Board of Directors

As a community-oriented person, I believe that when we work together and collaborate with one another, amazing things happen.

Projects that may have seemed impossible happen because of our partnerships and community -driven initiatives. This requires of us that we listen to one another and recognize the skills and energies that each partner brings to the table. When we utilize these strengths in developing our programs in innovative ways, all of our communities benefit.

The Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workforce Planning and Development Board works to bring our diverse partners together in as many ways as possible, to try to sustain a healthy and active labour force that works to provide employment and employment-related services for our community members.

As a mediator and an educator, I fully support that work. As a Board member, I am proud to be a member of this organization and work with such talented people.

Dan was an Automotive Vehicle Technician prior to working for the Thames Valley District School Board.

He has worked for the Thames Valley District School board for the past 29 years.

Currently Dan is serving as a Learning Coordinator for Tech, Co-op and SHSM.

He takes great pride in offering excellent support for schools, programs and teachers to support the learning opportunities for students.

Jean-Pierre Cantin is the current Executive Director of Carrefour communautaire francophone de London, a community organization serving the Francophone community in London and surrounding areas. Previously, he was the Programs and Services Director for Central South-West Region for Collège Boréal in charge of Employment and Immigration Services.

John is the Associate Dean of Fanshawe College’s School of Access Studies and Regional Delivery. Access Studies is responsible for adult upgrading at the London campuses; the School-College-Work Initiative; and Fanshawe’s post-secondary program delivery in Huron and Bruce Counties. Prior to joining Fanshawe College, John was a Superintendent of Education with the London District Catholic School Board.

Katherine holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and psychology, a Certificate in Human Resources Management, and an HR Business Partner Certificate. She is a member of the Human Resources Professional Association as well as several Chambers of Commerce. Katherine is founder and president of HRP4B Inc., a successful full service HR firm serving SW Ontario based out of Port Stanley. Katherine built the firm based on over 30 years of working experience in Human Resources.

Katherine worked closely with Hick Morley Labour Lawyers in her first HR position. Since then, she has held a number of HR Management positions and worked for two different recruiting firms, for several years, as both a Staffing Specialist and a Branch Manager. She has recruited locally and internationally. She has also worked as an Employment Counsellor at Conestoga College and became a ‘peer reviewer’ for the Second Career Program. An HR Subject Matter Expert, she has been teaching at Fanshawe College for over 10 years on a part time basis.

She is continuously learning through ongoing professional development. While working on a provincially funded project, she wrote a manual called, “Mind the Gap – Comparator Research and related Best Practices in Recruiting”. The manual was published in January 2015. It explores both the demand and supply sides of skills gaps locally and internationally. She enjoys life in Port Stanley with her spouse Brad and miniature rescue poodle Piper. Brad and Katherine have 5 adult children.

Katherine holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and psychology, a Certificate in Human Resources Management, and an HR Business Partner Certificate. She is a member of the Human Resources Professional Association as well as several Chambers of Commerce. Katherine is founder and president of HRP4B Inc., a successful full service HR firm serving SW Ontario based out of Port Stanley. Katherine built the firm based on over 30 years of working experience in Human Resources.

Katherine worked closely with Hick Morley Labour Lawyers in her first HR position. Since then, she has held a number of HR Management positions and worked for two different recruiting firms, for several years, as both a Staffing Specialist and a Branch Manager. She has recruited locally and internationally. She has also worked as an Employment Counsellor at Conestoga College and became a ‘peer reviewer’ for the Second Career Program. An HR Subject Matter Expert, she has been teaching at Fanshawe College for over 10 years on a part time basis.

She is continuously learning through ongoing professional development. While working on a provincially funded project, she wrote a manual called, “Mind the Gap – Comparator Research and related Best Practices in Recruiting”. The manual was published in January 2015. It explores both the demand and supply sides of skills gaps locally and internationally. She enjoys life in Port Stanley with her spouse Brad and miniature rescue poodle Piper. Brad and Katherine have 5 adult children.

John is currently employed at Marwood International Inc. in Tillsonburg as the Director of Human Resources.

John was also employed at Pal-Tech Consulting Services in Woodstock as President and Consultant.

From 2001-2018 he was employed at Fanshawe College in Woodstock and Tillsonburg as an instructor for part-time courses.

John is currently a member of the following groups/committees:

• CSA – Z1002 – Injury Risk Assessment and Management, Z434 Industrial Robotic – Safety
• W117.2 Welding and Cutting Health and Safety
• CME – Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters 2011 – Member of Occupational Health and Safety, WSIB, HR – Committees.
• ACGIH – American Conference Government Industrial Hygienists – Associate Member.
• ANSI/AWS – American Welding Society Z49.1- 2012 “Safety in Welding, Cutting, American Welding Society Z49.1 – SH1 sub-committee standards
• WDCC – Woodstock and District Chamber of Commerce – Member

Jack is very pleased to join the Workforce Planning board as an ex officio member representing the City of London Social Services. As the Manager of Employment Strategies for the City, Jack’s work focuses on strategic responses, community involvement, partnership development and on attaining employment outcomes. As part of this role, Jack is involved in developing contracts with community partners related to all aspects of employment and supports for individuals on their path towards employment.

Prior to joining the City, Jack has worked for many years in Employment; as a career counsellor at Youth Opportunities Unlimited, a business advisor at the Small Business Centre as well as Business Manager at Family Service Thames Valley promoting positive mental health in the workplace.

Jack received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto and a designation as Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA – CMA).

Barb joined the board in 2016.

Barb has lived in London Ontario for over 20 years.

Barb is currently working for Finastra which is a global Fintech Company recently awarded a global power seller in banking platforms. Finastra purchased Filogix which was a home grown business in London Ontario originated in the 1990’s. Over 30 employees work from our London, Ontario office with over 10,000 employees globally. Current role is a Senior Product Manager for our Canadian Mortgage Solutions line of business.

Mark’s professional career began as a manager of operations at one of the largest commercial H.V.A.C. companies in the industry. After 25 years, he transitioned into a management role with a national residential H.V.A.C. company. Mark spent a couple of years in retirement and returned to the business world when he joined the Oxford County Land Division Committee.

Mark is currently in his 7th year of service with this organization, and also sits on the Board of Directors for The Ontario Associate of Committee’s of Adjustment. Over seven years ago, looking for an additional challenge, he accepted a Director’s position with the Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workforce Planning and Development Board.

Highlights for Mark include a glimpse into investigative analytics while working at the forensic building in Toronto, his 15 years with the Scouting organization, a flight in a WWII Harvard, and his five grandchildren.

Doug is currently working with the United Way Elgin Middlesex as a Community Impact Coordinator after volunteering on the Board of the United Way Elgin-St. Thomas including two terms as President.

Doug previously worked in the automotive manufacturing sector, for the Southwest Economic Alliance as an outreach coordinator, and with the United Way as a Workplace Development Officer.

As a Hermie Kreuger Memorial Award winner, Doug’s passion to better the lives of our communities is recognized. As an honours graduate of the Addictions and Community Services Program at London’s Everest College, Doug is familiar with the needs of various populations. His community commitment was established through two decades of volunteering with a wide range of groups, and on various projects that supported community building.