2023-2024
Board of Directors
The Foundation is operated by a volunteer board of directors.
This allows us to give back to the community and help people in a meaningful way. We are committed to creating a better future for our community and continuing to make Headingley a great place to live.
from left to right: Jim Robson, Steve Sykes, Kai Lee, Paul Franzmann, Jill Ruth, Janine Girard, Georgia Taillieu,
Tom Roche, Kelly Moon, John Davidson
Georgia Taillieu - President
Georgia married into a long-time Headingley family with roots in the community going back to 1934. She and her husband, Roger, built a home and moved here in 1990 where she became an active volunteer over the years. First, with Phoenix Recreation Association as a board member and a baseball coach. Later, as a member of the Headingley Historical Society where Georgia co-authored a local history book: Headingley: Pioneers, Past and Present. She was involved in the construction of Jim’s Vintage Garages and on the museum board. Georgia has been on the board of the Headingley Community Foundation since its beginnings, and became its first President.
Jill Ruth - Vice President
Jill moved to Headingley in 1963 and spent the next 38 years immersed in the community, eventually raising her two boys who both attended Phoenix School and played hockey and baseball under Phoenix Recreation. She has served on several volunteer boards including: Headingley Youth Club, Phoenix Parent Council, Phoenix Recreation Association, Headingley Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Mid-Canada Marine and Powersports Association. She also was co-owner of a local family business, Headingley Sport Shop, until her retirement in 2018. Jill credits her parents, John and Gail Killbery, who served on the founding Phoenix Community Club executive, as inspiration for serving her community. Jill has been a board member on the Headingley Community Foundation since its inception.
Paul Franzmann - Treasurer
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Paul moved to Headingley in 2004 along with his wife Yolande and children Sydney and Cameron. They would agree that there is a great sense of community here in Headingley and that it has been a great place to raise a family. Paul has many years of volunteer Board experience as a Treasurer, including six years with St. Mary’s Academy and several years with a large Charleswood daycare. Paul is currently the Executive Vice President of Corporate Development at Pollard Banknote Limited.
Kai Lee
Kai initially moved to Headingley in 2006, recently returning to the community with his wife Rachel in April 2022. Kai began his involvement with the HCF as a member of our Granting Committee prior to officially serving as a Board member. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Commerce and later earned his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Kai works at an investment management firm and brings a wealth of financial knowledge to the HCF board. Outside of work and volunteer hours you’ll find Kai and his wife walking throughout the community or enjoying the sun on a golf course. Kai is a proud member of Peguis First Nation.
Janine Girard - Secretary
Janine is a lifelong resident of Headingley where she and her husband Ben raised their three children and were involved in sports in the community. Janine was born a Keough, an early nineteen hundred historical Headingley family. To say her roots run deep in Headingley is an understatement. She has served on numerous volunteer committees throughout her residency in Headingley and during her lengthy teaching career with the St. James-Assiniboia School Division.
Tom Roche
Tom Roche has been a Headingley resident since 2002 when he relocated with his wife Velvet and their three sons to our community. Tom served as a member of the Phoenix Recreation Association Board for eight years and the Canadian Institute of Management Winnipeg Chapter for four years. He joined the Headingley Foundation Board of Directors in 2017, and was successful in his bid to become a Councillor for the RM of Headingly in 2018. Tom’s background includes 20 years of executive leadership with StandardAero in Winnipeg and Sydney, Australia and more recently as the Senior Director of the Royal Canadian Mint until his retirement in 2022.
John Davidson
​A recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, John Davidson has been immersed in Canadian Aviation for 50+ years and a continuous board member of the Western Canada Aviation Museum (now the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada) since 1974. He served as President when HRH Queen Elizabeth opened their new facility in 1984. He is also the Membership Chair for the Royal Military Institute of Manitoba and is a Board Member and Past Treasurer of Headingley Heritage Centre, Jim’s Vintage Garages Inc., here in Headingley. Raised in a First Nations community, he graduated from the University of Manitoba with a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and spent his professional career managing the development of military and civil airports, and air navigation projects across Canada. These included arctic airports as far north as Eureka, accumulating first-hand knowledge of Cold War operations across the north, as well as the growth of arctic airlines and off-strip operations. He and Elaine were married in 1991, have 2 adult kids and 1 grandchild; they moved to Headingley in 1993.
Kelly Moon
Kelly, along with her husband Steven and 3 children (Alyssa, Dylan and Katie) have lived in Headingley since 2005. Kelly was an active volunteer with Phoenix School where all 3 of her children attended and was also very involved with the Phoenix Hockey Association managing numerous hockey teams over the years. She worked for many years as an Occupational Therapist at Grace Hospital before switching careers to help with the family business. Kelly and Steven own King’s Services which is located in Headingley. Kelly is the Safety Coordinator at King’s and ensures the company maintains their COR Certification. It is a fantastic experience to live and work in such an amazing community and it is an honor to serve on the Board of the Headingley Community Foundation.
Steven Sykes
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Steve, his wife Lisa, and his three (now adult) children have been Headingley residents since 2005. Despite his demanding career in the air traffic industry and Lisa’s elementary school teaching career, their family has been active participants in community volunteerism. Steve served for several years on the Phoenix Recreation’s Board as well as Hockey Convener for four years and VP for one year. He joined the Headingley Community Foundation in 2018, serving on the Granting Committee and the Annual 50/50 Fundraiser Committee, and is always willing to pitch in when needed.