Who We Are

Jeyas Balaskanthan joined the Uptown Waterloo Business Improvement Area (BIA) as the Executive Director in August 2023.   Prior to joining the BIA, Jeyas worked as the General Manager for the University of Waterloo Graduate Student Association.   He also worked with Wilfrid Laurier University Students Union as the director of hospitality for ten years.  Jeyas started his professional career as a Residence Manager at Laurier worked there for three years then worked at University of Waterloo as a Residence Manager for three years as well.   Jeyas has sat on various boards in the community, including the Lake Shore Optimist Club of Waterloo, the Waterloo Economic Development Committee and the Cultural and Neighbourhood Grant Committee. Having been a part of the Uptown Waterloo community for over twenty years Jeyas is passionate and invested in the success of the Uptown Businesses.

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Prior to joining the Uptown Waterloo BIA in 2021, Jane founded IM@Events, managing social media for numerous large events and festivals as well as working with businesses across many sectors to improve their digital literacy and efforts. Jane was also previously a professor of Social Media Marketing at Conestoga College, and is a speaker, and writer with a background in English Literature. Her love for writing is what brought her into the digital environment over a decade ago where she has constantly strived to develop social media intelligence, standards and ethics. Jane is an active community member who has worked with several organizations over the years both as a volunteer and Board member. Jane originally built her personal brand around supporting local and is thrilled to bring her passion for this into her role with the Uptown BIA.

Having grown up in Waterloo Region, Christy considers the Grand River her home. Starting her career in and out of newspaper and the arts, Christy spent the last 10 years supporting job seekers, employers and community partners through Employment Ontario before joining our team. As an active volunteer with various community groups, and nonprofit organizations and a Past President & Honourary Member of Rotary, Christy’s passion for community engagement and public service included serving as a Community Connector for the Charles Street Re-Visioning Project. Eager to now focus her energy on building community in the neighborhood where she lives, Christy is excited to contribute to the development and success of the businesses of Uptown Waterloo.