Board of Directors

Patrick Jones

Manager – Family Healing and Wellness Centre, Dilico Anishinabek Family Care

Patrick has worked in various areas of social services for over 15 years. Currently working as a Family Healing & Wellness Centre Manager with Dilico Anishinabek Family Care. Patrick brings knowledge and advocacy from communities such as; 2SLGBTQ, addictions, substance misuse, and mental health. His approach to working with communities comes with a lens of pride, lived, and professional experiences.

Lawni LaBelle-Paynter

Manager of Interprofessional Care Team – NorWest Community Health Centres

Lawni has over 20 years of experience in the health care sector. She brings extensive knowledge in the areas of mental health and addictions, primary care, acute care, chronic care, long term care, palliative care and home and community care support services. Lawni possesses skills in the area of home care management, counselling therapy, chronic disease management, community development, case management, program development, implementation, evaluation and risk management.

Jason Veltri

Jason has worked in supply chain services and procurement activities for over 20 years. Jason was born and raised in Thunder Bay, leaving briefly for 10 years to Calgary, Fort McMurray, Cochrane Ontario, and Toronto before returning home to devote his time to making lives better for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities through his work with Thunder Pride Association and Founding Rainbow Collective of Thunder Bay in 2021. Jason values human rights and equity work and believes everyone has a fair chance to get ahead.

Alexandra Mauro

Board Director

Alexandra serves as the Director of Wellbeing and Inclusion Services at the Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Aurores boréales, a French-language regional school board based in Thunder Bay. She oversees a comprehensive wellbeing portfolio encompassing social work, speech language pathology, autism services, mental health, safe schools and equity, diversity and inclusion. As a dedicated Francophone, she prioritizes enhancing provision of high-quality French-language health care services.

Ardelle Sagutcheway

Student and Writer

Originally from Eabametoong First Nation, Ardelle currently resides in Thunder Bay with her two kids. She is a student and a writer. She is also an advocate on Indigenous issues and use poetry as a means to speak on different issues. Ardelle joined the Board of Directors of Thunder Bay Counselling because 15 years ago, she was a client. Thunder Bay Counselling does great work in the community and she wants to help out.

Rose Bakke

Retired Director of Family Services, Children’s Aid Society of the District of Thunder Bay

Rose has worked in various capacities in the field of child welfare for over 30 years. She recently retired from her position as Director of Family Services at the Children’s Aid Society of the District of Thunder Bay. Rose is born and raised in Thunder Bay and has a strong commitment to community and district. She has previous Board experience and a strong belief in volunteer work.

Aimee Jaun

Associate Vice Provost, Lakehead University

Aimee Jaun is the Associate Vice-Provost, Students at Lakehead University. She comes to the Board with diverse experiences that include post-secondary education, mental health and addiction, public health, management consulting, training and development, and organization development.

Greyson Evans

Direct Funding Coordinator, Wesway

Greyson is a Direct Funding Coordinator at Wesway, in this role he works directly with families from all over Northern Ontario. As a proud trans man, Greyson is passionate about creating a healthcare model that is accessible to all, and ensures that nobody slips through the cracks.

Laura Meisner

Manager of Healthy Child Development, Children’s Centre Thunder Bay

As a social worker with experience in the mental health & development sector, Laura believes in the importance of supporting the health and well-being of our community. She is the Manager of Healthy Child Development at Children’s Centre Thunder Bay & brings many years of Board leadership experience. Laura is pleased to join the Board of Directors at Thunder Bay Counselling to positively contribute to our community.

Mohit Dudeja

Contract Lecturer, Lakehead University

With extensive experience in research, education, and mental health, Mohit specializes in queer affirmative counseling. Their expertise and dedication in creating inclusive environments have made them a trailblazer in their field, empowering individuals to embrace their authentic selves.

Kari Wesley

Kari has over 20 years of experience in Financial Planning and Financial Services. She is a Professional Executive Coach specializing in Leadership Development and Performance Coaching. Kari is passionate about work/life balance and volunteers as a National Well-Being Ambassador with TD.

Kari Chiappetta

Owner – Kari Chiappetta Consulting Inc.

Kari was born and raised in Thunder Bay and loves the people and the sense of community in our city. She wants to give back to the community to help make it the best place for her children and future grandchildren to call home. Kari joined the Board of Directors at Thunder Bay Counselling as a way to build a stronger community. She believes strongly in the Vision, Mission, and Values of the organization and believes her skills and experience tie in well to work of the board at TBC.

Heather Gray

Retired Director of Health System Design and Development

Heather joined the Board in 2018. She brings extensive experience in the health care sector in planning, education, clinical practice and administration. Prior to her recent retirement, Heather was the Director of Health System Design and Development at the North West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN). During her tenure at the North West LHIN Heather provided oversight to the following portfolios: seniors, chronic disease management, emergency planning, mental health and addictions, alternate level of care (ALC), and First Nations health. She has extensive health care experience throughout Northwestern Ontario in clinical practice, education, administration and planning. Heather has a special interest in mental health and addictions services.

Renée Monsma

Manager of Infant & Child Services – Children’s Centre Thunder Bay

Renée has over 20 years experience in the mental health sector and is the Manager of Infant & Child Services Children’s Centre Thunder Bay. Renée has served on the board of directors for the past 3 years and holds the position of Chair of the board. Renee is also a member of the strategic planning committee.

Carlina Marchese

Research Coordinator & Research Manager – Lakehead University

Carlina is a member of the Audit & Finance Committee. She recently completed her Master of Health Sciences, and is now a Research Coordinator and Research Manager at the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health.

Tuomas Minor

Corporate Management Professional

Tuomas is a Professional Engineer working in the local telecommunication sector. He brings extensive experience in Corporate Leadership and specializes in strategic planning, program development, and data analysis.