Governance
Annual Reports and Strategic Plan
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GP Board of Directors
Meet our 2024-2025 Board of Directors
Kim Sweeney (She/Her)
Chair
For the past 25 years, Kim Sweeney has supported organizations in the private, public and non-profit sectors with their strategic storytelling.
Currently, she is the Senior Manager of Communications and Public Relations for the District School Board of Niagara. Her work enables her to engage with students, build partnerships with staff and community members, and transform school spaces, one of her many passions and the subject of her master's thesis.
Kim holds a Masters of Education Degree from Brock University, a Masters of Communication Management Degree from McMaster University and Syracuse University, and she is Accredited in Public Relations (APR). She is a firm believer of giving back to her profession, volunteering her time to support those new to PR as well as serving as a Board member for the Canadian Public Relations Society Hamilton/Southwestern Ontario chapter.
A belief that everyone has a role to play in improving the lives of animals and people in need, Kim is engaged with a variety of community causes to raise both awareness and necessary funding.
She spends her personal time with her husband, son, and two rescue dogs, often enjoying hikes throughout beautiful Niagara.
Nicole Regehr (She/Her)
Executive Director
Nicole Regehr has been a valued member of the Gillian’s Place Leadership Team for over 12 years, most recently in her role as Director of Development and Violence Prevention Programs. In late 2021, The Board of Directors appointed Nicole to the role of Executive Director. Nicole’s extensive experience in leadership, strategy, and communications within the gender-based violence sector have been integral in navigating organizational change at Gillian’s Place.
Nicole has spent the better part of her career in pursuit of creating opportunities to empower women and children, especially those facing gendered abuse. Her community advocacy and public education work has empowered and informed children and youth across Niagara with the goal of ending the cycle of violence and making Niagara a safer place for women, and non-binary individuals, with or without children. Nicole has been dedicated to fostering lasting community partnerships. Under her leadership, fundraising revenue at Gillian’s Place has more than doubled, and the signature Walk a Mile event has raised over one million dollars.
Nicole successfully led the rebrand of a new organizational identity for Gillian’s Place. At the core of this collaborative process was the objective to ensure Gillian’s Place is inclusive and welcoming of all women, genderqueer, Two-Spirit, trans, and non-binary people, with or without children, facing gender-based violence.
In her spare time, Nicole enjoys being a mom to four children, and shares a love of baseball with her husband Mike. Go Jays Go!
Lelia Costantini (She/Her)
Vice Chair
Lelia Costantini is the Assistant General Counsel and Compliance Officer at ArcelorMittal Dofasco. Lelia has over 17 years experience advising on a range of legal matters including, employment law, human rights, pensions, privacy, dispute resolution and commercial contracting. Lelia also routinely advises on compliance, ethics and governance related matters.
Prior to joining ArcelorMittal Dofasco she practiced law at two large Canadian law firms. Lelia holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Brock University and a Bachelor of Laws from Western University.
Lelia lives in St. Catharines with her husband and twin sons.
Jennifer Wallace (She/Her)
Past Chair
An independent financial planner since 2006, Jennifer Wallace works with individuals, small business owners, and their families to develop and implement a plan for their long-term and sustainable financial independence. In 2012 she introduced business consulting services to the micro and small business community throughout Niagara, helping businesses grow from a well-managed foundation. As founder and organizer of the Growing Women Entrepreneurs (GWE) Conference, Jennifer is able to further support the success of entrepreneurs by presenting professional development through events. When not working with her clients, she is passionate about her community, dedicating her time to the Gillian’s Place Board of Directors, as well as volunteering in the arts & culture sector of Niagara as Chairperson of the City of St. Catharines' Arts & Culture Advisory Committee. In 2014 Jennifer received a Forty under 40 award.
Vanessa Cheng (she/her)
Secretary
Vanessa is the Manager of Communications and Partnerships at Sheridan College. With a strong background in building partnerships, communications and meaningful engagement, Vanessa's a multi-hyphenate who loves to do more than one thing.
Prior to Sheridan, she has worked across the CPG, food & beverage, entertainment, lifestyle, fashion, tech, and transit industries in the Niagara region, Toronto, the UK and Hong Kong. With a Master of Science and Honours Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and History received at the London School of Economics and Political Science and University of Toronto's Trinity College respectively, she holds extensive experience in the public, private and non-profit spaces including Metrolinx, Bench Brewing, Chatham House, The Mint Agency, and the Department of National Defence.
In her spare time, she supports her partner on urban farming initiatives, teaches yoga, and explores all the trails in and around the Niagara region with her rescue dog.
Franca Vavaroutsos (She/Her)
Treasurer
Franca Vavaroutsos is a Certified Public Accountant with over 25 years of progressive experience working in public accounting and in complex profit and not-for-profit businesses, the majority of which has been dedicated to the health care sector. Franca is currently the Chief Financial Officer of St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton.
Franca’s breadth of expertise covers a wide area of strategic responsibility. She has extensive experience identifying and implementing effective strategies and services related to financial management and reporting, budgeting and forecasting, cost management and controls, risk management, regulatory compliance, training and development, performance management, business solutions and change leadership. She has a proven track record of building strong internal and external relationships that have supported strategic planning development and implementation.
Franca lives in Grimsby where she enjoys staying active and spending time with her husband and two daughters.
Diana Simmons (She/Her)
Director
Diana Simmons is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Chartered Investment Manager who has focused her over 30 year career in the health care sector, currently managing the investment portfolios for Hamilton Health Sciences’ reserve and research funds, as well as, for their related research foundation.
Along with her investment expertise, Diana has extensive experience in treasury and capital management, research financial and contract management, policy development, budgeting, forecasting, financial management and reporting.
Diana lives in West Niagara and enjoys being active, travelling, and spending time with her husband, two daughters, family and friends.
Jo-Ann Boyle-Jackson
Director
Jo-Ann Boyle-Jackson, a lifelong learner with a broad sociological perspective, is deeply committed to social responsibility and community engagement. She is dedicated to supporting Gillian's Place in its mission to end the intimate partner violence epidemic in the Niagara Region, using her self-directed, reliable, and hardworking nature across academic, volunteer, and community roles. With extensive managerial experience in the financial sector and a solid educational foundation, including a Master of Arts in Critical Sociology, an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Canadian Politics, Jo-Ann is currently pursuing further growth through Brock University's Adult Education Certificate Program.
Her comprehensive training in suicide prevention, opioid harm reduction, and research ethics is complemented by her active involvement as a Board Member at the Rosalind Blauer Childcare Centre at Brock University and her recent service on Brock University's Social Science Research Ethics Board. Jo-Ann's volunteer experiences include being a crisis-line responder, rescue dog fosterer, member of Ridley College’s Family Guild, a co-op store volunteer, and a community homelessness outreach volunteer, while prioritizing her family above all else.
Meganne Cameron
Director
Meganne Cameron is a lawyer and a member of both of the Law Societies of Ontario and British Columbia. Meganne practiced civil litigation in British Columbia before moving to the public sector where she worked for the Office of the Ombudsperson, investigating complaints about unfairness on the part of various provincial agencies. She has a broad range of experience in administrative law and an interest in human rights and procedural fairness. In 2018, Meganne returned to Ontario to be closer to her family and joined the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario as an Adjudicator.
Meganne holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in History from Western University, a Master of Arts in History from the University of Windsor, and a Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School. She lives in Beamsville with her partner and son. She enjoys hiking, biking, and all of the other outdoor activities the Niagara region has to offer.
Jamila Motala
Director
Born and raised in the UK to parents with roots in India and Africa, Jamila brings a multicultural perspective and a lifelong dedication to community service to her role as a board director.
For over 33 years, Jamila has proudly called Niagara home, where she and her husband built an independent, family-owned pharmacy known for exceptional care, community trust, and strong team leadership. Together, they achieved significant growth while upholding the highest standards of regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
Jamila’s prior work in financial services and volunteer experience with organizations supporting women have deepened her commitment to advocating for community-centred initiatives.
Married with two adult children and a spirited kitty, Jamila loves exploring new places through travel, immersing herself in diverse cultures and landscapes. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking the beautiful scenic trails of the Niagara region and has recently discovered a passion for pickleball. She is excited to bring her dedication and experience to the board, advancing its mission to provide safety, resources, and empowerment to survivors of gender-based violence.
Melissa McCallum
Director
Melissa McCallum is the Executive Director of the Greater Hamilton Health Network, notable for being one of the first Ontario Health Teams. As a master’s prepared registered nurse with 17 years of leadership experience in healthcare, Melissa’s approach to her role is also informed by her skills acquired as a front-line emergency nurse, health system planner and through her clinical assistant professor duties at McMaster University.
Melissa is driven by her passion for working with partners to create an integrated, equitable health system across sectors.
Julie Kirkelos
Director
Julie Kirkelos brings two decades of experience in municipal government, community engagement, legislative expertise and election administration. Currently serving as Director of Legislative, Enterprise and Information Services and Town Clerk at the Town of Lincoln, Julie has proven leadership skills in governance, political and public engagement, policy development, and senior management. Julie has served on the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO) as a Zone Director, holds an educational background in human resources, an executive diploma in municipal management, and is currently pursuing her studies in Public Administration at Western University.
Julie plays a pivotal role in guiding municipal decision-making, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering transparency in government operations. Julie also excels in promoting civic engagement by facilitating accessible communication between government bodies and the community.
In her role as Town Clerk, Julie manages critical aspects of municipal administration, including elections, public records, and council operations, upholding transparency and accountability. Julie’s dedication to inclusive leadership and building community partnerships has driven meaningful outcomes that resonate with diverse stakeholders.
Passionate about advancing initiatives that empower individuals and strengthen communities, Julie is excited to contribute her strategic insight, governance expertise, and commitment to collaboration as a member of Gillian’s Place, Board of Directors.
Samantha Hoodless
Director
Samantha Hoodless is a seasoned communications professional based in St. Catharines with a robust background in strategic communications, leadership, and community engagement. Sam currently serves as Senior Manager of International Communications for General Motors International working with over 60 global markets.
Sam previously held the role of Senior Manager, Internal Communications & Community Outreach with GM Canada, where her team engaged over 8,000 employees across the country and managed national corporate giving initiatives. She started her career with General Motors as a Plant Communications Manager at the St. Catharines Propulsion Plant, developing comprehensive communication strategies for a diverse workforce and overseeing substantial corporate giving campaigns.
Sam also spent some time at Niagara Casinos as an Entertainment Programs Coordinator and Communications Specialist, and at the Niagara Chapter of Autism Ontario as a Volunteer & Communications Coordinator, her diverse experience spanning internal and external communications, enhancing social media presence, and leading community relations and fundraising campaigns.
In addition to her professional achievements, Sam is actively involved in community service, previously serving on United Way Niagara’s gennext Committee and the Kiwanis Club of Stamford.
Sam holds a bachelor's degree in Popular Culture from Brock University and a post-graduate diploma in Public Relations from Humber College. She received the Accelerate Civic Leadership Certificate from Leadership Niagara and was recognized with a 40 Under Forty Business Achievement Award from Business Link Niagara.
Myda Khatcherian
Director
With a decade of experience, Myda specializes in public administration, communication strategies and operational support —proficiencies cultivated during her tenure working in both the public and private sector. On a volunteer basis, Myda loves sitting on advisory committees to help comment on initiatives and development projects that will enhance her community. She currently sits on the Recreation and Leisure Advisory committee with the City of St. Catharines after previously holding a term on the Transportation Advisory committee.
She holds a Bachelor and Master of Arts in Geography and Tourism Studies (Brock), with an advanced lens understanding of community planning + local economies, tourism + resource management, and economic geography. She also completed advanced training in Economic Development from the University of Waterloo in addition to holding a Postgraduate Certificate from Humber Business School focusing on Management and Promotions.
Lisa Smith
Director
Lisa Smith has been an educator for over 25 years in various roles as an administrator, admissions counselor, and teacher in the United States, Greece, and Canada. She is currently a LINC/ESL instructor at the Bridges Niagara in St. Catharines, a charitable not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and serving the needs of newcomers and immigrants to Canada.
As a daughter of immigrants who moved to the United States over fifty years ago, teaching English to newcomers has been especially meaningful. She feels incredibly fortunate to share in the English learning journey of her students, particularly when they have reached their goals of furthering their education, finding employment, or pursuing a new career path in Canada.
Lisa has a masters degree in linguistics from Brock University and a masters degree in history of art from the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University.
Lisa is an enthusiastic knitter who enjoys travelling and visiting museums with her husband and three children. She lives with her husband and two Cavalier King Charles spaniels in St. Catharines.