About KW Legacy
Who We Are
Our History
KW Legacy was formed in 2014 with the goal of using its founder’s networks and skills to accelerate start-up charitable initiatives in the community and leave a lasting legacy in the Waterloo Region.
Legacy’s first initiative Golf For Scholarships has raised over $700,000 and after June 2022 will have distributed over 65 scholarships to deserving students within Waterloo Region.
Legacy Scholarship recipients enrich the lives of others by demonstrating elite community leadership skills.
KW Legacy continues to work with scholarship recipients in a mentoring role with this year’s 2022 winners being announced in June 2022.
Our second initiative, Top Home Chefs, an annual gala dinner cooking contest held in late April each year at St. George Hall in Waterloo has raised $148,000 in 3 years with funds raised supporting Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council.
KW Legacy recently announced a 3rd initiative focused on local housing and the 4th initiative on men’s mental health. Please see the Legacy initiatives section on the website for more information.
Our mission
We seek to provide meaningful financial support to other charitable organizations within our community whose aim is to improve the lives of those in need.
Our Vision
Leave a lasting Legacy in our community.
Our values
1. Give back to the community in which we live.
2. Improve the lives of those in need.
3. Empower others to leave a significant and sustainable legacy.
4. Target local, starter initiatives with passion and good causes.
5. Mentor future generations.
6. Enable and leverage our network and friends to achieve greater deeds.
Mentorship
Governing Board Members
Advisory Board Members
Chair – Sean Doherty
Vice-Chair – Lisa Ball
Treasurer – Scott Lackenbauer
Secretary – Darren Denomme
Director – Mike Denomme
Director – Derek Hamilton
Memoriam
Brian Denomme was a driving force behind the beginning and growth of KW Legacy. Brian’s vision and friendship inspired like minded friends and family to invest in his dream to improve the conditions of the Waterloo Region community we were so lucky to be raised in.
His complete devotion to the work and his community and the belief that a group of friends can make a difference continue to guide our thinking as KW Legacy. Brian’s passion for service, leadership, and friendship lives on in the work of KW Legacy and in the hearts of all the members.
Mentorship
Bill Lawlor
(ST. JEROME'S 1985-1990)
Joe Benninger
(St. Jerome’s / St. Mary’s 1988-1993)
Scott Lackenbauer
(St. Jerome’s 1982-1987)
Derek Hamilton
(St. John's Brantford 1988-93)
Current owner of two Freshii restaurants. Prior to having a mid career crisis and opening two freshii’s I was a high energy sales professional with a proven track record of identifying and capitalizing on business opportunities. Family above all and proud Legacy Member. https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-hamilton-10618714/
Sean Doherty
(St. Jerome’s 1982-1987)
Easy-going WLU professor, chef, brewer and grandpa who enjoys mentoring youth through the university experience. I live near WLU campus (surrounded by lively students!), grew up in a Kitchener “hood”, and graduated from U. Waterloo (Environmental Studies, Geography) and U. Toronto (Civil Engineering). As professor, I conduct research in urban/health/food geography and enjoy teaching statistics and field research methods. I currently serve as Legacy chair, and past chair of the Top Home Chef event.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-doherty-9a21613b/
David Vrolyk
(St. Jerome’s / St. Mary’s 1988-1993)
Darcy Mintz
(St. Jerome’s 1984-1989)
Peter Kalbfleisch
(Grand River 1982-1987)
Darren Denomme
(St. Jerome’s 1979-84)
CPA with experience working with startups and scale ups. Currently working as the CFO of a tech scale up company Smile Inc. (smile.io)
Mike Denomme
(St. Jerome’s 1984-1989)
Professional role(s) include Finance, Accounting, Sales and Sales Operations. Education: BA in Economics, CMA, MBA. Co-founder of Legacy. I have a “work hard” “play harder” attitude and enjoy spending my free time helping others and mentoring/guiding people with career or life decisions. I enjoy leading fundraisers for the ‘greater good” and enjoy seeing people do great things for the community.
Mike Cherevaty
(St. Jerome's 1982-87, WLU 1987-92
Manage a Master Distribution Company specialized in products primarily marketed through Canadian Electrical Distribution. 25+ years experience in sales, small business development, self-employment. HBA, Economics WLU 1992
Susan Denomme
(St. David’s - St. Mary's 1982-1987)
Mortgage Banker with over 25+ years in the mortgage industry. Currently, I hold the role of Director of Mortgage Underwriting and Operations at MCAP. I am accountable for the overall leadership of Underwriters, Mortgage Fulfillment Specialists and General Administrators for the alternative lending channel, Eclipse. I presently serve as the Co-Chair of Legacy Top Home Chef event.
Dave Kalbfleisch
(Grand River 1985-1990)
Director of Project and Business Development in Construction and Building Development Services. A successful construction professional with over 25 years of progressive management and leadership experience in all areas of construction, real estate, property and project development. Specializing in multi unit residential, mid-rise developments. Skills – business and project development, real estate development, pre-construction services, land development and municiple services, project costing, budgeting, procurement, building science, systems design, client services, business relations, contract negotiations, project and contract change processes, finance, scheduling, crisis and risk management, client and enduser services..
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-kalbfleisch-a8407925/
Proud KW Legacy founder/member since its inception.
Scott Jordan
Bill Lemon
(Waterloo CI 1982-87)
Superintendent, Waterloo Region DSB. Began career in education as a Math & PHE teacher in secondary school. Previous adventures include Child & Youth Worker – Young Offenders and Special Populations; Residence Life Coordinator, University of Waterloo; and Assistant Director YMCA Camp Wabanaki.
LinkedIn Profile
Lisa Ball
WLU Psychology grad turned ERP Manager for Mtchell Plastics. 20+ years of automotive manufacturing businees experience in between. Past Director at Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society, current proud member of KW Legacy.
Scott Denomme
(St. Jerome’s / Resurrection 1988-1993)
Graduate from Conestoga College Construction Engineering program. Licensed Carpenter with 25 years plus experience in construction. Gold Seal Certification as a Site Superintendent. Working as a General Superintendent for a local mid rise builder.
Craig Nickel
(Bluevale 1979-84)
Director of Student Activities and Guidance Counsellor at Grand River CI and Waterloo CI. Actively involved in coaching basketball at all levels (club, high school and university). Currently Director of Basketball Development with PGC Basketball