BOARD OF DIRECTORS
"Together we will make a difference!"
Sylvia Naumovski
President
Bio: Sylvia was born and raised in Toronto. In 1980 she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from York University. She accompanied her husband abroad with the Canadian Diplomatic Service and in various positions in international finance and business. She has obtained a diploma in Volunteer Management and is an active member of the George Hull Centre’s Parents’ Association. She is also involved with “Madbakh”, a small group of Somali-Canadian women helping the East African Community in Etobicoke. In February of 2008 she was appointed to sit on the Consumer and Advocate Network which is one of four committees that advise the Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO. September 2008 she was appointed President of Parents for Children’s Mental Health.
Rick Arseneau
Treasurer & Director of Operations and Development
George Hull Centre
Bio: Rick Arseneau is the Director of Operations and Development at the George Hull Centre for Children and Families. He has been with the Centre since 1995. Rick graduated from McMaster University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Commerce and attained his professional designation of CGA in 1989. He has served on many Boards and has served as a lecturer at Humber College. Rick has extensive experience in management, specifically in the design and implementation of overall management, finance, and administration systems. His personal motivation has always been his compassion for children and families and his respect for clinical work of those professionals who support them.
Sarah Cannon
Executive Director
Bio: Sarah is the mother of two daughters, her eldest with a diagnosis of BiPolar Disorder. Since her daughter's diagnosis, Sarah has been an avid advocate for Children's Mental Health and has been committed to raising awareness surrounding these issues. She and her daughter Emily have appeared on Canada AM, the Gill Deacon Show, and a TVO special regarding the issues that families face. Emily's story has been featured in numerous newspapers and radio programs across the province in an effort to show the true face of mental illness in children. Sarah sits on the Consumer and Advocates Network of the Centre of Excellence, she is on the Parent Advisory Committee of her local Mental Health agency, as well as having done past work with The Global Business and Economic Roundtable for Mental Health, and the Canada/Uk Task Force for Children's Mental Health. She has continued her education to strengthen her ability to advocate for families receiving certification in a number of programs. Sarah joined the Board in 2008 and is excited to continue to promote family-centred and family-driven care.
Judith Coulman
Bio: Judith Coulman has been involved in the world of mental health for over 25 years. She has worked as a volunteer locally, provincially, and nationally. Presently, she is involved in the organization of the National Mental Health Day for Children and Youth, held in 2008 in Toronto. She is a proud member and supporter of “AD VOX, Adding Our Voices Together for Mental Health for Kids”, or the AD VOX Wellington Project. She has been and continues to be a strong advocate for children and youth and their families.
Yolanda Gallo
Chapter Leader - Simcoe-County
Bio: Yolanda graduated from the Georgian College Business Account program and later completed a postgraduate diploma in Fundraising and Resource Development. As a result of her 13-year old son’s challenges, she became involved with parent advocacy. She has successfully launched one of the local PCMH Chapters in Simcoe-County and continues to be a strong advocate in her local community. She also holds positions on both her son’s Parent Council, and also on the SEAC Board for Simcoe County.
Halima Saad
Bio: Halima is the founder and Executive Director of Madbakh Women’s Initiative founded in 2006 and serves Somali women dealing with various challenges of being newcomers with challenges. In 2007 she was awarded the Vital People Award from the Toronto Community Foundation. She holds a BA in Accounting and Administration along with numerous other postgraduate certificates including Law and Banking, Business Management, Investment Fund Licence and Marketing. Halima continues to be a valuable resource for many newcomers to Toronto, and she provides insight into many areas of mental health challenges faced by those in her community.
Joanne Spence
Bio: Joanne has worked in the field of social work for over twenty years. She graduated with a Masters of Social Work degree from Wilfred Laurier University in 1986. Since then she has worked as a family therapist with adolescents and their families. She has been involved with the start ups of organizations and projects such as Breakaway, CHC, and Humber College Program. For over five years, she has been working at Humber College in the Faculty of School of Social and Community Services holding three roles simultaneously: Program Coordinator, Field Placement Coordinator, and Partial Load Professor. She is currently a full-time professor and teaches courses to Social Service Worker students. All of her major accomplishments and accolades are far too great to list. She is a valued addition to our board!
Gabriela Wass
Bio:For the past 11 years Gaby has been navigating the Child and Youth Mental Health system for her daughter. She has successfully found treatment programs for her daughter and continues to be a strong advocate for ALL children, not only her own daughther, and one of the reasons for her success is her committment to never taking NO for an answer when a better answer is required for the children. Gaby has been on previous Boards including MADD Canada, The Neurofibromatosis Society of Ontario, as well as being the chair of the school council at her children's school. She also now sits as a Board member on the Board of Directors for Oxford Elgin Child and Youth Centre. Gaby's committment to her role and ensuring that the future is bright for all children is apparent in all she does.
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Andrea Betts - Chapter Leader Niagara
Andrea is a mother of two beautiful children, her eldest diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder at the age of 5. As part of her desire to advocate for the needs of her child and educate others Andrea co-leads the Niagara Chapter of PCMH - COPE Niagara. Andrea received her Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from McMaster University and completed her Master of Education from Broch. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD in Education from York University. Her focus has been on the disability studies in the field of education. She is a registered Social Worker with the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, as well as a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers. Andrea belongs to many organizations and committees - too many to list here - but all of her work is directed at ensuring that the future is bright for all children and that all children no matter what their disability have the opportunity to reach their full potential. She is a knowledgeable and welcome addition to our Board!
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Sonia Melnyk - Chapter Leader - Niagara
Sonia was thrown into the world of Children's Mental Health when her beautiful son was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder at the age of 7. Since then, she has advocated tirelessly for her child and all children who must deal with mental health issues. She co-leads the Niagara Chapter of PCMH - COPE Niagara. She sits on the Parents Advisory Committee for The Niagara Child and Youth Services Centre, as well as her local SEAC for the District School Board of Niagara. Despite being busy running her own business, Sonia still find time to continually educate herself and others further about the issues surrounding children's mental health and is a passionate and dedicated advocate for all our children. She brings a blend of keen business sense and passion for advocacy to our board and is welcome and valued for the work she does!
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Wayne Hobbs -
Executive Supervisor Student Support Services - Grand Erie District School Board
Both professionally and personally Wayne works tirelessly at advocating for and ensuring that children with mental health illness are treated with equity and respect He brings to the board experience, professionalism, and passion for our issues, and a belief that our children deserve the best this Province has to offer them - nothing less and no excuses. He received his MA in Psychology from the University of Western Ontario and also holds education in Mediation and Negotiation as well as Special Education Law. Wayne is currently involved with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act, Customer Service Standard Committee; K-W Counselling Services; and the Ontario Suicide Prevention Network. In May 2008 Wayne was awarded the 1st Annual Champion of Mental Health Award for outstanding contribution to the advancement of Mental Health in the workplace from the Canadian Mental Health Association, Brantford. It is a privilege to have him part of our Board and working with us for the future of our children!
