Governance

Melanie van de Water holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Queen’s University, and a Bachelor of Education, Honours Specialist and Master of Education, both from OISE at the University of Toronto. Her teaching career began as an educational intern at Greenwood College School, and took her to Grenoble France, where she taught English. Melanie has held multiple roles at Holy Trinity School, where she has worked for the past seventeen years.  She has been actively engaged in volunteer work, most recently with Jack.org, Camp Oochigeas and with the Canada-Mathare Education Trust in Kenya.

Melanie is the Dean of Students at Holy Trinity School, where she has been a member of the teaching faculty since 2005. Melanie oversees the school's Student Life program, managing multiple programs across K-12 including athletics, experiential education, leadership and character development.  The school’s leadership programme has benefited greatly from her expertise in teaching and people management. Melanie is the mother of three and in her spare time is a dedicated athlete. Melanie is a competitive swimmer and triathlete, alpine skier and snowboarder and has a passion for travel and culture.  

Lauren Dade joined the Board in February 2019. She received her Doctorate in Psychology from McGill University and has specialized training in Clinical Neuropsychology, and Paediatric Health, Clinical, and School Psychology. She has carried out research at the Rotman Research Institute, worked in the Chronic Pain Clinic at the Hospital for Sick Children, as well on the Developmental and Brain Injury Rehabilitation teams at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. She now applies all her skills in her current work as a Psychologist for the Toronto District School Board. She also enjoys teaching and mentoring others, and over the past few years has been involved in the teaching and supervision of Doctoral Psychology Candidates at the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto.

Finally, she is also on the Board of Directors for Aisling Discoveries Child and Family Centre, an agency focused on supporting children, youth, and families coping with mental health challenges and developmental issues. Lauren has close ties with the Giles School, having been connected with the school since her eldest child started in Kindergarten and graduated from Giles in 2019. Watching how her two children have grown and developed socially, personally, and intellectually within the academically strong and developmentally nurturing Giles environment has made her a dedicated and long-time supporter of the School.

Charlie Fricke joined the Board of Directors in the Spring of 2020. His background in Marketing and Sales includes work with IBM, Xerox, and more recently as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Echologics, a division of Mueller Co., the largest manufacturer of water distribution hardware and technology. Charlie was responsible for training sales teams, presenting at conferences and various state legislative in the United States. A graduate of McMaster University and the University of Toronto, Charlie holds an MBA degree as well as certification in coaching tennis and men’s gymnastics.

Stephanie joined the Giles School Board of Directors in 2020.  She is a corporate and real estate lawyer at the law firm of Moore & Costello.  Prior to joining Moore & Costello, she practiced banking and finance law at an international law firm.  Stephanie holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in French and Kinesiology & Health Sciences from York University with a specialist certificate in Fitness Assessment & Exercise Counselling, a Bachelor of Education (Junior-Intermediate) from York University, and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Windsor. Stephanie has been involved in education for many years in some way, shape, or form.  She was an aquatics and water safety instructor during high school and her undergraduate studies.

Prior to attending law school, she taught French and Physical Education (Aquatics) at the Upper Canada College preparatory school and French and Physical Education at the Sterling Hall School.  While attending law school, she was a primary, junior, and intermediate tutor and an occasional teacher with the York Region District School Board and now she provides educational presentations in her field of law from time to time. Stephanie is an avid runner who has completed over ten marathons and greatly appreciates and enjoys the recreational trail and path systems that the City of Toronto has to offer. Stephanie is thrilled and honored to be a member of the Giles School Board and to continue to be involved in education.

Tarek Elgammal is the managing director and owner of an international trading company. He is an accomplished and decisive executive with 10+ years of progressive strategic management and operations leadership. Tarek has experience in domestic and global import, export and distribution industries. He has demonstrated success streamlining business operations including process analysis, performance measurement and team development. Results-driven and resourceful problem solver with proven track record of revenue growth, Tarek is the proud dad of four children and spend his time coaching, playing sports and volunteering.