Leadership

Marianne was born and raised in Blenheim, Chatham-Kent. She was educated and is employed as an Environmental Technologist for Waterloo Biofilter Systems, a wastewater treatment technology.

Marianne’s life experience brings her to be engaged in several volunteer activities and organizations that have impacted her experiences.

When asked about her favourite childhood memory:

“Spending time with my Grandparents and listening to their wisdom.”

Erin Kearney has been an active member of the community since moving to the area over 5 years ago. She served as a Big Sister with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chatham Kent before recently transitioning to their Board of Directors and served on a Grant Review Committee with the United Way of Chatham Kent. Erin works for Enbridge Gas Inc. as the lead for a large scale integration project to harmonize systems and processes and has extensive experience in quality, leadership, operations and process improvement. Erin graduated with a degree in Political Science from Carleton University and has since obtained her Certified Quality Associate and Certified Quality Engineer designations. She is eager for the opportunity to serve on the Linck Board of Directors and provide her perspective as a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. In her free time, you can find her taking in the outdoors, reading a good book and walking her dog.

When asked about an adventure she went on:

“Last Summer a good friend and I spent a week going on a road trip to Colorado to see a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Our transportation was a VW camper van.  We camped along the way and were lucky enough to experience breathtaking views and hiking, hearty laughs, a bucket list concert event and memories that will last a lifetime.”

Chantelle is a Manager of Residential and Community Supports with Community Living Chatham-Kent. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sociology, complemented by minors in Child Psychology and Family & Social Relations from the University of Windsor.

Over the past eighteen years, she has dedicated herself to the valuable work of developmental services organizations across Southwestern Ontario, gaining insight into supplementary services such as housing, judicial systems, crisis intervention, mental health, and addiction services.

Chantelle has also provided private behavioural services for families, children, and transitional aged youth with complex needs, through short-term emergency supports in children’s mental health treatment residences, child welfare agencies, foster care residences, and schools. Stepping into her role as a Linck Board Director, she is eager to contribute and believes deeply in the crucial work of Linck: ensuring the health, safety, and development of children and youth in Chatham-Kent, now and for the future.

When asked about a challenge she has overcome:

“I have successfully navigated the intricacies of balancing my career while managing the demands of my husband’s national work travel schedule, which tested my resilience while raising two young children. Five years ago, we relocated from the Greater Toronto Area to transition into new roles more locally, achieving a better work-life balance for our family.”

Chris is a Captain with the Oakville Fire Department. Chris also serves as a member of the leadership team for The Allied Firefighters of Canada, Co-Founder of the Mentoring Youth Career Stimulation Program, and current Assistant Head Coach for the Provincial Champion Essex Ravens Football Club.  Chris also volunteers as part of the CKFES and spends a considerable amount of time with his grandchildren.

When asked about a challenge he overcame:

“The transition from a firefighter to an officer in charge of men and women I worked closely with can be difficult. I was able to earn the respect of my peers by ensuring their safety was the number one priority.”

Paula is the CEO of a small consulting firm, MMCS Ltd. She is a former Executive Director of a mid-sized nonprofit organization in Alberta, former Associate Executive Director of the YWCA of Edmonton, and has served on several nonprofit boards.  Since 2020 she has happily made her home in Chatham, Ontario.

For the past 30+ years, Paula has supported the nonprofit sector through in-person and online leadership training, facilitation, organizational consulting, employee satisfaction surveys and executive and board leadership coaching.  She holds an undergraduate degree (Psychology & English) from the University of Manitoba and did her graduate studies in Educational Psychology at the University of Alberta.

Paula as traveled extensively in various RVs across Canada and the United States. She is an animal lover (2 cats at the moment) and is an enthusiastic fan of almost all sports. She is an enthusiastic cook and enjoys baking long-rise, no knead breads.  She is currently trying master homemade pizza baked in a wood-fired oven!

When asked about her favourite childhood memory:

“My favourite memory was during middle elementary school years. I travelled with my Dad almost every weekday, all summer long. He worked for a national grain company as a traveling supervisor. We drove many kilometers to various small towns all over central Alberta. Of course, I learned how to identify and grade various grain crops. More importantly for a kid my age, he let me sit beside him on the front bench seat, perched on an upside down wooden crate, down gravel country roads, while steering the company-owned car!  My Mom didn’t know until many years later … it was just our “little secret”.

Spencer is a Professional Engineer working for a company in Southeast Michigan.  He currently resides in Blenheim with his wife, two boys and dog-o.  As a parent of young children, Spencer was motivated to join the Linck board because of his desire to support future generations and because of experiences with mental health within his family. Recognizing the importance of community involvement, Spencer views this opportunity as a meaningful way to volunteer and advocate for mental health initiatives that can make a positive impact on families and individuals.

When asked about a favorite childhood memory:

“I think that would have to be when my parents loaded my sister and I in the ’97 Suburban and we drove from Eastern Ontario to the West Coast, while camping all the way. There were so many great experiences within that whole trip, and I hope I never forget them.”

Caen Suni is the Vice President, Clinical Programs and Operations at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.  Caen has a passion for public service and believes that a well led public organization is one of the most effective means of helping our communities. Over the last two decades Caen has held leadership positions in the home and community care sector as well as having served on the leadership team of the former Erie St. Clair Local Integration Network.  He has witnessed firsthand how the impact of collaboration and seeking common goals has led to the betterment of the community. 

Caen is a graduate of the University of Ottawa School of Political Studies, and he holds a Master of Business Administration from Royal Roads University.  He has also studied innovation in business at the Grenoble École de Management and Harvard Business School. 

When asked about a happy childhood memory:

“I am from Northern Ontario, we spent all our time outdoors.  My fondest memories are of my twin brother and I playing in the forests and rivers near our home.  We’d be gone for entire days…fishing, building, climbing, and exploring.”

Kristin Murray is a dedicated advocate for children and families, bringing over 15 years of experience in educational leadership and special education in the Lambton-Kent District School Board to her role on the board of directors. Currently Principal at A A Wright Public School, Kristin excels in creating inclusive, equitable environments that prioritize student well-being. Her extensive qualifications include certifications in Special Education, alongside advanced training in leadership and mental health initiatives. This is Kristin’s first year on the board.

When asked what quality she admires in a friend

“I admire a friend who doesn’t always need to fix or help.  I admire the friend that can sit in the pit with you and acknowledge when life is hard.  Then when the moment is right and you’re ready to dust yourself off, that friend is in the front row cheering you on.”