Jennifer Wigston

Seminar Chair

Michael Bellmore

President

OCSTA

Jamie Cook, MCIP, RPP, PLE

Managing Partner, Planning & Land Economics

Watson & Associates Economists Ltd.

Patrick J. Daly

Executive Director

OCSTA

Fr. Jim Mockler

Chaplain

OCSTA

Stephen Andrews

Director of Legislative & Political Affairs

OCSTA

Steve Andrews is currently the Director of Legislative and Political Affairs at the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association. Prior to that, Steve was a Government Relations Advisor at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG) for 11 years. He also worked at Toronto Hydro Corporation as the Manager of Communications and Public Affairs for a number of years. Steve also worked in the government of Ontario both as a civil servant and political staffer in the 1990s. He has a PhD. in political theory (Queen’s University, 1994 and a Master’s degree in social policy (University of Toronto, 1996). ‍

Bishop Gerard Bergie

Bishop of St. Catharines & President of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario

Bishop Gerard Bergie was ordained to the priesthood 12 May 1984, for the Diocese of Hamilton, and ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Hamilton on 24 August 2005. He was installed as the 5th Bishop of the Diocese of St. Catharines on 09 November 2010.

He studied at St. Jerome’s College, the University of Waterloo and St. Peter’s Seminary. He received a Master of Divinity degree from the University of Western Ontario in 1983 and a Licentiate in Canon Law from the University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome in 1991.

Bishop Bergie is President of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario (ACBO), ACBO Liaison Bishop to the Apostolate to the Deaf. He is currently a Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) delegate for the International Catholic Migration Commission, member of the Roman Catholic / Lutheran Church-Canada Dialogue, and Spiritual Advisor for the National Catholic Women’s League of Canada.

Emelda Byrne

Director of Education

Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board

Emelda Byrne has been an educator for 38 years.  Currently serving as the Director of Education for the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board, she taught for 10 years in every division at a variety of schools before becoming a curriculum consultant.  After serving one year as a Vice-Principal, she became a Principal leading three different elementary schools over a 10-year period.  She spent two years as Supervising Principal (Curriculum and Learning Support Services), one year as Assistant Superintendent of Education, six years as Superintendent of Student Achievement, five years as Executive Superintendent of Student Achievement, and three months as Associate Director of Education, before being named Director in 2021.  She is happily married to Douglas, a retired educator, and is the mother of one adult son.  Her focus as Director has been on building relationships with staff, students, their families and the Windsor-Essex Catholic education community.

John Capobianco

VP & Senior Partner, National Practice Lead for Public Affairs

Fleishman Hillard

John Capobianco, Senior Vice President & Senior Partner, National Public Affairs Practice Lead, FleishmanHillard HighRoad

John provides government relations and strategic communications counsel to clients across an array of sectors. As a political enthusiast with over 25 years of experience as a public affairs practitioner, John offers a seasoned and highly influential voice in public affairs. John leverages his extensive political network, along with his experience in government, to the benefit of clients who are looking to engage and build strong and invaluable relationships with senior government officials. John is also a regular political commentator in Canada’s national media and is often invited to speak on industry and political panels on issues related to both public relations and public affairs.

David Coletto

CEO & Founder

Abacus Data

Named one of Canada’s top 100 most influential people in Canadian politics by The Hill Times, David Coletto is one of Canada’s most recognizable pollsters and commentators on politics, consumer behaviour, and the workplace. He is Chair, CEO and founder of Abacus Data, a full-service market research and strategy firm based in Ottawa and Toronto. With almost two decades of experience in the industry, David and his partners founded Abacus 15 years ago and since then it has grown into one of Canada's most respected market research firms. He earned a PhD in Political Science from the University of Calgary in 2010 is an adjunct professor at Carleton University in the Clayton H. Riddell Master of Political Management program. He is the host and producer of inFocus with David Coletto a podcast that explores the intersection of public opinion, politics, public policy, and consumer behaviour. He is also the official pollster for the Toronto Star and The Logic.

Ruben Da Silveira

Vice President Catholic Education

Catholic Student Trustees

Ruben Da Silveira is a dedicated student leader serving as a Student Trustee at the Toronto Catholic DSB and the Vice President of Catholic Education at the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association (OSTA-AECO). Representing thousands of students, Ruben is committed to strengthening student voice, advancing equity, and ensuring that young people are meaningfully included in educational decision-making.

Michael Faught

Superintendent of Education

Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board

I am a superintendent of education with the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board. My portfolio includes Student  services, mental health and addiction; Religious and Family Life Education and Adult and Continuing Education. 

Alexandra Frankow

Communications Officer

Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board

Alex brings over a decade of experience in education and communications, having worked with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and Lakehead University before joining TBCDSB. Her background includes graphic design, web development, marketing, and storytelling, grounded in her studies as an English major. She also writes her creative blog, Alex Inspired, and uses her photography to highlight the exceptional work happening across the board. Known for her dedication to finding the right perspective - both creatively and literally,  she’s often behind her camera capturing the everyday magic at TBCDSB… usually while lying on the floor or standing on a chair (don’t tell Karen!).

Mike Gundert

Coordinator of Religion & Family Life

Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board

Mike serves as the Coordinator of Religious & Family Life Education for the Algonquin & Lakeshore CDSB.  Through this role, Mike has been a member of the board's Compassionate Response Team for over 12 years, supporting school communities in times of crisis.  Mike has participated in reviewing and rewriting the two most recent versions of the board's Compassionate Response Protocol, which informs school leaders and school communities in times of Crisis.  Mike is certified in children's grief & bereavement through the SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health.

Christopher Holz

Principal Campbell Strategies

Chris Holz is a seasoned public affairs executive with over 25 years of experience working with government decision makers and clients.  He serves as a Principal of Campbell Strategies, a leading government relations firm, as well as government relations advisor to CapitalW - a national fundraising consultancy that serves national and international charities, NGOs and non-profit organizations.

Karen McKissick

Safety Coordinator

Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board

Karen McKissick, CRSP is a dedicated safety professional and dual-role educator, currently serving as the Safety Coordinator for the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board and a part-time instructor at Confederation College. With over 30 years of health and safety experience spanning the education, government, and community healthcare sectors, Karen provides robust expertise in regulatory compliance and risk management. She is a graduate of Lakehead University's Business Administration program and holds the Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) designation. Recognized as a Top Woman in Safety 2023 by Canadian Occupational Safety magazine, Karen combines academic rigor with hands-on governance experience, making her a trusted and authoritative advocate for safe, supportive learning environments.

Tracy McLennan

Associate Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer

Wellington Catholic District School Board

Tracy McLennan is the Associate Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer for the Wellington Catholic District School Board. The role offers great diversity and the portfolio includes; finance and treasury, information technology, enrolment and admissions, planning and operations, student transportation and International Education.  Within a School Board, the role is to support the mission and vision of the Board in the greater context of student achievement. There is an opportunity to go ‘beyond the numbers”’ and offer a strategic perspective to support decision-making and long-term planning.

Tracy is a CPA and a Certified Public Finance Accountant who holds an Honours BBA in Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University. Tracy has extensive experience on other Boards and committees in Guelph-Wellington and Ontario.  Tracy has held the position of adjunct professor with the University of Guelph as the instructor of the Financing of Education in Ontario Course offered in partnership with OASBO.

Donna Nielsen

Trustee

Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario

I began my career in Catholic education in 1980 with the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board. After relocating to Eastern Ontario in 1999, I joined the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario as a SERT. In 2002 my adventure as school principal began, retiring in 2016. My love of everything in Catholic education prompted me to continue my journey as Catholic School Trustee in 2021. I continue to be committed to ensuring every student is provided the opportunity to achieve his/her potential; heart, mind, body and soul and that every student knows that he/she is a gift from God. 

Anne O'Brien

Director of Catholic Education

OCSTA

Paola Pace-Gubekjian

Associate Director, Corporate Services

Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board

With over 27 years at the HWCDSB, Paola has served in roles including budget, internal audit, and currently leads Corporate Services overseeing Facilities, ICT, Planning and Accommodation, Procurement and Finance. She stewards resources with transparency and strategic foresight, prioritizing  fiscal responsibility while remaining focused on student learning, academic excellence, and the mental health and well-being of students and staff.  Guided by the Board's mission and rooted in Catholic values, Paola strives for operational excellence, delivering sustainable results in support of Catholic education.    

Rowan Rockley

DOTS (Data on the Spot)

Jessica Salmon

Manager of Strategic Communications

Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board

Jessica Salmon is the Manager of Strategic Communications with the Algonquin and Lakeshore CDSB. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, with a combined honours in Communication Studies, specializing in Public Relations and later completed a Master's Degree in Sociology. In her professional capacity, Jessica's focus centers on crisis communications and reputation management. Jessica leads the Strategic Communications team to ensure that all school board messaging is branded, professional, and engaging. She is passionate about supporting staff and community partners, striving to make every communication clear, exciting, and aligned with the ALCDSB's values. 

Lisa Soulliere

Chair

Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board

Lisa Soulliere has served as a trustee with the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board since 2000, being elected as Chair in 2024.  She has served on most Board committees over the past 25 years.  Her legacy as a Trustee will be that of a fierce advocate for students, especially those who need a little extra.  She is married with 3 adult children and 2 grandchildren.

Linda Staudt

Canadian Synod Delegate

Former Director of Education, LDCSB

Linda Staudt,1 of 4 lay people from Canada appointed by Pope Francis to the 16th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome as a voting delegate. Nominated by Bishop Fabbro.

Served for 25 years as a teacher, vice-principal, principal, superintendent with the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board.

Served 8 years as Director of Education for the London District Catholic School Board.

Co-Chair of the Synod Committee for the Diocese of London

Chair and Lead Writer of the Synod Synthesis Team for the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario.

Over the course of the past two years has shared her experience of the Synod locally, provincially and nationally. Has facilitated sessions with parish, diocesan and educational groups along with key partners to promote and implement the synodal process of listening and discernment, to become a more participatory and missionary Church.

Liam Terry

DOTS (Data on the Spot)

Erica Vervoort

CPA, Ca, MAcc, Director, Audit & Assurance

Deloitte

Erica Vervoort is an Audit Director at Deloitte. She has over 13 years of experience specializing in providing assurance and advisory services to clients in the public sector, including municipalities, school boards, hospitals and not-for-profit organizations. Erica is also the Government Public Sector Community Leader at Deloitte for audit services in Ontario.

Mark Weber

Special Advisor to the Provost on Leadership Strategy and Development

University of Waterloo

Mark Weber is Special Advisor to the Provost on Leadership Strategy and Development at the University of Waterloo.  An award-winning teacher and researcher, Mark’s work focuses on leadership, cooperation, negotiation, decision-making and trust.  He has also taught at other leading institutions, including Northwestern University, INSEAD, and the University of Michigan.  Beyond the academy, Mark consults and trains executives across sectors — from healthcare, education and finance to media and government — helping leaders strengthen collaboration, navigate complexity, and lead with purpose.