Our club was delighted to induct two new members on Friday, March 24, 2023: Patrick Grist, transferring from the East York Rotary Club (Toronto) and Ramune (Ramona) Beattie joining as a new Rotarian. Welcome to both!
About our new members:
PATRICK GRIST
- 35 years of Banking Service with thirty-one years with Scotiabank in the Br Manager, Investment Funds, Small Business, Professional Banking and Audit, Retail Banking Roles.
- 4 years years in the Exempt Market as Investment Advisor Private Clients Centurion Asset Management Inc.
- 2.5 years as an Independent Investment Advisor Raintree Financial Solutions (current role)
- Patrick has been very involved in the community where works and lives, he sat on the Board of Directors for Community Living Oshawa & Clarington and was the President of the Board, and is a member of the East York Rotary Club, where he is a Paul Harris Award winner, and pass President. He has won a number citizen awards for his outstanding contribution to his community.
- He holds and number of Certifications, Associate of the Institute of Canadian Bankers, Personal Financial Planner, Exempt Market Dealer, Accredited Mortgage Professional, LLQ P and a Marketing diploma from Seneca College
- He enjoys spending time with family and enjoys playing golf and swimming and giving back to his community.
RAMUNE (RAMONA) BEATTIE
Ramune was born in Poland, to Lithuanian parents, and immigrated to Canada at a young age. She grew up in the GTA, heavily immersed in the Lithuanian-Canadian cultural community – attended elementary and high school in Toronto and graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in biology and bioethics. She went to work for an ethnic-based (Lithuanian) credit union in Toronto during her undergraduate studies. After finishing her degree and realizing that she did not enjoy biology one bit, Ramona decided to pursue a career in banking. She met her husband in 2009 – a good Rockwood boy named Dean Beattie – through the then-unconventional method of online dating. They moved to downtown Guelph – into their forever home – in 2013. By joining Meridian, Ramona was able to shorten her commute to 4km roundtrip vs. 4 hours by GO train/public transit. Meridian, like other credit unions, is different because: it is member owned; credit decisions are made locally; it is engaged with its local communities and donates 3% of net profits to local causes annually; and provides personalized service with a difference. Ramona works with 100 commercial clients to help them achieve their goals. Ramona and Dean have four children together: two girls and two boys, ranging between 4 to 9 years old. They also have 3 cats and 1 dog – and last year hosted a 17 year old German exchange student for 3 months, who will again be visiting this summer. They enjoy the chaos of a busy life, and Ramona looks forward to further exploring community involvement through Rotary! Today, Ramona is a Senior Relationship Manager, Commercial Services, Meridian.