Board of Directors
Frank Leahy
Lisa Bauer-Leahy
Frank Leahy is the Founder and Music Director of Music in the Schools (MITS), an innovative music program built on the belief that every child is musical.
MITS, celebrating its 25th anniversary in Waterloo Region, introduces students to the wonderful world of music through voice, musical instruments, and dance. With his eldest daughter and Assistant Music Director, Maria, their approach goes far beyond learning notes and technique. MITS helps young people build confidence, character, creativity, communication skills, and a lifelong love of learning and music.
A renowned violinist and fiddle player, Frank studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music, where he was awarded the prestigious Gold Medal of Excellence. The Juno nominated artist went on to become the youngest Canadian National Fiddle Champion and has enjoyed an extraordinary career performing around the world. As a soloist, he has appeared in over 2,000 Symphonic Pop Concerts, theatre productions, and musical theatre runs, demonstrating his versatility across classical, jazz, swing, and old-time fiddling.
Frank's passion for music and education is complemented by his deep love of family and the outdoors. Being blessed as a father of seven has undoubtedly enriched his understanding of the importance of nurturing curiosity, confidence, and individuality in young people.
Frank holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Guelph and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Wilfred Laurier University.
When he isn't inspiring the next generation of musicians, Frank can be found enjoying the tranquility of Creare in Pacem Estates, his peaceful country property featuring apple orchards along the beautiful Teeswater River. Creare in Pacem Estates provides a welcomed connection to nature and creativity.
Whether performing on a world-class stage, teaching a young musician their first notes, or tending to his apple orchard, Frank brings the same passion, warmth, and appreciation for life's experiences.
For Frank Leahy, music is a pathway to confidence, family is at the heart of everything, and there is always something to be discovered- whether on a stage, helping a young person discover music, or beside the river watching his apples grow.
A graduate of the University of Waterloo, Lisa Bauer-Leahy was a star for the Waterloo Warrior Field Hockey team, leading them to three National Championships. The all-time leading scorer for the University of Waterloo, she went on to star on Canada's National Field Hockey Team. Lisa conquered two World Cups and finished fourth in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Lisa was the President and CEO of Bauer Industries in Waterloo from 2005 to 2012. Bauer Industries was founded in 1875, making it the oldest company in Waterloo at the time.
In 1995, Lisa co-chaired the fundraising for the Waterloo Recreation Centre. The street where the Recreation Centre is located is named after her famous uncle and Hockey Hall of Fame member, Father David Bauer.
Lisa co-founded Waterloo's 'Road Breakers', which just celebrated their 40th anniversary raising over $25,000 annually for children's charities in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.
Lisa lives in Waterloo with her wonderful husband, Frank, with whom she shares seven children and five grandchildren.
Phil Leahy
Joseph Leahy
Phil Leahy is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with over ten years of professional experience in finance and accounting. After completing the International Baccalaureate program at Cameron Heights Institute in Kitchener, Phil received a golf scholarship in Georgia, where he played four years for the Berry Vikings.
Upon graduating from Berry College with a finance degree, Phil went onto achieve his CPA designation.
After five years of public accounting experience in audit, assurance, and deal advisory, Phil took a new opportunity with The Semex Alliance, a leading bovine genetics solutions company. Phil currently works as a Finance Manager for Semex Australia and resides in Melbourne, Australia.
Outside of work, Phil enjoys playing golf, playing the banjo, and spending time outdoors appreciating nature.
Phil values building strong relationships and has a keen interest in music, sports, and education, aligning closely with LISFRA's objectives of promoting these values in Waterloo Region and beyond.
Phil is a strategic advisor for the LISFRA Charitable Foundation.
Joseph Leahy embodies the very mission of LISFRA, integrating academics with music, athletics, and Faith throughout his life. Joe graduated with honours from Cornell University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Studies. He was recruited and played Division I ice hockey for the Big Red and led his team to an Ivy League Championship in 2019. Upon graduation, he pursued his Master of Science in Plant and Soil Science at the University of Vermont while continuing hockey with the UVM Catamounts. Joe thrives in demanding environments and learned to seamlessly balance the requirements and responsibilities of school and sports.
Joe's professional ice hockey career led him first to Greenville, South Carolina. He played almost two seasons in the ECHL, winning the division title and being awarded the conference's Top Defensive Defensemen Award his first year. In his second year, Joe was honoured to serve as the team's assistant captain. Before the end of the season, he was offered a contract in the Czech Extraliga, where he has played since. Joe and his wife, Madeline, now life in Ostrava, Czechia and are expecting their first child in November.
Throughout his upbringing and into adulthood, music remains integral to Joe's daily life. At high school in Waterloo, he won both the junior and senior music awards, receiving the highest mark in the school. In university, he complemented his scientific studies with courses in music history and theory while continuing to practice in his free time. Even now in Czechia, he has his guitar and uses music as a way to decompress and exercise his creativity.
His love and expertise in agriculture inspired him to help create, foster, and expand the apple orchard at his parents' farm, Creare in Pacem Estates. Managing over 7,500 honeycrisp apple trees, he oversees orchard operations each off-season to ensure fruitful harvests.
Joseph has an ongoing passion for family, education, music, sport, farming, and giving back to the community.