Abbreviated Biography

In addition to over 15 years in Investment Advisory/Management as a Financial Advisor/Dealing Representative (registered in multiple provinces from Nova Scotia to B.C. with hundreds of accounts), Jeff (Jaafer) Gareau is or has been very active with many Corporations, Registered Charities, and non-profit organizations in Executive/Officer positions. He graduated from the University of Toronto having studied Economics, Industrial Relations (Organizational Mgt.), and Sociology. He has been interviewed in the media on Islamic Investment and Finance including ROBTV (BNN), Toronto Star, Globe & Mail, various magazines, and has lectured at many universities including the Rotman MBA Program at the U. of T., Ryerson Business School, Trent University and close to a hundred educational seminars across the country in more than 4 provinces.

A testament of his accomplishments is that Jeff has been nominated for the Town of Oakville's prestigious Community Spirit Awards for Individual Volunteer of the Year in three consecutive years (Recipient in 2005). Here are some of the positions he holds or has held in the past:

• Founder, former President, and majority owner of T.Y. Financial Group, registered Mortgage Broker (FSCO - Ontario - PAST);
• V.P., Business Development, Global Prosperata Funds Inc. and founding member of the Investment Management Committee of the Global Prosperata Iman Fund;
• Dealing Representative for -> NO INTEREST Investments and Global Maxfin Investments Inc.;
• Casvin Industries (Casvin Fluid Systems), Brampton/Mississauga/ Etobicoke. Director - Corporate decision making relating to North American operations in Sales, Consulting, and Engineering divisions (March 2001 to March 2005 for two 2-year terms);

• Treasurer and Founding member of the Muslim Children's Aid and Support Services, a registered charitable Toronto-based Social Services organization (4 years). Have served as Acting CHAIR and was responsible for the initial incorporation of the not-for-profit organization;
• Former Director of MADD Halton/Peel Region (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) -> Served as President from 2003-2005;
• Director, Oakville Chamber of Commerce, served a 3-year term -> Advocacy Committee member and lead Director for the OCC Charity Dragon Boat (3 years) raising money each year for the Halton's Children's Aid and Halton Big Brothers & Sisters;
• Past President and Director of ISSRA. The Islamic Social Services and Resource Association was founded by Dr. Abdullah Hakim Quick 15 years ago and is a registered charity based in Toronto with affiliations with the City of Toronto and the United Way;
• Former member of the Mayor's Special Committee Against Drunk Driving (Town of Oakville) - Member of Annual Essay Contest Panel;
• Town of Oakville's Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee; Served as Chair for a one-year term and two terms as Vice-Chair. Member of the Parks and Trails sub-committee (Also a casual volunteer planting trees with Evergreen and Groundbreakers in different areas of Oakville);
• Appointed member - Halton Region Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park Community Liaison Committee (3 years);
• Member of the Oakville Unit Council for the Canadian Cancer Society, one of the highest fundraising units per capita in Canada;
• Former Chair of the Halton Easter Seals District Council as well as a former member of the Mississauga Safe Driving Committee and one of the founding members of the Brampton Safe City Committee;
• Past Chair, Media Relations and Community Development -> Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion (Oakville) for 4 consecutive terms as well as many years of volunteering and supporting the Ontario March of Dimes;
• Served two years on a Federal Immigration and Citizenship Committee for the Halton Riding M.P.;
• Founding member of Al-Falah Centre and Al-Falah Private School in various key fundraising (annually since 1998) and other Advisory positions;
• Active member of ICNA CANADA since 1994 in various past executive roles in the Halton/Peel Region Office: Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Director of Communications and Public Relations, Conference Marketing Manager, Community Outreach Co-ordinator for high schools, ICNA Relief, etc.;
• Founding Executive Member of a political Riding Association and served as the V.P. Treasurer and V.P. Membership at the Federal level;
• Director, Provincial Riding Association, which assisted its candidate in becoming elected as M.P.P. and maintaining the seat over two elections including a Cabinet position;
• Participated on many multicultural/inter-faith & diversity boards and focus groups, including Community Development Halton's Diversity Breakfast Series, churches, temples, and mosques;
• Co-Producer of an inter-faith TV Series pilot program that was accepted by CTS (Christian Television Network);
• Received the prestigious Certificate of Recognition from the Principal of Erindale College (University of Toronto) for exemplary volunteer participation on campus (100 or more volunteer hours in one academic session with various organizations/committees);
• Certificate of Appreciation from Special Services Dep't for volunteerism for being a long-term Transcriber, Research Assistant, and Textbook Reader for the legally blind - Erindale College, University of Toronto;
• Volunteer Teaching Assistant (Peel Board of Education) assisting with grades 1 & 2 and 3 & 4 split classes in a school with 50%+ immigrant students;
• Volunteer resume-builder and career networking liaison to many ethnic immigrant groups;
• MYSL -> Current MYSL Head Coach and Executive Member, Head Coach 2006-2009 - Boys U7 Soccer, Ass';t Coach 2005 Co-ed U6 Soccer, 2007 Head Coach and Convenor Boys Soccer U8, Director of the Board 2008/2009;
• Oakville Soccer Club, Head Coach for U7/8 Boys 2007/2008 - largest soccer club in the world with over 11,000 members and 2000 volunteers, and
• Director for the OMBA (Oakville Minor Baseball Association), Oakville's longest established baseball association for youth (45 years); also serving as the OMBA Representative on the Oakville Sports Council.