College Council

Daniel Afram – Elected Social Worker
Daniel Afram completed his first degree in Psychology at Carleton University followed by a graduate certificate through Georgian College in Addictions Treatment and Prevention. He subsequently completed a BSW at Lakehead University and his MSW through Wilfrid Laurier University. Over the past two decades, Daniel has had the privilege of supporting children, adolescents, families and communities in the area of trauma and concurrent disorders as a clinician and through policy advocacy. He is incredibly passionate about social and health policies within systemically marginalized and equity deserving communities. Daniel has previously worked in remote, rural, and urban communities within Canada where he held both clinical and leadership roles. As Clinical Director of the Umingmak Centre, the first Child and Youth Advocacy Centre in Nunavut focused on supporting children, adolescents and their respective families following disclosures of child maltreatment, Daniel helped establish a culturally safe model for childhood trauma for individuals accessing the Centre in collaboration with community members and experts. For this work, Daniel earned a Distinguished Service Award through the Canadian Association of Social Workers and the Association of Social Workers in Northern Canada.

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Nicole Bonnie – Public Member
Nicole Bonnie is a renowned organizational consultant with a Master of Social Work from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and is pursuing a Doctorate in Education and Leadership from Western University. Alongside her doctoral studies, Nicole’s consulting brand specializes in organizational excellence and transformative change within the public sector. With a distinguished career, Nicole has held senior leadership positions within child welfare, including her historic appointment as the first Black CEO of the Ontario Children’s Aid Societies in 2019, marking a pivotal moment in the province’s child welfare sector. Her commitment to effecting positive change is evident in her advocacy for prevention strategies through addressing service disparities affecting marginalized identities. Nicole is dedicated to equity integration across various facets of public sector work, including leadership, the mental health sector, education, governance, service excellence, and research/data. An advocate for marginalized communities, Nicole consistently works to center their voices in all her endeavors. Her significant contributions have had an extraordinary impact on the lives of children, youth, and families within systems across Canada, making her a force for positive transformation.

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Chisanga Chekwe – Public Member
Chisanga Chekwe brings a wealth of governance, development, business and legal expertise to College Council. Chisanga has served as Deputy Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Women’s Issues, Seniors’ Affairs, and International Trade in Ontario; Chair and CEO of the Social Benefits Tribunal; Executive Director at Oxfam; and adjudication officer and United Nations observer support officer monitoring elections in South Africa; Supervisor of the post-war election in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He also spent six years with the Ontario Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, serving as a board member and Chair of the Board. Chisanga studied law at the University of Birmingham in England, before he received a master of laws degree from the University of London. He then read philosophy, politics and economics at the University of Oxford, resulting in BA and MA degrees.

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Charlene Crews – Elected Social Service Worker
Charlene Crews is a seasoned mental health clinician with over 30 years of experience working with marginalized populations. Her career spans multiple sectors, including child and adult mental health and addictions, hospital and community health care, corrections, forensics, homelessness, and social housing. Since 2017, Charlene has served as an elected board member at the College. In addition to her clinical work, Charlene is a social housing adjudicator and Psychiatric Patient Advocate with the Ministry of Health. She is also a Mental Health First Aid Trainer and holds licenses as a Paralegal, Private Investigator, and Regulatory Investigator. Her extensive credentials include certificates in advanced adjudication, regulatory investigations, interpersonal mediation, family therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and health service management. Charlene is currently pursuing a master’s degree in health administration at Toronto Metropolitan University, underscoring her commitment to advancing her expertise in health law, privacy, and ethics. She actively participates in community advocacy boards, leveraging her skills and experience to make a meaningful impact and demonstrating her ongoing dedication to her fields of interest.

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John Fleming – Public Member
John has served in the management ranks of local and provincial governments as well as not‐for‐profits, achieving senior leadership positions in several organizations, including service as a municipal CAO, Deputy Minister in Ontario and as CEO of a national health charity. After completing his full‐time career, he continued his leadership work by achieving the Chartered Director designation and opening his ‘occasional’ consulting practice. Since 2008, John has focused his work on governance teaching and advice, executive mentoring and coaching, and group facilitation, especially emphasizing his ability to help boards and teams work effectively to identify and achieve common goals. John has recently completed a 12-year term as the Integrity Commissioner for the Town of Caledon and is a Past Chair of the Board of Governors of Sheridan College; has and continues to serve on numerous other boards and committees, and is a past Chair of the Board of Directors of Halton Healthcare Services and of Ovarian Cancer Canada. He is also a past Director of OMERS Sponsors Corporation. He is currently the Vice Chair of the Greater Hamilton Health Network’s Board of Directors. John is serving his second term as Council Chair for the College.

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Dana Herriot – Elected Social Service Worker 
Dana Herriot is a registered social service worker, currently serving the Niagara Region. With a wealth of experience in the field of youth services, she has developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by vulnerable populations, particularly young people. Dana has spent years working to address the needs of youth at risk, offering compassionate support and advocating for systemic changes to improve outcomes for these individuals. She is currently completing a Bachelor of Professional Arts in Human Services. Dana is a bilingual professional, fluent in both English and French. This linguistic versatility allows her to connect with a diverse range of clients and colleagues, fostering inclusive environments in her practice. Driven by a passion for social justice, Dana is committed to advocating for public protection and ensuring that the social work and social service work professions continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of those it serves.

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Woyengi Gigi Goary – Elected Social Worker
Dr. Woyengi Gigi Goary is a registered social worker with over 25 years of professional experience. She has a PhD in social work from the University of Toronto. Prior to this, Dr. Goary received a master’s degree in social work from York University. Her trauma-informed social work practice includes working with individuals and families in the areas of health and mental health, child welfare, and corrections. Dr. Goary has expertise in investigation, evaluation and assessment, and diversity, equity, and inclusion from an anti-racism perspective with a focus on anti-Black racism and intersectionality. She is also a sessional graduate professor of social work at the University of Windsor and provides leadership as a board director and union president. Her social work education and practice are grounded in addressing trauma, as well as the elimination of systemic, individual, and institutional oppression.

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Sanjay Govindaraj – Elected Social Worker
Sanjay Govindaraj holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (1994) and a Master’s in Applied Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo (2004). With over 30 years of experience, he has led initiatives addressing poverty, food security, housing, child trafficking, intimate partner violence, Indigenous reconciliation, accessibility, and strategic planning. Currently, on a two-year secondment from the City of Waterloo, he serves as the Director of Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression at the City of London. In addition to his full-time role, Sanjay provides part-time counseling services at Aligned Health in Waterloo, with a focus on supporting equity-denied groups. He is recognized as an Associate Practicum Professor (part-time) by Wilfrid Laurier University for his commitment to supervising MSW students. Sanjay has also served on various not-for-profit boards and actively mentors new immigrants and refugees. Elected to the Council in 2018, Sanjay is the Vice-Chair of the Executive and Chair of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee.

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Sana Imran – Elected Social Worker
Sana Imran obtained her MSW at the University of Toronto and has completed certifications in multiple therapeutic modalities such as CBT, DBT, SFBT, EFT, as well as in management and leadership. Sana has a wide range of experience, providing therapeutic support as a frontline clinician in several mental health agencies and hospitals in Toronto, analyzing and developing policy and programming at provincial advocacy-based organizations, and working in leadership in the health and educational sectors in large postsecondary institutions. She is currently an Associate Director with Toronto Public Health, responsible for clinical services, while maintaining a part-time role as the clinical team lead for Leena, a BIPOC focused mental health platform providing services across Canada. 

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Mukesh Kowlessar – Elected Social Service Worker
Mukesh Kowlessar has served as Council President from March 2021 – September 2022; and from September 2009 – September 2013. Mukesh has served on many of the College’s committees including the Executive and Finance Committees. Following his retirement, he has continued to play an active role at the College and to pursue other interests in improving governance in the public service. Mukesh has over 30 years of leadership experience in the municipal and provincial sectors in social services. Mukesh was formerly an adjudicator with the Landlord and Tenant Board and a Registrar at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice; he is also currently a consultant in strategic planning. Mukesh is a strong proponent in ensuring a diversity, equity and inclusion lens in the business of governance and in society in general. He holds certificates in mediation, alternative dispute resolution and executive management from Western University, and certification in crisis and critical incident stress management and a social service worker diploma from Fanshawe College.

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Molly Luu – Public Member
Molly Luu is an advocate whose practice focuses on tax litigation including professional negligence. Before joining Miller Thomson LLP, Molly completed her articles at a national law firm in Toronto. After which, she spent a year as a judicial law clerk for the Superior Court of Justice. She was a Partner at a commercial boutique law firm before joining Miller Thomson LLP. Molly is a problem solver. Drawing from her experience as investigative tax counsel who was routinely retained to review unintended tax consequences, she quickly identifies what lies at the heart of a problem. This enables her to act swiftly and efficiently to address the issue. She is mindful of the fact that less-obvious creative solutions are often the best ones. She is an expert at learning about her clients and their businesses and affairs with an aim to solve their tax controversies and grow with her clients and their businesses.

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Carrie McEachran – Public Member
Carrie McEachran is the Chief Executive Officer of the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce. She previously served as the Executive Director of Sarnia-Lambton Rebound and also held leadership positions at Community Living Sarnia and Pathways Health Centre for Children. Mrs. McEachran carries a master’s degree in leadership from Royal Roads University, a developmental services worker diploma from Loyalist College and a non-profit management certificate from Western University. Her community involvement includes Rotary Club of Sarnia since 2006, where she served a term as President. She currently serves as on the Premier’s Council on Equality of Opportunity (PCEO) as a council member, a board member for the Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership and served previous terms on boards for North Lambton Community Health Centre, Sarnia-Lambton Physician Recruitment Taskforce, Sarnia-Lambton Social Services Network and PAVRO (Professional Association of Volunteer Leaders-Ontario). She is also an active member of the Arlanxeo Community Advisory Committee.

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Lori Monroe – Elected Social Service Worker
Lori Monroe is a registered social service worker and brings over 22 years of experience in mental health, rehabilitation, and developmental services. Lori has provided therapy and transitional support for individuals recovering from brain injuries, trauma, and developmental disabilities, with a focus on maximizing independence and reducing challenging behaviors. Lori develops tailored treatment plans that incorporate psychodynamic psychotherapy, trauma-informed care, anti-oppressive practice, and harm reduction. She empowers clients to achieve their highest level by addressing their social, emotional, intellectual, and psychological needs. Lori integrates inclusive language and gender-affirming practices into her work, fostering an environment of respect and trust. Lori is committed to cultivating strong relationships with clients and professionals, providing holistic, client-centered therapy. Outside of her professional life, Lori is an outdoor enthusiast, animal lover, avid reader, and engaged in environmental and social justice issues. She is excited to contribute to the College’s public protection mandate.

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Mandi Olson – Elected Social Service Worker
Mandi Olson is a registered social service worker located in northwestern Ontario. She has been a helper in the social work field for over 15 years and her passion includes creating grassroots and macro-level system changes that are rooted in Indigenous best practices. She is familiar with both not-for-profit and privatized wellness services and organizations. Mandi is the co-owner of a successful business, Binesiwag Center for Wellness, which focuses on providing a variety of wellness services across the lifespan including mental health, addictions, direct support to 2SLGBTQIAP+ folx, women and girls, as well as capacity building. Outside of her professional career, Mandi enjoys being on the land and with her family. She enjoys hunting, fishing, camping and travelling.

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Alexia Polillo – Public Member
Dr. Alexia Polillo received her PhD in experimental psychology from the University of Ottawa and is completing her postdoctoral fellowship at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the University of Toronto. She has extensive experience with community and health services research and helped lead small- and large-scale evaluations of community and outpatient mental health services in Waterloo, Brantford, Ottawa, and Toronto. She has published over 15 peer-reviewed articles, contributed to eight technical reports used to support service providers and community mental health agencies, presented her work at national and international conferences, and received 11 institutional awards and federal and provincial scholarships.

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Marinna Read – Elected Social Worker
Marinna Read is a Fort William First Nation community member and resides in Thunder Bay. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology from the University of Manitoba and an honours bachelor of social work and master of social work degrees from Lakehead University. She has spent over 20 years practising in youth and adult mental health, Indigenous child welfare, program and community development and most recently implementing Indigenous health care in a hospital setting. She has committed her professional career to assisting those on their wellness journey in a respectful and kind way ensuring culturally safe care through an Indigenous lens. Her personal life includes plenty of family time and enjoying the great outdoors in beautiful northwestern Ontario. Marinna empowers individuals to use their inner strengths and culture to move forward and celebrate themselves while creating change in their lives. She is excited to be joining the OCSWSSW this year and expanding her knowledge while ensuring the protection of the public in this service area.

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Alan Shepard – Public Member
Alan Shepard is President of Western University in London, Ontario. Inspired by his own experience as a first-generation student, he is committed to an inclusive model of education and a multidisciplinary approach to research focused on the public good and solving global challenges. Shepard’s senior leadership experience includes terms as provost at Toronto Metropolitan University and as president at Montreal’s Concordia University. He is past chair of the Council of Ontario Universities and the Canadian Knowledge Resource Network, and a past vice-chair of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities. He has served with numerous organizations devoted to the arts, health care, philanthropy, and business in Montreal, Toronto, London, and the USA. He studied at Cambridge as a visiting student, received a bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and holds a doctorate from the University of Virginia.

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Sandie Sidsworth – Elected Social Service Worker
Sandie Sidsworth is a poverty advocate with a focus on mental health and domestic violence. She has been in the field for over 25 years with experience in child welfare, addictions, domestic violence and mental health. Within this frontline support evolved a strong interest grief and traumatic loss. She has been a suicide bereavement counsellor for eight years as well as fulfilling her current role as the Executive Director for the Enrichment Centre for Mental Health. Sandie graduated in 1996 from Loyalist College in the social service worker program.

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Candice Snake – Elected Social Worker
Candice Snake’s home community is Munsee-Delaware Nation. Her education started with her ancestors Rosie Deleary, her grandmother Stella Mae Burch, her mother Irene Snake, as well as her father Larry Burch. Their influence shapes the work that she does in realizing the need for critical reflection in educating service providers and helping families care for children. They ignite the fire in her to continue this vital decolonizing work to ensure Indigenous families are empowered as caregivers. Candice received her MSW from Laurier University in 2020. Her multi-disciplinary work experience over the past 26 years provided a skill set for leadership, policy development, best practice and accountability. She worked with a team to develop HEART & SPIRIT training, a program which is utilized in Ontario child wellbeing agencies to train foster parents and is currently experiencing interest nationally and internationally. She is excited for this new appointment and looks forward to the work.

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Elayne Tanner – Elected Social Worker
Dr. Elayne Tanner is a registered social worker with over 30 years of professional experience. She continues to be a sessional graduate professor for the University of Windsor and has published on topics including anti-oppressive practice, social work ethics and hypnosis. Elayne is the sole practitioner in a thriving private practice with areas of expertise that include sexual abuse, trauma, childhood disorders, relationship counselling, parenting and divorce. As a leader in private practice, many have sought her guidance in establishing their own private practices. An active volunteer, Elayne strives to give back to her community and her profession. She has supported many volunteer boards and has been awarded Business Woman of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Best Counsellor in the communities of Milton and Halton Hills. On a personal level, Elayne lives with her husband, Great Dane, annoying cat and two horses on their property in North Halton.

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Madimba Tshibuabua – Elected Social Service Worker
Madimba Tshibuabua is a registered social service worker with more than 20 years of experience. He is also a member of the Ontario College of Teachers. Madimba is an award-winning community leader, passionate about education and non-profit sectors. His dedication to serve was acknowledged by King Juan Carlos I of Spain, the Governor General of Canada, and the cities of Toronto and Oshawa. He has delivered several scientific conferences across the world on how to address issues of poverty among marginalized populations. Madimba holds a master’s degree in International Affairs, a diploma in Diplomatic Studies, and a certificate in Social Service Management. Madimba is fluent in French, English and Spanish, He is an online business mentor, a basketball coach, and a counselor.

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