‍TORONTO, Ont. (February 12, 2021) – Canada Basketball Foundation announced Friday that Sheron Lau has been appointed as Chair of its Board of Directors.

“Sheron’s appointment as Chair is an exciting step as we continue to grow the efforts of the Canada Basketball Foundation,” said Maria-Leena Clarke, Executive Director, Canada Basketball Foundation.  “With her leadership, we will continue fundraising in support of impactful programming that will focus on creating opportunities for youth, investing in coaches and officials development and supporting podium performances of our national teams.”

Lau has spent over 20 years in the finance industry and is currently a Senior Investment Advisor with Mackie Research Capital, a position she has held since 2019, however philanthropy is where her passion lies.

With over 10 years of fundraising experience, Lau has been actively involved with several organizations, including the Darling Home for Kids, which provides high quality respite, residential and hospice palliative care services for children, and Humewood House, which helps some of Toronto’s most vulnerable single parents and their children.

“I’m honoured to take on this role with the Canada Basketball Foundation, and I look forward to using my skills to raise awareness and support for this wonderful organization,” said Lau. “I strongly believe philanthropy is a key component in making this world a better living place and I’ve seen firsthand that basketball has the power to positively influence lives.”

Most recently, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lau founded Jump Thru Hoops, a youth development program that empowers young people through community service and basketball.  

Canada Basketball and Jump Thru Hoops worked together in December to deliver over $15,000 in toys and gifts to disadvantaged youth in Toronto, while also raising funds for the Canada Basketball Foundation.

With the appointment of Lau, the Canada Basketball Foundation board consists of nine members, including:

- Sheron Lau, Senior Investment Advisor, Mackie Research Capital (Chair)

- Jake Gilbert, Partner, Blakes

- Glen Grunwald, President & CEO, Canada Basketball

- David King, President, Rathnelly Group Inc.

- Kevin MacDonald, Partner, Clark Wilson LLP

- Ian Minnifee, Wealth Strategist, Sagium

- Pat Sherlock, President, Canada Goose International AG

- Mark Starkey, Managing Partner & CEO, Victory Creative Group

- Rob Wright, Senior Partner, IPC Investment Corp / Canada Basketball Board of Directors

To learn more about the Canada Basketball Foundation, or to make a donation, click here.

The Canada Basketball Foundation™ (CBF) is a registered charitable organization dedicated to growing all aspects of the game of basketball with a focus on youth programming, coaches and officials development and our national teams.  Working directly with Canada Basketball, the Foundation aims to improve the health of the nation through basketball, provide a pathway for excellence for young athletes, and deliver dynamic basketball development that will result in international success.