Our Board and Leadership Team

Board of Directors

Dan Banko, Chair

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.

Pheroze Jeejeebhoy, Past-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.

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.

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.

Melissa Groves, Board Member

Melissa Groves is a clinical manager currently at Brant Community Healthcare System, where responsibilities include developing and implementing interdisciplinary policies and enhancing quality improvement initiatives. Prior to this role, Melissa served as Associate Dean at Mohawk College, leading strategic growth in the Apprenticeship Community Hub and contributing significantly to both the Autism and Behavioural Science faculty team and a collaborative program with McMaster University. Melissa’s earlier experience includes serving as Clinical Coordinator of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services at Hamilton Health Sciences, where leadership on the Behaviour Standards Committee was vital. Melissa holds a Master’s degree in Applied Disability Studies with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis from Brock University and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University.

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.P.(s), Senior Director, Program Operations & Systems Planning
  • Mercy Adeyanju, Director, Intensive Out of Home Programs
  • Sandy Gdyczynski, B.A., CHRL, Director, Human Resources
  • Dr. Nicole Karki-Niejadlik, DNP, MS-NP, BSN, BSc., RN(EC), Clinical Director and Paediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Cathy Johnson, Interim Director, Finance
  • Lynn Vanderbrug, M.S.W., R.S.W., Director, Quality Assurance
  • Shari Burke, Senior Manager, Lynwood Hall Program
  • Collette Corman, Senior Manager, Forest Program & GPS Complex Needs
  • Kim Schilter, Manager, Access & System Navigation Program
  • Shruti Singh, Manager, GPS Integrated Mental Health Treatment & Thrive Programs
  • 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.