Our Team

Neil Joshi joined RBC in September 1996, and since then has been on a learning journey expressed through various roles in a variety of different communities. Currently Community Manager in Oshawa, some of Neil’s past roles include client advisor, banking advisor, branch manager, and commercial account manager.

In 2006, as Branch Manager, Neil opened a brand new RBC branch located in Toronto’s King West Village. Leveraging the RBC Brand Promise to bring a new location to this thriving community, Neil and his team applied an entrepreneurial mindset to promote a strong and sustained presence for serving the community.

In 2010, Neil started as a Commercial Account Manager in York Region, specializing in retail & consumer services supporting entrepreneurs in the business-to-consumer space. In 2015, Neil moved to Durham as a Commercial Account Manager, specializing in supply chain clients advising manufacturing, wholesale/distribution and logistics companies.

Beginning in March 2018, Neil leads a strong team located in RBC branches throughout the City of Oshawa as Community Manager generating an integrated presence in the community.

In addition to Neil’s banking experience he has been active in consulting for the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI), working on 4 projects since 2013. The projects entail generating questions for exams in the small business/commercial and branch manager areas; and providing expert advice on course material taken by students of CSI.

Neil sits on the Board of Directors as an appointed Director with the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce for the past 3 years. He has also volunteered on the Business Advocacy Committee with the Whitby Chamber of Commerce, driving synergies between the Town of Whitby and the business community.

He has volunteered for Denise House, an organization that supports Women & Children living through domestic abuse, and currently sits as a Board Member on the Ignite Durham Learning Foundation. A charitable foundation formed to help mitigate the impact of children and families living in poverty.

Michelle Arseneault, Secretary

With a deep-rooted commitment to community success and a passion for making a meaningful difference, I am honored to serve as a board member for the Ignite Durham Learning Foundation. As a dedicated advocate for removing financial barriers and empowering students to achieve academic success, I will continue to act conduit for marginalized voices, ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed.

Having worked with corporations such as TC Transcontinental, Rupert Murdoch News Corporation, the Jim Pattison Group of Companies, and being a partner in a Rogers Media firm, it is the start-ups that are looking for sales growth and require funding that he revels in assisting.

 Currently, Frank is an award-winning angel investor and member of multiple investment groups. His contributions have awarded him the 2019 NACO Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Canadian Early Stage Ecosystem, the 2019 Angel Investors Ontario Award for Contribution to Ontario Angel Activity, and the 2018 York Angel Investors Angel of the Year Award.

Frank also devotes time to the organizations themselves, holding positions as a York Angel Investors Board Member, VP StartUP Durham, Ambassador to the NACO World Angel Investor summit, co-founder of the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) Investor Readiness Program, Co-Founder ACCESS IO Marketplace, Angel In Residence at NACO and with multiple Innovation Centre's, and co-chairs the membership and marketing committee with Angel Investors Ontario (AIO). 

As a community-focused individual, Frank spends his time as a Rotarian, board member with the Humane Society, and the Durham District School Board IGNITE Learning Foundation.

Frank prides himself on being a well-rounded member of his community, both professionally and personally and resides in Ajax, Ontario, with his wife Kim, and his rescue cats, Opal and Benny.

Michael Barrett has been involved in “education” as both as a passion and as a foundation. Michael served as a Durham District School Board (DDSB) Trustee representing the City of Oshawa for 19 years, seven years as Chair. He served as President of the Ontario Public School Board Association (OPSBA) for four years and served on the Executive for over a decade.

Michael recently retired from the role as President & CEO at Gay Lea Foods Co-operative – the largest Dairy Co-operative in the province of Ontario. He was with Gay Lea for over two decades. Michael served in many different roles within Gay Lea Foods and within the broader co-operative sector both nationally and internationally.

Michael recently was elected as Director to the Co-operators Insurance Board, is currently an Advisor to the Board of Dairy Farmers of Canada, the Lakefield Historical Association and teaches and speaks on governance matters and board effectiveness.

Michael holds an honours B.A. and his Bachelor of Education (Western) and recently completed his studies at the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D) designation.

Michael, in his spare time, besides helping to parent his now grown family of six children, grand parenting eight, he likes to play with his big boy toys” and spends anytime that he has left enjoying his farm located in the rolling hills of Selwyn Township.

Steve Conaby, Director 

As the President of Conpute, Steve brings over 20 years of technology experience to both large enterprise and small businesses. As a husband and father of two young girls, Steve is an active member in Durham Region community; where he lives and works. He has participated as a member of the Board of Directors with the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce for the last 6 years; including President of the Board (2024) and chair of the golf committee. With a commitment to ongoing education, he also serves on the program advisory committee for Durham College’s business program. Steve is involved and supports many local charity initiatives. He currently sits on the Lakeridge Health LaunchPad committee as well as the Lakeridge Health Cancer Campaign Cabinet. Steve also participates in multiple industry associations, where he works with manufacturers and distributors to create policies and procedures that help to shape the future landscape for technology partners across Canada.

Dr. Taryn Eickmeier joined the Ignite Learning Foundation Board of Directors in 2022, the year following her eldest child's introduction to the Durham District School Board. Taryn is a mother of two young boys and an active citizen in the Durham Region. Currently, Taryn serves as the Director of Strategic Communications, Partnerships and Engagement with Grandview Kids, Durham Region's only children's treatment centre. Taryn holds an undergraduate degree in kinesiology, a Master of Arts in health promotion and a Doctorate degree in public health and health systems. Taryn is also an Adjunct Professor with the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University. Taryn has spent many years researching and mobilizing evidence to create a supportive environment for Durham's youngest residents to live, learn and play. 

 Taryn's fulsome understanding of the barriers and opportunities faced by DDSB students to access health, social and educational services make her uniquely qualified to serve the community. Through collaboration and connections, Taryn hopes to contribute to the strong community that is the DDSB and support all students in their journey to reach their full potential. 

Sonia Salomone, Director 

Sonia, a seasoned Management Consultant and accomplished senior leader, has proven success in delivering complex projects and driving business improvement and change across industries including: government, healthcare, resources, manufacturing and transportation.

An adept facilitator, Sonia has extensive experience in developing and leading teams and managing diverse stakeholder requirements in transformation and strategy development projects.

A lifelong learner, she holds an MBA from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) along with certifications from the NCI Charrette Institute and PROSCI and has taught in undergraduate programs (Management of Change – Ontario Tech) and facilitated MBA programs (Improving Business Operations – QUT).

Sonia has more than 19 years of managerial experience working in the Private and Public sectors and in Management Consulting with a global ‘Big 4’ firm.

As an active community member in Durham Region, Sonia has participated in Oshawa’s Fiesta Week and been a volunteer in local sports organizations, not-for-profits, community advisory panels and with her children’s DDSB School Community Council.

Jay Chan, Director

Jay Chan brings over 10 years of public sector experience serving people, communities, and businesses. His career started at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in office administration and moved into finance at the City of Richmond Hill. Jay continued his career in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) at the Government of Ontario, managing transfer payment agreements and funding applications for innovative supply chain initiatives in healthcare. This experience has led him to his current role as Senior Supplier Relationship Manager at OECM, where he fosters strategic supplier relationships to bring industry expertise, service, and value to its customers.

Jay holds a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) from the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University and an Honours Bachelor of Commerce (BComm) from Seneca College. He also holds professional designations in supply chain: Certified Supply Chain Management Professional (CSCMP) and Certified Supply Chain Leader (CSCL) from the National Institute of Supply Chain Leaders (NISCL). Jay's entrepreneurial mindset and strategic approach are focused on creating value for customers and enhancing service delivery across the province. Throughout his journey, he has developed a keen understanding of the public sector landscape, specializing in supplier management and strategic sourcing. He is dedicated to leveraging industry insights to drive collaboration and innovation, ensuring that the needs of stakeholders are met effectively.

Beyond his professional responsibilities, Jay is an active community member in Durham Region, where he resides with his wife and toddler. He is passionate about supporting local initiatives and believes in the power of collective action to create positive change. Jay is committed to fostering long-term relationships and partnerships in support of impactful initiatives to ensure all stakeholders can thrive. Excited about the opportunities ahead, Jay looks forward to collaborating with partners and community members to amplify IDLF's impact and drive lasting change.

Camille Williams-Taylor is an innovative leader and an accomplished learner who cultivates an environment that embraces creativity, critical thinking and high expectations for learners and staff.

In her role as Director of Education, formerly in Ottawa and now in Durham, she builds a vision for public education that ensures students have the best learning opportunities in a safe and caring environment is Director Williams-Taylor’s priority.  Her goal is to always influence and motivate colleagues, staff, community partners and students to galvanize their voices and realize their potential.

Her leadership capabilities have evolved through time and experience. In the last three decades, she has been a classroom teacher, a principal, a superintendent, a Ministry of Education student achievement officer and a Faculty of Education course director. She is also a wife and the mother of three daughters. She believes learning happens everywhere, in school, in the community, at home and in families.  In every one of her roles, she has learned from students, staff, and community leaders and partners.

As an educational leader she is committed to fostering change, to encouraging young people to leverage their talents and advancing innovative approaches that extend opportunities for all of our learners.