DISTRICT GOVERNOR NOMINEE

Paul Gibel - 2027/28

Paul grew up in Waterloo, Ontario, then moved to Toronto to begin working on his Chartered Accountant designation which he obtained in 1982.  In 1991, he took advantage of an opportunity to join MacGillivray Partners LLP, a regional public accounting firm in Hamilton, Ontario.  Paul and his wife Sandra relocated to a rural property where they continue to live.

One of the partners at MacGillivray was Bruno Bragoli, who had been a Rotarian for many years and decided this was a good way for Paul to meet members of the business community.  Paul joined the Rotary Club of Hamilton in 1993, got involved with many service projects and developed many friendships and business relationships.  He was honoured to serve as Club President in Rotary’s Centennial year 2004-2005.
 
Paul was introduced to the good works of The Rotary Foundation by PDG Dr. John Frid as the Club was involved in several international projects and John had experience working on projects on behalf of Rotary International.  He became Foundation chair and continues to be a proud supporter of the work of the Foundation having eared Paul Harris Fellowship + 8 status.
 
He joined the Hamilton After Five Rotary Club, affectionately known as Tonic by the members, as a charter member in 2016 and has been the Foundation Chair since then and a member of the Board of Directors.
 
Paul was an Assistant Governor for the 2021-2024 Rotary years and is currently the Chair of the Rotary Leadership Institute for District 7090.  He has been involved in learning initiatives at the district level including District Conferences, Learning Assemblies, President Elect Learning and Webinars.
 
In 2011, MacGillivray merged with Grant Thornton LLP, an international public accounting firm.  Paul continued to practice as a partner of that firm until his retirement at the end of 2020.  His practice focused mainly on owner managed and family businesses along with some not-for-profit entities and litigation support engagements.  He continues to work part time investigating complaints against members of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario on behalf of its Professional Conduct Committee.
 
Paul continues serving in his community and is currently the Vice-Chair of the YMCA of Hamilton, Burlington, Brantford.  He is a Past Chair of the Hamilton Community Foundation and continues to be a member of its Impact Investment Advisory Committee. 
 
Paul is a college basketball fan having season tickets at Syracuse University since 1985 and has attended numerous Final Fours and NCAA tournament games with his family.  Since his retirement, he has been working on his golf game which teaches him humility, enjoying travelling with Sandra and spending more time with his adult children, Dan, David and Emily, who spent a year in Sweden as a Rotary Exchange Student.