Healthy

To work toward an environment that helps maintain or improve overall health (body, mind, spirit) of all citizens and visitors.

Inspiring

To encourage citizens and visitors to do something, learn more, create more, become motivated and feel good about themselves and the town.

inclusive

To be inclusive and welcoming to all by including diversity and tolerance in all aspects of our governance.

Paul McAllister – PRESIDENT

Paul was born and raised in Amherstburg. He is very passionate and proud of the town's growth. His mother and father have volunteered to help grow and run the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship for over 20 years, and Paul has been involved for that time, now advisor to the board of directors.

Paul is a Past President for Amherstburg Heritage Homecoming and a current Mentor for the Freedom Achievers Mentorship program. With an engineering background, Paul has played a major role in the construction of some of Canada's largest projects including Kearl Oil Sands in Alberta and the Eglinton Crosstown in Toronto. Recently he was appointed to the Amherstburg Audit and Finance Committee for the Town of Amherstburg.

Paul is passionate about helping others grow however he can, especially locals. As an avid Real Estate Investor and Investor Coach, he is also a Mortgage Agent at Lendcity (Dominion Lending Centre) with a home office on Texas Road and another in Windsor. 

Jen Desjardins-Grondin – VICE-PRESIDENT

Jen Desjardins-Grondin is an Amherstburg native, wife and mother with an enthusiastic focus on the well-being of our residents, local business development and tourism. 

A Communications Studies graduate from University of Windsor with over 29 years in management at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Stellantis), Jen brings deep leadership experience in the realms of Manufacturing, Global Supply Chain Operations, Customer Service, and for over a decade now, Brand Development and all disciplines of Marketing. 

Jen is co-founder/co-owner of GL Heritage Brewing Company, Amherstburg’s first full-service brewery. In 2018, she was a recipient of the Ontario Tourism Innovation Lab Award for multiple initiatives to bring attention and traffic to Amherstburg. Since then, she has championed many local fundraisers, collaborations and interactive experiences, including the revival of the Amherstburg Farmers Market and the General Amherst High School 100 Year Community Celebration.

DAvid Beneteau – treasurer

David Beneteau is President of CenterLine (Windsor) Ltd, a manufacturer of
turnkey assembly systems for the global automotive industry.

David’s Amherstburg roots go back many generations and four generations of his family are spread throughout the Town.

While David would prefer to stay out of the public arena, the Amherstburg Community Foundation provides him a unique opportunity to work with community leaders who are passionate and committed to realizing community projects that will make Amherstburg an even better place to live.

courtney sweet - Administrative director

Courtney Sweet was born and raised in Essex County and has lived with her family in Amherstburg since 2019. Through her role on the Board of the Amherstburg Community Foundation, she is eager to support delivery of strategic community investments that enhance the town for her family, friends and neighbours.  

Courtney has been delivering community development initiatives since 2016. In her current role as Manager, Community Benefits with Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, she oversees the delivery of the Community Benefits Plan for the Gordie Howe International Bridge which includes community infrastructure investments that engage the communities closest to the project in Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan.

Steve Mayo - Director

Steve earned an Hons. Bachelor of Commerce/Economics joint degree from the University of Windsor and began his career in Toronto before moving back to Windsor in 1990. Steve has been involved in local charities, in collaboration with RBC Dominion Securities, benefiting the University of Windsor, local grade schools, our hospitals, other locally focused health care initiatives, and the United Way. Steve and his wife Susan have two grown daughters and have been residents of Amherstburg for 8 years. Amherstburg has made for the perfect home given his love of boating, fishing, golf and history.

Laura D’Alessandro - Director

Laura is a wife and mother of four active children. She is the co-owner of the River Town Times. Born and raised in the small town of Arkona, Ontario, she relocated to Amherstburg in 2006. 

When moving to Amherstburg it was imperative to her that she put down roots for her family and establish a strong connection to her new home. Community involvement is at the core of who she is. Laura is a past member and president of the Amherstburg Rotary Club, and chair of the Amherstburg Rotary Ribfest until 2018. She is also a former member of the Park House Museum, and the Anderdon Public School Parent Council. She is the current chair of the Outreach Committee at Harrow United Church, and, in 2022, she joined the board of directors for the Miracle League of Amherstburg. Through her involvement with services organizations and her church she hopes to instil her love and drive of community service into her children.

Erin King - director

Erin King is the VP of Human Resources and Culture with Motor City Community Credit Union. Driven by a passion for continuous learning, she recently completed her MBA degree. Combining extensive management experience with a strategic approach to problem-solving, she is keen to contribute her skills to both her work enviornment and within the community.

Erin is actively involved with the Lasalle River Canard Family of Parishes, as a commentator and as a eucharistic minister, and previously volunteering with the youth ministry and as Chair of the Finance committee. She has been happily married to her husband of 16 years, who is a 3rd generation Amherstburg resident. Together they are loving life in Amherstburg. She enjoys golf, pickleball, and using her Cricut to be creative. With her daughter as her coaster partner, Erin is a kid at heart when visiting an amusement park - the fast-pass is a necessity to experience every ride several times! 

Patricia Simone - director