SERVING THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

(HE / HIM)

Director

Andrew is one of the most encouraging and nurturing bar flies you’d ever have the good fortune to have visit your bar. A medical doctor and psychotherapist by day, Andrew can be found hosting Toplack Tuesdays by night; a series professional talks that give bartenders a platform to teach each other. He is also able to boast to being the first to import the then niche — now global — brands El Tesoro Tequila and Del Maguey Mezcal into Canada. His passion for sharing incredible new spirits with bartenders, and his impulse to engage with and develop the hospitality community is what led him here: as the co-founder of the Bartenders Benevolent Fund alongside Jonathan Humphrey back in 2013.

(SHE / HER)

Director

Beth is currently the Senior Plant Accountant for Sasco Strut, a manufacturing facility in North York. Sasco is a division of Atkore International, a global manufacturer with facilities located around the world.

Prior to joining Atkore, Beth worked as a Payroll Accountant for DGC Ontario, on several tv and film productions. She has had several positions of increasing responsibility, most recently overseeing the accounting department as the Director of Finance for The Butler Did It, Inc.

Beth hold an Honors Diploma in Business Accounting from George Brown College and received her Chartered Professional Accountant designation in August 2022.

Outside of work, she enjoy living in downtown Toronto, exploring the vibrant hospitality scene, and experiencing the amazing arts and culture in our city. She was a hospitality worker for many years, and she is passionate about giving back to this community.

(HE/HIM)

Director

For more than two decades, Donnie has worked in some great and fun cocktail bars and restaurants across Canada and been an boozy educator and national brand ambassador in previous roles. You’ll find that he is a continual student with certifications in Wine and Spirits anxious from WSET & Bar 5 Day. For over a decade now, Donnie has been hosting an industry holiday celebration for restaurant industry workers that can’t get a holiday meal or be home for the holidays. These days you’ll find him working as a spirits specialist for Dandurand Wine & Spirits.

(He/Him)

Chair, Director

With close to three decades of hospitality industry under his belt, Hugo has run everything from 5 star hotels to nightclubs and large international events. Hugo believes that hospitality is about empathy, compassion and inclusion, as there is no one that doesn’t like to be heard and understood. Hugo likes being able to listen to others, be it guests or industry colleagues. His belief is that everything in life is about perspective and solutions, and there definitely is strength in numbers.

Volunteer

Born and raised in Mexico, Marcela joined the Hospitality Industry as soon as she moved to Canada. Marcela has worked both in BOH and FOH, currently working as a manager at a downtown cocktail bar. Marcela has always been passionate about different social causes and believes hospitality is all about connecting with people and curating experiences.

(HE / HIM)

Executive Director

Mat joined us after having worked with several notable not-for-profits focusing on workforce development programs, such as Dixon Hall Neighbourhood Services, The Career Foundation, and most recently at Rise, a national organization that empowers Canadians with mental health and addiction challenges to achieve greater economic and social inclusion. Mat’s experience in the not-for-profit world and managing programs supporting racialized youth, newcomers to Canada, Aboriginal, homeless, LGBTTIQQ2SA+; as well as his compassion and enthusiasm has made him an excellent addition to our team at the BBF.