Board of Directors

Tom Siess, Board Chair
Tom Siess was a professor of psychology and then Director of Student Services at Western until his retirement. He was a member of London’s City Council and served on the boards of both Fanshawe College and the Grand Theatre. He was also chair of the Home County Folk Festival for 10 years, and President of the Country Dance and Song Society, for 6 years. Seiss is a singer and a dancer and has written and produced an annual Christmas show for over 25 years.

Bob Heacock, Treasurer
Bob Heacock has a strong financial background: he has been a financial analyst for the Thames Valley District School Board from 2005 to present. He has previously served an Accountant for Youth Opportunities from 1992-2005, and also worked at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 1992. He is a former Director of the Board and current committee member of Sunfest, which he has been involved with since 1997. On top of this financial experience, Heacock also brings a love of music to the Aeolian and is on the Aeolian Music Committee.

Daina Janitis, Secretary
Throughout the years, Daina Janitis, has developed a reputation as one of the strongest pillars in London’s Art Community. She has served on the London Youth Symphony Board and is a founding member of The Aeolian Hall Musical Arts Association. Besides her expertise in the non-profit world, Janitis is a retired English Teacher from Central Secondary School and adds her wonderful command of language to her skills in marketing, promotion and fundraising to the Aeolian Team.

David Gillies, Member
David Gillies is a successful business owner and entrepreneur. He operated an antique business in the Four Seasons Sheraton for many years as well as being the owner and manager of various properties. Gillies is a philanthropist who brings a sound business sense to the Aeolian.

Jason Gilliland, Member
Dr. Jason Gilliland is Director of the Urban Development Program, Associate Professor of Geography, and Associate Professor of Health Sciences at the University of Western Ontario.  He is also a Scientist with both the Children's Health Research Institute and the Lawson Health Research Institute based in London, Ontario.  He is a popular speaker and consultant for non-profit organizations, and governmental departments of planning, transportation, housing, children’s services, food & agriculture, and public health, as well as an active volunteer, currently serving on nearly two dozen boards and committees of non-profit organizations across Canada.  In 2010, he was awarded an “Angel Award” by the Old East Village BIA in London, Ontario for his ongoing volunteer efforts in the revitalization of that community.  He holds a BA from McMaster University, as well as a Master of Arts, Master of Architecture, and Doctorate in Geography from McGill University.  Dr .Gilliland is known internationally for his research on urban development and public health issues, and in 2009, he was recognized with an award from the Canadian Association of Geographers for Outstanding Scholarly Achievement for his overall contribution to children in the city.

Jeff Eames
Jeff has alternated from being a professional contracting engineer to an active humanitarian aid worker for many years. He served 9 years in the British military mostly on active service in Africa, Yemen, the Arabian Gulf and Borneo. Following this he has traveled and worked in a number of countries beginning with a 3 year stint in East Africa running food for work projects. Additionally as one of the few people with any security background, he was able to advise the “in country” teams on security issues and anti personnel mines. It was at this time he met his Canadian wife who has now brought him back “home” to Ontario. Jeff is an experienced and accredited trainer and for 3 years set up and led the RedR Canada Training Team; he is also an independent consultant to Humanitarian Agencies. He now heads up TARA International, a not for profit association of NGO consultants and trainers and is president of SW Ontario council of the Canadian Red Cross. Jeff is trained in child psychology and is a youth counselor.

Maggie Harsanyi, Member
Currently employed as an RN, Maggie Harsanyi is heavily linked into the medical community in London. She and her husband Michael Currin, a professor at the Schulich School of Medicine (UWO) have a love of the arts and are actively engaged in the arts community of London. Harsanyi brings a wealth of connections. Her work in fundraising for organizations like Orchestra London greatly assists the mission and vision of the Aeolian.

Sandra Neubauer, Member
Sandra is a community-minded person and has a particular interest in the 'east-end' community as she has lived in this area her entire life. She also believes that the inclusion of music/art can bring people together and improve lives. With a degree from Western (UWO) in administrative studies and a degree from St. Francis Xavier (St. F.X.) University in Nova Scotia (M.Ed.) Neubauer brings a wealth of knowledge to the board. She is presently a full-time Professor at Fanshawe College in the School of Information Technology. Neubauer has been a member of the Board of the East London Community Centre (ELCC), Vice-Chair of the ELCC, and was the Chair of the Board for several years.