hayden jones
chairperson

Hayden Jones was born in Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He spent some years in England before moving to Canada in 1979 and has resided in the GTA since 1980. Hayden has been married to his wife Claudette for over 27 years and has 4 children and one grandchild. 

Hayden obtained an MBA from Northeastern University in Boston Massachusetts , specializing in Marketing and International Business. He has dedicated his career to the public sector in the Federal Government (HRSDC), with higher-level Educational Institutions and in Financial Services and has worked in the Higher education environment for the last decade.

Hayden has been involved in charitable work for well over 20 years: Diversity and Inclusion, group leader for men’s group who were traumatized as children, Chairperson of CARI-ON (disaster preparedness organization for St. Vincent and the Grenadines) and he is the former President of the Union Island Cultural Association of Greater Toronto. 

BEVERLY ADAMS, RN, bsCN, lnc
Vice Chair

Beverly Adams is from Union Island, St. Vincent’s gem in The Grenadines. Beverly currently resides in Canada.

She is a change agent seeking to create a positive, productive, just, and sustainable future for our Vincentian community by promoting and developing health, education, and social well-being.

Nikola Andrea Jones ( aka Andrea)
treasurer

Andrea Jones grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was raised as a Unionite (from Union Island, SVG) by her parents, Jason and Omega Jones. After high school she ventured from Manitoba into Ontario, in 1993. 

 Andrea has been a Certified Medical Office Assistant with over 14 years of experience at Scarborough Health Network and a Certified Medical Laboratory Technician, at Lakeridge Health. Since 2014, Andrea has worked at Lakeridge Health - Oshawa Hospital, where her role sees her performing Phlebotomy and EKG’S. Studying at Centennial College, Andrea gained Medical Technologist and Laboratory Certifications (OSMT and CSMLS) with an average “A” grade, demonstrating her commitment and determination to learn and succeed.

 Having many years of experience as a Medical Secretary, Lab Technician and Accounts Receivable Clerk in the Health Care and Business Environment, has provided Andrea with success in delivering services, trusted confidentiality, first rate communication and dependability, to both Hospital staff and clients of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. In fact, with all this work experience, training and development, it provides her with exceptionally strong service skills, both in a team and individual environment. 

 Andrea’s free time has been spent volunteering as a Co-manager for her daughter’s Rep Basketball team, which held the 2017/18 Ontario Basketball Association National Gold. She is also a proud and dedicated founding Member of CARI-ON SVG Disaster Preparedness, currently holding the role of Treasurer. 

Andrea De Silva
Communications director

Andrea De Silva is a Finance, HR and Business Management professional spanning 20 years’ experience in Corporate Canada. Born in Mississauga to Caribbean parents, she enjoyed the best of both worlds by living at times in Canada and the Caribbean.

Described as loyal, passionate, adventurous and a no-nonsense, straight-shooter; Andrea is a champion for change and challenging the status quo. She believes to truly make a difference, one must become the change they would like to see. She stands firm on “all change begins with self”, which is the motto for The SELFIE Foundation - a registered charity founded by Ms. De Silva – whose mission is aimed at empowering and educating women in transitional situations. Andrea’s advocacy for women’s rights and equality is a passion close to her heart.

In addition to The SELFIE Foundation, Andrea currently serves on The Downtown Oshawa Municipal Board of Management and a Provincial Advisory Committee. She’s involved in many community and church projects and initiatives, facilitating seniors’ programs and Kids Help Phone - to name a few.

Gideon Lamont Exeter

Originally from Layou, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Gideon migrated to Canada from SVG in 1982. Upon his arrival in Canada, Gideon continued studying and at the same time became an entrepreneur while continuing his involvement with multiple community organizations.

He joined the St. Vincent and Grenadines Association of Toronto in 1984 and has served in several positions including that of president, to which he was elected on five occasions. He was instrumental in the founding of the Council of Caribbean Associations – Canada (CCAC) and is currently its president. He was also instrumental in the formation of disaster preparedness initiatives for SVG and several other Caribbean communities and is a proud member of CARI-ON SVG Disaster Preparedness. 

Currently, Gideon is employed in the death care industry by Arbor Memorial as a Licensed Cemetery Director & Funeral Pre-Planner. He resides in Pickering with his wife Nichole and has three adult children.