Our Team

Patti joined the HCDC in 1997 as Secretary Receptionist, over the past 25 years she has accelerated her skills, held the positions of Operations Manager to Assistant Director, and in April 2018 became the Executive Director.  She works with a team of knowledgeable Staff and a diverse Board of Directors to oversee the Investment Portfolio and implement the objectives and strategic priorities of the Corporation. Patti networks with numerous businesses and community organizations, providing support for Community Economic Development.  She currently sits on the Board of Directors of Point In Time Center and the Community Futures Eastern Ontario Network.   She and her husband live in Haliburton where they raised their 2 children.

“I joined the HCDC team in 2014 as the Officer Administrator and quickly moved into the position of Investment Administrator after 6 months where I remained for 4 years.  In 2018, I was trained and subsequently promoted to the Loans Officer position.  Prior to working at HCDC I was an in home PSW for 3 years.  I loved the fact that I was making it possible for seniors and those in need continue living in their own homes but I knew all the travelling was something I did not want to do forever.

Throughout my time here at HCDC, I have gained a new passion for learning about local businesses and assisting them achieve their goals and dreams. My roll is to provide financing to entrepreneurs to start or expand their businesses.

When I am not fulfilling my role as Loans Officer, I am a Wife and Mom of two very busy children. We enjoy spending a lot of our time at the Arena, Golf Course and Ball Diamonds or when we can relax at the lake”

Elisha joined the HCDC team in 2024 as the Program and Operations Coordinator, bringing her experience in non-profit administration, grant writing and retail management. A lifelong cottager, Elisha moved to the area in 2008 to attend Fleming College’s Haliburton School of Art + Design’ Fibre Arts Certificate. Elisha also has a Visual Arts degree from Western University. She has since worked for the Minden Hills Cultural Centre, Yours Outdoors, the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust, Arts Council – Haliburton Highlands and SPARC (Supporting Performing Arts in Rural Communities) as well as the College.

Elisha lives in Minden Hills with her husband and their two children.

Cory joined the HCDC team as the Office Assistant in 2017 and became the Loans & Office Administrator in 2018. After growing up in St. Thomas, she was happy to move back to Haliburton at the age of 18 where she began working closely with businesses across the Haliburton Highlands. She currently lives in West Guilford with her husband and their amazing superhero son, Jacob.

“I have had the great fortune throughout my life to work with organizations in different parts of the country that make a difference in the community – and for the past 20 years I have had the opportunity to work with the Haliburton County Development Corporation.

What I love about HCDC, is that it looks at the community as a whole. It is not just about providing loans or helping to create jobs; its mission is to collaborate with a wide range of partners to build and support a vibrant and resilient community.

Haliburton County has hundreds of small businesses as well as dozens of active not-for-profit organizations focused on arts and culture, sports and recreation, social services, business and the environment. HCDC provides support to a large number of these through business counselling, organizational development, strategic planning, mentoring, loans and grants. Some times HCDC leads the way other times we play a behind the scenes role.

Over the years I have had a number of careers – as an artist, a manager of camping and outdoor services, a college teacher, an entrepreneur, a corporate trainer and a consultant in organizational development. I have also been an active volunteer with a wide range of community organizations.

With HCDC, I get to bring my experience to working with organizations, municipalities, people of ages starting new businesses and extraordinary community champions. I also get to work with an incredible team of people on staff and on our board of directors who share a common vision.

Haliburton is a great place to live and work and be creative!”

Andy was raised in St. Catharines and graduated from the University of Guelph. He was the Executive Director of the Haliburton County Development Corporation since its inception in 1985 to 2018 and helped build  the HCDC to become the most successful CFDC in Canada.  He now works as Business Advisor with the Staff and the Board of Directors to help guide the work of HCDC in the community. He and his wife live in Minden and spend their summers at their island retreat.  In addition, he works with numerous community organizations including the Minden Rotary Club and Places for People.