Staff

We are a team of skilled professionals. Learn how we can help your business, non-profit or social enterprise.

Business Development and Retention

Brenda Camirand, PMP, EcD, 

Director of Business Development and Retention

Brenda leads the TEDC’s business Development and Retention team, and oversees The Business Enterprise Centre, a service that provides free business consulting, support and mentorship in the Timmins area and region. With over 15 years of experience, Brenda draws on her knowledge of project management and business development to implement economic development projects and strategies that work to successfully develop and diversify the local economy while focusing on job creation. She works directly with clients to scale up, expand or invest in Timmins. Her portfolio includes expanding regional export capacity, and promoting trade and investment.

Brenda is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), a certified Economic Development professional (Ec.D.), and holds a diploma in Economic Development from the University of Waterloo, and a diploma in Business Administration from Cambrian College.

Tel: 705-360-2600 x7080
Toll Free: 1-877-470-TEDC (8332)
Email: brenda.camirand@timmins.ca

Jeremy Elomaa, BBA (Hon), EcD

Business Development Specialist

Jeremy helps entrepreneurs and businesses start, scale and grow their operations.  Jeremy develops and manages various TEDC projects, including mining exploration and data centres.  Jeremy also supports the operations of the Business Enterprise Center by assisting clients through one-on-one consultations and providing free business services. Jeremy is well-connected with the business community in Timmins and has proven experience in helping entrepreneurs with market and industry research, grant application writing, business planning and financial projection development. 

Jeremy holds an Honours Bachelors of Business Administration – Economics Stream from Nipissing University and is a certified Economic Development Professional (EcD) with the Economic Developers Association of Canada.

Tel: 705-360-2600 x7085
Toll Free: 1-877-470-TEDC (8832)
E-mail: Jeremy.elomaa@timmins.ca

Louise Straatman

Business Development Specialist

Louise helps companies grow their operations by helping them identify funding opportunities, navigate grant applications and identify export markets. She develops and manages projects that positively impact the economic development of Timmins by fostering new business and talent attraction.

Louise is well connected with the business community and stakeholders in the area. Prior to joining the TEDC, Louise had a long standing career with the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines as a Northern Development Advisor, and later as an Area Team Manager.

Louise holds a Business Administration 3yr Diploma, HR Designation, is a Graduate of the Ontario Public Service Leadership Program and has completed a number of courses with the Forum for International Trade Training from Concordia University.

Tel: 705-360-2600 x7075
Toll Free: 1-877-470-TEDC (8832)
E-mail: louise.straatman@timmins.ca

Mike Scott, BA

Business Development Consultant

Mike supports entrepreneurs and SMEs throughout the region through one-on-one consultation services, workshops and business start-up programs. He facilitates entrepreneurship programs such as Starter Company Plus and Summer Company. Mike is very well connected with our local economic development and sustainability networks and continues to foster the Business Enterprise Centre’s strategic partnerships. Prior to joining the TEDC, Mike was the Coordinator for the Timmins Local Immigration Partnership, a Business Development Agent with Allstate Insurance, and a Branch Manager with Enterprise Rent-a-Car.

Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Queen’s University and is currently working on his certification as an Economic Development Professional (EcD) through the Economic Developers Association of Canada.

Tel: 705-360-2600 x7084
Toll Free: 1-877-470-TEDC (8832)
E-mail: mike.scott@timmins.ca

Community Development

Noella Rinaldo

Director of Community Economic Development

Noella Rinaldo leads the TEDC’s Community Economic Development team, and the Research, and Marketing and Communications departments. She was an entrepreneur for 25 years, a councillor for the City of Timmins for 10 years and the Executive Director for the Downtown Timmins Business Improvement Area (BIA) for 10 years. These experiences have fostered vital relationships and helped her spur community development in her various roles.

She is the past chair of the Mattagami Regional Conservation Area, and the Timmins Public Library. She was a long term board member of the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board, the Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre, and Timmins Not-for-Profit Housing. Her past position as a board member of the Ontario Farmers Markets Board lends a unique perspective to agri-food development in the north. She has served on numerous community committees, and was a team member in the 2018 Local Economic Development project in Bolivia with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Noella was the recipient of the 2018 Community Trailblazer award from the Northern Ontario Influential Woman Business Awards, and in 2002, the Lewis P. Currie Award for excellence in business from the BIA.

She is currently working on her certification as an Economic Development Professional (EcD) through the Economic Developers Association of Canada.

Tel: 705-360-2600 x7081
Toll Free: 1-877-470-TEDC (8332)
Email: noella.rinaldo@timmins.ca

Madison Mizzau, BSc

Community Development Consultant

Madison works with clients and community partners on projects that improve the quality of life in Timmins and surrounding regions. She helps develop community-wide projects within the agri-food sector, supports the implementation of age-friendly initiatives, and facilitates the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot project. Prior to joining the TEDC, Madison was the Executive Director/Regional Coordinator at the Cochrane District Social Planning Council and the Project Manager for the Timmins-Misiway Healthy Kids Community Challenge. She sits on the Board of Directors with South Cochrane Addictions Services and the Timmins Learning Centre, and is the Treasurer of the Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins.

Madison holds an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree and is currently working on her certification as an Economic Development Professional (EcD) with the Economic Developers Association of Canada.

Tel: 705-360-2600 x7099
Toll Free: 1-877-470-TEDC (8832)
E-mail: madison.mizzau@timmins.ca

James Parisi, BA, EcD

Research Coordinator

James supports clients and TEDC staff by providing research and data for economic and community development projects. He also manages the TEDC’s customer relationship management software and helps administer project funding agreements and claims. He is typically the first point of contact for clients visiting the office, providing information and referrals to the most appropriate services and advisors. Prior to joining the TEDC, James worked at several firms, including Kroll, PHD Canada, and the City of Toronto.

James holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Philosophy and is a certified Economic Development Professional (EcD) with the Economic Developers Association of Canada.

Tel: 705-360-2600 x7079
Toll Free: 1-877-470-TEDC (8332)
Email: james.parisi@timmins.ca

Gulab Singh

Immigration Support Officer

Gulab facilitates the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot project, which allows qualifying applicants to immigrate to Timmins. He also works on newcomer and immigration attraction projects. Gulab holds a Bachelor of Arts from Desh Bhagat College Bardwal, Punjab. He also has Business Fundamentals and Business General certificates from Northern College. Gulab has previous business management experience. 

Gulab is currently working on his certification as an Economic Development Professional (EcD) through the Economic Developers Association of Canada.

Tel: 705-360-2600 x7087
Toll Free: 1-877-470-TEDC (8332)
Email: gulab.singh@timmins.ca

Link North

Ross MacDonald, BA (Hon), EcD

Business Development Specialist

Ross helps entrepreneurs and businesses start, scale and grow their operations. Ross develops and manages various TEDC projects, including Mining Supply and Services and the Industrial Technology Benefits program for defence procurement. Ross also oversees the development and delivery of programming and services for Link North, one of 18 Regional Innovation Centres across the Province of Ontario. Ross is well-connected with innovation ecosystem partners and has proven experience helping entrepreneurs with applied research, commercialization, and business expansion.

Ross holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Business Accounting diploma. He is a certified Economic Development Professional (EcD) with the Economic Developers Association of Canada.

Tel: 705-360-2600 x7092
Toll Free: 1-877-470-TEDC (8332)
Email: ross.macdonald@timmins.ca

Alain Paquette
Business Advisor

Al works with Link North clients to develop, commercialize, scale, modernize or grow their product or technology. Al supports his clients with their goals and vision through various stages of the business cycle. Al is bilingual and supports clients in both official languages to access Boost funding and connect with our bank of consultants.

Al has been working with the local business community for over 10 years with work experience in the commercial insurance industry as well as small business and commercial banking. He has a Diploma in Commerce from Collège Boréal.

Tel: 705-360-2600 x7074
Toll Free: 1-877-470-TEDC (8332)
Email: alain.paquette@linknorth-nord.ca

Marketing and Communications

Kelsey Luxton, BFA, MA, EcD

Marketing and Communications Specialist

Kelsey oversees and executes marketing and communications projects that promote the services of the TEDC, the Business Enterprise Centre and Link North. She works with media and community partners to share project updates and develops strategic marketing campaigns to attract clients, investors and newcomers to Timmins. Prior to joining the TEDC, she was a Visual Arts Coordinator for Nuit Blanche, and Luminato Festival in Toronto and a Communications Specialist at the Timmins Chamber of Commerce.

Kelsey holds a Masters degree in Art History and Curatorial Studies, and is a certified Economic Development Professional (EcD) with the Economic Developers Association of Canada. 

Tel: 705-360-2600 x7083
Toll Free: 1-877-470-TEDC (8332)
Email: kelsey.luxton@timmins.ca