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York Regional Council appoints members for new term of Human Services Planning Board

January 06, 2023

York Regional Council appointed 24 professional and community leaders to the 2023 to 2026 term of the Human Services Planning Board (HSPB) of York Region.

These new members will continue advancing the board’s mandate to provide Regional Council and staff with strategic advice on important human services impacting our communities, including housing and homelessness, seniors’ services and community safety and well-being. 

“Members of the HSPB have been coming together since 2009 to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of human services across York Region,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “Together, the board helps build a York Region where every person has the opportunity to thrive, and every community can reach its full potential.”

The new board comprises representatives from key human service agencies, government, private sector and community leaders with in-depth knowledge and experience in the human services sector and whose work benefits York Region residents. 

2023 to 2026 HSPB members:

Regional Government 

  • Wayne Emmerson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Regional Municipality of York
  • Godwin Chan, Regional Councillor, City of Richmond Hill (HSPB Co-chair)
  • John Taylor, Mayor, Town of Newmarket
  • Naomi Davison, Regional Councillor, Town of Georgina
  • Joe Li, Regional Councillor, City of Markham 

Education

  • Eugene Pivato, Associate Director of Education, York Catholic District School Board 
  • Cecil Roach, Associate Director of Education, Equitable Outcomes and Schools, York Region District School Board
  • Ijade Maxwell Rodrigues, Chief of Government and Community Relations and Protocol, York University    

Health Care

  • Cheryl Osborne, Senior Director, EYRND Ontario Health Team, Mental Health and Oncology Services, Eastern York Region North Durham Ontario Health Team 
  • Rebecca Shields, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association, York Region and South Simcoe (HSPB Co-Chair)
  • Barbara Steed, Executive Vice President, Southlake Regional Health Centre

Policing Services

  • Chief Jim MacSween, York Regional Police
  • Norma McCullough, York Regional Police Services Board

Non-Profit Community Organizations 

  • Michael Braithwaite, CEO, Blue Door
  • Nation Cheong, Vice President, Community Opportunities & Mobilization, United Way Greater Toronto 

Children, Youth and Family Services

  • Clovis Grant, CEO, 360°kids    
  • Ginelle Skerritt, Chief Executive Officer, York Region Children’s Aid Society

Employment and Business

  • Louise Duncan, Transformation Director, WCG Canada
  • Chris Emanuel, President and CEO, Newmarket Chamber of Commerce    
  • Al Wilson, Executive Director, Workforce Planning Board of York Region

Community and Social Support-Based Services

  • Lesley Davidson, Chief Operating Officer, YMCA of Greater Toronto 
  • Andrew Fagan, CEO, Community Living Central York
  • Shannon Speirs, Executive Director, John Howard Society of York Region
  • Elaine Walsh, Vice Chair, Hill House Hospice 

Seniors and Healthy Aging 

  • Christina Bisanz, CEO, CHATS - Community & Home Assistance to Seniors

“I look forward to working with all board members over the next several years to address critical issues facing our communities,” said Godwin Chan, City of Richmond Hill Deputy Mayor and Co-Chair of the HSPB. “Together, we can use our collective expertise and experience to continue making a positive impact for the residents of York Region.”

The board will continue to advise on the implementation of the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan for York Region and other issues related to its mandate as directed by Regional Council.

Members appointed to the HSPB will serve for a term of up to four years, to coincide with the term of Regional Council. The committee’s first meeting will take place during the first quarter of 2023 and the Co-chairs will be confirmed during the meeting.

More information on the Human Services Planning Board is available at york.ca/HSPB

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to 1.2 million residents and 54,000 businesses with 650,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/regionalservices

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Media Contact: 

Eman Ali, Corporate Communications, The Regional Municipality of York
Cell: 289-231-1318 @email