TIM FLANNERY-Chair
Born in Detroit to Canadian parents, Tim attended high school in both countries, and after graduating from the University of Michigan, obtained his law degree at the University of Windsor. A civil litigation and immigration lawyer in Kitchener, his practice included the largest environmental case in Canada, where Uniroyal discharged carcinogens in Elmira.
Involved with the K-W chapter of Democrats Abroad for 18 years, Tim has been a community leader with numerous community social services and sports organizations, and is a frequent expert contributor for local and provincial media. Tim resides in Elora with his partner. Their three adult sons are also dual citizens.
ADELE DOBKOWSKI-Vice Chair
Raised in New York City, Adele received her BA in English Literature from the University of Chicago. After service in the Peace Corps, she moved to Canada and became a citizen in 1999. Adele was in the inaugural class of the University of Toronto's EMBA program.
As a senior executive and management consultant through her Waterloo-based firm PSI Associates, Adele has worked with a wide range of organizations including Stratford Chefs School, ArtsBuild Ontario, Stratford Festival, TIFF, CUSO, University of Guelph, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and City of Kitchener. An active volunteer, locally and internationally, Adele currently serves as Chair, Region of Waterloo Arts Fund.
DIANNA FLANNERY-Secretary
Dianna Flannery is from Michigan and has dual citizenship. She attended the University of Windsor where she obtained both a Communications and Law degree. Prior to joining Manulife’s Tax & Estate Planning Group, Dianna practiced law for 10 years with her brother.
She authors many articles on estate planning and life insurance and frequently speaks at industry conferences. Dianna has taught at the University of Waterloo and Conestoga College on courses relating to estate planning. Dianna currently resides in Waterloo, Ontario with her husband and two dogs.
KATHLEEN SHEEHEY-Member at Large #1, responsible for Event Planning and Phone Bank Training
Kathleen Sheehy is a native of Norristown, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia. Twenty-eight years ago, she moved to Kitchener to join a regional professional theatre company with whom she worked for twelve years. She and some colleagues then created Lost & Found Theatre in 2004.
Now semi-retired, Kathleen serves on the boards of the Region of Waterloo Arts Fund and the Irish Real Life Festival and gets on stage now and then. She comes from a long line of Irish Democrats.
KYLE NOVAC-Member at Large #2
I was raised in North Dakota and graduated from the University of North Dakota before getting an MA from the University of Toledo in Ohio. In 2016 I moved to Guelph where I am currently pursuing a PhD in Philosophy.
Outside of academics, I am very active with the university and currently serve as both the president of the philosophy graduate student association and as the steward for the College of Arts in CUPE3913. I'm also interested in working with other students to create an organization of DA at UoG and in achieving permanent resident status in Canada after graduation.
CHRIS BONZA-Member at Large #3
Chris Bonza is a long-time resident of Kitchener-Waterloo since the mid-1980’s. Born in San Jose, California, she has lived in Colorado, and South Africa, before settling in Canada as a dual citizen. Chris is a nature photographer, artist, and teaches Visual Arts, English, Media Education, and Career Studies as a Public Secondary teacher. She lives with her partner, cat, and strange dog, in Kitchener. She is an avid Democratic supporter and looks forward to joining the fight for common sense and sound policy. Her website is: https://www.bonzastudio.com