Board and Leadership Team

We lead with hope.

  • Children and youth have a right to early intervention and innovative supports to assist in their positive cognitive growth, emotional well-being, and relationship development.

    Children, youth, their families and caregivers benefit from supports that strengthen their resilience and their capacity to thrive.

    When children, youth and their families are fully engaged in service provision and system planning, services are most meaningful and impactful.

  • The following values statements guide the work of our organization:

    PERSONAL STRENGTH: We recognize that every child, youth, family member, staff member and Board member have unique strengths. We value their contributions.

    SERVICE STRENGTH: Service is driven by children, youth and families and accompanied by evidence-informed practices that are subject to a process of continuous quality improvement. The Centre’s services are innovative, respond to the unique needs of the community and complement Hamilton’s spectrum of mental health services for children and youth.

    ORGANIZATIONAL STRENGTH: The Centre promotes personal and organizational wellness and values the unique contribution and full participation of a diverse workforce. The Centre fosters a work environment that encourages personal and professional efficacy and work-life balance. Board and staff are accountable for acting responsibly and strategically in assessing decisions which affect the stability and future of the organization.

    SYSTEM STRENGTH: The Centre is connected to, and works collaboratively with, a larger spectrum of services designed to support the healthy development of children, youth and their families. Internally, services to children, youth and families are responsive to their voices and integrated at all levels of service delivery.

Board of Directors

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  • Dan Banko is the senior partner and creative director at Banko Creative Studio, owner and CEO of Orchestrated Development Inc., and owner of Little Blue House Coffee Co. He has a talent for seeing potential and connecting with people and over the last twenty years has served the communities of Hamilton, Burlington, Brantford and Brant County through a variety of volunteer initiatives. Dan helps small businesses, large corporations, and non-profit organizations from across North America solve their unique business problems with strategic, captivating and creative storytelling. Dan has a BA Honours in Art from McMaster University and a BEd from Brock

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  • Melissa Groves is a clinical manager at Brant Community Healthcare System, where responsibilities include developing and implementing interdisciplinary policies and enhancing quality improvement initiatives.

    Prior to this role, Melissa served as Associate Dean at Mohawk College, leading strategic growth in the Apprenticeship Community Hub and contributing significantly to both the Autism and Behavioural Science faculty team and a collaborative program with McMaster University.

    Melissa’s earlier experience includes serving as Clinical Coordinator of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services at Hamilton Health Sciences, where leadership on the Behaviour Standards Committee was vital.

    Melissa holds a Master’s degree in Applied Disability Studies with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis from Brock University and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University.

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  • Bio coming soon!

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  • Bio coming soon!

Agency Senior Leadership Team

  • Dr. Michelle Hayes

    D.C.P., M.S.W., R.S.W., Interim Executive Director

  • Dr. Kate Twigger

    Ph.D., RP, Senior Director, Programs & System Planning

  • Mercy Adeyanju

    Director, Intensive Out of Home Programs

  • Sandy Gdyczynski

    B.A., CHRL, Director, Human Resources

  • Dr. Nicole Karki-Niejadik

    DNP, MS-NP, BSN, BSc., RN(EC), Clinical Director and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

  • Becky Neild

    B.A., RP, Director, Community Based Services

  • Dee Perera

    Director, Finance

  • Lynn Vanderbrug

    M.A., RSW, Director, Quality, Evaluation & Compliance

Agency Program Managers

  • Shari Burke

    Senior Manager, Lynwood Hall Program

  • Vanessa Doslea

    Manager, Day Treatment Services

  • Inas Garwood

    Manager, Flamborough Step Up/Step Down Program

  • Collette McNally

    Senior Manager, Forest Program & Coordinated Service Planning

  • Kim Schilter

    Manager, Access and System Navigation Program

  • Shruti Singh

    Manager, GPS Integrated Mental Health Treatment & Specialized Counselling and Therapy Programs 

  • Sheri Terry

    Manager, Charlton Hall Program

Interested in getting involved?

Together, we can make a difference.

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