Donald S. Bubar, M.Sc., P.Geo, President and CEO

Don Bubar is a geologist with over 40 years of experience in mineral exploration and development in Canada. Mr. Bubar is a graduate of McGill University (B.Sc., 1977) and Queen’s University (M.Sc., 1981). From 1984 to 1994, he worked for Aur Resources Inc. as Exploration Manager and later VP, Exploration. Mr. Bubar has been President and CEO of Avalon since 1995.

Mr. Bubar served as a Director of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) for nine years and Chair of its Aboriginal Affairs Committee from its creation in December, 2004 until retiring from the PDAC Board in March, 2013. Throughout his career, Mr. Bubar has been an advocate for increased Indigenous participation in the mineral industry, first through the PDAC and later through the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines. Mr. Bubar serves on the Advisory Board to the Faculty of Science of McGill University and on the Board of Directors of PDAC's Mining Matters earth science education program.

Alan Ferry, B.Sc., CFA, Non-Executive Board Chair

Mr. Ferry has been an independent businessperson since 2007, following a 28 year career in the investment industry as a mining analyst and mining corporate finance specialist. Mr. Ferry holds a B.Sc. in Geological Sciences from Queen's University (1977) and a Chartered Financial Analyst designation (retired). Mr. Ferry has been a director of Avalon since 2000, and is past Chair of Plateau Energy Metals Inc.

• Chair of the Audit Committee
• Member of the Compensation, Governance and Nominating Committee

John E. Fisher, B.Sc., MBA

Mr. Fisher is a geologist who began his professional career in mineral exploration in western and northern Canada in the late 1970s, before transitioning into the construction materials and waste management businesses in southern Ontario in the late 1980s. Most recently he served as President & CEO of Niagara-based Walker Industries, a large, private family-owned company involved in aggregates and construction, waste disposal and processing and chemical manufacturing. Walker has 1,100 employees and is recognized for its progressive approach to health and safety, environmental performance and community engagement.

Mr. Fisher has an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Sciences from Queen’s University (1981) and a Master of Business Administration (finance) degree from McMaster (1984).

• Member of the Audit Committee
• Member of the Compensation, Governance and Nominating Committee

Naomi Johnson, BA, LL.B.

 A global CSR executive, international development specialist and lawyer, Ms. Johnson lends a diverse and holistic perspective to approaching stakeholder risk and impact management. She has extensive experience leading on-site teams in challenging jurisdictions, including projects in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Dominican Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Uganda, India, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea. Ms. Johnson has held the position of VP, Community Relations at Titan Mining Corporation since 2018. Previously, she was with Barrick Gold (2008-2017), ultimately serving as Partner & Senior Director – Community Relations.

Ms. Johnson is a graduate of King’s College University (BA International Development) and Ottawa University (LL.B, 1998). She is called to the Bar in Ontario (2000). Ms. Johnson joined Avalon’s Board of Directors in September 2019.

• Chair of the Compensation, Governance and Nominating Committee

Marilyn Spink, P.Eng.

Ms. Spink is an award-winning professional engineer (1995) with extensive metallurgical processing expertise, having spent over 25 years managing the technical delivery of complex steelmaking and mineral development projects throughout the world. In progressive leadership roles of increasing responsibility, she has successfully managed multi-discipline engineering design teams to deliver projects located in North and South America, Africa and Southeast Asia ranging in value from $500 million to $9 billion (USD).

Ms. Spink has served as a Director on several corporate boards. Most recently, she completed two three-year term appointments as an Ontario Lieutenant Governor Appointee to the Professional Engineers Ontario Governing Council, the largest engineering regulator in Canada with over 85,000 members. She has been a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors for over 10 years.

Ms. Spink is also a sought-after speaker in the Mining and Engineering sectors, most recently being named a Canadian Institute of Mining Distinguished Lecturer in 2018. Ms. Spink earned her Bachelor of Applied Science in Materials & Metallurgical Engineering from Queen’s University (1992).

• Member of the Audit Committee

Harvey L.A. Yesno

Harvey Yesno is a member and former Chief of the Eabametoong First Nation located at Fort Hope, ON. Mr. Yesno served as Chief for six terms from 1977 to 1991 and one further term from 2019-21. He also served as Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (Treaty #9 and #5) from 2012-15. From 1993 to 2010 he served as President & CEO of Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund ("NADF"). NADF is a non-profit Indigenous financial institution that supports Indigenous business and economic development in Northern Ontario. From 2011-2012, Mr. Yesno served as Director of Community Relations for Ontario's Ring of Fire Secretariat.

Board Committees

Audit Committee

Avalon's Audit Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities to the Company. The Committee provides an avenue of communication among the independent auditors of the company, management and the Board. Read Avalon's Audit Committee Charter here.

Compensation, Governance and Nominating Committee

The Compensation, Governance & Nominating Committee of Avalon acts on behalf of the Board of Directors in all matters concerning compensation, benefits and performance its executives and any senior management.  It also makes recommendations with respect to the remuneration of the Board and oversees the share option plan and any other like plan. Read the Charter of the Compensation, Governance and Nominating Committee here.