Meet our Board of Directors 2022-2023
Dana Petko – Chair
Dana’s connection with Pathways goes back 40 years to when her sister first started utilizing their services. Since then, Dana has worked with Pathways professionally in various ways as both an Early Childhood Educator and a Professor in the ECE Program at Lambton College. She has also had experience with Pathways as a parent who has utilized their services for her own children. Volunteering as a member of the Board of Directors is her way of supporting an organization she holds in very high esteem.
Gianni Spadafora – Treasurer
Giovanni is a CPA, CA and Manager at Baker Tilly Sarnia. He has over thirteen years in public accounting with specialized experience working with public sector accounting audits, not-for-profit organizations as well as small to medium sized owner managed corporations. He received his Bachelor of Managerial and Organizational Studies with Honours Economics degree from Western University. Giovanni and his family reside in Point Edward. He joined Pathways’ Board of Directors in 2017, and was appointed Treasurer in 2018.
Emma Nicholson – Secretary
Emma is the Associate Lawyer for Bluewater Power. She grew up in Sarnia and obtained her Bachelor of Science from Western University and Bachelor of Law from the University of Leicester. She brings experience serving on various local boards including the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Centre and the Lambton Law Association. Emma met her husband while studying in the United Kingdom, and they both now reside in Sarnia with their son. Emma’s positive experience as a Pathways parent inspired her to join the Board of Directors.
Warren Kennedy – Past Chair
Warren worked for the Lambton Kent District School Board as teacher, secondary administrator and supervisory officer. After thirty years with the Lambton Kent District School Board, he moved to Windsor to become the Director of Education for the Greater Essex County District School Board. Warren retired as the Executive Director for the Ontario Public Supervisory Officers’ Association and he plans to travel and spend more time with his family.
Alison Mahon
More about Alison coming soon!
Brittany Jones
Brittany is the Research Operations Coordinator at Lambton College. Brittany brings over seven years of employment and volunteer experience in the non-profit sector, supporting fundraising campaigns for Heart and Stroke, YMCA, MADD Canada and Lambton College. She obtained her Bachelor’s Business Administration Degree (2011) from the University of Guelph, as well as her Diploma in Not-for-Profit Management (2011) from Humber College and recently completed her Certificate in Supply Chain Management from George Brown College. She is excited to expand upon her existing relationship with Pathways and provide additional support as an engaged Board Member.
Ellie Carson
Ellie has lived in Sarnia for over 10 years now but has loved the sandy beaches, family friendly parks, and bridge fries since she was a child. As Sarnia has always held a special place in her heart, it was natural to move here to continue her career in the field of mental health and substance use which has included work in direct client care, education, and eventually a Master’s degree and position in public health.
With the pressures of the pandemic and a growing family, Ellie saw Board service at Pathways Health Centre for Children as an important way to refocus her efforts to support young people and the community. She’s excited to bring her experiences as well as her learner’s mind to this opportunity to serve Lambton County.
Gord Currie
Gord has an extensive background in corporate leadership and in the functional areas of finance and accounting. He has over 35 years of industry experience across multiple industries including building and industrial products (EMCO Limited), technology-semiconductor (Gennum Corporation), automotive parts (Wescast Inc.), and petrochemicals (NOVA/Polysar). Since 2000, Gord has held the role of CFO at EMCO, Gennum and Wescast. Since his retirement from full-time CFO work in 2010, he has held roles as a member of the Loan Committee of the Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII), and as the independent director of 1056782 Ontario Limited (holding company for Lakeside Process Controls, Arctic Combustion and the Valve Automation Centre). Gord was founder of Participation House Sarnia Region, a charity which developed housing alternatives and paratransit support for physically disabled adults in Lambton County in the 1980s and which are still operating today. Gord received his Masters Business Administration degree from the University of Toronto in 1976 and is also a professional accountant (CPA, CGA).
Mike Cullis
Mike is local Real Estate Agent and part owner at Royal Lepage Key Realty. He is involved in several local business ventures that include development and new home construction amongst others. Mike grew up working within his family business that spanned three generations. While working with J.V. Wiltshire Ltd., he managed several restaurants in the Sarnia Lambton area. He studied Business at Lambton College with emphasis in Accounting, Human Resource Management and Marketing. In his down time, he loves to fundraise to support local charities by embarking on travel expeditions to remote parts of the world.
Ray Meyer
Ray was born and raised in Sarnia, Ontario. He is a Registered Nurse of over 20 years and is currently the Director of Surgery and Maternal Infant Child at Bluewater Health. He obtained his diploma in Nursing at Lambton College, Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and Master’s in Health Studies from Athabasca University. Ray has previously volunteered with Sarnia Hockey Association as a board member for 6 years, and as a coach for over 12 years. He looks forward to this new opportunity with Pathways and the opportunity to give back to the Sarnia Lambton community.
Sandra Graham
Sandra has held various Branch Management and Human Resources positions during her career in the Financial Services Industry. She retired from a local Credit Union where she held the position of Vice President Sales and Service. Sandra has been involved with many Non-Profit Boards throughout her career and also reported to a Board of Directors while in her position with the Credit Union. Sandra has been a member of the Rotary Club of Sarnia since 1995, and has had the privilege of holding the Club President position twice. The affiliation between The Rotary Club of Sarnia and Pathways is something that Sandra is very proud of, and looks forward to supporting Pathways as a Board member.
Tanya Anderson
Tanya has been employed with The County of Lambton – Social Service Division for over 16 years, and currently on secondment at The Good Shepherd’s Lodge as the Program Coordinator. She prides herself on being an active team member and strong advocate for the clients she serves and those who are unable to do so for themselves. Her foundation of support consists of her husband, Brad and her two beautiful children, Jessica and Brett. Her connection with Pathways started when her son was diagnosed with Autism at a young age. Due to the wonderful programs and support that her son received from Pathways, it has inspired her to become involved with the agency.
Dr. Stoesser – Pathways’ Medical Advisor
Dr. Stoesser has held the position of Pathways Health Centre for Children’s Medical Director and ex-officio member of the Board since 1992. During his weekly scheduled medical consultation visits, Dr. Stoesser is a great resource to clinical staff and parents by assisting, advising, advocating and educating on matters relating to medical services. He monitors medical consultants and clinics at Pathways and participates in matters pertaining to employee and Centre-wide health issues. Dr. Stoesser is a family physician that holds his practice at 481 London Road, and has active privileges at Bluewater Health. Dr Stoesser is a lifelong resident of Sarnia.
Alison Morrison, Pathways Chief Executive Officer
Alison grew up in Chatham, Ontario and realized a call to service with children early on. She studied Nursing at Western University and later worked in Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario. Alison returned to Western to complete a Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. A relocation to Sarnia with her husband Pat in 1997 lead to an opportunity to work at Pathways. Care for children and youth has always been a priority for both Alison and Pat – and parenting two children has been their greatest joy. Alison is a competitive cheerleading coach at Bluewater Cheer Athletics and an active member of the Grace United Church community.
Alison’s work with the organization has included Speech-Language Pathologist, Accreditation Coordinator, Supervisor, and Manager of Clinical Services. She is deeply committed to Pathways. “I love the work of this place – the families, our staff, volunteers, Board, and our community. It is an honour to be called to the Executive Director role. I’m excited about days to come – and our strong work to ensure we remain responsive to emerging needs, allowing us to wrap around children and youth with physical, developmental and communication difficulties…to help them be their best!”
Our Mission
Our Board of Directors is dedicated to facilitating the mission and vision of Pathways. Our Board consists of community volunteers who tirelessly give their time to help staff maintain and improve the services we provide for children and their families living in Sarnia-Lambton.
If you would like to become a Pathways Board member, please complete the form below.
We are seeking a diverse governance team.
I provide the following information with respect to my application for membership on the Board.
I will provide an up-to-date résumé.
2022/2023 Board Meetings
All Board Meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month from 4:30 p.m. to approximately 6:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted. There are no meetings in December, July and August.
- September 27, 2022 (Also Annual General Meeting)
- October 25, 2022
- November 29, 2022
- January 31, 2023
- February 28, 2023
- March 28, 2023
- April 25, 2023
- May 30, 2023
- June 20, 2023 (NOT the last Tuesday of the month)
- June 27, 2023 – Annual General Meeting (AGM)
