Team Ontario

Jill Hermant
Executive Director
Jill Hermant has been associated with The Duke of Edinburgh's Award since 1992 as a volunteer, Administrative Co-ordinator, Programme Director, and subsequently as Executive Director since 1997.

The Programme has experienced significant growth since that time, together with a change of focus of youth participation from traditional youth groups to actively ensuring that all young people in the province have the opportunity to participate in the Award, regardless of cultural, social or economic background.

Wife of one, mother of two, active in the community and truly values the terrific team of Duke of Ed staff and Volunteers with whom she works. Enjoys tennis, bad at golf and treasures summer weekends at the cottage.

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Jen Coyne
Programme Co-ordinator
Jen is the newest member of the Ontario Division. She was born and raised in Burlington and graduated from the University of Guelph in 2005 with an Honours Philosophy Degree. Jen has spent the last year and a half working and travelling abroad in Ireland, Scotland and Western Europe.

Jen is very passionate about sports, specifically playing rugby, and also enjoys hiking, canoeing and camping in the great outdoors!

Jeff Needham
Field Officer - TD Waterhouse Initiative
Jeff started with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in June 2005. He obtained a Political Science Degree from McGill University and he brings a variety of experiences including international development, outdoor retail, and he also operated a guiding company in Ontario for several years. For the past several years he has been teaching paddling skills in Toronto and is a volunteer for the United World Colleges.

Jeff enjoys playing hockey, telemark skiing, surfing and restoring classic cars. His leisure time is spent at The Complete Paddler, a local paddling store, and you may see him paddling often on Lake Ontario as he uses any excuse to get into a boat!

Karen Gormley
Field Officer - Eastern Ontario
Previously Duke of Ed Regional Field Officer for Eastern Ontario, Karen left the Programme to work as a supervisor and mentor for youth at The Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa - the same organization who have generously provided the office space for the Duke in Eastern Ontario for the last three years. After expanding her family and re-energized, Karen is excited to be back working for the Duke in Eastern Ontario, with a specific focus on encouraging participation from members of The Boys and Girls Club. She can't wait to meet up with old friends, meet some new ones and continue to hit ignore on her computer when told 'programme' isn't spelt that way!

Karen reads like crazy and attempts to cook! When not spending time with her husband and two daughters, this beloved Senators fan enjoys sleeping!

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Jill Taylor
Field Officer - Western Ontario
Jill was born in British Columbia and moved to Oakville, where she spent most of her childhood. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree, with a major in Family and Social Relations from the University of Guelph and absolutely loves working with youth. She worked as a university Liaison Officer before joining the Ontario Division of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Jill has recently moved to the London area and is enjoying her time exploring the city and surrounding communities. In her spare time Jill enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking, reading, and the outdoors (mostly in the summer!). Jill recently married a farmer and loves to learn all there is to know about farming. She is always up for trying something new!

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Marjorie Henhawk
Field Officer
Marjorie ‘Marj’ Henhawk is a busy woman in the Award world and a dynamic mother of four and grandmother of three (though you would never guess it!). She has been a Field Officer with the Award on Six Nations, Ontario since 1997. She also holds down an additional position at GREAT (Grand River Employment and Training). Marj has a BA in Social Sciences from the University of Western Ontario, and one of her many interests includes arts and crafts.