VIRGINIA HACKSON, CHAIR

MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF EAST GWILLIMBURY

Mayor Virginia Hackson was appointed as Chair of the York Regional Police Services Board in October 2017, this is her first term as Chair. Mayor Hackson was appointed to the Police Services Board on January 26, 2012 by Regional Council and had been Vice Chair of the Board since November 2014. Mrs. Hackson was elected as Mayor of the Town of East Gwillimbury in October 2010 and re-elected in 2014 for a further four-year term. Until her election as Mayor she served the people of East Gwillimbury as a Councillor for three terms, joining Town Council in 2001.

Prior to joining the East Gwillimbury Council, Virginia was the Trustee for the York Region District School Board from 1993-2001.In addition, she has represented East Gwillimbury on the Board of Directors for the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority since 2001 where she was Chair from January 2006 to January 2013.

Mayor Hackson represents the Town on York Region Council, is currently the Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of both the Broadband Strategy and Senior’s Housing Strategy Task Forces. Virginia is also a member of the Board for the Housing York Region, Cedar Centre (formerly York Region Abuse Program), and the Royal Oak Seniors Board.

Mayor Hackson has been recognized for her significant contributions to the community including the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for Community Service, In Celebration of Women and the Rural Government Award. She has lent her expertise to the Human Strategies Planning Coalition representing Arts, Culture and Heritage and she served as Executive Director of Artslink York Region, fostering and promoting creativity.

Mayor Hackson is a lifelong learner, committed to continual development and personal growth. She holds a BA from the University of Waterloo, as well as a BEd and a Master’s Certificate in Municipal Management from York University. She excelled in her 30-year municipal service career, recently retiring as Manager of Parks Planning, Arts, Culture and Heritage in a neighbouring municipality.

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