The Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who share a commitment to the well-being of children and families. The role of the Board of Directors is to ensure the on-going sustainability, credibility and ability of the organization to realize its Mandate, Vision, Mission Statement and Values & Guiding Principles.
Executive Members
Mr. Kulveer Virk, M.Eng., PMP, Board Chair
Mr. Kulveer Virk
has been a Board Director since September 2016, currently serving as the Chair of the Board. He is presently working for a major automotive manufacturer in Detroit as ITO Transformation Manager.
Mr. Virk has over 20 years of experience in managing and delivering complex programs in Information Technology and is a thought leader with deep experience in solving business problems utilizing continuous improvement methods and efficient use of technologies. He teaches Management of Information Systems as adjunct professor at University of Windsor. His expertise includes creating process efficiencies, governance structures, data analytics and strong stakeholder relations.
Mr. Virk brings over a decade of board governance, strategic planning and program management experiences serving multiple roles in various sectors in USA and Canada.
Ms. Stephanie Savoni, LL.B., Vice Chair
Ms. Stephanie Savoni has been a Board Director since September 2021, currently serving as the Vice Chair of the Board. Ms. Savoni is Counsel and Chair of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Practice Group at Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP in its Toronto office and has been working in the field of workplace safety and insurance law for over 23 years. Her practice is dedicated exclusively to representing employers in workplace safety and insurance law matters. Prior to joining Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP, Ms. Savoni spent 18 years representing and advising Ontario employers with the Office of the Employer Adviser, an independent agency of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
Ms. Savoni graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1998 from the University of Windsor and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2000. Ms. Savoni has also been teaching employment law and property law at the Faculty of Law at the University of Windsor as a sessional instructor since 2016, and she devotes much of her personal time to mentoring and supporting her students, both past and current.
Ms. Savoni has a deep personal interest in social justice and advocacy for youth and children and is so pleased to have the opportunity to contribute her skills to the WECAS as a Board Director.
Ms. Melissa Cuzzocrea, CPA, CA., Treasurer
Ms. Melissa Cuzzocrea
has been a Board Director since January 2022, currently serving as Treasurer of the Board and Chair of the Corporate Services Committee. Ms. Cuzzocrea is a Director in Baker Tilly Windsor’s Assurance and Advisory department. She has over 20 years of accounting experience, most of which has been spent in public accounting. Ms. Cuzzocrea works primarily with owner-managed corporations providing business advisory, accounting, and tax compliance services, as well as personal and corporate tax planning services.
Melissa graduated from the University of Windsor with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree. She earned her Chartered Accountant designation in 2000 and her CPA designation in 2008 in the State of Illinois. Ms. Cuzzocrea has also taught at the University Of Windsor Odette School Of Business as a sessional instructor.
Ms. Stephanie Williams, Secretary
Boozhoo, Anii Stephanie Williams dizhinikaaz! Ojibway from Bkejwanong Territory. Ms. Williams has been a Board Director since September 2018, currently filling the designated seat for a representative of the Indigenous community. She currently serves as Board Secretary and sits on the Services Planning Committee.
Ms. Williams was born and raised on reserve (Walpole Island First Nation), where she lived all her life. She is a daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, cousin and mother of two children. Ms. Williams brings with her a great deal of experience through her professional career as well as life experiences. She possesses a Social Service Worker Diploma from St. Lawrence College, specializing in Indigenous Peoples, and a Bachelor’s of Social Work from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University).
Ms. Williams worked at Three Fires Exhignowenmindwaa Women’s Shelter for ten years, Sarnia Lambton Children’s Aid Society and currently at the South West Detention Centre. She enjoys working with people and being a helper. She believes in Wholistic and traditional healing along with promoting healthy balanced daily living and the safety and well-being of all.
Mr. Shane Renaud, OMC, Police Constable, Services Planning Committee Chair
Mr. Shane Renaud
has been a Board Director since September 2018, currently serving as Chair of the Services Planning Committee. As a former Crown Ward, he is a strong advocate for children and youth. During his teen years, Shane acted as a liaison between youth in care and the WECAS Board and he has continued donating his time since by providing presentations to foster parents, youth in care and staff.
Shane’s commitment to the Windsor-Essex community is also reflected in his chosen profession, that of a Constable with the Windsor Police Service. He is a graduate of the Law and Security Administration Program at St. Clair College, the Ontario Police College’s Constable Training Program and has an Executive Certificate in Conflict Resolution from the University of Windsor – Faculty of Law.
Mr. Renaud has been an active and previous member of the Board of Directors serving from 2004-2014; and he served in all roles including that of President. Mr. Renaud’s initial term further included him representing Southwest Ontario on the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) and being one of only 12 members named from the Province of Ontario to represent the Society by sitting as a member with the Commission to Promote Sustainability in Child Welfare. At the conclusion of Mr. Renaud’s tenure, he took a four-year hiatus.
In December of 2016, Mr. Renaud’s volunteer work with the Society, Windsor Police Service and advocacy for youth in care was recognized with him being awarded the Ontario Medal of Good Citizenship.
Dr. Nila Das, PhD., MBA, Board Director
Dr. Nila Das was elected to the WECAS board position in September 2023 and presently sits on the Corporate Services Committee. Her role as the Executive Director at the Windsor Essex Child/Youth Advocacy Centre (WECYAC) exemplifies her unwavering commitment to dismantle obstacles, drive systemic change, and foster collaborative partnerships, all with the goal of enhancing the lives of young individuals.
Throughout her career in the health and community care sector, Dr. Das has occupied pivotal roles, including Lead for Strategic Growth & Partnerships, where she played a crucial part in deploying virtual nursing services, Ontario Health Teams Partnerships, and leading efforts to restore nursing services during labor disruptions and cyberattacks.
Dr. Das serves on the Board of Directors for both the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County and the Windsor Regional Hospital. With a Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences and a Master of Business Administration, both earned at the University of Windsor, Dr. Das seamlessly combines her research and business acumen to provide a solid foundation for her work in advocacy, research, and community collaboration.
Ms. Princess Small, B.Ed., M.Ed., Board Director
Ms. Princess Small was elected to the Board in September 2023, and currently serves as the Chair of the Governance Committee. Princess is a passionate advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion, hailing from Jamaica. Her educational background includes a Master’s in Educational Administration and Leadership, with a focus on equitable leadership, statistical analysis, and anti-racism education, and a Bachelor of Education with a specialization in History and Culture.
Professionally, Princess has contributed significantly to the development of the youth in Windsor-Essex community as the past Coordinator in the Young Women in LEAD Program, now the Acting Program Manager Settlement Services for Newcomer Women and Girls and as a co-founder of Beauty is Me. Her dedication extends to volunteer work, creation and conducting workshops on various issues, and certifications, including Suicide Prevention Training.
In summary, Princess Small is a tireless champion for Youth development, equity, diversity, and inclusion, committed to creating a world where all children and youth can thrive, irrespective of their background. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, she paves the way for a more inclusive future.
Mr. Adam Coates, R.A., AIA, ACIP, Board Director
Mr. Adam Coates has been a Board Director since September 2023 and currently sits on the Corporate Services Committee. Mr. Coates is a Licensed Architect and Professional City Planner. After working for many years in the private sector at an Engineering, Planning, and Architecture firm, Mr. Coates became interested in municipal government and city planning.
Mr. Coates graduated from Lawrence Technological University with a Master’s in Architecture. He has since become a member of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute. Mr. Coates has years of experience working in municipal government and serving on various municipal committees and boards.
Ms. Kendall Dunlop, B.Ed., B.S., E.C.E., Board Director
Ms. Kendall Dunlop was elected to the Board in September 2024 and currently sits on the Services Planning Committee. She previously sat on the Board as the Youth Representative from January 2022 to June 2024. Ms. Dunlop recently obtained her Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Psychology degrees with the University of Windsor, and her Early Childhood Education diploma from St. Clair College. Kendall has a passion for advocating for youth in care stemming from her own experiences as a Crown Ward and her position as a kinship parent.
Kendall’s advocacy work began in 2020 when she wrote her children’s book, Sally and her Suitcase, which touched upon unique experiences that children in care have and issues that are often overlooked. Kendall also has a passion for cultivating the curiosity of young minds and has spent four years working in various comp-ed schools in Windsor Essex County as a before and after school teacher.
Ms. Dunlop brings many unique and valuable perspectives to the WECAS Board and wishes to continue to grow her knowledge and continue to advocate for the needs of youth in our community.
Mr. Noah Campbell, Board Director
Mr. Noah Campbell was elected to the WECAS Board in September 2024 and presently sits on the Corporate Services Committee. Noah currently serves as the Director of Technical Operations and Partnerships at Connecting Windsor-Essex, a non-profit focused on regional connectivity and cybersecurity initiatives. Noah is also the first Windsorite appointed to the Prime Minister’s Youth Council, where he advises the Prime Minister, Cabinet, and senior Government of Canada officials, while representing the interests of youth in Canada domestically and abroad. In addition, Noah is a member of the University of Windsor’s Board of Governors.
Noah holds an honours bachelor’s degree of computer science (cooperative education) with distinction from the University of Windsor. His relevant work experience includes several engagements at BlackBerry, supporting BlackBerry’s top customers, and in corporate communications and sustainability. Past experiences include securing over $23 million in funding for rural internet connectivity and community economic development projects, and serving as an Adjunct Researcher in cybersecurity. Noah is also an entrepreneur and a Pastoral Chaplain able to officiate marriages across Ontario.
Ms. Deborah Cercone, B.S.W., Board Director
Ms. Deborah Cercone has been a Board Director since September 2024, currently sitting on the Services Planning Committee. Deborah is retired from the City of Windsor’s Human and Health Services where she served for 16 years as the Executive Director of Housing and Children’s Services. As a Senior Director she was responsible for the delivery of programs to citizens of Windsor and Essex County that include childcare, early years, subsidized housing, people at risk of and experiencing homelessness, social investment and emergency social services. During her tenure at the City of Windsor, Deborah was proud to lead a team that offered Early ON Child and Family Centres in all Best Start Neighbourhoods in Windsor and Essex County, developed the Windsor Essex 10 Year Housing and Homelessness Master Plan, created new affordable housing targeting youth, people with intellectual disabilities and victims of domestic violence and the establishment of the first shelter that supports families in need of emergency shelter in our region.
Prior to working at the City of Windsor, Ms. Cercone held various roles with the provincial government at the Ministry of Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services including Program Supervisor, Project Manager and Program Analyst. In these roles she worked with agencies who provided childcare, children and youth mental health, youth justice, children’s treatment services, infant development and violence against women programs in the Southwest Region.
Ms. Cercone is a graduate of the University of Windsor with a Bachelor of Social Work in 1990 and completed a Master’s Certificate in Municipal Leadership from York University’s Schulich School of Business in 2015. Ms. Cercone has a deep personal interest in the well-being of children and youth and is happy to have the opportunity to contribute her skills to the WECAS as a Board Director.
Ms. Marium Tolson-Murtty, M. Ed., PhD
Ms. Marium Tolson-Murtty joined the WECAS Board of Directors in September 2024 and currently sits on the Services Planning Committee. She is a proud Windsorite educator, advocate, entrepreneur, wife and mother. With deep roots in the Windsor community, Marium was born and raised in Windsor and is the youngest of 7 children. As an Underground Railroad descendant, Marium takes great pride in her African Canadian heritage. She is a 3-time alumna of The University of Windsor, where she completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies, a Bachelor of Education, and a Master of Education degree. Marium is currently a Ph.D. student in education, where her research continues to focus on addressing and dismantling anti-Black racism in education and the systems of oppression imposed upon Black students in their pursuit and completion of post-secondary education.
Marium is a post-secondary educator with over 20 years of experience helping students, families, and program development. Her experience includes working as an Experiential Learning Coordinator and then in the field of Undergraduate Recruitment. Marium then moved on to the Faculty of Education as the Continuing Teacher Education Program Coordinator, where she found her niche in helping to educate educators. In 2020, Marium was seconded to the Office of the President at the University of Windsor as the Strategic Planning Officer of Anti-Black Racism Initiatives. In 2021, Marium was promoted to Director of Anti-Racism Organizational Change in the newly formed Office of the Vice-President, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
Marium is heavily involved in the Windsor-Essex community with organizations such as the Black Council of Windsor-Essex, United Way Windsor Essex Board of Directors, PROPEL (Preparing for the Realities of Post-Secondary Education and Life), Black Boys Code-Windsor, and Youth Connection Association. As a proponent of Life-Long learning, Marium is passionate about pursuing education, helping to ensure pathways for those who want to pursue higher learning, and not letting barriers stand in their way.
Ms. Neelu Sehgal, M. Ed., Board Director
Ms. Neelu Sehgal joined the WECAS Board of Directors in September 2024 and currently serves on the Governance Committee. Ms. Sehgal is an experienced senior leader with a strategic vision and demonstrated success working in the Hospital and Healthcare industry over 30 years in the areas of change management, clinical education, data management, person, and family centered care, quality improvement and research. Neelu graduated from McGill University with a Master’s in Educational Psychology and Counselling.
Neelu has launched multiple new initiatives across the region and received provincial recognition for initiatives like Primary Care Cancer Screening with nursing students within Regional Cancer Program and publication in the Canadian Journal of Public Health. She also launched the first Team based care model for solo practitioners at the WFHT and won the Bright Lights Award – for Increasing Access to Team Based Care, and the Transformative Change Award. Most recently, Neelu played a key role in launching the Mobile Medical Support unit in 2023 that services high priority vulnerable patients across Windsor Essex through Erie Shores HealthCare.
Within Erie Shores HealthCare, Ms. Sehgal’s role as Chief Nursing Executive and Program Development presents her with endless opportunities to impact care delivery across our region and play a crucial role in the development and enhancement of interprofessional practice.
Mr. Michael Brown, Board Director
Mr. Michael Brown was elected to the WECAS Board in September 2024 and presently sits on the Corporate Services Committee. Michael is a native of Toronto, Ontario, and attended Wayne State University in Detroit, MI for his undergraduate studies in Criminal Justice.
Mr. Brown is currently the Team Lead of the United Way’s On Track to Success Program – Ujima Initiative. In this role, Michael oversees a team that provides educational, financial, health and wellness supports to Black high school students and their families in six local high schools.
Michael co-founded Beauty Is Me (BIM) in 2020 to connect non-Black parents and guardians who are caring for Black children, to culturally appropriate community resources especially as it relates to their hair care. He also serves as the Operations Manager of Rapha Christian Centre, sits on the executive board of directors for the Black Council of Windsor Essex, and hosts a weekly local radio show.
Similarly, Michael is a former board member of the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) Board of Directors, and was the chair of its Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) committee. Michael also was the co-chair of the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society (WECAS) Black, African, Caribbean, Canadian (BACC) Committee.
Mr. Chris Werstein, Board Director
Mr. Chris Werstein was elected to the Board in September 2024 and currently serves on the Governance Committee. As an Inspector with the Windsor Police Service, Mr. Werstein leads strategic initiatives to improve organizational efficiency. His expertise includes business analytics, optimizing resources, and enhancing public safety through innovative practices.
Mr. Werstein is currently pursuing a Master of Public Safety at Wilfrid Laurier University and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Windsor. He has completed various executive leadership programs aimed at enhancing organizational performance.
Ms. Amy Fordham, Youth Representative
Ms. Amy Fordham has been the Youth Representative on the Board since September 2024, and currently sits on the Services Planning Committee. Amy is a Dean’s List Honour Roll recipient and a Bachelor of Social Work student at the University of Windsor with minors in both Psychology and Philosophy. Amy intends on continuing her education for a Master’s Degree in Social Work.
Amy aspires to offer a new perspective from a personal lens of being a Crown Ward and help improve the experiences of youth in care today. Amy hopes to help fill the cracks that marginalized and neglected youth fall through and to empower them to believe that they are capable, despite the odds that may be stacked against them.
Amy’s advocacy work began as a young girl taking a leadership role with Youth Rex where she assisted in hosting workshops for childcare professionals promoting building positive relationships between youth and Child and Youth Workers. She continues her advocacy in her chosen field of Social Work and volunteering with local organizations supporting those who struggle with food instability.
…
Board meetings are held ten times throughout the year. If you wish to attend a meeting and/or address the Board, please contact the Executive Assistant in writing, identifying the topic, rationale and speaker(s) at nluepann@wecas.on.ca