Board of Directors - Thunder Bay Counselling

Alexandra Mauro

Secretary/Treasurer

Alexandra Mauro is the Direction de service Bien-être et inclusion at the Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Aurores boréales. In this role, she oversees portfolios focused on school-based mental health and attendance services, autism and behaviour services, speech-language pathology, safe and accepting schools, and equity, diversity, and inclusion. Alexandra has been with CSDCAB for several years, following the completion of her Master’s in Social Work. Before that, she worked at Thunder Bay Counselling in the Substance Use Health Program, where she developed a strong foundation in community-based services.

She is passionate about reducing stigma around mental health and creating compassionate, inclusive spaces for individuals and families. Over the years, Alexandra has developed strong skills in organizational leadership, change management, and navigating the complexities of staff and budget management. Her work also emphasizes data-driven decision-making, experience she brings to her role on the board.

Alexandra feels connected to TBC’s purpose because she has seen firsthand how these services can transform lives. She values the opportunity to contribute to an organization that strengthens well-being in the community.

As a bilingual leader, Alexandra brings a unique ability to advocate for equitable access to services and ensure that diverse voices are heard.

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.

Patrick Jones

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

Patrick Jones is the Post-Treatment Services Manager at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care, bringing over 15 years of experience across various areas of social services. His professional background spans substance use health, mental health services, and post-treatment supports, where he has developed strong skills in advocacy, systems-level thinking, program development, and collaborative leadership. Patrick is deeply motivated by community wellbeing and improving equitable access to mental health supports, particularly within Northern and underserved communities.

Throughout his career, Patrick has worked closely with individuals and families navigating complex systems of care, grounding his approach in both professional expertise and lived experience. He brings a strong understanding of how policy, service delivery, and community needs intersect, and values governance that is accountable, inclusive, and responsive.

Patrick is drawn to Thunder Bay Counselling’s mission because of its clear commitment to putting community first and creating welcoming, accessible spaces for all. He is proud to contribute a perspective informed by lived experience, professional practice, and advocacy for 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion, and is committed to supporting TBC’s role as a trusted, community-centered mental health professional.”

Mohit Dudeja

Contract Lecturer, Lakehead University

Mohit Dudeja is a researcher, educator, and community advocate committed to advancing social justice, queer inclusion, and equitable educational practices. His work is driven by a deep belief in collective care, community empowerment, and the transformative potential of education.

Mohit currently serves as a Lecturer at Lakehead University while completing his PhD in Sociocultural and Political Contexts of Education. His academic and professional journey spans community organizing, queer-affirmative counselling, university teaching, and leadership roles across student services. Through these experiences, he has developed expertise in qualitative research, advocacy, program development, and trauma-informed support, skills that directly strengthen his contributions to the TBC Board.

He has been actively involved in advocacy and community-building efforts within LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities through various roles within Canada and internationally. Their research explores the internationalization of education, with a focus on social justice, queer inclusion, and transnational identities in higher education. They write from the standpoint of a queer migrant scholar and international student, committed to advancing equity in academic and community spaces.

Mohit is strongly aligned with TBC’s purpose of fostering belonging, equity, and safety for marginalized communities. He brings a transnational, queer, and community-centered perspective shaped by his lived experiences, scholarly work, and long-standing commitment to care-based leadership.

Laura Meisner

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

Laura Meisner is Director of Programs & Services at Children’s Centre Thunder Bay. She brings clinical and systems level social work experience in mental health and development, having served clients across a range of programs supporting children, youth and families.

With an educational background in psychology and social work, Laura’s work is grounded in supporting the health and well-being of our community. She has over 14 years of board governance experience, including a previous role as Board Chair for a women’s shelter to support those impacted by intimate partner violence. She also has experience and interest in project management, policy development, accreditation, risk management, strategic planning, and supporting innovative pathways to equitable access to services that meet the needs of our community.
Laura believes in the work of Thunder Bay Counselling and is proud to serve as a Board Director for the organization.

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.

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.

Lawni LaBelle-Paynter

Manager of Interprofessional Care Team – NorWest Community Health Centres

I am guided by a deep commitment to equity, community well-being, and culturally safe, trauma-informed care. My work is grounded in the belief that all people deserve accessible, dignified support that reflects their lived experiences.

I currently serve as Manager of Inter-Professional Care Teams at NorWest Community Health Centres, where I lead integrated primary care, outreach, and community-based health initiatives. Over more than two decades in community health and social services, I have developed expertise in systems navigation, population health planning, collaborative leadership, and building strong multi-sector partnerships.

My advocacy and community engagement include work in housing stability, harm reduction, food security, newcomer support, youth programming, and 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion. I am passionate about meeting people where they are and supporting services that reduce barriers and foster wellness across the lifespan.
I am honoured to serve on the Thunder Bay Counselling Board because its purpose—providing accessible, person-centred mental health and social supports—aligns closely with my values. I bring a systems-integration perspective, a commitment to equity, and a grounded understanding of the challenges faced by individuals and families in our region.

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 Potestio

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

Rose Potestio is a dedicated community leader and retired child welfare professional, whose career has been rooted in the principles of inclusivity, equity, compassion, integrity, and continuous learning. Equipped with a Master of Social Work and a steadfast dedication to antioppressive practice, she’s devoted more than three decades to supporting the wellbeing of children, youth, and families. Her career spanning a broad spectrum of roles, from frontline work to senior leadership, Rose has developed a holistic understanding of the sector and its capacity for meaningful, personcentred change.

Rose’s areas of expertise include traumainformed practice, child development, and wellness within the support services sector. Known for her collaborative approach, she worked closely with Thunder Bay Counselling throughout her career, partnering across agencies to strengthen integrated supports for individuals and families. She has long believed that mental health and wellbeing are foundational to healthy communities and has consistently admired and championed TBC’s leadership in this space.

Beyond her professional work, Rose contributes significantly to community wellbeing through advocacy, board governance, and volunteering. She has previously volunteered with Shelter House, demonstrating her continued dedication to supporting vulnerable populations.

In all governance settings, Rose brings a strong commitment to ensuring diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) remain central to decisionmaking and organizational processes. Her lived experience in leadership, paired with her valuesdriven approach, allows her to bring thoughtful and forwardthinking perspectives to the board table.