-paid corporate job to work as a driver at The Ottawa Food Bank for less than half his former salary. After three years, he was promoted to Operations Manager. Peter became Executive Director of the organization in 1999.
Before working at The Ottawa Food Bank, Peter worked for five years as a manager in the recruitment industry, and prior to that he was a manager in the hotel industry.
Peter was born in North Bay, Ontario in 1960 but has lived most of his life in Ottawa. He is the father to an 13 year-old daughter, Samantha, and currently lives in the town of Rockland, just outside of Ottawa.
Jessica Winbaum, Director
Jessica works as a lawyer in the areas of both domestic and international public law. Her professional interests and background include time at an international peace camp, the United Nation’s International Law Commission, the Trade Law Bureau at the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Justice and most recently, the Federal Court. It is Jessica’s commitment to equalizing opportunity that inspired her to work with the CAPE Scholarship.
Jessica has studied at McGill University, the University of Ottawa (French Common Law) and the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada.
