Our Board and Leadership Team

Board of Directors

Pheroze Jeejeebhoy, Co-Chair

Pheroze Jeejeebhoy is a lawyer practicing in Hamilton, Ontario. He began his tenure on the Lynwood Charlton’s Board of Directors in 2014, and is the Board’s Treasurer. As a lawyer, Pheroze has represented many injured and disabled children before the courts in Ontario. Through this advocacy, he has developed a keen awareness of the challenges facing children and their families when trying to access mental health services in Ontario, as well as an interest in ensuring the availability of appropriate services for children.

Kim Laush, Co-Chair

Kim Ann Laush, has worked at Mohawk College since 2003, in a variety of capacities. She teaches in both the Educational Support and Child and Youth Care programs. Kim Ann is also the coordinator for the Educational Support program, Educational Support Intensive program, and is the Field Placement Coordinator for the Child and Youth Care program. Most recently, she has been in the role of acting Associate Dean, Department of Community Studies. Kim Ann has a BA in Social Development Studies from the University of Waterloo, BEd from York University (primary/junior qualifications), and a Master of Education from Nipissing. Prior to working at Mohawk College, Kim Ann worked in children’s mental health, custody for youth, and taught in both the Grand Erie School Board, and the Waterloo Region District School board. Kim Ann has a passion for teaching and life long learning. She plans to continue her education by obtaining a Doctorate in Education.

Ghanwa Afach, Secretary

Ghanwa Afach has been employed at the Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton since 2010, where she is actively engaged in the Hamilton Community Action Program for Children (CAPC), which provides supports for families with children aged newborn to six in east Hamilton. Her work also focuses on Health Canada’s three priorities, including Mental Health Promotion, Injury Prevention, and Healthy Weights.

Denise Williams, Board Member

Denise Williams works at Matrix Solutions Inc. as the Team Lead, Health & Safety, Programs. Prior to that, they held the position of Sr Health and Safety Advisor at the same company. Before joining Matrix Solutions Inc., Denise worked as a Senior Health and Safety Trainer/WSIB Excellence Advisor at OSG. Denise J. also served as the HSE Manager at Titan Trailers Inc. From 2011 to 2020, Denise worked at DWSC Solutions as the Principal Safety Consultant. Denise’s role involved conducting compliance and system internal environmental, health & safety system audits, developing and delivering leadership safety training sessions, facilitating ISO 14001 surveillance audits, and monitoring contractors on construction sites. Denise has also worked as a Facilitator of Occupational Health and Safety at Sheridan College in 2013.

Kojo Afari, Board Member

 Kojo Afari is a Ghanaian/Canadian basketball player, coach, and fitness professional who has professional experiences in his field in 6 different countries. He is the Founder/CEO/Head Coach of Kingdom AthletiKs, a sports & athletic training brand that offers coaching services to various clubs, as well as basketball clinics and private training. In March 2020 Kojo partnered with Basketball School Academy in Accra, Ghana and has spear headed the launch of two international projects including the Ghana Hoops Project- an initiative to help grow the sport of basketball in Ghana., and Young Coaches Without Borders, which is a mentorship program that provides young athletes the tools needed to become successful international coaches.

Dan Banko, Board Member

Dan Banko is the senior partner and creative director at Banko Creative Studio, owner and CEO of Orchestrated Development Inc., and owner of Little Blue House Coffee Co. He has a talent for seeing potential and connecting with people and over the last twenty years has served the communities of Hamilton, Burlington, Brantford and Brant County through a variety of volunteer initiatives. Dan helps small businesses, large corporations, and non-profit organizations from across North America solve their unique business problems with strategic, captivating and creative storytelling. Dan has a BA Honours in Art from McMaster University and a BEd from Brock.

Brent Foreman, Board Member

Brent Foreman, was a partner at Simpon Wigle Law, a legal advisor and an advocate who acted primarily for small to medium sized employers (public and private sector) and unionized employers in regard to all areas of workplace law. His extensive experience includes providing representation in relation to employment contracts, collective bargaining, grievance arbitrations, wrongful dismissal, human rights, disability management, and occupational health and safety. Brent regularly appeared before the courts, tribunals (Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, Ontario Labour Relations Board, Canada Labour Board etc.) and arbitrators. Brent also has extensive experience in education law, acting in the past for Boards of Education in the areas of employment and labour relations as well as special education and safe schools. His activities included dealing with human rights matters related to special education and appearing before the Child and Family Services Review Board in regard to student expulsion appeals.

Board of Directors’ Value Statements

 

The following values statements will guide the work of the organization:

Person Strength: The Centre recognizes that every child, youth, and family member, staff member and Board member have unique strength. The Centre values their contributions.

Service Strength: Service is driven by children, youth and families and accompanied by evidence-informed practices that are subject to a process of continuous quality improvement. The Centre’s services are innovative, respond to the unique needs of the community and complement Hamilton’s spectrum of mental health services for children and youth.

Organizational Strength: The Centre promotes personal and organizational wellness and values the unique contribution and full participation of a diverse workforce. The Centre fosters a work environment that encourages personal and professional efficacy and work-life balance. Board and staff are accountable for acting responsibly and strategically in assessing decisions which affect the stability and future of the organization.

System Strength: The Centre is connected to, and works collaboratively with, a larger spectrum of services designed to support the healthy development of children, youth and their families. Internally, services to children, youth and families are responsive to their voices and integrated at all levels of service delivery.

 

Agency Leadership Team

  • Lisa Whittaker, B.A. M.Ed., M.Sc, Executive Director

  • Michelle Hayes, M.S.W., R.S.W., D.C.Psych(s), Senior Director, Systems Planning

  • Senior Director, Finance, HR and Administration – COMING SOON

  • Dr. Nicole Karki-Niejadlik, DNP, MS-NP, BSN, BSc., RN(EC), Clinical Director and Paediatric Nurse Practitioner

  • Lynn Vanderbrug, M.S.W., R.S.W., Director, Community-Based Services

  • Mercy Adeyanju, Director, Intensive Out of Home Programs

  • Shari Burke, Interim Manager, Community-Based Programs

  • Michael Milan, Interim Manager, Lynwood Hall Program

  • Collette Corman, Manager, Forest Program

  • Apryll MacAuley, Manager, Flamborough Program

  • Sheri Terry, Manager, Charlton Hall Program

Philosophical Statement

Children and youth have a right to early intervention and innovative supports to assist in their positive cognitive growth, emotional well-being, and relationship development. Children, youth, their families and caregivers benefit from supports that strengthen their resilience and their capacity to thrive. When children, youth and their families are fully engaged in service provision and system planning, services are most meaningful and impactful.