There are some new faces at the helm of the Brock University Alumni Association (BUAA).

New executive members Erin Mathany (BSM ’05), Greg Plata (BSM ’08) and Jim Dainard (BAcc ’02) were welcomed as President, Vice-President and Member at Large, respectively, at a meeting June 11.

The three newcomers, who are well known around Brock, will join existing executive members Matt Swindley (BAcc ’08) and James O’Brian (BA ’07) who return as Treasurer and Senate Representative, respectively. New board members include Lauren Swindley (BA ’07), Ryan Treanor (BA ’04) and Chris Ventura (BA ’12, MEd ’17).

“We are inspired by this dedicated and enthusiastic group of individuals who wish to help move alumni relations forward at Brock,” said Shelley Huxley, Director of Alumni Relations. “Our previous alumni board worked hard to put together a solid framework that allows our new board members to focus on implementing new initiatives.”

As an autonomous organization governed by a volunteer board of directors, the BUAA represents the interests of all Brock alumni and acts as an advocate on their behalf, creating opportunities for alumni to stay engaged with the University and recognizing collective success.

The association’s new president is a familiar face around campus, as Mathany was most recently on site during Spring Convocation in early June to address Brock’s newest alumni.

She also serves as Council Vice-President, Marketing and Partnerships for the 2021 Canada Summer Games.

“My Brock experience through SPMA encouraged me to be an engaged alumna and has motivated me to give back through the BUAA by contributing to the wider student community,” she said. “The BUAA is focused on establishing a platform that will help us support individuals through the crucial transition period from student to alumnus and how the value of Brock degrees contributes to future career success.”

As new Vice-President, Plata is best known around campus for his continued student support and participation in the prestigious Terry O’Malley Lecture in Marketing and Advertising. He brings a decade of experiential marketing, digital content creation and advertising to the table and has big plans for building the BUAA’s voice and new identity.

“Our plan includes redefining the relationship between students, the community and the University to help shed stereotypes about what it means to be an alumnus and an alumni association,” said Plata, who heads Strategy and Brand Development for Toronto-agency Naked Creative Consultancy. “All of our new initiatives involve integrating the BUAA throughout University departments to ensure all student and alumni voices are heard.”

As the BUAA considers the lifecycle of a student’s transition to alumni, they will focus on the following strategic pillars:

• Establishing the association’s identity
• Fostering student, alumni and community relationships
• Facilitating student, alumni and community engagement

Last month, the association held its annual general meeting and thanked departing board members Keely Martin (BEd ’06, BSc ‘06), John Zoccoli (Badmin ’86), Michele Zoccoli (BA ’89, BEd ‘91), Chris Phillips (BBA ’94) and Crispin Bottomley (BA ’04, BEd ’05) for their service.

Bottomley was also honoured with the 2018 David S. Betzner Award, which recognizes alumni who have demonstrated loyalty and commitment to their alma mater by supporting Brock University and the Alumni Association through continuous dedicated volunteer service.

To learn more about the BUAA, visit brocku.ca/alumni