Chairman

James (Jim) Burton is an accomplished Canadian entrepreneur, business strategist, and philanthropist. As founder and longtime Chairman of PPI, a national professional firm - Jim transformed the life insurance industry in Canada by championing more personalized, client-focused planning. He helped shift life insurance from a transactional product to a key instrument in long-term wealth planning, retirement readiness, and estate preservation. Under Jim’s leadership, PPI became one of the country's most respected independent life insurance marketing & distribution firms, recognized for its innovation, trustworthiness, and professional integrity. Notable roles throughout his career include Founding Chairman of the Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting (CALU), and founding Chair of Family Enterprise Canada, and the Family Enterprise Foundation.

After the successful exit from this independent business, Jim has turned his full attention to philanthropy, guided by a strong belief that this is “his time” to give back with focus, humility, and lasting purpose. He established the James A. Burton & Family Foundation in 2018 to reflect his values and his family’s commitment to education, health, well-being, environmental stewardship, and community vitality.

Jim’s approach to philanthropy is strategic and collaborative. He listens first. He prioritizes long-term solutions over quick wins. He believes that real change comes from working with others who are equally committed to making a difference and putting in the time and effort to do it well.

Today, Jim remains the guiding force behind JABFF, ensuring that its work is both thoughtful and practical. He believes that philanthropy should be personal, purposeful, and built to last. By involving his children and grandchildren, he is shaping a legacy through a shared purpose,  that places generosity, accountability, and service at its core, spanning generations.

President and CEO

Susan St Amand is President and CEO of the James A. Burton & Family Foundation and Founder of The Sirius Group Inc., based in Ottawa. With more than 30 years of experience advising enterprising families, she is a trusted authority on family enterprise governance, continuity planning, and strategic philanthropy.

A member of an entrepreneurial family herself, Susan has a deep understanding of the challenges and responsibilities facing family-owned businesses. Her work focuses on helping families and their enterprises plan for long-term sustainability, with a particular emphasis on empowering the next generation.

Susan serves as the inaugural Gordon Family Executive in Residence in Family Enterprise at the Telfer School of Management and is Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Ottawa’s Family Enterprise Legacy Institute (FELI), where she helped develop the Institute’s foundational governance framework.

She is the immediate Past Chair of Family Enterprise Canada (FEC) and has chaired more than six boards while serving on over two dozen others, including the Ottawa Community Foundation, the Ottawa International Airport Authority, the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health, CALU, the Institute of Corporate Directors Ottawa Chapter, and a privately held steel company. Susan is also a founding member of the Women for Mental Health campaign at the Royal Ottawa Centre for Mental Health.

Susan brings disciplined rigour to all aspects of her work. She sees collaboration as central to success and is known for building strong, results-oriented partnerships across sectors. Committed to lifelong learning, she regularly contributes to professional associations, speaks at conferences, and is sought after for expert commentary in the media.

Philanthropy is a core value for Susan. Whether through direct support, board leadership, or building capacity in others, she is deeply committed to strengthening community and helping those in need.on goes here

Vice President, Communications 

Kathryn Hendrick is Vice President, Communications at the James A. Burton & Family Foundation, where she leads communications strategy, stakeholder engagement, and public affairs across all of the Foundation’s initiatives—from social equity and education to community development and cultural investment.

With a background in journalism and a career spanning executive roles in both the public and private sectors, Kathryn has worked with academic hospitals, health advocacy groups, architecture and construction firms, and policy organizations. She has led the development of organizational strategies, advanced public–private partnership models, facilitated public consultation processes, and delivered board-level reporting on complex, high-impact initiatives.

Known for her collaborative process, clear thinking, measured tone, and strong sense of purpose, Kathryn’s work bridges sectors and disciplines. She builds trust through honest communication and works alongside others to create conditions for purposeful impact in systems to create positive long term outcomes. 

Based in Ottawa and working globally, she draws personal strength from her family and professional inspiration from working with good people for good causes and serving better communities.

Manager of Community Engagement, Hamilton

Kathryn Burton leads the James A. Burton & Family Foundation’s community-building efforts in Hamilton as Manager of Community Engagement. With a deep commitment to collaboration and long-term relationships, Kathryn works closely with local leaders and service providers to strengthen community-based solutions for vulnerable populations.

Her work addresses serious social challenges, including safe housing for mothers and infants, mental health support, youth development, food insecurity, and addiction recovery.

Kathryn plays a key role in bringing together diverse partners to build coordinated, community-led responses. She collaborates with organizations such as HAMSMaRT, the St. Joseph’s Peer Support Program, and Wayside House, helping to align shared resources and expertise to deliver a meaningful and sustainable impact.

Central to Kathryn’s work is the importance of building confidence and credibility with the people and communities she serves. She invests time in understanding local needs, ensuring voices are heard, and creating a foundation of mutual accountability. By fostering open dialogue and steady partnerships, she helps lay the groundwork for long-term solutions that reflect the community’s priorities and strengths.

Kathryn draws on her experience across healthcare, research, business operations, and nonprofit engagement, bringing practical problem-solving and steady leadership to the Foundation’s work. She has completed Non-Profit Governance training through the Institute of Corporate Directors and continues to deepen her knowledge in support of the Foundation’s evolving commitments.

What motivates Kathryn is a deep belief in the power of people and communities to drive change when they are supported with belief, respect, and the right resources. She finds purpose in helping others strengthen their capacity to create safe, healthy, and resilient communities.

Director, Community Development, Engagement and Innovation

Jordie Burton leads the James A. Burton & Family Foundation’s work in community development, engagement, and innovation. As Director, he works closely with partners across sectors to support initiatives that build stronger, more connected, and future-ready communities.

His portfolio includes a range of place-based projects in Niagara, Orillia, and Collingwood—supporting local leaders, organizations, and networks working in areas such as education, social enterprise, the arts, and environmental sustainability. Whether helping to co-design new programs, convene collaborative efforts, or provide strategic support to emerging initiatives, Jordie’s work focuses on enabling community-centred practical solutions.

With a background in education, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement, he brings a relational and systems-minded approach to philanthropy. He’s interested in how foundations can act as bridge-builders—connecting people, ideas, and resources in ways that foster long-term impact.

Jordie lives in Southern Georgian Bay with his family, and remains deeply connected to the social, environmental, and economic health of the region.

Director, Marketing and Impact Initiatives

Nic Burton brings extensive experience in marketing, strategic communications, and business leadership to his role as Director of Marketing and Impact Initiatives at the James A. Burton & Family Foundation. With a career defined by innovation, Nic has consistently led transformative marketing initiatives, digital strategies, and compelling brand storytelling across diverse industries, including technology, consumer products, and non-profit organizations.

As part of the Burton family, Nic upholds and advances a multigenerational tradition of philanthropy. He is instrumental in shaping the Foundation’s strategic approach to impact investing and fostering meaningful collaborations, notably the partnership with Family Enterprise Canada. His collaborative leadership style prioritizes strategic clarity, measurable outcomes, and sustainable community impact, driving programs that benefit society both locally and globally.

Nic earned a Masters of Marketing and Management Strategy from the Technical University of Shannon, further strengthening his capabilities in business strategy, analytics, and organizational growth. His professional background includes senior roles in digital marketing strategy, customer engagement, and brand development. Known for his disciplined execution and innovative thinking, Nic ensures that the Foundation’s projects and initiatives resonate authentically, delivering lasting value and meaningful change.

Outside his professional commitments, Nic is involved in community-based initiatives and is passionate about leveraging business practices for social good, further reflecting his commitment to making a positive difference through purposeful philanthropy.