Shelley believes in taking what comes and accepting change for what it is. His long career in the engineering and manufacturing field has taken him from his roots in Quebec to southern Ontario to the local area. For the past 37 years, he has lived near Smiths Falls where he launched and developed Northern Cables. This power cable manufacturer now employs 250 people in the area. “From beginning to end, I’ve done it all with this business from accounting to selling to whatever needs to be done to get the job done.”

Shelley brings that same attitude to his volunteer work. For example, he represents the City of Prescott on the St. Lawrence Corridor Economic Development Commission which brings seven townships together to encourage economic development.

As a father and local employer, Shelley knows there is a need for services such as the ones that LLGAMH provides. “We see employees that experience difficult times. It’s very hard and we are very concerned. Sometimes trying to help them isn’t easy.”

Shelley lives in South Elmsley Township and enjoys his cottage on the Upper Rideau.

Shelley’s motto: Every experience teaches valuable lessons.

Tamara has worked in the social services sector for more than 27 years as a case manager and employment coach. Her heart belongs to the non-profit and social services sector, which drives her to give back to her beloved community as a volunteer on agency boards, political campaigns, and as an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant review team member.

Tamara understands how systemic inequalities can take a toll on a person’s mental health and their ability to access supports within the community. For Tamara, serving on the LLGAMH Board of Directors is an opportunity to give a voice to those in the community who may feel they aren’t heard and be part of positive changes to mental health and addictions services.

Having lived in Brockville since 2000, Tamara counts herself lucky to enjoy cycling and running around her wonderful community.

Tamara’s motto: “She flies with her own wings.”

Greg brings more than 30 years of professional experience with the Ontario Ministries of Community & Social Services, and Child and Family Services, working with community organizations that support vulnerable adults and children. He has been a consultant for the past ten years, supporting government ministries and community agencies with operational reviews, amalgamations, organizational restructure and overall governance and management.

As a volunteer, Greg gives his time to community organizations focused on the unhoused, health care and food insecurity. He is the former Board Chair of Table Community Food Centre in Perth. Greg’s professional and volunteer experiences have made him very aware of the many challenges faced in the community, and he decided to serve as an LLGAMH Board Director as an important way to contribute further.

Greg grew up in Smiths Falls and has spent the past 40 years living in the Maberly area. He enjoys spending time with his family, playing his favourite recreational sports and sitting down with a good book.

Greg’s motto: “Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ It is not from wisdom that you ask about this.”

Carole has dedicated her life to education and working with families. Her career has taken her from Montreal to Chapleau to the local area where she has worked as an educator, principal, author, and administrator.
She also worked at the Ontario Ministry of Education supporting the implementation of provincial mental health and well-being policies and initiatives.

Carole served as Chair of the Upper Canada District School Board’s Champion for Kids Foundation, which raised more than one million dollars for kids and families facing financial barriers. In 2013, Carole was selected as one of Canada’s outstanding principals and received the Director’s Excellence Award for excellence in education. She retired in 2017.

Through her work on the LLGAMH Board, Carole hopes to focus on equity and inclusiveness, ensuring that services are respectful and meet the needs of smaller, rural communities. “Through my work, I have had an opportunity to see that policies, procedures, and fiscal practices must be aligned to ensure that grassroots work happens in the best interests of clients.”

Lanark, Leeds and Grenville has been Carole’s home for the past 30 years and she now lives near Perth on Black Lake.

Carole’s motto is a quote from Marvin J. Ashton: If we could look into each other’s heart and understand the unique challenges each of us face, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance and care.

Ron brings three decades of community service experience to the LLGAMH Board. He served as Mayor of Rideau Lakes Township for 28 years during a period of rapid municipal change and modernization.

Ron says he hopes to bring some of that same momentum to LLGAMH. “The pressures today are greater and will only increase. We need to have a broad mind to see what’s possible and what is best for the clients we serve.”

Ron also served as Chair of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA), touring the province, and advocating for the interests of rural Ontario. He says he learned a lot about how needs vary and what strategies have been implemented to support those with mental health and addictions challenges.

He has extensive volunteer experience and has served on many local community Boards, with a focus in long-term care, social housing, and health care.

Ron lives in Rideau Ferry and loves the Rideau Lakes area.

Ron’s motto: Anticipate tomorrow and be prepared.

Wayne brings some forty years of HR experience, more than half of which were in C-suite roles in food processing, telecommunications, and financial services. He is thrilled to be joining the LLGAMH Board, given his sustained advocacy for mental health and addictions in the workplace and community. Wayne believes these are areas in health care that are arguably the most underfunded and misunderstood.

Wayne’s previous not-for-profit board roles have been at the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital and Lanark County Mental Health. He has also served as a Governor of Algonquin College.

Wayne and his wife, Jean, live on the peaceful Tay River in Perth.

Wayne strongly believes that “one cannot be a great leader until one has developed similar others.”

Lyndon has dedicated 25 years of his federal government career working in criminal justice, which has given him insight into how the system can impact marginalized community members’ ability to access services, housing, and employment.

“I have a close family member who has had experience in dealing with their mental health issues. This has given me added insight and an appreciation for the important role that agencies like LLGAMH can play for individuals and families,” shared Lyndon.

Lyndon has progressed through various leadership roles in the federal government, including the Director of Corrections and Criminal Justice Policy and Director of Firearms and Operational Policing Policy, where he was responsible for leading transformative changes to the corrections and firearms legislative and regulatory frameworks. Lyndon joined the Public Health Agency of Canada in 2022 to bring a strategic policy perspective on health promotion, chronic disease prevention, mental health, and addictions issues.

North Grenville has been home for Lyndon, where he and his wife raised their three (now adult) kids. Lyndon is a strong proponent of giving back to the community. Before joining the LLGAMH Board, Lyndon was a member of the Board of Directors for the Family and Children’s Services of Lanark, Leeds, and Grenville. He is an avid cyclist, enjoys time outdoors with the dogs, and loves experimenting in the kitchen.

Lyndon’s motto: “Challenges and setbacks in life are inevitable. How you deal with and respond to them is your choice. Capitalize on the opportunity to learn from your stumbles, but keep moving forward.”

Katherine believes that access to mental health support is essential. In 2020, her sister died from suicide after a long battle with mental illness. Since then, Katherine has focused on volunteering in this area, including as the Board Chair for a local women’s shelter.
“I want to do whatever I can to help others living with mental illness,” she explained.
Katherine worked for almost 30 years as a senior executive in the federal public service. She held various positions covering policy, human resources, and mental health. Notably, Katherine completed an interchange assignment with the Mental Health Commission of Canada as a visiting executive. She currently works part-time as an adjudicator for a federal tribunal in addition to her volunteer positions.
Katherine has been rooted in the Lanark, Leeds, and Grenville area through family and friends for more than 30 years. She loves boating, spending time outdoors, and finding quieter moments to make barn quilts and enjoy a historical fiction book.
Katherine’s motto: “No use crying over spilled milk.”

David is currently a healthcare consultant who has worked in the healthcare industry for nearly 40 years, focusing on improving the medical imaging care to patients through implementing and managing medical imaging services. He has more than 25 years of progressive leadership and consulting experience in the medical imaging field. For the past five years, he has worked with Ontario hospitals and Ontario Health on new MRI and CT scan startups.

David is the current Board Chair of the Lanark, Leeds, and Grenville Addictions and Mental Health. He served as past Co-chair of the Champlain LHIN Medical Imaging Regional COVID Resumption of Services Committee. David is the past President of the College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario, supporting 6,000 members between 2006 and 2012. He is a past member of the Ontario Ministry of Health Wait Time Information System. In David's past role as Chair of the Champlain LHIN's Community of Practice of Medical Imaging, he led the work to bring together 23 hospitals to establish a five-year roadmap for MRI and CT scan services in the region.

David and his wife Gillian live along the St Lawrence Seaway halfway between Prescott and Brockville in Leeds Grenville. David's wife has an intimate micro wedding business and David is ordained to officiate weddings in Ontario.

David's motto: Always work hard, care about others and laugh every day.

Todd’s commitment to serving his community as a “guardian” through his previous work in the human justice services field has given him a deep understanding of the region's mental health and addiction crisis. In his career spanning over 35 years, Todd provided direct client services and held leadership roles managing client service provision for Eastern Ontario.

“I feel obligated and privileged to support those doing this valuable work, day in and day out,” he shared.

Todd has been a resident of the Gananoque/Lansdown area since 2013, where he resides with his wife and as many canine companions as possible (currently four). In his downtime, Todd enjoys boating (especially in the company of family and friends, both canine and human), and he attempts to maintain some semblance of skill while playing recreational hockey and golf.

Todd’s motto: "The right choice may not always be easy, but it is always right."

David Weger is a retired Canadian Armed Forces executive level leader and governance consultant with over 32 years of progressive experience in the health services sector. He has a proven track record for creative thinking, planning and problem solving. David has lived and worked around the world and is happy to now call Leeds and Grenville home. He says he is excited to bring together his governance experience and his desire to contribute to our community.
David lives just outside of Kemptville.
David’s mantra: David says he doesn’t have a life quote - yet!