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2026 Acclaimed Directors

In 2026, the Alterna Savings Board of Directors had four positions open and four recommended candidates. As a result, the four recommended candidates, Andy Cragg, Bianca Garofalo, Faren Bogach and Richard Neville were acclaimed and each will serve for another 3 year term.

For more details, see the Report from the Chair of the Nominating Committee here. 

Acclaimed Directors

Andy Cragg

Andy Cragg
Acclaimed Director

Andy Cragg works as the Executive Director of the New Canadians Centre Peterborough, a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to supporting immigrants, refugees and other newcomers to become full and equal members of Canadian society. Andy was a member of the Board of Directors of the Peterborough Community Credit Union before its merger with Alterna Savings in 2016 and was first elected to the Board of Alterna Savings in 2017.

Andy has a Master of Arts degree from Trent University, in Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies, where he wrote his thesis on Canadian immigration policy. Having worked as a musician since the age of 17, Andy is passionate about the arts and has served on Peterborough’s Arts, Culture, and Heritage Committee. In what spare time remains, Andy loves to head to the lakes and woods of Ontario to go camping with his partner and three young children.

These are challenging times for financial organizations with shrinking margins, limited profitability and increasing regulations. Experienced and committed governance leadership is needed now more than ever. I am committed to the flow of new ideas, innovations, new collaborative possibilities and new market opportunities in order to position Alterna Savings for success. I will ensure that the Staff and Directors keep before us what we want Alterna Savings to be in a competitive and turbulent financial sector.

As Chair of Alterna Savings during the merger of our two legacy organizations in 2005, I provided leadership during a challenging and difficult time of integration and transition to our new organization. I demonstrated the confidence and competence to manage the difficult governance issues and keep the large Board focused. My experience in managing mergers and developing new partnerships will be very useful in growing the organization going forward.

I believe that the most crucial factors for Alterna’s future success are strategic alignment and a culture that supports digital innovation including:

  • a focused strategy for increased use of technology to communicate with members and support for on-line financial services
  • a winning overall business strategy to increase the significance of Alterna Bank beyond Ontario
  • strong member awareness of our services, especially wealth management
  • development of new partnerships to enhance existing products and services for members
  • great staff talent for the successful implementation of the strategies.

As a seasoned and responsible Board Member, I will provide leadership in strengthening the role of our community branches, staff training and competencies.

I ask for your support for re-election to the Alterna Savings Board so that I can continue to represent your interests and work on the key initiatives which I have identified.

Bianca Garofalo

Bianca Garofalo
Acclaimed Director

As the owner of three local restaurants, Bianca Garofalo has been involved in the business community in Thunder Bay for over 10 years. Her business philosophy involves extensive partnerships with local purveyors and the tourism sector. These businesses are also responsible for the creation of over 100 jobs. For these efforts, Bianca was awarded “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” at the Influential Women of Northern Ontario Awards in 2013. She also provides mentoring for the Canadian Youth Business Foundation.

Bianca believes strongly in the philosophies of the credit union system and held a Board of Director’s position with Northern Lights Community Credit Union over 2 years ago where she Chaired both the Risk, Audit and Finance Committee & Commercial Credit Committee and has been involved in merger negotiations with Thamesville Community Credit Union & Alterna. Bianca currently resides in Thunder Bay, ON with her husband and two sons.

I have the privilege of serving on the founding board of Alterna Savings following the merger of Metro Credit Union and CS-Coop in 2005, and again since 2012. I’m seeking the opportunity to continue serving on Alterna’s board of directors.

During my time on the board, my focus has been on putting people first while ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of our credit union.

I want to continue working with our board and management to ensure Alterna Savings continues to be a strong, stable and secure credit union over the long-term as we navigate through the economic challenges due to the global pandemic.

As we take on the economic challenges head on, I offer Alterna the following assets:

  • Continuity on the board,
  • Experienced leadership,
  • Passion for credit unions and commitment to co-operative values, and
  • Governance and executive management experience.

Based on the skills and competencies being sought in 2024, I offer the following:

  • Experience serving on the audit and finance committees at Alterna Savings, Alterna Bank, ALS Society of Canada, Pathstone Foundation, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, Home Ownership Alternatives, Sherbourne Health Centre and North York General Hospital.
  • Significance financial institution governance experience based on my current service on the Alterna Savings and Alterna Bank boards.
  • Senior leadership for finance, risk management and IT functions at two large and complex public sector organizations.
  • Exposure to a millennial/Gen Z demographic gained during my work at universities.
  • Completion of the ICD.D designation and other governance courses.

Thank you for your consideration – and your vote.

Faren Bogach
Acclaimed Director

Faren has been a member of Alterna Savings and has been advocating for credit unions since she was 11 years old. Faren is a lawyer and the founder of Construct Legal, a law firm focusing on construction and infrastructure law.  Prior to founding Construct Legal, Faren was a partner at a large law firm in downtown Toronto. 

Faren co-founded and co-developed Pay Prompt, a software that helps user navigate complex legislation without needing to call a lawyer. Faren also has broad board experience, including a six-year tenure on the Alterna Savings board. Faren is currently the vice-chair of two non-for-profit organizations that provide and are developing affordable housing in Toronto.

Faren writes about thought leadership to her almost 5000 followers on LinkedIn. On the weekend, Faren tries to keep up with her three young kids at, among many other things, early morning hockey practice, Among Us and reading the Harry Potter series.

I have the privilege of serving on the founding board of Alterna Savings following the merger of Metro Credit Union and CS-Coop in 2005, and again since 2012. I’m seeking the opportunity to continue serving on Alterna’s board of directors.

During my time on the board, my focus has been on putting people first while ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of our credit union.

I want to continue working with our board and management to ensure Alterna Savings continues to be a strong, stable and secure credit union over the long-term as we navigate through the economic challenges due to the global pandemic.

As we take on the economic challenges head on, I offer Alterna the following assets:

  • Continuity on the board,
  • Experienced leadership,
  • Passion for credit unions and commitment to co-operative values, and
  • Governance and executive management experience.

Based on the skills and competencies being sought in 2024, I offer the following:

  • Experience serving on the audit and finance committees at Alterna Savings, Alterna Bank, ALS Society of Canada, Pathstone Foundation, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, Home Ownership Alternatives, Sherbourne Health Centre and North York General Hospital.
  • Significance financial institution governance experience based on my current service on the Alterna Savings and Alterna Bank boards.
  • Senior leadership for finance, risk management and IT functions at two large and complex public sector organizations.
  • Exposure to a millennial/Gen Z demographic gained during my work at universities.
  • Completion of the ICD.D designation and other governance courses.

Thank you for your consideration – and your vote.

Richard Neville
Acclaimed Director

Richard is a fluently bilingual Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant and Fellow Chartered Accountant in Ontario, Québec and Alberta. He has served as past Chair of the Alterna Savings and Alterna Bank’s Boards of Directors. Richard is currently the Chair, Risk, Audit and Finance Committee for Alterna Savings. Richard joined the Federal Public Service in 1972 and held Senior Executive Positions culminating in being appointed Deputy/Comptroller General for Canada (Chief Financial Officer for the Federal Government).

He was also appointed the Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer for the Royal Canadian Mint. Richard is on several Boards of Directors and has received Order-in-Councils appointments.

He is a Knight in the Order of St-John Ambulance and is the Vice-Chancellor on their Board of Directors.

I have the privilege of serving on the founding board of Alterna Savings following the merger of Metro Credit Union and CS-Coop in 2005, and again since 2012. I’m seeking the opportunity to continue serving on Alterna’s board of directors.

During my time on the board, my focus has been on putting people first while ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of our credit union.

I want to continue working with our board and management to ensure Alterna Savings continues to be a strong, stable and secure credit union over the long-term as we navigate through the economic challenges due to the global pandemic.

As we take on the economic challenges head on, I offer Alterna the following assets:

  • Continuity on the board,
  • Experienced leadership,
  • Passion for credit unions and commitment to co-operative values, and
  • Governance and executive management experience.

Based on the skills and competencies being sought in 2024, I offer the following:

  • Experience serving on the audit and finance committees at Alterna Savings, Alterna Bank, ALS Society of Canada, Pathstone Foundation, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, Home Ownership Alternatives, Sherbourne Health Centre and North York General Hospital.
  • Significance financial institution governance experience based on my current service on the Alterna Savings and Alterna Bank boards.
  • Senior leadership for finance, risk management and IT functions at two large and complex public sector organizations.
  • Exposure to a millennial/Gen Z demographic gained during my work at universities.
  • Completion of the ICD.D designation and other governance courses.

Thank you for your consideration – and your vote.

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