MLSE Team Up Foundation appoints four new board members

TORONTO, March 7, 2013 /CNW/ - The MLSE Team Up Foundation announced Monday it has appointed four new members to its Board of Directors from the government, real estate, finance and communications industries. Lynda Bowles, recently retired FCA from Deloitte & Touche LLP, Freda Colbourne, a strategic communications consultant with Colbourne Consulting, Chris Morley, a senior leader in Corporate Affairs for Labatt Breweries, and Walter Schneider, President and Co-Founder of RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada, join the now 10-person Foundation Board of Directors.

Bowles, Colbourne, Morley and Schneider bring many years of experience, a wealth of knowledge and relationships from their respective fields to the MLSE Team Up Foundation, which will further support the Foundation's strategic vision of improving the lives of youth by building facilities, giving to sustainable programs and empowering youth through sports and recreation. They will also support the goal of growing the Foundation's individual donors and donations.

"We're excited to welcome Lynda, Freda, Chris and Walter to our Board of Directors," said Michael Bartlett, executive director, MLSE Team Up Foundation. "The depth of their collective expertise, combined with that of our current board members, gives us a tremendous advantage in the sports charity field and in our ability to grow to make an even larger impact in our community."

Bowles, a recently retired Deloitte audit partner in the Public Sector group, is the co-author of the Deloitte publications "The Effective Not for Profit Board" and "Terms of Reference for a Not for Profit Audit Committee." Bowles was a 2010 Women of Influence award winner and has served on many non-profit boards.

Colbourne is a strategic communications consultant. In 2009, she established Colbourne Consulting and consults for some of Canada's leading philanthropists and Imagine Canada Caring Companies. She is a graduate of the Board Governance program at the Rotman School of Business.

Morley, now a senior leader with Labatt Breweries, enjoyed a lengthy career at Queen's Park moving from legislative intern to the Chief of Staff to former Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. He is recognized for making Ontario a more attractive place for business through many initiatives such as creating stability in Ontario's electricity supply, the introduction of the HST, reduction of corporate taxes and public-private partnerships in infrastructure.

Schneider is the President of Integra Enterprises Corporation—the largest regional franchisor of RE/MAX, LLC, representing 30 per cent of RE/MAX' global presence (with more than 27,000 professional realtors operating out of 2,300 offices in 35 countries).  A renowned industry trailblazer, Schneider co-founded RE/MAX Ontario Atlantic Canada and was previously named one of Canada's Top CEOs by Financial Post Magazine.  In recognition of his charitable efforts, he was formally honoured in June, 2012 and decorated with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

For more information, visit www.mlseteamupfoundation.org

About MLSE Team Up Foundation

The MLSE Team Up Foundation believes all kids should have access to sport and the opportunity to develop lasting dreams on the playing field. With the support of all four MLSE teams - the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC and Toronto Marlies - the Foundation funds the refurbishment of local athletic facilities and programs that support kids through sports and recreation. Since launching in December 2009, the MLSE Team Up Foundation has invested more than $6.5 million into our community.  For information visit mlseteamupfoundation.org or follow @TeamUpFdn.

SOURCE: Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd.

Media Contact:

Jamie Deans, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, [phone]