Grove Roots

Welcome to Grove Roots

We are thrilled to introduce you to the Grove Roots Mentorship Program! This exciting initiative gives alumni the ability to be connected to the enormous talent, skills and experiences our Grove community has to offer. Whether alumni are looking for career advice or support through various life stages, Grove Roots promises to provide opportunities for guidance, learning and growth by matching alumni of all ages with other grads, parents or friends of the school who are eager to give back and share their unique perspectives and expertise.

We are excited about the potential of this program and encourage you to spread the word, to register as a mentee or mentor (or both!) and to help us develop a truly world-class mentoring program that embodies the values that make LCS so special to all of us.

For more information about Grove Roots, please contact the program's chair, Bianca Bell '06.

Sincerely,

Bianca Bell '06
Chair, Grove Roots Mentoring Program Committee

Questions?

For more information about Grove Roots, please contact the program's chair, Bianca Bell '06.

Helpful Resources

Vision and Mission

Vision
A world renowned, alumni-driven, global network that inspires, develops and empowers alumni to realize their goals.

Mission
The Grove Roots Mentoring Program seeks to engage alumni of all ages to create a support network of relationships that has the ability to provide advice and guidance that is appropriate at various stages throughout our lives.

Mentor Profiles

List of 5 members.

Hilary Windrem 07

Director, Brand Marketing

Bio
Hilary Windrem graduated from Lakefield College School in 2007, completing an undergraduate degree in Psychology at Queen’s University in 2011. During her time at Queen’s, Hilary was a member of the varsity rowing team and worked as a commissioner for the student government. Today, Hilary works as a Marketing and Communications Specialist at Travelers Canada and is involved in local political campaigns. Somewhat of a leadership development enthusiast, she is also the founder of a book club and discussion group aimed at young, high achieving female professionals.

As co-chair for Grove Roots, Hilary is looking forward to building a mentorship program that is diverse and global - helping mentors and mentees around the world connect thanks to their shared experience at LCS. Hilary is interested in being a mentor because of the profound impact those in her life have had on her career thus far. Be it a chance meeting or a long-term relationship, she is looking forward to seeing LCS graduates succeed thanks to the support of their peers.
Jenni Macko 03

Associate Lawyer

416-895-8631

Bio
Jennifer graduated from Lakefield College School in 2003. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in political science at Carleton University, and while studying at Carleton, worked as a special assistant to a federal Member of Parliament. In 2010, she graduated from Queen's University with a Juris Doctor (JD), and was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2011. Jennifer is presently an associate lawyer at a leading civil litigation firm in downtown Toronto. Her practice focuses on insurance litigation, and she also has a background in labour, employment, and pensions law. When not practicing law, Jennifer is involved in her community, serving on the board of directors of the St. Leonard's Society of Toronto, and volunteering with the Yonge Street Mission and the Law Society Foundation's "Lawyers Feed the Hungry" program. She is grateful for the wonderful mentors that she has had in her life, whose influence inspired her to become part of the Grove Roots Mentorship program.
Andrew Parke 03

416-359-8496

Bio
Andrew Parke is a graduate of the Bachelor of Commerce program from Dalhousie University graduating in 2008. He currently works at BMO Capital Markets specializing in Foreign Exchange sales and trading and has been doing so for the last four years. Prior to joining BMO, Andrew worked for Timbercreek Asset Management, a Private Equity firm focusing in Real Estate, multi-family development. Andrew completed his CFA designation in 2012. Andrew is interested in being a mentor because he benefitted from the expertise of LCS alumni during his career development for advice and feedback and without it he feels he wouldn’t be where he is today. Andrew wants to give back to LCS what it gave him and he is an avid believer of mentorship.
Nicole Bendaly 93

President

416-519-5199

Bio
Nicole graduated from Lakefield College School in 1993, moving to Halifax after graduation to complete her Bachelor of Commerce at Dalhousie University. Today, Nicole is a successful author and President of Kinect - a consulting firm that helps organizations around the world to bring out the best of their people

Nicole is passionate about education and early childhood development and sits on the boards of LCS and the Hanen Center, a not-for profit that supports parents and speech pathologists in developing language and literacy skills in preschool children. As co-chair of the Grove Roots Mentoring Program, Nicole is thrilled to be working with a team of alumni to create a successful program for the school. She has seen firsthand the positive impact mentorship can have on individuals in all stages of their careers, and is looking forward to sharing her expertise with LCS graduates.
Paul Michaels 83

Digital Creative

781-367-4869

Bio
Paul Michaels graduated from Lakefield College School in 1983. He studied Photographic Arts at Ryerson Polytechnic Institute and while in Toronto shot national editorials, covers and campaigns for magazines such as Flare, Chatelaine and Toronto Life.

For the next decade, Paul travelled the world shooting fashion, beauty, portrait, travel and product photography. Utilizing his visual communications skills, Paul explored the film business and digital interactive multimedia - eventually landing a Senior Producer position at Hasbro Interactive. There, he managed teams that worked on the Tonka line of software for children. Paul is currently developing the lifehackr.me brand as digital age self-help and a motivational platform that blends technology and technique to improve people's lives.

Paul joined the Grove Roots program because of the impact the school had on his life. He says, “No matter what I do or where I am, my nine years spent at The Grove are a big part of who I am and inform the way I see the world.” He sees the program as a way to give back to our LCS community, and is excited to do so.