Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors embody the pillars of Pathstone Mental Health.

Let us introduce them to you:

Laura Fyfe

Chair

Laura Fyfe is a research-focused career professional with a background in skills translation and labor market research. In her role as the Skills Translation Coordinator at Brock University, Laura facilitates meaningful connections between skills, education, experiential learning, and an ever-evolving labor market. She is dedicated to the mental health, safety, and well-being of her community and has actively contributed through civic engagement and volunteer work.

Benoît Beausoleil

Vice Chair, Chair of the Governance Committee

Benoit is an IT Leader with over 22 years of experience currently working for Procter Gamble. Having spent most of his life moving between Québec, Ontario and the US, he is now a resident of Niagara region since 2012 with his wife and daughter.

Karen Smith Curtis

Treasurer, Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee

Karen Smith Curtis is a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in financial services and the not-for-profit sectors. Karen has served on various non-profit boards and committees including Gillian’s Place, West Lincoln Memorial Hospital and Reconnect Mental Health Services. Karen is now enjoying her recent retirement from the St. Catharines Public Library and resides in St. Catharines and is the mum of three grown children.

Suzanne Curtin

Secretary

Suzanne Curtin, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Child and Youth Studies and she is also the Vice-Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies at Brock University. Her research background is on early infancy and cognitive development in children with a focus on language and social communication. Suzanne moved from Alberta to Niagara in 2020 with her partner, and they are happy to now call St. Catharines home.

Paddie Lucas

Liaison to Pathstone Foundation Board

Paddie has sat on the board of directors for Pathstone Mental Health for five plus years. She is passionate about providing support to children throughout the Niagara Region with minimal wait time and as close to home as possible. Currently there are 10 locations throughout Niagara which is something to celebrate. Paddie owns a promotional business (Brand You, Promotional Products) and she supports small and large business with branded apparel and swag. She worked in enforcement for the Attorney General for 10 years prior. She has 2 adult children and 8 grandchildren.

Brad Mayhew

Liaison to Family Advisory Committee for Engagement, DSBN Liaison

Brad is an Elementary Principal with the District School Board of Niagara. In his 26th year in education, he has a tremendous passion in working with children and to ensure that all kids get the support they need to reach their full potential. He is happily married with two children, ages 15 and 10.

Carling Wright

Board Member

Carling Wright has been a proud volunteer with Pathstone since 2011, sitting on the Board of Directors for the past 4 years. As a Registered Social Worker, she has worked with both adult and youth populations with a focus on housing stability, addictions support, and mental health-related concerns. Carling currently works as a Front Desk Manager and Marketing Associate at a hotel in Niagara Falls.

Brian Ferguson

Board Member

Brian is an Occupational Health & Safety professional who has provided health and safety leadership in construction, industrial, aggregates, resource recovery and environmental companies across North America for over twenty years. Currently, he is Vice President of Health and Safety at Walker Industries. Brian lives in Niagara with his wife, their three daughters, two rescue dogs, and two rescue turtles. Brian is passionate about volunteering and has done so throughout Niagara his whole life. He currently also sits on the Board of Directors and Governance committee for the Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) Youth Collective, which provides a safe space for the youth in the area to congregate, learn and have fun.

Woody McKaig

Board Member

Woody has practiced law in St. Catharines since his call to the bar in 1976. He provides legal and strategic advice on a variety of matters, including labor relations, collective agreement negotiations, interest and rights arbitrations, Ontario human rights cases, policing issues and administrative law matters to a small handful of public and private sector clients. Woody lives in Niagara with his wife and law partner Sara and their two youngest children. The older three children and four grandchildren are spread out – in Florida, Ottawa and Ancaster. He recognizes the issues facing those in the community facing mental health issues, and joined the Pathstone Board to work towards making things better.

Willow Shawanoo

Community Advocate

Kechego is Anishinaabekwe, Ojibway from Kettle and Stoney Point, Turtle Clan, living in St. Catharines with her spouse and their three children. As an intergenerational survivor she has used her intergenerational strengths to graduate from Brock in 2013 with two degrees in History and Sociology. Willow is a long time and active community member currently working at Brock University as the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Events Coordinator. Throughout her career she has held numerous roles and continues to be an advocate for her community.

Jennifer Ferguson

Past Chair

Jennifer is a dedicated marketing professional with a strong focus in advertising, direct mail, public relations and partnership development. In her role as the Sr. Director of Marketing Services, Jennifer continues to develop new and successful initiatives and strategies for Niagara Casinos in the constantly evolving gaming industry which she has proudly been a part of for over 20 years. As a devoted supporter of mental health in the Niagara Region, Jennifer is passionate about improving the community and contributes through her participation with various community boards and volunteer work.