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.

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.

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.

Manager of Community Engagement, Hamilton

Kathryn Burton leads JABFF’s work in Hamilton as Manager of Community Engagement. Grounded in trust and relationships, her work supports community-led responses to some of the city’s most pressing social challenges—including safe housing for vulnerable mothers and babies, mental health support, youth services, food insecurity, and addiction recovery.

She works closely with mission-aligned partners such as HAMSMaRT, the St. Joseph’s Peer Support Program, and Wayside House, helping connect people and organizations doing vital work on the ground.

Kathryn brings a diverse background to her role. She originally trained as a veterinarian in Australia and the UK, co-owned a wellness clinic in Vancouver, and held a leadership role in research management at a biotech firm focused on diabetes and IBD. She has also worked as a consultant, supporting individuals and small businesses with operations, tax systems, and digital presence.

In 2024, Kathryn completed the Family Enterprise Advisor designation and previously earned governance training through the Institute of Corporate Directors. She continues to learn and contribute in ways that support the Foundation’s mission and long-term commitments.

Director, Integrated Marketing

Nic Burton brings extensive experience in marketing and business strategy to his role at the James A. Burton & Family Foundation, reflecting a deep commitment to innovation, collaboration, and community impact.

As a member of the Burton family, Nic continues a multigenerational legacy of philanthropy, guiding the foundation's strategic initiatives in impact investing and its partnership with Family Enterprise Canada. His leadership is instrumental in building meaningful programs that create measurable, lasting change locally and globally.